A few more Iguazu Falls Question, please...

[petlover]

OK, we've got our flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu lined up for February and our hotel for 1 night (must return the following morning to the ship) but now I'm wondering about a few other things.

 

1. Any trouble getting taxi from the Iguzau airport to the Iguzau Sheridon Hotel ?

2. Can we pay in USD$ for taxi and entrace fee into the park?

3. Do we need to pre-book anything such a zodiac boat rides or do you do this from the hotel? local vendor within the park? etc.

 

Considering that we are only going to have between 1-7pm (6 actual hours) what are the MUST SEEs within the park? This is going to be such a rush trip but better than not going at all!

 

Thank you so much for helping me with this!

[dileep]

I did not want to deal with those questions and therefore we booked the whole package (air, transfers, local sightseeing, hotel, and drop off at ship on return) through Ricardo at Defrantur. We we be in Iguazu for just 24 hours too (noon to noon).

[gerena]

Pet Lover,

 

You may be walking faster than the water goes over the falls, but I commend you on booking your own. It takes time and there are many questions. However, you will enjoy---as we will, we hope. I have a lot of info and websites that I used for information. You might try Tripadvisor.com for destinations. Also Fodors. Also Frommers. I think I got a lot of info on e-pinions.com/trvl-review.

 

I don't know about the currency, but I would think that it is such a big place that you could use US $. We are going to have a taxi (prearranged) pick us up at the Brazil airport (we fly in from Rio), he will take us to the Brazilian side and then on to the Sheraton--we got a jungle view, too!!! You were very fortunate at this late date!!! But, I understand the Argentine airport is just a VERY short drive from the Sheraton. Since you are going back to the ship, you won't probably have a lot of stuff--be sure to take a raincoat, sunscreen, and bug repellant and protection for your camera---I have heard. I am just going to use disposable cameras in that part, I think.

 

Don't know about the zodiac rides, except that the vendor is in the Sheraton.

[Aussie Gal]

Pet Lover,

 

I don't know if this will help you at all but we were originally going to do the Iguazu Falls on our own as you are doing, but decided to use a TA to book everything.

 

Anyhow, last year, I sent an email to a guide in Iguazu, he came highly recommended by the Lonely Planet Guide Book.

 

His name is Neri Kruger and his email address: discoveryneri@yahoo.com.br

 

and he is what he was going to do for us.

 

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTACT.

THE TOUR COST WILL BE FOR TWO PERSONS, IN U$, BUT YOU CAN PAY IT WITH REAL.

TRANSFER INN AEROPORT/HOTEL 25

TOUR TO BRASILIAN SIDE OF THE FALLS 60

POWER STATIN ITAIPU 30

TRANSFER OUT HOTEL/AEROPORT 25

 

OBS. BRASILIAN SIDE MORE POWER STATION TO VISIT IN ONE DAY.

ENTRANCE FEE ARE NOT INCLUDED.

PRIVED SERVICE , ENGLISH GUIDE /DRIVER

 

THERE ARE MORE OPCIONAL TOUR , ORGANIZE AT LEASE TWO DAYS FAR VISIT.

 

I know you are having to do it all in one day but I just thought this may be useful.

 

Jennie

[Splinter]

Are you flying into the Argentina side or the Brazil side? I had a car with a driver for our tour, so did not have to mess with cabs. I did book the Zodiac trip at the last minute without any problems, but my guide made the arrangements for me. Remember that there is different local money in the two sides, so you may have to take both Argentine dollars and Brazilian real with you. My park entrance fees were included on in my tour on the Argentina side, and included in hotel stay for the Brazil side, so can't help you with that. I paid my hotel incidentals costs (room service and dinner) at check-out with my VISA card.

[BCHappyGal]

Deat PetLover

 

AS you have only overnight I would suggest you hire a guide to meet you at hte airport - transfer you to the Sheraton and then guide you on the walks to view the Falls. We only had 1 night and did not have time to enjoy the zodiac ride. Our guide was great and helped us make the most of our short time there.

 

Yes the airport is very close to the Sheraton Hotel.

[petlover]

Thanks to all! I'm looking into guides now. So far (even if we do hire a guide) this trip has come out quite inexpensive! (much less than the Cruiseline excursion which doesn't have the overnight!)

