Hey Dickie,
here is a really good site I found that gives you a ton of information on traveling in Argentina http://argentinastravel.com/basics/get-there/
Hope it helps
Hey dickie737,
I've done that journey, only in reverse and funnily enough I included Foz de Iguaçu on the way. The difference is it took me years.
It's easy to do in the time you're talking about, even if you turn up in Rio with nothing booked. No problem at all but I'd allow more time if possible because there are lots of cool places on the way. Also going to see the falls is off route. It'll take you at least 20 hours to get to Foz de Iguaçu by bus from pretty much anywhere on the coast, and then it's the same thing on the way back.
There is a highway that runs the coast of Brazil (BR101). You can take it out of Rio and to Porto Alegre in the south. A huge city close to the border with Uruguay. In Uruguay, you can stick to the coast and you won't go far wrong.
Unless you're planning to come at new years, christmas or carnival my advise is not to go compliacting things by booking travel or accommadation in advance. There is no need.
Places you might like to go to on route:
The south coast of the state of Rio and the north coast of the state of São Paulo are really nice and green full of remote beaches. I'd try to stop off in some little towns if I were you and then try to get to some more remote beaches. In Rio: Buzios near Cabo Frio is beautiful, as is Paraty. In São Paulo - Ubatuba is a town from which you can reach some of the best beaches I've ever been to although I wouldn't waste time in the town itself. Search the web for places to stay in Ubatuba that aren't in the centre.
In Paraná there is Ilha do Mel which is an amazing island without cars or streets or much electricity. If you're taking a tent go there. It's near a town called Portal do Paraná, near Paranagua although it's probably easiest to get to from Curitiba, the capital of Parana.
In Santa Catarina go to Florianapolis because it's the capital of the state, so easy to get around and get info etc. and at the same time it's a really beautiful island with over 50 beautiful beaches. You'll find loads of info on the web but my advise, don't book just look at maps and note down the names of the area you want to get to. Find a place to stay once you've arrived.
Rio Grande do Sul, I don't really know what's good there. But from the capital, Porto Alegre you can get a bus straight to Montevideo if you like. However, that would miss out Urguay which is full of it's own wonders. Ponto del Diablo. Parque Santa Teresa. Ponte del Este. Montevideo, the capital, wasn't the best place I came across in Uruguay but from there you can get a bus/boat combination to Buenos Aires.
Hope this helps,
Feel free to email me.
Peace
Joined: 04-29-08
Hi All,
I'm planning on traveling to Rio and Buenos Aires in the fall and want to see if anyone has any tips on how to get from one city to the other while seeing as many interesting things as possible along the way. I plan on buying a multi-city ticket and fly into Rio and fly out of Buenos Aires with about 10 to 12 days in between (enough time?).
I know I want to see Iguazu falls and possibly travel onwards to BA via the Parana River (possible??)or even just travel along the coast by boat. Are there buses, trains, or boats that would take me from Rio to Buenos Aires? And what else is there to see along the way?
Any tips or travel suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!