Question for anyone who has been to Iguazu Falls in South America

[chicagogal]

Hi. We will be spending 2 nights prior to our cruise on Dec 22nd going to Iguazu Falls. Does anyone who has done this know if it is any problem to bring all of your cruise luggage with you on the intra-country flights? I am not sure how small the planes are, or if they have unusually small weight limits. I don't plan to over pack, but I do usually have one large (very close to the 50 pound limit) bag. Any ideas or experience with leaving a bag in Buenos Aires while you are gone (possibly at a hotel where you will stay one night?) I know in "the old days" that was doable (at least in the US) but it's probably harder now with all of the bomb threats etc.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.

[Paulchili]

Hi. We will be spending 2 nights prior to our cruise on Dec 22nd going to Iguazu Falls. Does anyone who has done this know if it is any problem to bring all of your cruise luggage with you on the intra-country flights? I am not sure how small the planes are, or if they have unusually small weight limits. I don't plan to over pack, but I do usually have one large (very close to the 50 pound limit) bag. Any ideas or experience with leaving a bag in Buenos Aires while you are gone (possibly at a hotel where you will stay one night?) I know in "the old days" that was doable (at least in the US) but it's probably harder now with all of the bomb threats etc.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.

 

 

I do not have the definitive answer, just some thoughts.

Chances are that you will have to transfer to the domestic airport; in that case it might make more sense to stop in one of the more upscale hotels along the way and leave your luggage there and travel lightly.

If you have the specific flights, you can get that info from the airline (which airport, how much luggage, storage at the airport, etc)

FWIW, Aerolineas Argentinas is not one of my favorite airlines, but Iguazu is definitely worth the trip.

[chicagogal]

I do not have the definitive answer, just some thoughts.

Chances are that you will have to transfer to the domestic airport; in that case it might make more sense to stop in one of the more upscale hotels along the way and leave your luggage there and travel lightly.

If you have the specific flights, you can get that info from the airline (which airport, how much luggage, storage at the airport, etc)

FWIW, Aerolineas Argentinas is not one of my favorite airlines, but Iguazu is definitely worth the trip.

 

Thanks Paulchili. Good thoughts on the luggage questions.

 

We are traveling on LAN rather than Aerolineas Argentinas so I can call them or search their web site for baggage limits. Still trying to get organized with Brazilian visas, booking the Iguazu side trip flights and hotel, thinking about yellow fever shots etc. Fun stuff! (well - maybe not the shots!)

[dwelsh]

When we visited Iguazu, one of our most memorable side trips, we left our main luggage at the Marriott Hotel and picked it up when we returned. You don't want to schlep all your cruise baggage with you for the 1 or 2 night stay.

 

Be prepared to do a lot of walking and don't forget your plastic ponchos!!

 

Watch out for wasps and other biting bugs. But it is all very worth it!!!

[FlyerTalker]

The baggage allowances on LAN are listed HERE.

 

Definitely less intra-South America than the flights from NA to SA.

 

Tip the bellman well. Ask for his name and tell him you will come look for him on your return. Then tip well on the return. Asking impresses that you will reward when you come back, so note the name and remember it.

[taxjam]

We stayed at the Marriott and left our luggage with the bell man. We got Yellow Fever shots and took Malaria medicine. Here is the CDC link:

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/argentina.aspx#vaccines

 

We took LAN departing and arriving at the domestic airport. We stayed at the Sheraton which is inside the national park. We thought the side trip was great and worth doing.

[KIWP]

Several years ago we did just what you are asking about. We were in BA for several days and then flew to Iguassu, before returning to BA to board a ship. We left our bags at the Hotel and picked them up upon returning to BA. Not a problem at all. It is most cumbersome to take everything with you.

 

To really enjoy the falls, see both sides as there are completely different views. Both magnificent and most special.

[Aussie Gal]

We stayed at the Sofitel in Rio de Janiero before we boarded our cruise and when we left for our stay at the falls, we left most of our luggage with the hotel. They locked it away in a special room just for this purpose. Most hotels will do this as we also did it in Quito after our cruise when we were going to the Galapagos Islands for a week.

