Iguazu

[Tr Tuga]

Hi,

Looks good, I get the feeling that theres quite a lot of objects there to take pictures of.

The bird sanctuary, is it in Brasil? And is it an enclosure or are they free flying?

Did you see any tucanas, parrots, iguanas etc. On the Argie side or only in Brasil?

Great post you made, I most probably will try to walk in the same order as you did in order to avoid the crowds.

Tr Tuga

[Ben There]

I would like to thank Ben There for a very good report on Iguazu. I am also interested in nature fotografy so I believe that your report will help me a lot when I go there at the end of January.

Ben There did finish his most recent report from iguazu by saying: Next up the hired driver, Paraguay, BR side, and the birds sanctuary. Could you please tell us more about that?

Thanks also to Helpmann for good reports as I'm of course also are interested in chicas.

Tr Tuga

Will do hadnt gotten around to it. Coming soon.

But if you want to see pics.now. . http://picasaweb.google.com/billsterbill

[Tr Tuga]

I would like to thank Ben There for a very good report on Iguazu. I am also interested in nature fotografy so I believe that your report will help me a lot when I go there at the end of January.

Ben There did finish his most recent report from iguazu by saying: Next up the hired driver, Paraguay, BR side, and the birds sanctuary. Could you please tell us more about that?

Thanks also to Helpmann for good reports as I'm of course also are interested in chicas.

Tr Tuga

[Helpmann]

By the next morning and I was back on my computer chatting with a couple of Dominican girls on MSN Messenger. Also, I had sent an email to Senorita July for a 4-hour session with video and I was waiting for her reply. By 10:05am I realized that I missed breakfast, but continued to chat with the girls from DR.

I wasn't sure what I would do today. Although, I had planned to do the Argentinean side of the falls, I also wanted to visit Ciudad del Este, and I didn't think that a 2nd day at the falls would amaze me as much as it did the first time. With this in mind and knowing that I would be heading to the airport at 3:30am to catch a 6am flight, I decided to keep the day simple and relaxing.

By early afternoon, I hailed a cab and asked the driver to take me to Paraguay. It took about 15 minutes to reach the Friendship Bridge (the bridge that connects Ciudad del Este, Paraguay to Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. Upon reaching the bridge, the driver turned off his meter. Although, I had obtained a Paraguayan Visa for my passport, it wasn't needed. The police on both sides, didn't appear to be checking anything or anyone as people entered Paraguay or Brazil. Once we crossed the bridge, I asked the driver to drop me off in the middle of the market, a few blocks from the border. I paid him R$30 and started a new adventure in Paraguay.

The market in Ciudad del Este is huge (hundreds of shops) and is located immediately upon crossing the bridge into Paraguay. Although, the market in Ciudad del Este was 10x the size of New York's Chinatown, I found the selection quite similiar in product and price. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect, but the merchandise that I saw (Electronics, Cell Phones, Fishing Rods, Clothes, Leather Goods) didn't appear to be as special or unique as I hoped it would be (everything there could be bought on Ebay for comparable prices. Although, I didn't see any bargains at the market for me, there were plenty of bargains there for Brazilians (the Brazilian government heavily taxes imported goods.

After 2-hours of walking around the market, I decided to pack it in. I hailed a Paraguyan taxi to take be back to Brazil (R$25. After crossing back into Foz do Iguacu, I asked the driver about Club Eros. He was familiar with the club, but didn't know their hours. Again I tried to arrange a similiar deal with the driver, a night time excursion to Club Eros. Nevertheless, like the driver from the other day, he was also too scared to drive in Ciudad del Este at night. He suggested an alternative, a daytime visit to Casa Blanca; however, I graciously declined.

After returning to Avenida Brasil, I ate, returned to my hotel, and checked email. Senorita July quoted me a price of R$400 for 4-hours of sex and video and I declined (I shouldn't have to pay R$200 extra for video work. After packing and running a few errands, I went to bed early. I knew that tomorrow would be a long day, but an important one.

