Brazil Master Thread

[Kobe Bryant]

I spent two days in Igauzu (one day Brazil, one day Argentina) and it was perfect.

+1

[PBaruch]

If anyone has any tips about finding flights within Brazil please PM.  Looking through UA finds plenty of availability for cheap, but extra connections, long total flights times, and pretty bad schedules overall.  I am not seeing any availability through either Delta or BA.  There is decent availability through Latam but I don't have any Latam miles and booked through cash or cash equivalent points gets very expensive.

[Dan]

If anyone has any tips about finding flights within Brazil please PM.  Looking through UA finds plenty of availability for cheap, but extra connections, long total flights times, and pretty bad schedules overall.  I am not seeing any availability through either Delta or BA.  There is decent availability through Latam but I don't have any Latam miles and booked through cash or cash equivalent points gets very expensive.

Transfer from Marriott to LATAM?

[PBaruch]

Transfer from Marriott to LATAM?

Thanks but I'd rather save my MT for something (hopefully) better.  Ended up booking first leg using UR portal as the only flight I wanted (shortest and good schedule) was on Latam. I checked how many miles it was for that flight on Latam and didn't seem worthwhile anyway.  At the end of the day, don't wanna hear everyone kvetching on a travel day and how hungry they are.

[PBaruch]

Has anyone visited Recife?  Spent Shabbos with Chabad?

[ad120]

If anyone has any tips about finding flights within Brazil please PM.  Looking through UA finds plenty of availability for cheap, but extra connections, long total flights times, and pretty bad schedules overall.  I am not seeing any availability through either Delta or BA.  There is decent availability through Latam but I don't have any Latam miles and booked through cash or cash equivalent points gets very expensive.

Alaska MP can book LA.
Check IB for availability as well.
IME LA CS is worse than spirit.

[PBaruch]

Someone recommended the Belmond in Igazu, which is the only hotel inside the park that gives access after hours when the park is closed to everyone else.   But, its a very expensive hotel.  There is a Hilton outside the park thats 30k points per night.

Wondering if its worth it to splurge on the Belmond?

[Dan]

Someone recommended the Belmond in Igazu, which is the only hotel inside the park that gives access after hours when the park is closed to everyone else.   But, its a very expensive hotel.  There is a Hilton outside the park thats 30k points per night.

Wondering if its worth it to splurge on the Belmond?

What about the ex-Sheraton on the AR side?

[PBaruch]

What about the ex-Sheraton on the AR side?

That is similarly priced to the Belmond.

[Dan]

That is similarly priced to the Belmond.

Bummer. Man was that an SPG bargain.

It's nice to be in the park on either side, but probably not worth an insane premium.

[PBaruch]

The only difference between the Belmond and former Sheraton is Belmond only permits 2 per room thereby requiring 2 rooms but the former Sheraton has a family room.  But, the prices are pretty much the same. 

[Dawie]

Bummer. Man was that an SPG bargain.

It's nice to be in the park on either side, but probably not worth an insane premium.

I thought it was worth the premium (Paid with Arrival+ IIRC)
Beating the crowds, being able to be in the park at night was a great experience

[jonesy]

We stayed at Belmond and thought it was well worth it. The hotel itself is great and the access to the Brazil side of falls before and after all the tourists got there was awesome (although you shouldn’t go out onto the trails after dark because of hunting jaguars). You literally cross the street from lobby for awesome view of falls and the trails. I think trails on Argentine side are all closed after hours even if you stay inside the park. If you stay at belmond, you could even do Argentine side in the morning, cross to Brazil in the afternoon and do Brazil trails after the park closes (it’s a long day but very doable if you’re pressed for time).

[jonesy]

Also, if you need transport, we used these guys for pickup at IGR airport, drop off at Argentine falls, pickup from falls and drop off at Brazil border, second car pickup at Brazil side (this way they avoid possible long waits to cross by car), and drive to belmond. Even got greedy seeing Ciudad Del Este Paraguay so close on the map and had them take us there next day for a short drive through town and time at a shopping mall before dropping us off at IGU airport. https://iguazufalls.travel/

[PBaruch]

Will the Belmond store food in their freezer for you?  Im assuming that the rooms only have a mini fridge.

[jonesy]

Will the Belmond store food in their freezer for you?  Im assuming that the rooms only have a mini fridge.

Fridge is a mini bar (actually was part of the room amenities to consume all of it one time without charge- had the awesome Gaurana drink, coke and water). We didn’t bring frozen food with us, so not sure if they’d store.  I’m sure they’d respond to email if you want to ask.

[PBaruch]

Worthwhile to visit the Jewish museum in Recife?

[Kobe Bryant]

Bummer. Man was that an SPG bargain.

It's nice to be in the park on either side, but probably not worth an insane premium.

Gran Melia Iguazu

so was it worth it?

DW thinks so ,thats what counts.
All kidding aside, only if you have waterfall view , otherwise NIAMY ( not in a million years).
Definitely not budget friendly.
Rooms were nothing exceptional .
Service was ok.
The view can’t be described in words ....

[Kobe Bryant]

The only difference between the Belmond and the Gran Melia formerly known as Sheraton is Belmond only permits 2 per room thereby requiring 2 rooms but the former Sheraton has a family room.  But, the prices are pretty much the same.

FTFY

[Joe4007]

The only difference between the Belmond and former Sheraton is Belmond only permits 2 per room thereby requiring 2 rooms but the former Sheraton has a family room.  But, the prices are pretty much the same.

In case you're looking for another option outside the park, we really enjoyed our stay at this Airbnb.