Iguazu Falls

Iguazú Falls, or Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish and Cataratas do Iguaçu in Portuguese, are a vast system of waterfalls located at the meeting point of three countries — Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in South America. A significant portion of the falls, around 80%, lies on the Argentine side, while 20% belongs to Brazil. So, if you have to choose only one side to visit, we recommend the Argentine side.
The Iguazú Falls are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The system consists of around 275 individual waterfalls, stretching over more than 2 kilometers. The largest and most famous is called the “Garganta del Diablo” or “Devil’s Throat” — an 82-meter-deep abyss that leaves a truly unforgettable impression. The sound of the roaring water can be heard from as far as 20 kilometers away!

The best time to visit Iguazú Falls is during the rainy season, which runs from November to March. This timing also perfectly aligns with the ideal season for exploring Patagonia, so it’s definitely worth combining both destinations. During the rainy season, the falls are at their most impressive. Keep this in mind, as there have been times in the past when the falls dried up completely during periods of drought! The most extreme example occurred in 1978, when not a single drop of water flowed from the falls for 28 consecutive days between May and June.

On both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the park, you’ll find walking trails and viewpoints. However, the Argentine side offers more route options. The most popular is the already mentioned trail to “Garganta del Diablo” (Devil’s Throat), which you can reach by train. The train is free, but you need to pick up a ticket at the entrance. After that, you’ll walk the orange trail. It’s not very long, but there’s hardly any shade and it gets extremely crowded, so we recommend bringing a hat and a bottle of water. It’s also best to visit this attraction in the afternoon (around 3 PM) — there are fewer people then compared to midday, and the sun isn’t as intense. Of course, it will still likely be crowded, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself, but at least you’ll be able to comfortably get to the railing — which we couldn’t manage on our first attempt due to the crowds. Around midday, we suggest exploring the red trail (which offers views from above) or the blue trail (which gives you views from below). You’ll find a map of all available trails on both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls below:

Source: https://iguazufalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/iguazu-argentina-mapa.jpg

Source: https://iguazufalls.com/wp-content/uploads/iguazu-falls-brazilian-side-map.png

For those with more time and a sense of adventure, there’s the option to book a speedboat or rafting tour that takes you right up close to the waterfalls. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to experience this ourselves, but we’re sure it leaves unforgettable memories! Additionally, a few times a month, there’s a unique opportunity to visit the park at night.

A few important things you should know:

• The park is officially open from 8 AM to 6 PM, but we were asked to leave as early as 4:30 PM. This really messed up our plans, as we were hoping to do the blue trail, but instead we ended up spending several hours waiting at the airport for our return flight.
• The climate around Iguazú Falls is humid and tropical — it really feels like walking through a rainforest. It’s hot, steamy, and there are plenty of insects. So, make sure you bring four essential things:
  ✔️ sunscreen,
  ✔️ a hat or head covering,
  ✔️ a reusable water bottle (there are water fountains inside the park),
  ✔️ insect repellent (you can buy it at the park entrance).
  With these basics, you’ll be able to enjoy your visit comfortably, without unnecessary distractions.
• You can buy tickets to the park either on-site or online. If you purchase them online, you get an additional discount (as of 2023).
• There are shops and restaurants inside the park, so you don’t have to worry about food (like we initially did!). You definitely won’t leave hungry — for a fixed price, you can eat as much as you want. Meals are served buffet-style, so everyone is sure to find something they like.
• There are two airports near the park — one on the Brazilian side (IGR) and one on the Argentine side (IGU). From both airports, there are buses that take tourists directly to the park, so don’t let anyone convince you to take a taxi, which is several times more expensive.

We highly recommend combining a visit to Iguazú Falls with your trip to Patagonia and/or Buenos Aires. It’s really convenient — you can leave your suitcases at the hotel, fly there with just hand luggage on a morning flight, and return in the evening. Even the more extensive Argentine side of the falls can be easily explored in one day, and with good planning, you’ll have time to do all three main trails — the red, blue, and orange routes.
The experience? Absolutely unforgettable!