Uruguay? Chile? Iguazu???

[+ Lucky]

Due to the vagaries of award travel availability, I will have several days more in Buenos Aires than I really need, since I was just there a few months ago. So I am thnking of trying a few days in Uruguay. It will be wintertime there, so maybe that is not the best choice, even though we lucked out last year with good winter weather. Anybody recommend Chile? What would you do if you had a few days to spare there? (We are already doing plenty of time in Brazil.)

[trilingual]

Without knowing how many days you have, I'd definitely recommend Iguazu if you've never been there. The falls are utterly spectacular and worth a couple of days (at least one on the Argentine side and another in Brazil). Uruguay in the winter has nothing special to recommend it (Montevideo is a smaller, slower version of B.A.) although you can take a pleasant day trip across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia, an old colonial town opposite Buenos Aires. As for Chile, Santiago is a big city but not as interesting as B.A. You might look into seeing more of Argentina, like staying overnight at an "estancia" (what we'd call an "hacienda") in the countryside, or perhaps a visit to Mendoza and the surrounding wine country at the foot of the Andes. Another possibility would be a visit to the far Northwest (Salta and Jujuy) to see the arid scenery (reminiscent of the U.S. Southwest) and taking the "Train to the Clouds" up into the Andes. Travel agencies in B.A. should be able to set up you up with packages to these destinations.

[+ Lucky]

Thanks for the info, tri. I think the falls are in the lead.

[+ glutes]

The Falls are a must Lucky. You can also venture into Parguay from the Argentine side, hotels offer a free shuttle to a casino over there. Good for a cheap dinner and some eye-candy viewing.

[vabballfan]

I would definitely agree with Iguazu. I flew down to Rio on a Sunday night arriving Monday morning. Tuesday morning I got on a TAM flight to Foz de Iguazu, went to the Brazilian side of the falls in the afternoon, spent the night in the city (Brazilian side) and then went to the Argentine side of the falls the following morning and afternoon up until around 3:00PM. I was on the Brazilian side around 5 hours and the Argentine side around 7 hours.

 

It was absolutely spectacular. I am so glad that I decided to spend the time to go there - it is like nothing else I've ever experienced. The Brazilian side was nice but I preferred the Argentine side since you walk out an 1100 meter walkway system to get to the absolute edge of "Garganta del Diablo" (Devil's Throat), the large horseshoe part of the falls. You are constantly getting hit by mist when you are at the end of platform because you are actually just over the edge of the falls. It's loud and wet but you are absolutely immersed in the environment. The Argentine government has done a great job with the National Park on thier side complete with a train that goes from the entrance of the park to the walkway to the upper part of the falls at Garganta del Diablo.

 

Considering the Brazilians and Argentineans claim it is the largest falls in the world it is not to be missed.

 

On Wikipedia, they say the system of 270 falls is 2.7 km in length. Some of the falls are 269 feet tall while most are around 210 feet tall. Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted as saying "Poor Niagara" when she saw Iguazu Falls. The surface area of the falls at peak flow is 1.3 million square feet (about 30 acres of water). Niagara Falls has a surface area of 600,000 square feet in comparison.

 

There seem to be arguments about whether Victoria Falls in Africa is more spectacular but most people say that since Victoria Falls is a single waterfall and Iguazu is a system of falls that the views are better at Iguazu from the ground and Victoria Falls is best appreciated from the air.

[+ Billsboy4]

I've been to both Victoria and Iguassu Falls and both are spectacular in their own way. I recommend staying at the Tropical Hotel on the Brazilian side, since you can see the Falls from the hotel. There's also a ride in a zodiac that takes you to the calmer falls that's alot of fun. Also on the Brazilian side is a tour of the Dam that provides power to 3 countries and a bird sanctuary that's very interesting. On the Argentine side, there is a train ride in the Park that takes you right up to the Falls that is not to be missed. There is a travel agent in the Tropical Hotel who can arrange everything for you.

 

I am going to be in Chile in December. Any recommendations of things to do besides Santiago and the wine country?

[trilingual]

Also about the falls: from the Brazilian side you get the wide-angle panoramic view of the falls, and morning light for taking photos. On the Argentine side, where most of the falls are located, you get the close-up views, including the walkway to the Devil's Throat.

 

Americans should be aware that Paraguay is now requiring that U.S. citizens have visas (at a $100 fee) to enter the country. Unless you've gotten a visa, you're likely to be turned back at the bridge to Paraguay. You won't be missing much -- Ciudad del Este is a big free port attractive to Brazilian shoppers looking for bargains on electronic goods, perfume, etc. but there are no real tourist attractions except the casino.

[+ Axiom2001]

>Also about the falls: from the Brazilian side you get the

>wide-angle panoramic view of the falls, and morning light for

>taking photos. On the Argentine side, where most of the falls

>are located, you get the close-up views, including the walkway

>to the Devil's Throat.

>

>Americans should be aware that Paraguay is now requiring that

>U.S. citizens have visas (at a $100 fee) to enter the country.

> Unless you've gotten a visa, you're likely to be turned back

>at the bridge to Paraguay. You won't be missing much --

>Ciudad del Este is a big free port attractive to Brazilian

>shoppers looking for bargains on electronic goods, perfume,

>etc. but there are no real tourist attractions except the

>casino.

 

 

Lucky, if you have never been to Foz do Iguacu, I'd join the others who have encouraged you to do so. I spent three days there (while traveling solo). I think about the wonderful experiences that I encountered, but if I were to ever go back again, I'd definitely would have to have someone with me (friend, lover, partner, relative). I didn't enjoy eating my meals alone while staying and dining in the various restaurants at the Hotel das Cataratas which Billys...alluded.

 

I made my tour reservations while at the airport before I went to my hotel in the park. After the plane landed and I had retrieved my luggage, I walked across the aisle and spoke with a guy at the tourist center; I looked at the various advertisements of tours and took about four-- two special boat trips which took us up close and under the falls, the damn, a special cultural show that was an hour away, my trip to the Argentine side, etc..... In my reflecting back, my adventures here were indeed worthwhile and will forever be remembered.

 

While on the Argentine side, go to the Sheraton Hotel and try to take photos from the top floor if you can manage to get outside of the rooms. A couple from Israel and I did this, and I am glad that I did; we took some top knotch pics of the panoramic views of these falls.

 

Hope all of our advice helps! Have a wonderful trip!

[+ Lucky]

RE: Iguazu

 

Thanks for the info, guys. A real resource for the traveler.