Iguazú Falls - Tour or Independant?

dakan

Hi All

I'm heading to South America this year, I'll be flying into Buenos Aires and one of the places I plan on visiting is the Iguazú Falls.

I am trying to figure out if it is easier/cheaper to go independently and pay for coaches to and from BA and then accommodation or is it better to just pay for a tour which will include transport and accommodation. I would be looking to stay there for two days to see the Argentianian side and the Brazilian side.

The research I have done seems to show that hotels in Iguazu are fairly expensive. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has been there.

Thank you.
Dakan

bamboozle

dakan wrote: »

Hi All

I'm heading to South America this year, I'll be flying into Buenos Aires and one of the places I plan on visiting is the Iguazú Falls.

I am trying to figure out if it is easier/cheaper to go independently and pay for coaches to and from BA and then accommodation or is it better to just pay for a tour which will include transport and accommodation. I would be looking to stay there for two days to see the Argentianian side and the Brazilian side.

The research I have done seems to show that hotels in Iguazu are fairly expensive. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has been there.

Thank you.
Dakan

we took a private coach up from BA, stayed overnight in one of the towns where the missions used be, stayed a few nights then in foz de iguaza in a hotel in the town which was very cheap, then took the bus from the town out to the park. worked out very cheap.
i remember we got the buffet lunch in the 5 star hotel in the park, savage food.
this was 5 years ago so a lot may have changed

dakan

Thanks for that bamboozle.

Independent.

stripysocks85

Heading here also but we're just going to do it independently. Seems to be the general advice we have received.

How Strange

I did it independently and so easy to do you'd kick yourself once your there and realise it.

I got a cama bus overnight from Buenos Aires, arrived in Puerto Iguazu at 7am. Bus was so comfortable I had a fantastic sleep. We stayed in a hostel in Puerto Iguazu. Took the public bus to Brazilian side that day. Brazilian side is smaller so can easily do it in a half day. Did the Argentinian side the next day, did a boat tour under the falls and it was quite cheap and good fun. You can easily spend a full day on Argentinian side.

All the feedback we got was to stay on Argentinian side as Brazilian side was quite expensive.

One thing I didn't do which I should've was a helicopter ride over the falls.

breakfast roll

Independent all the way. Spend two days there. Visit the Brazilian side first and Argentinian side second. Brazilian side is all panoramic viewing whereas the Argentinian side is more up close and personal. If staying on the Argentinian side a taxi will bring you across the border from your hostel/hotel and will sort out all your details at the checkpoint for you. The taxi man will even wait for you outside the park until you are finished and it does not cost that much money at all. If staying on the Brazilian side you will need to spend a full day on the Argentinian side but again border formalities will be sorted out by the taxi driver, it's not such a big deal as the trip is done by thousands every day. Check Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum.

dakan

Independant it is then.
Thanks to everyone who responded.

Dakan