I would arrive in Buenos Aires for the Expat Feast!

-Helpmann

[Precocious One]

After a good night of rest, I was scrambling to shower, dress, and get upstairs before the 10am breakfast buffet close. Upstairs I was surprised to see a bounty of ham, bacon, eggs, rolls, fried bananas, pastries, cheeses, coffee, juice, and much more. I loaded up my plate and hungrily scarfed the food down. By 10:15am I was ready to head to the falls (Las Cataratas.

I asked the hotel attendant for directions and he told me that I could catch the public bus at the bus stop, which was across the street and about a half a block South. At 10:20am, I caught the public bus for R$2.00 and we left for the Iguazu Falls (the bus's last stop is the Iguazu Falls and it's 2nd to last stop is the airport.

My trip to Iguazu was not a spare of the moment decision. I had planned to spend 2-days at the falls and 3-days in Foz do Iguacu (2nd Day Brazil Side; 3rd Day Argentina Side) and I had brought everything that I thought I might need (all stored in my cargo pants. I had my digital camera, my underwater disposable camera, my plastic rain poncho, and a couple of airtight zip-lock bags to store my camera, watch, and money should I get wet.

After a 45-minute bus ride, the tourists and I disembarked from the bus and bought my park entrance and transportation ticket (R$20. There I jumped in the charter bus line, which would take me directly to the falls. On the 15 minute bus ride I was seated next to a Peruvian woman who was part of large seniors group that was traveling all over South America. After pitifully trying to speak Portuguese for the last week, I was thrilled to meet and talk with any Spanish speakers. She told me about her kids in the US and her trip.

The bus let us out in front of the Tropical das Cataratas Hotel, I believe the only hotel located within the Park, and we walked about 20 yards down to see the end of the falls (about 1-mile from the beginning of the Devil's Throat. From there we were on foot, walking closer and closer to the beginning of the Devil's Throat. Having seen Niagra many years ago, I was amazed with what I saw at Iguazu (I took hundreds of photos. I loved it. I was at the Devil's Throat until 2:30pm, then I left to take the the Macuco Boat Safari excursion, which was located between the park entrance and the Tropical das Cataratas hotel.

I jumped on a charter bus that was heading toward the park entrance, but got off early to do the Macuco Boat Safari (R$148. The Macuco Boat Safari is a tour aboard a 25-foot zodiac boat, up river, which takes you through and into some of the smaller falls in the Devil's Throat. It was fantastic! I did the tour with a seniors group from Uruguay and we all walked off soaked wet, but laughing.

After finishing the tour around 4pm, I took another charter bus to the park entrance (exit) and waited for the public bus to take me back to my hotel. About an hour later, the bus dropped me off at the city's main bus station, about 3 blocks from my hotel, and I quickly made my way back to my room (I have a 6pm "date" with Senorita July.

After showering, changing, uploading my photos to my laptop, and checking my email, I made my way to the bench outside the hotel to wait for Senorita July. At 6:20pm, the hotel attendant walked outside to tell me that I had a phone call (damn! I answered the phone to hear an unfamiliar man's voice tell me that Senorita July was delayed in Argentina and would not be able to arrive until 7:30pm. I thanked him for the message and told him that I had other plans for the evening (Dinner at 8pm; Club Eros at 10pm) and that I would have to cancel the appointment.

After Plan A went bust, I turned to Plan be, I called the taxi driver. I asked him if he could swing by the hotel, so that he could listen to my proposal. Once he arrived at the hotel, we grabbed a seat on the bench and I told him that I needed a driver who could not only drive me to and from Club Eros, but could also stay with me for the 4-hours (10pm - 2am) I would be in Ciudad del Este (the club was 12km outside of the city, and I didn't trust catching a ride back to Foz do Iguacu with an unfamiliar Ciudad del Este taxi driver at 2am. I offered the Foz taxi driver R$100. After 10 minutes of discussion, we could not reach an arrangement. Later in the negotiation he did counter with an offer of R$200; however, I believe that was just a number he threw out of the air. He honestly did not want to drive through Ciudad del Este at night. He was scared and I believe that I should have been as well.

