You’re walking through the jungle. You feel a light mist in the air. It’s warm. You can hear crashing water somewhere close. It’s getting louder the further you walk along the path. There are birds chirping everywhere, there must be hundreds of them. Off
in the distance you there’s the unmistakable sound of monkeys. As you keep walking
the foliage starts to clear. You finally see the source of the crashing water. Before you liethe most breathtaking waterfalls. This is Iguazu falls!
Iguazu Falls (aka Iguacu falls or Iguassu Falls) lies on the border of Argentina and Brazil and forms part of the Iguazu River. Its name comes from the Tupi words “y”
(water) and ûasú (big). And believe me…this is seriously big water! The falls, as you might have guessed are famous for their waterfalls. The Iguazu falls are in fact
FOUR TIMES larger than Canada’s famous Niagara falls. It’s made up of 275
individual cascades and spans over 1.7 miles (2.7km) making it one of the largest and longest waterfalls ever.
A little bit of background, the falls themselves were first discovered by Spanish
Explorer, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541. Since then they’ve been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and named one of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World.
There’s two sides to every story and it just so happens there’s two sides to the falls, the Argentine side and the Brazilian side. The majority of the falls lie on the Argentinian side however if you really want to get up full-frontal view to the largest fall, the Devil’s Throat, the Brazilian side is the way to go. You should allow up to four days to truly take in both sides and make the most of the experience.
What to do on the Argentine Side?
Let’s kick this off on the Argentinian side. The Argentinian side allows you to get up close and personal with the falls through a number of scenic trails (or circuits as they’re described below). These trails range in difficulty but there’s something for everyone as well as a number of wheelchair friendly walks.
Rainforest Train
The best place to start your adventure is via Rainforest Trainthat winds its way through the jungle. Along the train line you’ll have access to the various trails and treks that lead into the falls themselves. The train begins at the Central Train station. Here, there is access to a number of shops and services so it’s a good place to stock up on food and drinks before you begin your ride. The train departs every 15-20 minutes so you can take your time catching it. It begins near the Macuco Trail then follows its way onto the Cataratas station, which provides access to the Upper and
Lower circuits. It goes on to terminate at the Devils Throat Train station where you can cross the 1,100m footbridge over the Iguazu River to the Devil’s Throat lookout. Get ready to have your mind blown…the view is absolutely amazing.
Macuco Trail and Arrechea Waterfall
The first, and longest, trail is the majestic Macuco Trail, it’s a 7km round trip there and back and takes approximately 3 hours. Fun fact: the trail is named after the Brazilian bird of the South American partridge family. Compared to the Upper and
Lower circuits this trail can be a little bit harder to traverse. The first few kilometers of the hike are relatively easy however the mid to later sections can be slightly harder
for less experienced trekkers. The trail takes you through thick foliage where, if you’re lucky you’ll get to see groups of Cai Monkeys!
Along the trail there are a number of helpful education stands which give you information about the surrounding flora and fauna. But I haven’t even touched on the best bit yet. At the pinnacle of the trail lies the Arrechea Waterfall and pool! This stunning spot leads you to a 20m high cascade, it’s the perfect place to take a dip and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.
Lower Circuit
Jump off at Cataratas station to start the Lower Circuit. This trek is about 1.7km long and takes roughly an hour and 45 minutes to complete. It’s slightly harder than the Upper circuit as it takes you up and through the foliage surrounding the main falls.
The Lower Circuit continues along the border of the Iguazu river and provides stunning views of a number of the waterfalls including Dos Hermanas (Two Brothers) and Tres Mosqueteros (Three Musketeers). From here, it’s a short walk down to the pier near Salto Bossetti falls whereyou can take a boat ride over to San Martin island for a small fee. There, you can take in the views of the San Martin and some of the
other waterfalls, have a swim in the river and enjoy the sun. You can catch a speedboat underneath one of the falls from here.
What to do on the Brazilian Side?
The Brazilian side allows you to get full frontal views of the sheer size of the falls. Whilst this side is smaller than the Argentinian side it’s best to still give yourself a full day to enjoy the views and enjoy the wildlife. If you’re travelling from the US, Australia or Canada make sure you have your visa prepared in advance. In addition,Argentina has a reciprocity fee which is required for travelers coming from these countries. If you’re entering or reentering Argentina from Brazil,you’ll need to make sure you pay the fee.
The Devil’s Throat
The Devil’s throat is the largest waterfall at Iguazu. It clocks in at a HUGE 80m tall and is a sight of pure beauty. To get there take the 1.2km walk along the Path of the Falls. On the Argentine side you can get a topside view of the Devil’s Throat.
However, the Brazilian side takes you right to the waterfall’s face and showcases its true magnificence.
Poço Preto Trail
The Poco Preto trail takes you on a 9km hike through the natural environment surrounding the falls. You can also opt for a bike or jeep tour in case you’re not too fond of walking. This is the jungle so you’re bound see a range of Brazil’s natural flowers and plants and also a range of different animals ranging from Agoutis to Cai
monkeys.If you’re a keen kayaker you can also choose to Kayak within the Iguazu river itself!
Parque Das Aves
Visit the Brazilian bird park that’s home to more than 200 species of birds. TheParque Das Aveswill give you a front row seat to some of the amazing birds native to Brazil including Macaws, Toucans and Jays. Plus it’s only a 10 minute taxi ride away from the falls.
Helicopter Tours
Want the premium view of the falls? Maybe a helicopter view of the falls is what you need. There are a number of providers including Helisul and Turismo Privativo Foz. Alternatively just ask for more information at the information desk at the Visitors Centre.
How to get there?
Buses depart regularly from Buenos Aires from Retiro station. It takes approximately 18 hours to get to the falls but fear not, the buses are amazingly comfortable. If you’re not too fond of long bus rides you can also catch direct flights to the airports located on both the Argentinian side (Argentine Cataratas del Iguazu International
Airport) and the Brazilian side (Brazilian Foz do Iguaçu International Airport). From there it’s as easy as catching a taxi from the airport or shuttle from your hotel.
What is the best time to go?
The falls are spectacular at all times of the year but September to November tend to be the most idyllic due to the comfortable temperatures and moderate humidity.
December to February tend to be the warmer months and are subject to increased humidity. During the other month’s the water levels tend to recede slightly, but there are also less tourists around so you can have more quiet time to yourself!
What are the Accommodation options?
There are hotels located on both the Brazilian side and the Argentinian side. The majority of the hotels on the Brazilian side are located in Puerto Iguazu and range in prices depending on the season. However, Hotel das Cataratasdoes come highly recommended. If you’re fond of lodging on the Argentinian side, you can always opt to stay at the Sheraton Iguazu.
What are you waiting for? Book your trip package today.
