On the Border, Argentina and Brazil’s Breathtaking Iguazu Falls

In the midst of the lush jungles and rainforests of Argentina and Brazil lies the tiny town of Iguazu, and within Iguazu lies the famous and world-renowned Iguazu Falls. With a majority of the falls, eighty percent in Argentina, and the other twenty percent in Brazil, Iguazu as a town, river, and falls is vast and well worth the visit. A three-hour flight from Mendoza, or an hour flight from Buenos Aires and you’re right in the middle of the tropical rainforest of Iguazu. The falls ranks in as the fifth largest in the world!

Which side to go to?  Argentina or Brazil?

Most people say the falls is better viewed from the Brazilian side, as you can see the entirety of the falls better.  If you have time, do both.  There are buses that transport people from one side to the other frequently, but you’ll need a visa to visit either side. Due to visa issues and having to wait on our Brazilian visas, we went only the Argentinian side and it was just as beautiful, it was truly spectacular!

View from the Argentina side, not too bad if I do say so myself!

We came to Iguaza in February, summer for South America..it was brutally hot and muggy.

The Argentina Side:

We took a bus from downtown Iguazu on the Argentina side to the park entrance.  The ride was hot, however, it only costs about ten pesos and buses leave frequently from the main bus station in town.  Once you arrive, the national park costs 170 Argentinian Pesos (or around $21) for non-Argentine residents for entry into the Argentina side. Once inside the park there are several paths and trains you can take to explore all over from numerous different viewing points. Some of the paths are hidden within the jungle leaves and made of rustic wooden slabs.  Seriously feels like you’re right in the middle of the jungle..well you kind of are.

These paths weave in and out of the jungle all over the park to different various viewpoints of the falls, so cool.

A mini waterfall I stumbled upon.

There are ponds, steams and mini waterfalls throughout.  You’ll be thinking you’re walking to the next major viewing point and then pow, there will be a majestic waterfall right in front of your eyes.

If the tide isn’t too high or too low you can spend a little extra money and go on a boat ride to the base of the falls. There, you can feel the power and the force of the falls as your boat rocks back and forth and is seen in the way your clothes will be all wet once getting back to land.

Here you can see that tiny little boat in the distance looking like it’s going straight into the falls. That’s the boat you can pay a little extra money to take to get up close and personal with the fifth largest waterfall in the world. There are signs near this viewpoint for where to purchase tickets for the boat.

At the top the falls are so colossal the water spews out with fury. In some spots it’s hard to take a picture without getting your camera soaking wet. The park took us about four hours to tour entirely, however, plenty of people stay from the time the park opens at 730AM to when it closes at 630PM (summer hours.)

At the top!

You can a free train to the top where you walk across several rivers to get to the top of the falls. Sometimes if you’re lucky you can see wildlife in the water or sunbathing on some rocks..this time it was a little turtle friend.

Tips Before Going:

1. Make sure to bring your bug spray and sunscreen! It can get hot and muggy all around Iguazu.

2. Pack a lunch or snacks, as well as water.  The park sells food and water however the prices are obviously cranked up as this is a national park.

3. Lastly, be on the lookout for all of the exotic animals. Iguazu is home to jaguars, jaguarundis, ocelots, anteaters, coatis, and yacare caiman, a smaller species of crocodile. The coatis, relatives of the raccoon, are all over the place. They may look interesting but they’re nuisances. They steal food, so be aware of that and definitely don’t feed them, the park takes that very seriously! The croc like animals, the yacare caiman are known to make appearances in the calmer areas of the water, frightening but beautiful creatures nonetheless!

A coatie spotted! Stealing a sandwich…per usual.

My friend, the cut off tail lizard.

Hannah

Hannah has been traveling the world since she was a little girl. She started her travel blog Heels to Hiking Boots in 2012. Heels to Hiking Boots is all about the modern female traveler. The woman who can throw on a pair of heels for a night out, and then wake up and lace up her muddy hiking boots for a day of exploration.