I thanked him for time and his sincerity and I returned to my room, Plan be went bust. It was still early, about 8pm and already my night was finished. I changed my clothes and walked over to "Buffalo Bronco" for dinner and tried to think of some ideas, Plan C. After another wonderful dinner, I walked down Avenida Brasil to see what the night life was like in town. I saw mostly tourists and Brazilians sitting outside having dinner or drinking beers and watching the soccer game. I also noticed several hookers near the corner of Brasil and DaSilva and Brasil and Reboucas. Plan C was starting to formulate, so I returned to my hotel to change my clothes for the evening.

I returned to the corner of Brasil and Reboucas, so I could grab an outdoor table, a beer, a view of the soccer game, and a view of the hookers on the corner. It was only 10:30pm, so I didn't plan to take a street girl home, but I thought I could at least see what was there and relax with my beer. At 12am, I decided to stroll down Avenida Brasil, before catching a taxi to the Capitao Bar (Ave. Schimmepleng and Brasil. The Capitao Bar was an after hours bar and grill that was open until late in the evening. Even on a weekday night, the Capitao Bar was full of male tourists and their Brazilian female companions (I should have reached out to several Brazilian girls from Foz on Orcut or Hi-5 before I arrived. Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Well, what was done was done. I thought I would be spending the night banging a Paraguayan teen in Club Eros tonight anyway. After 1-hour of sipping my caiparinha and bottle of water, I walked to the taxi stand across the street and asked the driver to take me to Scorpions (what a mistake.)

I had read the very negative reviews on Cristals and the mixed reviews on Casa Vera; however, only one outdated positive review on Scorpions. Once inside, I am immediately greeted by a young, tall beauty with long black hair. I forgot her name, but she tells me she's from Londrina; however, she looks more Russian than Brazilian. She's great and very affectionate. Throughout the night we're making out and drinking champagne, her tongue in my ear and her hands on my cock. I have never been one to walk into a club like this, because of their notoriety (if you're a Santo Domingo traveler, think Remmingtons. Anyway, I was on Plan C, I knew what to expect and I didn't care. I was having too much fun. At 2:30am (30 minutes before closing) she wants to leave and tells me R$400. I say it's too high and we leave at R$250 for the night. I pay the bill for the 3-4 buckets of champagne we ordered and though I am surprised (R$200) I realized that this was the poor choice I made when I decided to "wing-it." The taxi driver who drove me there is waiting to escort us back to the hotel, I pay him, and we head to the room. The desk attendant sees the hooker with me and bills me an extra R$35 for the night (he calls the room to confirm the charge. What an expensive night. The girl from Londrina doesn't waste any time and gets my pants off and her mouth on my cock. At the club, I loved her aggressiveness, but in bed, I find it annoying. She gets on all fours, so I can fuck her in doggy and then I realize what she's up to. She want's to get me off as quickly as possible, so she can get the hell out of there! Surprised, NO; disappointed, YES.

After about 45-minutes of fucking, I cum and she is dressing and heading for the door. While she's dressing, I grab my laptop to check email (perhaps I can see Senorita July tomorrow. The girl from Londrina, says she ready and that I should pay her R$250, I refuse. This goes on for about 30min. Eventually she threatens to call the police, then calls them. I say fine. Then for another 20 minutes we are both talking to the police (the officer speaks Spanish. I tell my side, she tells her side. It probably doesn't matter, I am sure the club and the girls regularly pay off the police with money and their bodies. Finally, the police officer threatens to come down to the hotel where I will be fined and the hotel will be fined. Still I am unmoved. It isn't until the hotel attendant knocks on my door to tell me that we're waking-up the other hotel guests that I pay the girl R$200 + R$20 cab fare to get out.

What a night, what a day.

