Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 2 weeks trip to South America at the beginning of September.
We think to follow this route: Santiago de Chile (2-3 days)-Easter Island (4 days)-
Buenos Aires (3-4 days) and if possible (I really want this) Iguazu Falls (2 days).
I’m totally aware that we should spend more time in each location but we are trying to do our best with the limited vacation we have.
And now my questions:
a) Do I absolutely need to book the flights Santiago-Easter Island or/and BA-Iguazu more in advance? ; If yes, a month will be enough?
b) We would like to stay with locals –is there a way to contact some families (with little English or French knowledge-my Spanish is very limited) in Santiago and/or BA?
I’ve seen a site for BA but there are host families asking for a minimum stay of 14 nights and unfortunately is not our case.
c) Is there any suggestion for a lounge bar or salon with live jazz-type of music in either Santiago or BA where one can have a wine and spent an interesting evening-but not the billionaire type , something for common people?
d) One last question, but very important actually, does anyone think that the trips to Easter Island and Iguazu Falls might be unsafe for a 2-3 months pregnant woman?

Thanks in advance for your answers and for the time you’d wasted reading this looooooong post.

Best regards,

Aloort

Hi albert:
You should be able to book a package inc hotel for the Iguazu falls when you arrive in BA. By booking it in the porteno capital, you should get to stay in Puerto Iguazu -the safest if quietest place(Foz on the Brazilian side is worth a visit for shopping but is a big place and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay is kinda dodgy. You may also consider the bus but it takes ages.If you're only staying a couple of days and you dont speak spanish the easiest thing to do is to stay in a hostel. La hostel(or hotel)espanol on avenida de mayo is good value and has english speaking staff. It is also near the avant-garde cafe tortoni.>for general boozing and slacking, you'd be right to head to palermo at twighlight and hit the Lomo Restaurant,the sun lounges @ Lele de Toya, Mundo Bizarro for cocktails the stylish Bar Uriate and of course Dubliners for a bit of crac.