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Argentina’s Famed Natural Spectacle: Iguazu Falls

As any Argentine will tell you, no trip to Argentina is complete without a visit to the much-acclaimed Iguazu Falls. Even if your itinerary is based on exploring Buenos Aires, you can easily make a two or three-day trip to the natural beauty of the falls.

Dramatic, breath-taking, and surrounded by lush greenery, the falls are unmissable and a welcome escape from the hustle-and-bustle of Buenos Aires. The marshland, set in the province of Corrientes at the tri-border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, spans over more than a mile of rainforest, with stunning waterfalls that reach heights of up to 300 feet. Prepare to be marveled by various creatures, critters, and colorful birds, as well as diverse vegetation.

Unlike other parks in Argentina, you can’t camp inside Parque Iguazu. If you are a trekker, you may be disappointed by this, but even this kind of spectator tourism is worth it when you see how amazing these falls are!

Round-Trip - Buenos Aires <- -> Iguazu, by bus or plane.

For transportation, you have two choices: by plane or by bus. The bus ride is long but fortunately, the long-distance buses in Argentina are comfortable and spacious and they serve meals—so if you are on a budget, a bus might be best for you. If you prefer to be in the air, you can book tickets online or with any travel agent in the city for about $275 US round-trip. You fly into Puerto Iguazu’s international airport, which is about 13 miles outside of town. From there, you can take a bus to the bus terminal town (the company is called Aristobulo del Valle, phone 03757 421 996) or take a taxi straight to your lodging. If you go by bus, make sure you choose a bus that offers cama seating for the 22-hour journey there.

Details: the town, and where to stay.

There is a tourist office at the bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu, although the staff aren’t particularly helpful. There are hostels located right near the bus terminal, and you also have some hotels at an area called “Kilometre Cinco” (Kilometer Five), which is a five-minute drive from the town center, toward the park.

To get around Puerto Iguazu, it is not necessary to pay for taxis. There is a bus called “El Practico” that runs throughout Puerto Iguazu, and it goes from the Tres Hitos (where you can see Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil in one spot) through the downtown area and all the way to the Parque Iguazu, where the falls are. It charges one peso to carry you within town, and four pesos to get all the way to the park.

There are some great restaurants in the center of town, but things are expensive here. If you are trying to save money and would prefer to enjoy eating out in a place like Buenos Aires, you should be able to buy some groceries and cook at your hostel.

We recommend:

EL GUEMBE HOSTEL HOUSE - El Güembé Hostel House is a new hostel that offers budget backpackers the best dorms of the city. Just 2 blocks from the bus station. NEW SWIMMING POOL!!

Parque Iguazu: the Argentine vs. Brazilian side, and how to plan your visit.

A visit to Iguazu Falls can be done in one to three days. Typically people will first visit the Argentine side for a day and then go back to visit the Brazilian side the next day. You can cross over to the Brazilian side without a proper visitor’s visa. The Argentine side charges $30 ARG to enter, and the Brazilians charge you $15 REALS (about $7.50 US).

The main difference between the countries is the view you have of the falls from either side. On the Argentine side, the paths take you really close to, and even under, the Falls, and you have the breath-taking Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), where you are standing on a platform in the middle of the crossing point of multiple falls. It really does feel like you are looking into the mouth of some monster, and the whole river is just pouring into it! The Brazilian side is known for its panoramic views of the falls. Everyone will tell you that if you have to choose one side, it should be the Argentine side, because there are simply more and better views of the falls.

Within the park there is a cash machine, plenty of restaurants (expensive but good) and souvenir shops. When you walk in, go to the information booth and someone will give you a map of the park and explain to you the best way to visit the trails and look-out points. Almost all of it is done walking, although there is one train and one boat that are part of the trails.

Besides just walking around the trails and taking pictures, for $50 ARG per person you can do the Gran Aventura, a ride in a plastic floating boat that takes you around and under the falls (you will get wet, so cover your clothes and possessions with plastic if you can!). It is exciting but safe, so it’s ideal for groups of friends or families. You can just jump on the boat right there; there is no need to reserve a seat, but you do have to pay in cash.

Aside from visiting the park, you can’t leave Iguazu without catching a sunset at the Hito de las Tres Fronteras, the point where the Rio Iguazu is bordered on one side by Brazil, another by Paraguay, and presumably where you are standing, by Argentina. It’s a wonderful place to have a picnic or drink some mate and just watch the colors changing over the horizon. The town’s bus goes there every half-hour, or you can just walk from the center in about twenty minutes.

Cute, furry creatures to spice up your visit to the Falls.

Keep an eye out for the coaties, the furry and curious relatives of raccoons that have absolutely infested Iguazu thanks to the amount of human food left around by visitors and restaurants. They are cute, fuzzy, and delightful, but they might bite you if you get too close, and even if they look at you with hungry eyes, it’s best not to feed them.

There are numerous tropical bird species inside the park, so if you like bird-watching make sure to bring some binoculars and a good camera. Walk quietly so as to not scare them off, and you are sure to glimpse some colorful and exotic birds on the paths.

Tours and excursions.

If you want to stay a third day in Iguazu, you can go on one of the various excursions offered by every travel agency in town. There are Jeep tours, boat adventures, "safaris" (watch out for the dangerous and carnivorous… toucans -- hey, this is Argentina, not Africa!), and horseback rides along the borders of the park. They are pretty expensive, since Iguazu is an elite tourist destination, but if you aren’t going to have an opportunity to do some outdoor adventures elsewhere, Iguazu is certainly a beautiful spot to be in. If you stay in the Hostel Inn, their travel desk can arrange the excursions for you, or you can get more information form the tourist office at the bus terminal.

Whether you are vacationing with your family, backpacking with friends, or traveling solo, Iguazu Falls is a satisfying reminder of nature’s glory that is an overall enjoyable travel experience. If you can just take two or three days to see someplace besides Buenos Aires in Argentina, this is a relaxing and worthwhile way to spend your time.