-Helpmann

Helpmann-

Good for you. Next time, pull the cop to the side and give him R$50 and see if he will take your side. I realize that R$50 means nothing to most of us here, but the thought of getting ripped off sucks. I had one girl in a Monterrey, MX dance hall try to extort 100 pesos (ten dollars) from me after I bought her and her friend a drink. I initially was trying to hook up with her friend, but she had to leave and entertain another client. I was stuck with this girl and after I politely excused myself to hit on another girl, she came over to me and demanded 100 pesos for the five minutes or so that I spent with her. Not going to happen. She brought over the manager and two of his cronnies and after discussing the situation with them, I just basically walked right out the door but in a very respectful manner. A week later I returned to the same dance hall and tipped the manager 50 pesos.

[Helpmann]

After a good night of rest, I was scrambling to shower, dress, and get upstairs before the 10am breakfast buffet close. Upstairs I was surprised to see a bounty of ham, bacon, eggs, rolls, fried bananas, pastries, cheeses, coffee, juice, and much more. I loaded up my plate and hungrily scarfed the food down. By 10:15am I was ready to head to the falls (Las Cataratas.)

I asked the hotel attendant for directions and he told me that I could catch the public bus at the bus stop, which was across the street and about a half a block South. At 10:20am, I caught the public bus for R$2.00 and we left for the Iguazu Falls (the bus's last stop is the Iguazu Falls and it's 2nd to last stop is the airport.)

My trip to Iguazu was not a spare of the moment decision. I had planned to spend 2-days at the falls and 3-days in Foz do Iguacu (2nd Day Brazil Side; 3rd Day Argentina Side) and I had brought everything that I thought I might need (all stored in my cargo pants.) I had my digital camera, my underwater disposable camera, my plastic rain poncho, and a couple of airtight zip-lock bags to store my camera, watch, and money should I get wet.

After a 45-minute bus ride, the tourists and I disembarked from the bus and bought my park entrance and transportation ticket (R$20.) There I jumped in the charter bus line, which would take me directly to the falls. On the 15 minute bus ride I was seated next to a Peruvian woman who was part of large seniors group that was traveling all over South America. After pitifully trying to speak Portuguese for the last week, I was thrilled to meet and talk with any Spanish speakers. She told me about her kids in the US and her trip.

The bus let us out in front of the Tropical das Cataratas Hotel, I believe the only hotel located within the Park, and we walked about 20 yards down to see the end of the falls (about 1-mile from the beginning of the Devil's Throat.) From there we were on foot, walking closer and closer to the beginning of the Devil's Throat. Having seen Niagra many years ago, I was amazed with what I saw at Iguazu (I took hundreds of photos.) I loved it. I was at the Devil's Throat until 2:30pm, then I left to take the the Macuco Boat Safari excursion, which was located between the park entrance and the Tropical das Cataratas hotel.

I jumped on a charter bus that was heading toward the park entrance, but got off early to do the Macuco Boat Safari (R$148.) The Macuco Boat Safari is a tour aboard a 25-foot zodiac boat, up river, which takes you through and into some of the smaller falls in the Devil's Throat. It was fantastic! I did the tour with a seniors group from Uruguay and we all walked off soaked wet, but laughing.

After finishing the tour around 4pm, I took another charter bus to the park entrance (exit) and waited for the public bus to take me back to my hotel. About an hour later, the bus dropped me off at the city's main bus station, about 3 blocks from my hotel, and I quickly made my way back to my room (I have a 6pm "date" with Senorita July.)

After showering, changing, uploading my photos to my laptop, and checking my email, I made my way to the bench outside the hotel to wait for Senorita July. At 6:20pm, the hotel attendant walked outside to tell me that I had a phone call (damn!) I answered the phone to hear an unfamiliar man's voice tell me that Senorita July was delayed in Argentina and would not be able to arrive until 7:30pm. I thanked him for the message and told him that I had other plans for the evening (Dinner at 8pm; Club Eros at 10pm) and that I would have to cancel the appointment.

