Iguazu Falls: A great side trip out of Buenos Aires

The falls lie in the glorious setting of Iguazu National Park, up north the province of Misiones, on the border with Brazil and Paraguay (the frontier among the three countries is at the junction of Iguazú and Paraná Rivers).

Aerolineas Argentinas and Lan are the two airlines that fly daily from Buenos Aires City to Puerto Iguazú. The flight takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. These flights depart from Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport in Buenos Aires and they arrive at the airport in Puerto Iguazu.

The town of Puerto Iguazu serves as the main base from which to explore Iguazu National Park, it is smaller and safer than its Brazilian counterpart, Foz do Iguassu, and the hotels are inexpensive and very nice. On the Argentine side, the Sheraton International Iguazú is the only hotel inside the National Park, the rest of the hotels lie in the small town of Puerto Iguazu, 18 km away (11 miles) . On the Brazilian side, Hotel Das Cataratas is the only Five Star Hotel inside the Park.

Declared a World Heritage Area by Unesco in 1934, these 275 waterfalls form one of earth’s most unforgettable sights. Excellent walking circuits on both the Argentine and Brazilian sides allow visitors to peek over the tops of raging sheets of water, some with sprays so intense that it seems as if geysers have erupted from below.

How long to stay at Iguazu Falls?

Many people wonder whether they should spend one or two nights in Iguazu. In our experience you need 1 full day for the Argentine side of the falls and a half day for the Brazilian side.

Two days on the Argentine side means that you can take as long as you want, without rushing anywhere.

If you have 3 full days in Iguazu, you should consider visiting the Jesuit ruins where the missions of San Ignacio, Santa Ana and Loreto were built and which serve as a spectacular insight into the history of our country.

If you don’t have so much time and you want to visit Iguazu Falls, we suggest staying for a minimum of one night. We strongly advise you not to come and go to Iguazu on the same day, without staying overnight, because of possible flight delays. Cancellations, delays and other complications are very frequent and there is a risk of not arriving in time to explore the National Park. If you spend one night there, you have the following day to enjoy and visit the falls.

Argentine Side

Your first stop will likely be the visitor’s center, where you can get maps and information about the flora and fauna of the area. Next to the visitor` s center, you will find a restaurant, snack shops and souvenir stores. A natural gas train takes visitors to the path entrance for the Upper and Lower Circuits (1 mile path each; it takes 2 hours to walk each circuit) and to the footbridge leading to the Devil’s Throat (3 km; 1 ½ miles).

Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) is the mother of all waterfalls in Iguazu, visible from vantage points in both the Brazilian and Argentine park. The water is calm as it makes its way down the Iguazu River, and then begins to speed up as it approaches the gorge ahead. This is the highest waterfall in Iguazu and one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. You might take a raincoat – you will get wet!!!!!

Is it worth visiting the Brazilian side?

If you want to have a different perspective of the falls, rent a helicopter or fly over the national park or visit the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant, you may consider visiting the Brazilian side.

Tourist visa fees vary according to nationality: Australia: US$35.00; Canada: US$65.00; Japan: US$25.00; Mexico: US$30.00; Nigeria: US$65.00.

Bear in mind that if you are an American citizen, you do need a visa (either for tourism or business) to enter Brazil. U.S. passport holders must pay a processing fee of US140.00 in reciprocity for an identical fee paid by Brazilian citizens who apply for a tourist visa to the U.S.

Visit the Brazilian side …

1. To experience a panoramic view of Iguazu falls you should go on an excursion over the Brazilian side of the Park.

2. To visit the Itaipu dam and powerhouse is a short trip from Foz do Iguassu (Brasil). It's only worth going if the water level is high enough for the spillway to be in use. It is an impressive feat of engineering and it is fascinating.

3. If you want to witness a beautiful aerial view of Iguazú National Park, helicopter flights are available from the Brazilian side only. It is the best way to understand the real dimension of the Falls. Another option is to fly over the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant.

4. Many visitors to the falls also take day trips to the city of Foz do Iguazu in Brazil. It’s a chance to eat more tropical food and also fly to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo or other cities in Brazil.

Iguazu Falls is, quite simply, one of the most incredible natural landscapes we have ever seen.