Brazil - Pricing for Iguazu falls transfers

I am arriving at the bus station in Puerto Iguazu and then will need to transfer to Sheraton Iguazu, followed by a transfer the next morning to the Brazilian side and then transfered back to the Sheraton later that day, then a transfer to IGR airport in Argentina.

I got a quote of 220 USD cash only for these 3 transfers from Brazil to Argentina and back, and to the airport. Is this a good price? Am I better off getting cabs when I arrive?

I'll be in Foz de Iguazu next week, 2 entire days at Harbor Hotel Colonial, Av. das Cataratas km.16

Do you recommend to hire a taxi to pick me to the falls (both days, one for the argentina side, and the other for the brazilian)? Or is it more convinient a tour? Do you know tour agencies that pick from hotels in the zone I'll stay?

Thanks

That ($220) seems like a horrible price. You can easily take local buses from Puerto Iguazu to Foz for a few dollars. This wiki page has some estimated prices for taxis around the area. http://wikitravel.org/en/Puerto_Iguaz%C3%BA

You are technically required to have a Brazilian visa to enter Brazil, though some are able to stay on the bus/in the cab and ride past the Brazilian check point.

If you stay in Puerto Iguazu, simply go to the bus station and catch the bus out to the falls on the Argentine side, at a cost of a few dollars. Once you get into the park at the falls, the walking paths are self explanatory. Buy a two day pass on the Argentine side to save money if you plan to go back in, as the Argentine side is worth 2 days. Definitely take the river raft ride which goes under a section of the falls.

If you stay in Foz, you can catch the bus out to the Brazilian side of the falls from the central bus station in Foz for a few dollars, and the walk around the Brazilian park is equally self explanatory. To go to the Argentine side, you can catch a bus from the Foz bus station to the Puerto Iguazu bus station, then catch a second bus on out to the Argentine side of the falls.

You really don't need guides at the falls at all. Take your time walking around, getting great pictures.

I'd suggest using a cab when you have luggage (i.e., from the bus stop to the hotel, hotel to airport). You can ask at the bus station what usual taxi fare should be, but I never had any significant trouble with taxis in Argentina. Ask at you hotel and check the wiki page noted to get an idea about cab prices, and I suggest picking up Lonely Planet Argentina which has good suggestions and tips, and will be useful in other parts of the country as well. It does cover Foz as well.

Another site:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/argentina/northeast-argentina/puerto-iguazu/transport/getting-around

Villavic, it looks like you are staying outside of Foz on the road to the falls, you can catch the bus to the falls along Av. Cataratas - again, just ask at your hotel.

If you stay in Foz, you can catch the bus out to the Brazilian side of the falls from the central bus station in Foz for a few dollars, and the walk around the Brazilian park is equally self explanatory. To go to the Argentine side, you can catch a bus from the Foz bus station to the Puerto Iguazu bus station, then catch a second bus on out to the Argentine side of the falls.
.....
Villavic, it looks like you are staying outside of Foz on the road to the falls, you can catch the bus to the falls along Av. Cataratas - again, just ask at your hotel.

Thanks. Do you know a website where I can find more info of bus schedules, stops, etc.? It looks very easy and far cheaper (and we peruvians don't need a visa). Personalized tours cost around $450, and group tours look too short in terms of time

And I also thinking in visit the Brazil side on one morning and take the Macuco safari after lunch, including a jet boat ride. Do you think it's possible? Is it easy to get the safari on my own? Do I have to book thru web days before? Thanks.

Thanks. Do you know a website where I can find more info of bus schedules, stops, etc.? It looks very easy and far cheaper (and we peruvians don't need a visa). Personalized tours cost around $450, and group tours look too short in terms of time

And I also thinking in visit the Brazil side on one morning and take the Macuco safari after lunch, including a jet boat ride. Do you think it's possible? Is it easy to get the safari on my own? Do I have to book thru web days before? Thanks.

You should be able to catch the bus to the Brasil side of the falls on Av de Cat. near you hotel.

I have been told you can pick up the bus across the river to Puerto Ig. at the intersection of Av. de Cat. and Av. Mercosul. Ask at your hotel. This would save riding all the way in to the central bus station.

Getting from your hotel to the Argentine side of he falls by bus may take you 1 or 1-1/2 hours altogether. Trying the see both sides of he falls in one day this way may be a very busy day.

I took a safari/boat ride while in the Argentina park, and it was great. I am not sure if the Macuco Safari is a similar one in Brasil. If it is in Brasil, you could do it the same day you walk around the Brasil side, as the walk is easily completed in a few hours.

Save your money, you don't need to pay for tours, and especially since you speak Spanish, you should have no trouble getting on the right buses.

I couldn't immediately find a bus schedule for Foz, but the buses to the park and to Pto Ig. run very frequently. Your hotel can fill you in on that easily.

Have a great time!

Doc

Feel free to PM me if I can help further.

You should be able to catch the bus to the Brasil side of the falls on Av de Cat. near you hotel.

I have been told you can pick up the bus across the river to Puerto Ig. at the intersection of Av. de Cat. and Av. Mercosul. Ask at your hotel. This would save riding all the way in to the central bus station.

Thanks! It was enough info to find this page ;):
FozTrans 120 Parque Nacional (http://www.pmfi.pr.gov.br/Portal/VisualizaObj.aspx?IDObj=13885)