After Plan A went bust, I turned to Plan B, I called the taxi driver. I asked him if he could swing by the hotel, so that he could listen to my proposal. Once he arrived at the hotel, we grabbed a seat on the bench and I told him that I needed a driver who could not only drive me to and from Club Eros, but could also stay with me for the 4-hours (10pm - 2am) I would be in Ciudad del Este (the club was 12km outside of the city, and I didn't trust catching a ride back to Foz do Iguacu with an unfamiliar Ciudad del Este taxi driver at 2am.) I offered the Foz taxi driver R$100. After 10 minutes of discussion, we could not reach an arrangement. Later in the negotiation he did counter with an offer of R$200; however, I believe that was just a number he threw out of the air. He honestly did not want to drive through Ciudad del Este at night. He was scared and I believe that I should have been as well.

I thanked him for time and his sincerity and I returned to my room, Plan B went bust. It was still early, about 8pm and already my night was finished. I changed my clothes and walked over to "Buffalo Bronco" for dinner and tried to think of some ideas, Plan C. After another wonderful dinner, I walked down Avenida Brasil to see what the night life was like in town. I saw mostly tourists and Brazilians sitting outside having dinner or drinking beers and watching the soccer game. I also noticed several hookers near the corner of Brasil and DaSilva and Brasil and Reboucas. Plan C was starting to formulate, so I returned to my hotel to change my clothes for the evening.

I returned to the corner of Brasil and Reboucas, so I could grab an outdoor table, a beer, a view of the soccer game, and a view of the hookers on the corner. It was only 10:30pm, so I didn't plan to take a street girl home, but I thought I could at least see what was there and relax with my beer. At 12am, I decided to stroll down Avenida Brasil, before catching a taxi to the Capitao Bar (Ave. Schimmepleng and Brasil.) The Capitao Bar was an after hours bar and grill that was open until late in the evening. Even on a weekday night, the Capitao Bar was full of male tourists and their Brazilian female companions (I should have reached out to several Brazilian girls from Foz on Orcut or Hi-5 before I arrived. Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!) Well, what was done was done. I thought I would be spending the night banging a Paraguayan teen in Club Eros tonight anyway. After 1-hour of sipping my caiparinha and bottle of water, I walked to the taxi stand across the street and asked the driver to take me to Scorpions (what a mistake.)

I had read the very negative reviews on Cristals and the mixed reviews on Casa Vera; however, only one outdated positive review on Scorpions. Once inside, I am immediately greeted by a young, tall beauty with long black hair. I forgot her name, but she tells me she's from Londrina; however, she looks more Russian than Brazilian. She's great and very affectionate. Throughout the night we're making out and drinking champagne, her tongue in my ear and her hands on my cock. I have never been one to walk into a club like this, because of their notoriety (if you're a Santo Domingo traveler, think Remmingtons.) Anyway, I was on Plan C, I knew what to expect and I didn't care. I was having too much fun. At 2:30am (30 minutes before closing) she wants to leave and tells me R$400. I say it's too high and we leave at R$250 for the night. I pay the bill for the 3-4 buckets of champagne we ordered and though I am surprised (R$200) I realized that this was the poor choice I made when I decided to "wing-it." The taxi driver who drove me there is waiting to escort us back to the hotel, I pay him, and we head to the room. The desk attendant sees the hooker with me and bills me an extra R$35 for the night (he calls the room to confirm the charge.) What an expensive night. The girl from Londrina doesn't waste any time and gets my pants off and her mouth on my cock. At the club, I loved her aggressiveness, but in bed, I find it annoying. She gets on all fours, so I can fuck her in doggy and then I realize what she's up to. She want's to get me off as quickly as possible, so she can get the hell out of there! Surprised, NO; disappointed, YES.

