Visiting Iguazu Falls is a must on everyone’s South American Itinerary. The sheer size and immense power of Iguazu Falls are just some of the reasons why this natural wonder is one of the planets most awe-inspiring sights!
What is so special about Iguazu Falls? Well for starters, there are approximately 275 individual waterfalls stretching an impressive 3km wide and standing 82m at its highest point. Iguazu Falls are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was also selected as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. So yes, you are going to want to put Iguazu Falls on your bucket list as it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
I spent two days exploring Iguazu Falls National Park, on both the Argentinian side and the Brazilian side, and have put together this easy guide to visiting Iguazu Falls including how to get there, the best time to visit, how much it costs and what to expect!
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WHERE IS IGUAZU FALLS & HOW TO GET THERE
Iguaza Falls, also known as Iguaçu Falls, lies split between the border of Argentina and Brazil in South America.
From Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls it is approximately a two-hour flight or a sixteen-hour drive.
From Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu Falls the flight time is around two hours and fifteen minutes or an eighteen-hour drive.
Fortunately, there are two international airports at Iguazu Falls, one on the Argentinian side (Cataratas Del Iguazu International Airport) and one on the Brazilian side (Foz do Iguacu International Airport), making it conveniently easy to reach this incredible chain of waterfalls in South America.
Click Here to search all flights to Iguazu Falls on SkyScanner.com.
DO I NEED A VISA FOR ARGENTINA & BRASIL?
Depending on which country you are a passport holder of, you may or may not need a visa to enter Argentina and Brazil. To find out more information and get your visa online in advance, see the links below for both Argentina and Brasil visa requirements.
The falls from above – Visiting Iguazu Falls
Devil’s throat Iguazu Falls
BEST TIME TO VISIT IGUAZU FALLS
Iguazu Falls is a destination that can be visited all year round, however, the best time to visit Iguazu Falls is in the cooler winter months between May and September, which is also mid-season with fewer tourists. High-season at Iguazu Falls is generally in the summer months between December and February, so you can expect very hot days and a lot of tourists during this time.
Iguazu Falls National Park is open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 6:00pm on the Argentina side and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on the Brazil side.
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IGUAZU FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
Iguazu Falls Argentina Side:
The Iguazu Falls entrance fee on the Argentina side is $800 Argentine Pesos (USD $18) for adults and $200 Argentine Pesos (USD $5) for kids up to the age of 12.
Iguazu Falls Brazil Side:
The Iguazu Falls entrance fee on the Brazilan side is $70 Brazilian Reals (USD $18) for adults and $11 Brazilian Reals (USD $3) for kids up to the age of 11.
ATM machines can be found at the entrance to Iguazu Falls if you wish to withdraw money, otherwise paying by debit or credit card is also an option.
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ARGENTINA SIDE VS BRAZIL SIDE
Both sides of the falls offer a different perspective of this natural wonder of the world and that’s why I recommend allowing at least two days to make the most of your experience when visiting Iguazu Falls.
The Argentina side of Iguazu Falls offers several walking trails to different viewpoints, a boat ride along the Iguazu River to the base of the falls and a train ride to the top of the falls, all of which will take you one full day to do.
Whereas on the Brazilian side, there is a shuttle bus service from the entrance gate that will drop you much closer to the falls and there is only one walking trail that takes no more than two hours to complete, including stops to take pictures. Scenic helicopter flights also operate on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls that will set you back USD $120 for a fifteen-minute flight over the falls.
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Approaching the veil of the falls – Visiting Iguazu Falls
View of Devil’s Throat from Iguazu Falls Brazil side
IGUAZU FALLS TOURS
Booking a tour of Iguazu Falls is more expensive but it does come with its benefits. The majority of Iguazu Falls tours include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or the airport and an experienced tour guide, making your adventure a stress free and enjoyable one.
If you are looking for one or two day tours of Iguazu Falls you can book online in advance to avoid the hassle of having to organise a trip once you have arrived. I recommend finding a tour that best suits you on the Get Your Guide website. They have thousands of travel deals worldwide that are affordable and reliable!
Click Here to search for all Iguazu Falls Tours and book online ahead of time.
I personally joined an 11-day tour with Tucan Travel covering the highlights of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, which included two days at Iguazu Falls.
Click Here to see the full itinerary of the 11-Day Highlights of Chile, Argentina and Brazil Tour.
VISITING IGUAZU FALLS – ARGENTINA SIDE
Visiting Iguazu Falls is a once in a lifetime experience that I guarantee you will never forget! It doesn’t matter how many photos or videos you have seen from these falls, they don’t do it any justice and to see Iguazu Falls with your own eyes is 100% worth it.
One of the best things to do at Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side is taking the speed boat ride up the Iguazu River to the very base of the falls, soaking you head to toe! A speed boat ride at Iguazu Falls is USD $60 and the adventure takes around 1.5 hours.
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You can purchase your boat tickets at the same time as paying for your entrance ticket. Once you have your ticket, head to the pick-up point, just five minutes walk from the main entrance, and a 4WD people carrier will pick you up and drive down through the jungle to where the boats are located. Before jumping on the boat, each person is given a dry bag to put all non-waterproof valuables in and a lifejacket. Once everyone is onboard and seated, the boat then shoots up the rapids and the skipper will give everyone some time to take pictures of the falls before dunking the boat several times right under the tremendous spray that emits from Iguazu Falls.