 

It is so much easier than carting all the suitcases etc. to the falls and to your hotel.

 

Enjoy, they are absolutely incredible.

 

Jennie

[Aussie Gal]

Several years ago we did just what you are asking about. We were in BA for several days and then flew to Iguassu, before returning to BA to board a ship. We left our bags at the Hotel and picked them up upon returning to BA. Not a problem at all. It is most cumbersome to take everything with you.

 

To really enjoy the falls, see both sides as there are completely different views. Both magnificent and most special.

 

We too visited both sides. We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel and had a Falls View room which was wonderful as we awoke looking at the fantastic view.

 

I booked our trip to the falls before we left home and requested time spent on the Brazilian side. It was interesting to see the different aspects of the falls.

 

Jennie

[chicagogal]

When we visited Iguazu, one of our most memorable side trips, we left our main luggage at the Marriott Hotel and picked it up when we returned. You don't want to schlep all your cruise baggage with you for the 1 or 2 night stay.

 

Be prepared to do a lot of walking and don't forget your plastic ponchos!!

 

Watch out for wasps and other biting bugs. But it is all very worth it!!!

 

Thanks for the great advice!

[chicagogal]

The baggage allowances on LAN are listed HERE.

 

Definitely less intra-South America than the flights from NA to SA. YES!

 

Tip the bellman well. Ask for his name and tell him you will come look for him on your return. Then tip well on the return. Asking impresses that you will reward when you come back, so note the name and remember it.

 

Thanks Flyertalker. You have helped me before. I appreciate it!

[chicagogal]

We stayed at the Marriott and left our luggage with the bell man. We got Yellow Fever shots and took Malaria medicine. Here is the CDC link:

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/argentina.aspx#vaccines

 

We took LAN departing and arriving at the domestic airport. We stayed at the Sheraton which is inside the national park. We thought the side trip was great and worth doing.

 

Thanks for this. We have also booked the Sheraton inside the park.

[chicagogal]

We stayed at the Sofitel in Rio de Janiero before we boarded our cruise and when we left for our stay at the falls, we left most of our luggage with the hotel. They locked it away in a special room just for this purpose. Most hotels will do this as we also did it in Quito after our cruise when we were going to the Galapagos Islands for a week.

 

It is so much easier than carting all the suitcases etc. to the falls and to your hotel.

 

Enjoy, they are absolutely incredible.

 

Jennie

 

Thanks Jennie. We are getting very excited about the trip now.

[chicagogal]

Several years ago we did just what you are asking about. We were in BA for several days and then flew to Iguassu, before returning to BA to board a ship. We left our bags at the Hotel and picked them up upon returning to BA. Not a problem at all. It is most cumbersome to take everything with you.

 

To really enjoy the falls, see both sides as there are completely different views. Both magnificent and most special.

 

We haven't figured out any tours yet but hope to see both sides. We are staying two nights and hope that is long enough. Thanks KIWP.

[KIWP]

We haven't figured out any tours yet but hope to see both sides. We are staying two nights and hope that is long enough. Thanks KIWP.

You are most welcome.

 

Two nights is sufficient for the falls and the surrounding area. Take some time to walk in the village of Iguassu. You can atually go to the end of the village and see 3 countires. Argentina (where you will be), Brasil and Paraguay. There is also a nice outdoor cratfs market at the point. A different but most enjoyable perspective. Also, the Internet cost there is cheaper than alomost anywhere in the world (and sorry to sound braggy but we've been on all 7 Continents).

 

Have fun. That's all that counts.

[carolinepdx]

If you are flying from a major cities, the planes are like a Boeing 737 so luggage should not be a problem. When we did it, we storied our luggage at our hotel in Buenos Aires for the return to pick up before boarding our ship.

 

You will love the falls, know you are going to get wet, be sure and take the boat trip it was the highlight. Also do both sides of the falls, they are quite different, its really worth the effort to get a Brazilian visa.

