Iguacu transportation questions

[Floridiana]

We will be arriving on the Argentinian side by plane from Buenos Aires. We need to go to the Hotel Saint George in downtown Puerto Iguacu.

 

1. Are taxis in the Puerto Iguacu airport plentiful, reliable, safe?

2. To go from the hotel to the Argentinian side of the falls, is there a bus or should we take a taxi?

2. Same question for the Brazilian side.

3. Is it easy to exchange a bit of Brazilian currency in Puerto Iguacu or should that better be done in Buenos Aires?

4. Are Reals necessary for the bus fare on the Brazilian side of the falls? For the entrance fee to the falls? What currency would be acceptable if we do not have Reals? On this trip, this is the only time we will be in Brasil.

[Artemis]

1. Yes

2. There's a bus from both towns to the park, so you should select a hotel conveniently located to the bus route

3 & 4. Even though there are three countries coming together here, the official money culture is not a casual mish mash--you will need the proper currency for each--although you may find taxi drivers, wait staff, etc. who are willing to make an easy exchange. Presumably, you will arrive with Argentine currency. If you can't make an unofficial exchange while on the Argentine side, there will be plenty of ATMs and currency exchanges to support getting the small amount of reais you will need to see the Brazilian side, which investment will pale in comparison to your visa cost (I'm assuming you're a US citizen).

 

For a good overview, here's a link to the Wikitravel site: http://wikitravel.org/en/Igua%C3%A7u_Falls

 

This is a really helpful collection of info and tips for the independent traveler:

http://www.iguassufallstour.com/main.php?run=tips.html

 

Here is a link to the English version of the Argentine park:

http://www.iguazuargentina.com/english/

 

Here is a link to the English version of the Brazilian park: http://www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br/portal/

 

Have fun researching and planning your visit. Our visit to the falls was one of the highlights of our entire trip! :)

[cruising cockroach]

1-3 yes.

5 I seem to recall not having any trouble. Either has ARS or USD to spend on the busses and admission.

[Floridiana]

Excellent advice. Thank you both. Luckily, we do have a Brazilian visa from a previous trip but no currency.

[cruising cockroach]

Just a note. If taking a bus from the Brazliean park back to the Argentinean side, I would take the bus into Foz du Iguacu terminus and catch the bus to Argentina from there. Made the mistake of getting off the the bridge to Argentina and had to wait there a log time for a bus.

[Floridiana]

Thanks!

[Menininha82]

There are buses and plenty of taxis. The bus goes from the bus station to the park entrance (true on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides). And there is a bus from one bus depot to the other bus station, which crosses the border. If doing this by bus, you may have to wait for the next bus, in order to get your passport stamped at the border. A taxi may be willing/able to avoid the border delay/formalities, but at your own risk.

 

It is technically illegal to use US dollars (or currency other than Brazilian reais) for transactions in Brazil, but you may get someone willing to do an informal "exchange".

[cruising cockroach]

There are buses and plenty of taxis. The bus goes from the bus station to the park entrance (true on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides). And there is a bus from one bus depot to the other bus station, which crosses the border. If doing this by bus, you may have to wait for the next bus, in order to get your passport stamped at the border. A taxi may be willing/able to avoid the border delay/formalities, but at your own risk.

 

The cross-border busses always waited as everyone had to get off on the Argentinean side going each way. Brazil border guards just waves the bus through most of the time. Depot-to-depot is safer as we waited for an hour and only one bus came, so the others may have taken a different route.