[gerena]

Dear Pet Lover,

 

You are exactly right about the cost. I only wish we could book something off the ship in Ushuaia. Have tried, no luck. I have been in contact with an Oliver in Iguassu. He has connections with Peter (Rio) and Carlos (BA) who come highly recommended. His e-mail address is ollivertur@hotmail.com. I don't have a price from him as yet. His website is www1.fallsbrazil.com.br/en--if I have it right. Someone else on this cruisecritic or Frommers also recommended: saulocampos@pop.com.br. I have never contacted him. We have 2 nights there, so on the Argentine side we are going to do it ourselves---they say it is easy, but you'll probably need to plan it out. Glood luck---my parents have been to the falls and they say they are magnificent.

 

Rena

[xpcdoojk]

I have found that it works out doing it on your own where the second person is free. I think that the ships way overcharge for convenience. I doubt that the people taking those excursions get a better experience, but at least they only have to deal with the cruiseline. I found the exact same with booking our own Macchu Picchu excursion, the funniest thing is that we are staying in the exact same hotels. HAL wanted 1895 pp. I spent less than that almost for 2 couples.

 

jc

[dileep]

Our one night package incl hotel, airfare, transfers and tours for 2 people cost $820 total.

[anniecat]

you can pre-purchase currency at your local bank...it may take special order and a week or so. we have always gotten a small amount ($50-100) currency of the country we will be visiting....REALLY came in handy when our flight was very late, currency exchanges were closed and we were able to use local currency to get to the hotel. our local Wells Fargo Bank is very cooperative in getting what we want. keep the falls going for us....we should be there January 2007:D

[Wahoo89]

Dear Pet Lover,

 

You are exactly right about the cost. I only wish we could book something off the ship in Ushuaia. Have tried, no luck. I have been in contact with an Oliver in Iguassu. He has connections with Peter (Rio) and Carlos (BA) who come highly recommended. His e-mail address is ollivertur@hotmail.com. I don't have a price from him as yet. His website is www1.fallsbrazil.com.br/en--if I have it right. Someone else on this cruisecritic or Frommers also recommended: saulocampos@pop.com.br. I have never contacted him. We have 2 nights there, so on the Argentine side we are going to do it ourselves---they say it is easy, but you'll probably need to plan it out. Glood luck---my parents have been to the falls and they say they are magnificent.

 

Rena

 

Gerena - For Ushuaia, try www.interhabit.com. Got a great tour from them last year, 5 hours for 3 people for roughly $100.

[coiran]

Our one night package incl hotel, airfare, transfers and tours for 2 people cost $820 total.

 

Hi

I got a package price from Defrantur for about the same, depending on our choice of hotel in Iguazu - where did you opt to stay?

I am having trouble communicating with them on e mail - he keeps getting the dates wrong and won't answer my question about should we book our own air and hotel? Who are you flying with BA - Iguazu - BA and what flight times do you have booked?

Ron

rjandy@chartermi.net

[dileep]

Hi

 

I got a package price from Defrantur for about the same, depending on our choice of hotel in Iguazu - where did you opt to stay?

 

I am having trouble communicating with them on e mail - he keeps getting the dates wrong and won't answer my question about should we book our own air and hotel? Who are you flying with BA - Iguazu - BA and what flight times do you have booked?

 

Ron

 

rjandy@chartermi.net

 

We are staying at the Sheraton in a Falls View room. Flying Aerolineas Argentina. We are on a flight that gets in around noon and leave the next day around noon. He booked it all for us and even faxed me the copy of the air ticket and hotel voucher.

 

Tell him that you want the whole package and tell him what flight times you want. If those are not available, he will suggest alternate times.

[petlover]

I originally did this but was told by more than one tour operator that the Sheraton was not available for the night we would be there. Alternate hotels were offered but none seemed as nice or as good a location as the Sheraton (especially considering we're only at the Falls for one night). I was fortunate enough to book the hotel myself on http://www.hotelclub.com and have a voucher for our confirmation (even the Sheraton Website was saying no availability). We're waitlisted for a View room but even if it doesn't clear, I'm glad we're staying within the park.

 

We booked our own air as well. The total for our trip so far without admission fees, meals etc. is right at $585.

[dileep]

We booked our own air as well. The total for our trip so far without admission fees, meals etc. is right at $585.

 

That's good. Ours would have been $600 with regular room and airfare.

 

Get a local guide to pick you up and give you a half day tour of the falls and drop you off at the hotel and you will be all set.

 

Other alternative is to take a taxi to and from the airport on your own and see if the hotel can arrange for a guide to take you around the falls.

 

Have fun.