 

Hope you have pre-booked your guides, we are not much on tours but here they are a necessity.

 

Have fun. Carolineinpdx

[Paulchili]

Also, if they are still doing them, the helicopter flights are fantastic (though pricey) - what a thrill!

[chicagogal]

You are most welcome.

 

Two nights is sufficient for the falls and the surrounding area. Take some time to walk in the village of Iguassu. You can atually go to the end of the village and see 3 countires. Argentina (where you will be), Brasil and Paraguay. There is also a nice outdoor cratfs market at the point. A different but most enjoyable perspective. Also, the Internet cost there is cheaper than alomost anywhere in the world (and sorry to sound braggy but we've been on all 7 Continents).

 

Have fun. That's all that counts.

 

We will try to check that out - thanks!

 

7 continents! Very impressive! I'm not even sure I can NAME 7 continents! :)

[chicagogal]

If you are flying from a major cities, the planes are like a Boeing 737 so luggage should not be a problem. When we did it, we storied our luggage at our hotel in Buenos Aires for the return to pick up before boarding our ship.

 

You will love the falls, know you are going to get wet, be sure and take the boat trip it was the highlight. Also do both sides of the falls, they are quite different, its really worth the effort to get a Brazilian visa.

 

Hope you have pre-booked your guides, we are not much on tours but here they are a necessity.

 

Have fun. Carolineinpdx

 

We are working on the visas - have to have them anyway - our cruise goes to Rio from BA. We have NOT booked any guides yet. Can you (or can anyone) recommend one? I know we need one.

[Dbedros]

We did our trip at the end of the cruise from BA. Took luggage to the Claridge hotel on the way to the airport. We were booked there on the return from the falls. We were told that this is sort of standard at most of the hotels.

 

Stayed at the Sheraton in the falls. There were people on the bottom floor of the hotel that were booking tours. We took one and they got us very close to the falls and the price was reasonable. We also went to a bird sancutary that was very nice as part of the tour. They took care of the border crossing and everything else. Be sure and have a drink on the patio and watch the falls, it was magical.

[chicagogal]

Also, if they are still doing them, the helicopter flights are fantastic (though pricey) - what a thrill!

 

Are they as scary as our float plane trip in Alaska a few weeks ago? It was really white knuckle!

[Paulchili]

Are they as scary as our float plane trip in Alaska a few weeks ago? It was really white knuckle!

 

But afterwards - weren't you glad you did it?

It's a pretty standard helicopter flight - but what a view! You may not be back there very soon (although, you never know). We did it in 1988 and I would imagine they still do them.

[dwelsh]

We are working on the visas - have to have them anyway - our cruise goes to Rio from BA. We have NOT booked any guides yet. Can you (or can anyone) recommend one? I know we need one.

 

Suggest you have your TA book tour from US based tour company. We were met at airport in BA, taken to our hotel, enjoyed tours of the city before we were escorted to airport, met at Iguazu by guide who stayed with us for the 2 days. Just wonderful, no hassle and almost 50% less than the "O" tour.

[KIWP]

We will try to check that out - thanks!

 

7 continents! Very impressive! I'm not even sure I can NAME 7 continents! :)

N. Am, S. Am, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica

 

The world is amazing, and you will find that the more you see the more there is to be seen. Enjoy!!

[Dbedros]

Suggest you have your TA book tour from US based tour company. We were met at airport in BA, taken to our hotel, enjoyed tours of the city before we were escorted to airport, met at Iguazu by guide who stayed with us for the 2 days. Just wonderful, no hassle and almost 50% less than the "O" tour.

 

Nothing against what this poster is saying, but I found a wonderful BA company that did all of this for us and at a cheaper price than any of the US companies where I inquired. The company was also recommended on the South America boards. If you have time I suggest you continue to do your research, just as you did here and then make your choice. TA,s tend to have connections with companies that may be to benefit them and not you because it is easier and requires less effort.