I was quite impressed when seeing the Niagara Waterfalls in Canada a few years ago, but after seeing Iguazú Falls in South America, my mind was blown! American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was right when saying “Poor Niagara!”. The world’s largest waterfalls are part of the Iguazú River on the border of Argentina and Brazil and were chosen as one of the new natural seven wonders of the world. The falls and national park are known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in South America. In this article, I explain how to get to the falls and what to see there.
How To Get To Iguazú Falls
The falls are easily accessible by plane from most larger airports in South America. It’s about 2 hours flying from Buenos Aires to Carateras International Airport (IGR) which is located on the Argentinian side of the border. Also Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) is well connected with most larger cities in Brazil like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Most tourists stay in Foz Do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side of the border as this is the biggest town in the area so you’ll find most restaurants and hotels here. While you can easily cross the border with Argentina, also Paraguay is very close. A day trip to Cuidad Del Este is certainly worth it and I can recommend it if you have the time.
How To Visit Iguazú Falls
You can visit the falls from both sides of the border. While I would recommend to visit the falls from both sides, I prefer the Argentinian side as you’ll have the best views from there. Of course, this requires to cross the border twice when staying in Foz Do Iguaçu. Myself, I did this too but it took me an entire day as the park is quite big. Therefore, I would recommend to take 2 entire days to visit the falls, one in Argentina and one in Brazil.
By going to both parks on your own, you need to pay for transportation and entrance fees. Of course, you can also book guided tours from Foz Do Iguaçu to make your trip more convenient. The ‘jungle train’ will take you all the way to the falls. Bring good shoes as quite a lot of walking is involved. Also be prepared to get wet here so make sure you’ve got the necessary to protect your camera etc.
Keep an eye on your belongs as coatis are walking around here. They are both an attraction and a pest at the falls. Apart from coatis, you’ll see a lot of animals like monkeys and butterflies so keep your eyes open. While the falls look more beautiful from the Argentinian side, the park on the Brazilian side has more to offer in my opinion. A visit to Iguazú Falls is possible all year round but mid-season (from July to October and from February to April) is best to avoid the mass tourism here.
General Travel Tips
- For Accommodations, always check Airbnb and Hotels Combined for the best price options
- For specific tours and to know what’s around, always check Get Your Guide for the best tips in Iguazú.
Bottom Line
The Iguazú Falls are known as one of the most popular travel destinations in South America. I was definitely blown away when seeing this massive natural wonder. As the Iguazú falls are easily accessible from most larger cities in South America, it is common to combine a visit to the falls with a trip to Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. I would recommend to spend 2 or 3 days to see the falls, you then can visit the falls from both sides of the border.
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Have you visited Iguazú Falls or have you planned a trip? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
