about Iguazu falls
If you know me, you know I have a huge love for waterfalls and if you are like me you must must must put Iguazu on your list. Despite this experience completely destroying my DSLR camera and seeing basically no sun while there, I hold nothing but love for this monumental waterfall. If you want your jaw to drop this is the place. Iguazu Waterfall borders between Brazil and Argentina. The falls stretch 1.7 miles in width and height of 269 feet. Approximately 50% of the water falls through the Devil’s Throat canyon which is 300 feet wide and 260 feet deep. When Eleanor Roosevelt first saw Iguazu she reportedly stated “Poor Niagara!”. Iguazu Falls most similar cousin is Victoria Falls which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. Iguazu falls is wider but split between 275 distinct falls while Victoria has the largest water curtain in the world. The waterfalls and the respective national parks on each side are declared UNESCO World Heritage sites in the 1980s.
my top tips
Visit both sides- I know for some it must be a pain with visas and requirements but if you made the trip out to this point why wouldn’t you go to both sides as they really have different vantage points and highlights to offer. At the time of visiting we had to pay $160 visa fee for Argentina, and it was totally worth it. Make sure your passport is stamped both entry and exit or you could have trouble when leaving at the airport.
Bring a waterproof bag for your valuables- I cannot state this enough- known for its sudden downpours you want to be prepared with your electronics to store in a safe place. My camera met its end at Iguazu – luckily the memory card survived but the rest of my pictures on my Brazil trip came from my cellphone.
Be prepared for some crowds—this is a very popular tourist destination and you are limited on the walkways you can see the falls on. You may need to be creative with your photo editing or hope for rain so others take cover and you embrace being wet to get solo photos. The most popular time to visit is between December in March so you may have better luck in the low season.
how to get to iguazu falls
Fly in
Flying is the best way to get here given how remote it is. On the Argentine side you can fly into Argentine Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR)and on the Brazilian side you can fly into Foz do Iguaҫu International Airport (IGU).
Argentina to Iguazu
Take bus from main bus terminal to the falls. The buses run about every 20-30 minutes and take that amount of time to reach the falls.
Argentina to Brazilian Falls
There are two main companies that take you straight to the falls from the bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu and it takes about 45 minutes to arrive at the falls.
Brazil to Brazilian Falls
You can catch a bus from the main bus terminal and the trip takes about 40 minutes.
Taxi
You can negotiate a price in advance to cross over the border and then back.
where to stay
You can stay on the Argentinian side at Puerto Iguazú or on the Brazilian side at Foz do Iguaҫu. The Brazilian side town is slightly larger with more options for accommodation and dining. Another option if you want to splurge is to stay within the National Park. The benefit of this is you have views during your stay and can access the park earlier than regular tourists.
entry fee
Approximate costs for entry were AR 800 for adults, AR 200 for children, there are cheaper tickets if you are visiting from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay or Venezuela or are Argentinian.
Approximate costs from Brazil R 72 for adults, R 11 for children; there are cheaper tickets if you are visiting from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay or Venezuela.
opening hours
8 AM – 6 PM on the Argentina side and 9AM-6PM on the Brazil side with last entry at 4:30 PM on either side.
exploring the waterfall
Argentina side
On this side you will be able to get more up close to the waterfalls. There is a train that brings you around to Devil’s throat and to upper and lower paths. This is included in the entry cost. You can spend all day walking around the paths. Devil’s throat or Garganta del Diablo is a highlight as it gives you the best view of the water dropping 260 ft. Visiting the in the afternoon provides better light with less glare on the falls (this did not matter in our case because was completely pouring)
You should consider doing a boat tour. The boat tours include a dry bag to keep your personal belongs dry and you should use it! You are going to get soaking wet. But honestly it is an incredible way to experience the falls and the power of the water behind the falls. Trust me you won’t regret it! My friends and I wore swimsuits and got drenched.
Brazil side
You will get a truly panoramic view of the falls to encompass its size on a grander scale. You can walk out on walkway to the base of the Devil’s Throat and feel the mist and see the waterfalls from more afar.
If you want to splurge you can do a helicopter ride from the Brazilian side over the falls.
make the trip
If you are a waterfall junkie like me, this needs to make it to the top of your bucket list. You will be awe inspired by nature and this marvelous waterfall. I just cannot wait to go back to see these falls again. Maybe I will be lucky and get some sun but even if I don’t, I wouldn’t regret it!