After about 45-minutes of fucking, I cum and she is dressing and heading for the door. While she's dressing, I grab my laptop to check email (perhaps I can see Senorita July tomorrow. The girl from Londrina, says she ready and that I should pay her R$250, I refuse. This goes on for about 30min. Eventually she threatens to call the police, then calls them. I say fine. Then for another 20 minutes we are both talking to the police (the officer speaks Spanish.) I tell my side, she tells her side. It probably doesn't matter, I am sure the club and the girls regularly pay off the police with money and their bodies. Finally, the police officer threatens to come down to the hotel where I will be fined and the hotel will be fined. Still I am unmoved. It isn't until the hotel attendant knocks on my door to tell me that we're waking-up the other hotel guests that I pay the girl R$200 + R$20 cab fare to get out.

What a night, what a day.

-Helpmann

[Helpmann]

After spending the entire night chatting with Donnie D (ISG member) outside of Help Disco, I left the club empty handed. I almost walked away with 2-sisters, but I was hoping for something "So Much Better." At 4am, I walked 2-blocks to my apartment, packed, and left for the airport to begin a new adventure, Foz do Iguacu.

I arrived in Foz do Iguacu from Sao Paulo later that afternoon to be picked-up and taken to Hotel Del Rey (R$60/ night. I had read several reviews of the hotel and it had everything that I wanted in a boutique hotel: good location (2-blocks from Avenida Brasil) wireless internet, great breakfast, great service, and privacy ("guests" cost R$35/ night.)

After unpacking and somewhat settling in I decided to walk Avenida Brasil, the main street in town. After locating, the basics (bank, pharmacy, restaurants, and the Capitao Bar) I decided to get down to business. I walked to the nearest taxi stand and asked a taxi driver, which houses and clubs he knew of. He listed Cristals (very poor reviews) Scorpions (no recent reviews) and Casa Vera (mixed reviews) all of which I had read about on chat boards already. The driver seemed like a good guy, but I didn't think he could clue me into anything outside of the commercial scene (he was reading the club addresses and hours of operation from the business cards they had given him.)

Well fine, I asked him to drive me to Scorpions, so I could see where it was and perhaps give me a tour of the street scene. It was only 7:00pm and I just wanted to get my bearings. Also, I had already arranged for an internet pro, Senorita July, to meet me at my hotel at 8pm. We drove by Scorpions and drove by several street walker areas, which were also nearby the club, later returning to my hotel. Although, I was somewhat interested in the "chica" scene in Foz do Iguacu, where I really wanted to go (besides the waterfalls) was Club Eros, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. The driver gave me his number, I mentioned the possibility of going to Paraguay tomorrow evening and I hoped that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

With only 15 minutes until 8pm, I took a quick shower, and took a seat on the bench outside of the hotel to wait for my date. At 8:10pm, Senorita July stepped out of the cab and we greeted each other. I asked her to have a seat on the bench, so we could chat and get comfortable with one another (Hablo Espanol, No Falo Portuguesa.) When she looked comfortable, she radioed the taxi driver (she carries a walkie-talkie and 2 cell-phones in her purse) that everything was fine and we went inside. Although, "guests" are charged R$35/ night, Senorita looked and was dressed more like my lawyer or accountant than my fuck toy, so hotel management didn't charge me or ask questions.

I told her what I wanted, my leche in her mouth primero and my leche in her culo despues and we went to it. She's a nice girl (22-years-old) but on looks and body alone she's a "4." Nevertheless, I was not surprised or dissappointed, because I had already seen her photo and had read on a Brazilian board that her service was fantastic.

First Senorita July drops to her knees and starts with her mouth....

After the first leche, I asked her to give me a full body massage hoping that I would have enough energy to fuck her ass (no sleep the night before.)

After the massage, I again return to her mouth, before entering her ass. We enjoy multiple positions; however after a half an hour, I am too tired to cum, so we chat. I ask her about her life in Foz, her family, her career aspirations, but I finally ask her about the fantasies of her clients. She tells me that the #1 request she receives is a where she dresses up like a muslim woman and is taken from behind. She tells me about her girl-girl sex acts and her multiple men sex acts (one cock in her ass, one cock in her pussy) and I start to realize how dirty this girl is.