Tip: Bring a poncho and a change of clothes if you are planning on experiencing the speed boat ride at Iguazu Falls. You will get wet! There are change rooms down by the river to get changed out of your wet clothes and into some dry ones.
Once you’ve had your fun getting soaked under the falls, spend the rest of the day walking along the circuit trails to several different viewpoints overlooking Iguazu Falls. You’ll be given a map of Iguazu Falls when you enter the park and it’s really easy to navigate your way around. I have also attached a map below for your perusal.
There is a lower circuit trail that leads through dense rainforest, offering many different viewpoints of Iguaçu and other smaller waterfalls along the way. And the upper circuit trail takes you across suspended walkways right over the top of Iguazu Falls, getting you as close to the edge as possible.
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4WD adventure at Iguazu Falls Argentina side
About to jump on the speed boat – Visiting Iguazu Falls
Shooting up the Iguazu River to the falls
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- At the base of Iguazu Falls
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- More waterfalls on the lower circuit
The walkway on top of the falls – Iguaza Falls Argentina
Right on top of the falls – Iguazu Falls Pictures
Iguazu Falls Argentina Map – Sourced from iguazuargentina.com
IGUAZU FALLS ARGENTINA SIDE – CONTINUED…
I am guessing you may be getting hungry by this point, so there a number of snack bars and restaurants that can be found in central park to grab some food and take a rest. Alternatively, it is advisable to bring a packed lunch as the restaurants can be a bit overpriced. Once you’ve had a feed, jump in the queue at the central station to ride the ecological train ride to the topmost section of Iguazu Falls. Trains depart from central station every half an hour and it is free of charge.
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The train will arrive at the top train station and from here it’s a fifteen-minute walk across the Iguazu River on the suspended walkway until you reach the most epic viewing platform above the falls. Hold on to your hats as the spray from Iguazu will be sure to soak your face from this viewpoint and you may want to throw your poncho back on to keep you dry. This part of the falls is the very neck of what is called the Devil’s Throat, boasting immense power and mass water flow that is absolutely phenomenal to witness!
To get back to the main entrance of Iguazu National Park, jump back on the ecological train for the twenty-minute return journey which will conclude your visit to Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side.
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Ecological train ride at Iguazu Falls
The walkway across Iguazu River – Visiting Iguazu Falls
Devil’s Throat viewpoint – Iguazu Falls Images
Sunset at Iguazu Falls
VISITING IGUAZU FALLS – BRASIL SIDE
Visiting Iguazu Falls on the Brasil side is a much more cruisy adventure than the Argentinian side. Basically, less walking is involved as there is only one trail in and out. Once inside the entrance gate, there are big green shuttle buses waiting to transport passengers to and from Iguazu Falls.
The bus drops everyone off at a bus station located across the road from a large pink hotel and this is where the trail begins, you won’t miss it. Follow the trail along the edge of Iguazu Falls and take the time to stop for pictures along the way as this is where you’ll get your best shots of the falls. At the end of the trail, there are some nice restaurants that are perched right on top of Iguazu Falls, making for an unbelievable lunch setting. Again, the restaurant prices are generally high so bring a packed lunch if you prefer.
And that’s it for the Brasil side of Iguazu Falls. You can find the bus station next to the restaurants and make the return journey back to the entrance gate.
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Iguazu Falls Brasil side
The crowded walkway into the Devil’s Throat
Visiting Iguazu Falls on the Brasil side
View of Iguazu Falls on the Brasil side
Iguazu Falls Brasil Map – Sourced from cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
WHERE TO STAY IN IGUAZU FALLS
There are two major cities located close to Iguazu Falls and they are Puerto Iguazu, on the Argentina side, and Foz do Iguaçu on the Brasil side, both of which have hundreds of accommodations to choose from.
I have narrowed it down to a few of my favourite places to stay in Iguazu Falls to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travellers. See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Places to stay in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina)
Luxury: Mecure Iguazu Hotel Iru
Mid Range: Hotel Jardin de Iguazu
Budget: El Uru Suite Hotel
For all other accommodation in Puerto Iguazu, Click Here to search on Booking.com.
Places to stay in Foz do Iguazu (Brasil)
Luxury: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas
Mid Range: Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort
Budget: Hotel Dany
For all other accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu, Click Here to search on Hotels & Resorts at Iguazu Falls
Airbnb Iguazu Falls: Another option is to stay in an Airbnb, which has some great deals in Iguazu – Get your $40 Airbnb discount here!
IGUAZU FALLS MAP
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MORE SOUTH AMERICA
If you are planning a trip to South America, be sure to check out my other travel guides below that you might find useful while crafting together your South America Itinerary:
- One Day In Buenos Aires – Argentina
- Mendoza Wine Tour – Argentina
- 3 Best Things To Do In Santiago – Chile
- 10 Best Things To Do In Cusco – Peru
- Machu Picchu Tour – Peru
- Rainbow Mountain Trek – Peru
- 7-Day Ausangate Trek – Peru
- Mountain Biking Death Road – Bolivia
- Uyuni Salt Flats – Bolivia
Thanks for reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Visiting Iguazu Falls, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Exploring! ??
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Love this one! So good.
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Hi Kathleen, thanks for reading and hope you find this guide useful!