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[danmabelson]

I and a mate will be travelling to Brazil 26th nov. We have to leave from Beunos aires, argentina to fly to Canada on 28th Dec. We may want to take in Uruguay too depending on ease, cost and time.
So...our travel will start in Brazil arriving in sau Paulo, heading to Rio, then down to Ilha De Santa Catarina. after that I am stuck!
I have no idea what is easier to do...head into Uruguay or Argentina first...Go into argentina via The falls, then head straight into Uruguay for a bit then back into argentina...or head from Brazil to Uraguay first?
what is best and cheapest considering our last venture in Brazil will either be Ilha De Santa or the Iguazu Falls? Can anyone help me?
Dan.

[mmbcross]

What's the big deal with Uruguay? Apologies to Uruguayans, but this country is so similar to Argentina that it hardly seems worth going out of your way to see. This being said, if time permits it's worth a side trip from BA.

My suggestion:
If you want to visit Uruguay, do it on a one or two day excursion from BA. Buenos Aires to Colonia by high speed ferry. Have a look around Colonia, which is a quaint colonial town, then bus to Montevideo. Frankly one day should be enough, then bus to Punta del Este if you have time. The summer season should just be starting so there should be lots to do. It's South America's equivalent to the Côte d'Azure.

Then:
My impression is that you are flying BA to São Paulo. Arrive in São Paulo and get out as soon as you can to Rio. Take the air shuttle or luxury overnight sleeper bus.

Enjoy Rio, then see if you can get a bus along the Costa Verde from Rio to Santos.

From Santos take the bus to Curitiba. In Curitiba see if the passenger train still operates down the spectacular Serra do Mar to Paranagua.

From Paranagua down the coast via Joinville and Itajai to Florianopolis.

Enjoy Florianopolis then on to Rio Grande do Sul, The countryside inland is enchanting at Gramado and Novo Hamburgo.

Then a long bus ride north west to Foz do Iguaçu. Don't miss Iguaçu, as this is the second largest series of waterfalls in the world (after Victoria Falls in Africa). it is a magnificent sight you will never forget. Pass over to the Argentine side and visit the falls from there as the views are quite different.

From there you have the option of flying back to BA or taking the long 20-hour bus ride, or if time permits, going back via Asuncion, Paraguay. Bus from Asuncion or Iguassu to Buenos Aires is about 20 hours.

Cheers

[wakingdream]

Always such detailed info! Awesome Martin.

If you want to visit Uruguay, do it on a one or two day excursion from BA. Buenos Aires to Colonia by high speed ferry. Have a look around Colonia, which is a quaint colonial town, then bus to Montevideo. Frankly one day should be enough, then bus to Punta del Este if you have time. The summer season should just be starting so there should be lots to do. It's South America's equivalent to the Côte d'Azure.

Fllights from BA to the Falls, whether on the Argentine, Paraguayan or Brazilian areas (Triple Frontier)are fairly inexpensive.

Arrive in São Paulo and get out as soon as you can to Rio

Personally, I'd take a look around Sao Paulo for a day. Though it may be huge and lots of it not so attractive, I think, if you're there, it's worth seeing. It is an incredible city in many ways.

Going down to Rio Grande do Sul back up to Iguazu I think you'd be traveling more northwest then west. It would make more sense to carry to Uruguay if you really want to check it out, no? You'd almost be there at that point whereas you'd be backtracking by heading back up to Iguazu..... I think you could do a loop either way. Personally I think I'd try to take in a bit more of Argentina.

You could fly into Sao Paulo
Fly to Iguazu
Fly to BA
From BA if you have the time try a cheap flight to northern Patagonia? That would be excellent.
If not, BA into Uruguay onto Montevideo and Punta Del Este ( pretty touristy but maybe you don't mind)
Then up the coast back to SP

Uruguay, from what I know, doesn't seem overly exciting. Some very nice countryside to explore and the top spots are quite crowded with tourists. Perhaps exploring more of Argentina would be more gratifying (??), and then maybe you can fly back to SP from BA.

Just some suggestions. It's hard to know exactly what to suggest as you have your own interests, travel style etc. Plus, depending on what you want from your trip, sometimes backtracking is the only way

Have fun!

[danmabelson]

thank you for your kind advice. dan

[danmabelson]

[quote name='wakingdream' date='Nov 6 2008, 09:21 AM' post='78755']
Thanking you both muchly.
dan.

[wakingdream]

Have an awesome time Dan, and let us know how you got on and what worked out best for you I'd be interested to hear which route you choose and what you get up to. Will you blog the trip?

[mmbcross]

Yes Dan, we want to see your first travel blog on Travelpod.