Well after 2-hours and R$100 later, I show her the door, but book time with her for tomorrow at 6pm. I walk a block down Rua Taroba to the restaurant, "Buffalo Bronco" where waiters walk by my table every 3-minutes to serve me filet mignon, pork wrapped in bacon, NY strip, chorizo, chicken, and every imaginable piece of meat a man could dream of. Around 11pm I head back to the hotel.

It will be a long day tomorrow and I need to sleep.

-Helpmann

www.hoteldelreyfoz.com.br
www.garotadefoz.com

[Orang05]

Thanks to the US$ slide vis-a-vis the BR real, things are more expensive than ever on the BR side of Foz do Iguacu. But they may still be worth it. Many, many hotels of quite acceptable quality and guest friendly both in Foz centro and on highway leaving the city. Many excellent restaurants that are reasonably priced, ranging from churascarrias (sp? )to fresh-water fish places abound. Night time mongering scene is pretty good (though no where near Rio scale) There is one major club (on the highway into town from the Park) and several in Foz. At least three modelo agencies in town with take-out or delivery, and at least 4 "motels" if you prefer that venue to your hotel. Your trusted taxi driver will know of current options and take you on an "inspection and possible purchase tour" -- at no addtl charge to you in Foz - an oddity in BR). Hotel staff can also arrange for a variety of garotas from which to choose - for ca. A 15-20R propina. CAUTION: (1) This (late Nov. 07) is getting into high season, and rates will come close to doubling during summer holidays, and for the entire month of Jan. Combined with the nearly 20% hit the US$ has taken against the real the BR side is, for the next few months, very steep. Best to wait until March. (2) Generally, you can get into BR at Foz from AR for 3 days w / o a BR visia. Usually. It ALL depends on your AR taxi driver and how cool he is with the BR border authorities. (3) It is more dangerous on the BR side at night than on the AR side. Be careful, watch your back, and get a good driver right off (your hotel can arrange) After all, it is Brasil. And that's the point: You may find it all worth it (I did) For current conditions ck out the BR forums on ISG. Muito bem!

[Ben There]

First off its worth the visit, 2nd you need to see both the Brazil and Arg sides. 3, take your time. If you are the type you might want to consider hiring a guide for the day to walk with you. A private guide will cost 120-150 for the day. I wished I had done it, but I would just hook on to groups at stops and listen or ask questions to the guides (they all wear idenification. Ok how to see the falls the BT way.

1) Go early and stay late and go slow. This way you will see more wildlife if that is an interest. I saw monkeys, Toucans, alligators (caimans) lots of crazy other birds, caoti (but they are like un tame raccons walking gettnig food) and other largish mammal things that you wouldnt want foraging in your pantry.

2) Do what you can to avoid the groups. Many people reccomend going out to the Devils Throat first thing. Wrong. Save it for last There are essentially 3 main trails. I did the upper circut, followed by a break between the upper and lower at the cafe. Then the lower circut, back to the break place, then out to the Devils throat by the train. It took me almost 10 hours. That was going real slow (I take lots of nature shots. This way I took m why time, didnt run to SEE the falls, met people and talked with them and walked with people that I liked. (I went solo) saw lots of animals, stayed mostly away from the groups and saw the throat as the sun starts down wich is the best for pics.

Most tourist groups will first go to the throat, then the upper, then lower, then island, then boat ride. If you take an opposite route, you will surely miss them being there the whole time.

I wanted to save the boat ride (a ride in the waves and right up and into the mist) for the 2nd day, I got there in the morning to sign up and the only one left was in the late afternoon, and the island was closed due to hi water. So I missed doing that, but everyone said it was great. DO RIDE ON THE ARG side. Its like 3 tmes more expensive on the BR side.

Next up the hired driver, Paraguay, BR side, and the birds sanctuary.

[Ben There]

Let your story begin.

