The Ultimate Guide on Visiting the Iguazú Falls
The Iguazú Falls (also known as Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish) are a set of waterfalls located on the Iguazú river, bordering Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. These majestic waterfalls are one of the largest in the world and are one of the new wonders of the world. Here is your ultimate guide on visiting them:
The majestic falls...
How to get there
Most people will be staying in the town of Puerto Iguazú, due to its proximity to the waterfalls. The Hostel I stayed at was called Hostel Bambu and it was one of the nicest hostels I have stayed in. It’s very clean and the breakfast they give is second to none. There are two ways to get to the Iguazú falls from Puerto Iguazú: Taxi or Bus.
Taxi – Taxi’s in Argentina are not on the meter and need to be negotiated beforehand. You can get a one way taxi from Puerto Iguazú to the waterfall for around ARG $250 (approx. £10). Negotiating a return price might be a good idea if you are in a group of 4 or so people. Taxi drivers have been known to wait the few hours so they can complete your round trip.
Bus – The cheapest, yet equally efficient way of getting there is by taking a bus. Busses leave the main terminal regularly and prices cost around ARG $50. Even if you are in a group, this seems like the best way to get to the waterfall.
Entry Costs
Entry to the park costs ARG $130. The ticket office only accepts Argentina Peso’s so if you have just come from Brazil then don’t convert any money there as the exchange rate is bad. Either use the ATM’s to get cash out or pay with a card. It is well worth budgeting a full day to see the Argentine side as it is spectacular! The park consists of two trails: The upper trail and the lower trail. Make sure you go on the upper trail first.
Approaching the Devil's Throat
The Two Trails
Both the trails take your through the series of waterfalls allowing you to enjoy some absolutely beautiful views and see some incredible sights. The upper trail has probably the best part in the entire park it is not to be missed: The Devil’s Throat. Garganta del Diablo (as it’s known in Spanish) is a meeting point of 14 cascades, tumbling nearly 260ft (80m) into an almost hypnotic mist, as they hit the frothing water below. The views are humbling and completely capture the essence of these majestic waterfalls. To get here, you can take a free train direct to the viewpoint.
The lower trail is equally amazing. You see the falls from a whole new perspective, however the best part is one of the viewpoints which take you just 100m away from the falls. As you stand there, engulfed by the cliffs and tumbling water, you really feel like you are inside the waterfalls! Make sure you wear waterproof clothing!