[gerena]

I feel certain I have read this somewhere in back postings, but can't find it. How far is it from the Sheraton to the Iguazzu airport nearest there. How long does it take. Can we just hire a van from the Sheraton to take us there, or do we need to have it prearranged. How much should we expect to pay?

 

We have a guide confirmed to pick us up at the Brazil airport since we are flying in from Rio (but returning to Buenos Aires from the Argentine airport). He will take us to the Brazil falls first and then take us the to the Sheraton. That way we won't have to repeat steps the the falls are on our way.

[gerena]

Pet Lover,

 

You are right on target. Our combo package for the Sheraton (Jungle view) and airfare is $515. I think the Sheraton includes a breakfast, however. When I think what the cruise line charges----oh my. Of course ours is higher because we fly from Rio (where the cruise ends) to Iguazzu and then return to Buenos Aires where we will stay for 4 days. I did enlist a travel agent in Buenos Aires for my flights and hotel in BA---but the rest has been done on my own. I just figured last night that I have saved at least 1/2 by doing my own port guides instead of the cruise line. I did have to do one cuise shore excursion, however.

[BCHappyGal]

If any of you want the name and contact info of the guide we used in Iguazu read my SA review furhter down on this board. He was excellent and the cost was very reasonable.

 

If you have any questions ask away.

[PaulaJK]

for a guide w. van/driver.

We had debarked and were staying a few days in BA.

We took an early morning flight on Aerolinas and were

met at the small airport [i would fear for taxis] by

guide w. van. He handled border crossing, gave a nice

commentary, leading us to the more impressive falls,

knew the bathroom/snack stop places,etc. He escorted

us to the airport for our return flight and waited until

boarding. I'm sorry that I don't recall the name of the

agency however, you have rec'd many nominations.

I am simply writing to support the idea of a guide

& the fact that you can greatly enjoy these magnificent

falls in a modest period of time. Remember to take your

passport if you plan on seeing the falls from both sides.

As we were staying in BA, we had local currency....so I

don't recall re: US$ but I wouldn't count on it in that

area of the world as one can do in the caribbean,etc.

[gottago2mexico]

Hi - your best bet is to just take out Real out of the ATM when you get to the Iguacu airport. USD is not widely accepted in Brazil, though some places do, and you can always exchange at the hotel if you have to.

 

In that short of time, you'll probably want to skip the Zodiac - we thought it was overpriced for what it was, and we booked it online, which was much cheaper than the ship - we've only been to the Brazilian side of the falls, so I can't vouch for the Argentinian side, but I do know the walkway over Devil's Throat on that side got knocked out early last month.

 

On the Brazilian Side, just walking along the walkways and seeing the falls, with Coati Mundi running around your feet the whole time was great. We had lunch at the falls restaurant on the patio overlooking the river, had coffee at the Tropical Hotel, looked in all the shops, went up the elevator to the top level of the observatory, looked in the gift shops, went to the Bird Park (much better than we expected), and did the Macuco Boat Safari. All that in less than 8 hours.

 

We hired a private guide through Luiz Amaral Tours in Rio (that's where we came from). Our actual guide worked for Interoeste Turismo in Foz do Iguacu - "Eddie". He was very nice. Picked us up at the airport, took us to our hotel, picked us up and took us to the park, gave us a Brazilian Falls Tour, then we let him go while we stayed and took the bus back to our hotel after we ate lunch. Good prices too.

 

There wasn't much to the "tour" - it was mostly us looking at the falls and taking photos. How much can you really say about the waterfall? Here's how big it is, here's why it's here, here's what kind of animals live around here...that's about it - it's a waterfall. The falls is awesome though - absolutely awesome, especially if you come in the morning when the mist shoots rainbows all through the air. Beautiful.

[trishu]

we will be travelling in march to ba. arrive at eze at 7:30 would like to catch the 11:55 flight, but dont know if that is enough time to get through customs and transfer to the other airport. have booked a room at the sheraton, and understand they have quite a few tours that leave from there. do we need our own guide?

[petlover]

We are scheduled to see only the Argentina side of the falls due to time restraints (will have about 5 hours before the park closes). I'm rethinking that maybe we should request going to the Brazil side with our guide instead. We will be staying at the Sheraton Hotel (Argentina side) that evening before flying out the following morning so we will be able to see the falls on our own from the hotel area.

Should we go with our guide from the airport to Brazil side instead of the Argentina side?

[Splinter]

Are you flying into the Brazil side or the Argentina side?

[petlover]

We fly in and out of Argentina side.