Lots of choices to stay in Iguazu, but clearly only a few real choices in the end. I did a lot of research on the net and used Travel Advisor to read comments about the places. In the park there is only the Sheraton, which has a direct view to the falls and is in the park. Positves, you are there, no need to take any transportation to the park and the park hours are not limiting as for those who have to come in. You really feel the park. Negs- very expensive even for Sheraton standards 300U$S night and I only heard that it was mediocre at best. You are stranded in the hotel for food unless you take a 30AR$ cab into town. In town there are a number of places, lots of hostels and mid price places that seemed run down. I stayed at the Saint George. The key here is to get an upper floor and pay for what is called the Jr Suite. Cost me 100US breakfast incuded. Don't pay for the dinner, while the restaurant looks great and is always packed, its mediocre at best. Lots of very good parilla within walking distance that are similar priced and much much better. Also one "trick" I am in the travel business so I always ask (via e-mail) for a travel agents discount, the room I got is usually 120, I got it for 100. Nice, clean, swimming pool, jacuzzi, and right in the center of town across from the bus station. 4ar will get you to the park in 20 mins. There are 3 restaurants that are excellent, Agua, Grill House and one next to the gas station (you can't miss it) All excellent grills, great service and the usual "I can't believe I paid that little for that much food" prices. Again all within walking distances. There is no reason to stay in the park and pay the prices. There are lots of hotels that are on the road to the park, but they look run down and they are really just not convienient places to be.

At the bus station, right across the street) there are lots of travel agents selling the exact same tours that offer different experiences in and around the park. Its also very easy to get the bus from there to the park, to the Brazil side, and to Paraguay. I will talk about that next.

[AllIWantIsLove]

Let your story begin.

Ok so let me start by saying that I did no mongering. I repeat I did no mongering here. I can talk all day about seeing the sights, which hotel is good, which trail to hike when and what are the good restaurants. I can talk about going to brazil and Paraguay and renting a driver for a day, and buying a 70-300 Nikon telephoto lense in ciudad de este. I can talk about an amazing eco lodge 150 km south of iguazu in the jungle and my experiences there. I can talk about a full week in the north, but I had not a single piece of action, not a hj, bbbj, cbj, cola, pepsi, nada, I didn't even look around for any (although I did keep my eyes open just in case) so to be sure, I am happy to write about all the above. Synopsis of course and I will even through in some pics, but I am afraid there may not be much interest. If there is even one call for interest. My story begins.

BT

[BundaLover]

Ben There (and Helpman), Thanks for checking back. I would love to get general tourist info. This eco lodge place 150km away sounds interesting. Thanks from all the future readers of your reports.

[Ben There]

Ok so let me start by saying that I did no mongering. I repeat I did no mongering here. I can talk all day about seeing the sights, which hotel is good, which trail to hike when and what are the good restaurants. I can talk about going to brazil and Paraguay and renting a driver for a day, and buying a 70-300 Nikon telephoto lense in ciudad de este. I can talk about an amazing eco lodge 150 km south of iguazu in the jungle and my experiences there. I can talk about a full week in the north, but I had not a single piece of action, not a hj, bbbj, cbj, cola, pepsi, nada, I didn't even look around for any (although I did keep my eyes open just in case) so to be sure, I am happy to write about all the above. Synopsis of course and I will even through in some pics, but I am afraid there may not be much interest. If there is even one call for interest. My story begins.

BT

[Helpmann]

Hi Guys,

Before I arrived in Buenos Aires for the Thanksgiving Feast at the l'alliance, I did a 3-day trip to the Iguazu Falls.

If you have questions, feel free to PM me or you can wait for the trip report that should be coming this weekend.

-Helpmann

[Redhot]

Hi guys,

Those who are lucky to travel to Iguazu can hire a very good local tourist guide who speaks excelllent English.

He has a comfortable car, air conditioned (which is very important due to high temperatures)

He is kind, honest and very economical.

He knows the area perfectly well and recommends good, cheap places. He toured me along Triple Frontera, he explained things from Foz do Iguazu (Brazil) Ciudad de Este (Paraguay)

I made a six- hour tour and it only cost $100.

Ariel Villaba

You can contact him by E-mail: arielsebastianvillalba@hotmail. Com

Telephone number: 3757446177