We are planning to visit Argentina after Christmas this year. Our last stop was to be Iguazu Falls and we are trying to decide if it is worth visiting the Brazilian side. If we cross to Brazil, we could then fly home via Sao Paulo or Rio. If we do either, does it make sense to spend a day in either city? Is a day enough time to enjoy the city or would it just be rushed and a bit crazy?

So... what would you do?

BTW, I need to decide NOW to book our return tickets with frequent flyer miles.

Deb

Rio is a worthwhile city to visit, and can be reached nonstop from IGU. Plenty of options to choose from, if you can only squeeze in a day: Ipanema, Copacabana, Cristo Redentor, etc.

If it is to be only one day it is probably worth Rio for the sights SAT Lawyer has mentioned. You can book an individualized tour that will let you do all that in one busy day. You definitely want both sides of the FOZ. they are both magnificent and well worth while.

Agree completely. I actually enjoyed the view from the Brazilian side of the falls better.

Thank you both. We have two weeks so I think we will readjust a bit and spend a day - maybe two - in Rio. Of course, all will depend on if I can get my return award tickets later this week.

Deb

If you have other questions just ask. I live in Rio, as do a few other regular denizens of this forum so we'll have opinions about most things carioca.

BTW, more information is here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...er-thread.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/argen...ly-august.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...cent-trip.html

http://www.artourismbrazil.com/brazi...waterfalls.htm

Are either SP or Rio worth a day's visit vs. no stop at all or vs. a longer stay?

I assume you know that, depending on where you're from, you may need a visa for Brazil. I'd get it ahead of time rather than trying to do it in Buenos Aires, etc. I'm not sure if there are tours form the Argentine side of the falls to the Brazilian side for which you don't need a visa. Definitely need one to fly to SP or Rio. I'm not familiar with SP, except for the international airport out in the city of Guarulhos, though an American friend who lives in Brazil actually prfers it to Rio (shopping and museums and restaurants). Rio would be a good stop for at least a full day of touring. I'd stay in Ipanema or Copacabana, in a hotel on the main beach road. The main airport there (GIG) is nothing great, and gets some desrved criticisms on this site, but I don't think GRU is so much better that it would affect my decision as to which city to visit.

Note that Brazil is, by and large, more expensive than Argentina. Brazilian prices are often a rude surprise to foreign tourists.

Thanks jb, for the kind offer of help. I think the Sheraton might be out of our league for this trip. Try traveling with 8 people for two weeks and you start trying to hold onto some semblance of a budget.

Socal, we do know about the visa requirements. Another $1000+ for visas just makes the decision harder. Still, it seems like a shame to get to Iguazu and not see everything. At least a day in Rio would help justify the expense.

The ff tickets are looking a bit scarce though. The day I want isn't available yet but there has been very little available for the days leading up to it. Luckily we can do either AA or UA.

Deb

Among Cariocas and Paulistas there are some clear preferences. Almost all Paulistas I know choose to spend numerous weekends in Rio, while quite a few Cariocas go to Paulista sites (e.g. Daslu) to see, be seen, and blow money on Ferraris, Maseratis and fine jewels. To be fair there are excellent restaurants and other attractions in both cities.

As a general rule Rio de Janeiro is preferred fro non-work and S�o Paulo is preferred for business.

There may be an ever-so-slight bias seemingly evident in my totally objective comments. That is a mistake, I have no bias.

There are a number of less expensive hotel options that are still decent other than the Sheraton Leblon.

BTW, GOL flights can now be booked as DL codeshares on Delta.com for Iguassu and major connecting cities including both GRU and GIG.

Good to know about the GOL flights. That would be much easier for me to manage.

The Sheraton that I was referring to is the one at Puerto Iguazu that everyone raves about. I transferred most of my Starwood points to AA to buy a bunch of airline tickets and the nightly rate is way over my budget. We'll be staying in some B&Bs, cottages and apartments on this trip that can handle our whole group.

Deb