Trip to Rio for Carnival and then to Argentina

by **maxtov** » October 22nd, 2009

Hi all,
Always wanted to go to Rio for carnival and it seems like this year will be able to pull it off.
The plan is to stay in Rio for 4-5 days, then to Iguazu Falls, next stop is Buenos Aires for another 4-5 days and may be rent a car, drive around (Cordoba, Mendoza)
Open to now ideas and in this case looking for a travel companion for either the whole trip or whatever part of it.
Let me know if you're interested.
--Max
maxtov(a t)hot mail com

by **Rezaul** » October 22nd, 2009

hi Max, i don't know the dates you are going to Argentina. I might be interested.let me know.About me 53, Indian born American.Thanks.Reza

by **maxtov** » October 22nd, 2009

The whole thing should take about 2 weeks from Feb 12 to Feb 28.
The carnival itself is till Feb 16 - the rest is flexible.
I'm planning to stop by Iguazu Falls on the way to BA, but have to see about the tickets and such.

by **WelshGirl21** » November 15th, 2009

Hi Max!

I am too heading to the carnival with a view to go via Iguazu falls on way to BA!

I am heading out from UK to Rio for 16 Jan! Will be there 5 weeks, as doing some volunteering work with samba schools (helping prepare carnival costumes/floats) and thus get to be in Rio over carnival time; which does seem to end in w/c 16th Feb.

Then - head to Iguazu, before arriving in BA. At BA would like to do some Tango; before heading further south; to Patagonia and below; before going back up the west coast, with view to do the Inca Trail, before I depart Quito on 1 June (thought the date is flexible!)

Have you made any further arrangements?

Helen
(34 yr old, white female, UK)

by **Felix the Hat** » November 15th, 2009

After Carnaval, check out Paraty and Ilha Grande, about three hours down the coast from Rio city. Paraty is a colonial town on the mainland, while Ilha Grande is a lush, beach-fringed island covered in Atlantic rain forest, a short ferry from Angra dos Reis.

From Paraty, it's about three hours to Sao Paulo, from which it is another 18 or so hours by bus to Foz do Iguacu. This is the city on the border with Paraguay and Argentina, and the Brazilian gateway to Iguacu Falls. Foz is kind of a dump, and dangerous; Puerto Iguazu, on the Argentine side, is much preferable to Foz. There are several daily buses to BsAs from Puerto Iguazu, for when you're done with the falls.

by **maxtov** » November 16th, 2009

Reserved the tickets
NYC -> Rio Feb12
Rio - Iguazu Feb 17
Iguazu - BA Feb 18
Then to Cordoba and Mendoza and back to NYC
Planning on keeping my day job, so the schedule is kinda tight.
I'm not sure where I gonna be staying in all these places, but will figure it out soon.
Stay in touch - would be fun to meet up somewhere on the other end of the world!

BTW, carnivalservices.com e-mailed me the following
======================================================
* Grandstand seats: save 15% off
* Backstall seats: save 15% off
* Open boxes seats: save 10% off
* Covered boxes seats: save 10% off
This promotion is for limited time period (November, 10th, 2009 - November, 17th, 2009), and it doesn't ask for any DISCOUNT COUPON. All you have to do is ADD TICKETS to your CART, and in LAST STEP of your purchase, the discount will be automatically applied.
======================================================

by **Felix the Hat** » November 16th, 2009

That's not very much time at Iguazu Falls.

by **maxtov** » November 16th, 2009

Well, I'm arriving to Iguazu in the morning of 17th and leaving late night of the 18th - 2 days + 1 night should cover it. I mean I would love to stay longer...

by **Felix the Hat** » November 16th, 2009

maxtov wrote:Well, I'm arriving to Iguazu in the morning of 17th and leaving late night of the 18th - 2 days + 1 night should cover it. I mean I would love to stay longer...

What kind of transportation?

The Argentine side of the falls merits more time than the Brazilian one. From Brazil, you get a good panorama, but it's from Argentina that you get really close to the falls, and can take a catwalk right over Garganta del Diablo.

by **maxtov** » November 16th, 2009

I'm flying from Rio to IGU airport - guess I'll start on the Brazilian side.
Late PM next day is a plane to BA - I'm not familiar with the place geography, but figure I'll be able to cross to Argentina at the end of the first day, spend a night and 2nd day there, 6pm park closes anyway, so I go back to Brazil, jump on the plane and find myself in BA around midnight.

by **Felix the Hat** » November 16th, 2009

maxtov wrote:I'm flying from Rio to IGU airport - guess I'll start on the Brazilian side.
Late PM next day is a plane to BA - I'm not familiar with the place geography, but figure I'll be able to cross to Argentina at the end of the first day, spend a night and 2nd day there, 6pm park closes anyway, so I go back to Brazil, jump on the plane and find myself in BA around midnight.

You only need a couple of hours on the Brazil side. Give yourself as much time as possible on the Argentina side, as there are several km of paths over there.

You might want to make sure about your departure airport too. I don't think there are departures from Foz (IGU) to Buenos Aires - that's probably out of Puerto Iguazu (IGR).

by **Hungrytravelers1** » November 17th, 2009

hey i've been to Carnival in Salvador, and I hear it's totally different from the celebration in Rio. i might actually be there at the same time as you and would be interested in meeting up! i know of some good rio hostels and some good rio nightlife just in case you have any questions about where to stay or keep yourself busy (though i'm sure the carnival celebration will wipe you out good!

by **Felix the Hat** » November 17th, 2009

Hungrytravelers1 wrote:hey i've been to Carnival in Salvador, and I hear it's totally different from the celebration in Rio. i might actually be there at the same time as you and would be interested in meeting up! i know of some good rio hostels and some good rio nightlife just in case you have any questions about where to stay or keep yourself busy (though i'm sure the carnival celebration will wipe you out good!

Another great guide to Rio.

by **maxtov** » November 17th, 2009

@Felix the Hat
My flight from Iguacu to BA is also from IGU - so I guess I'll be crossing the border twice.
Do you have any recommendations for a hotel on Argentinian side close to the park I can spend a night at?

@Hungrytravelers1
Checked linked hostel in RIO - seems they are closed for a few months, but hope will open by festival time. Will see about the rates if they reply.
It would be interesting to meet up in Rio - stay in touch.
I see you're planning a backpacking trip to Russia among other things - I'm originally from there, so have some inside info...

by **Hungrytravelers1** » November 19th, 2009

Ooh, I had plans to go to Russia this year, but got sidetracked down in South America and ended up staying longer than planned

I'm going to continue my original itinerary sometime in the next few years, Russia included. Yes I'll definitely let you know as my Carnival plans become more concrete!