Iguazu Travel Guide: Attractions

The Iguazu Falls are undoubtedly the main reason for people traveling to Puerto Iguazu in this far corner of Argentina. Known in Portuguese as Foz do Iguaçu and in Spanish as Cataratas del Iguazú, the Iguazu Falls lie on the Argentina - Brazil border and are recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site.

This complex system of waterfalls is a magnificent sight and has become one of the must-see attractions on the entire continent of South America. The sheer scale of the falls is what makes them so breathtaking and they are regularly compared to the Niagra Falls; even Eleanor Roosevelt famously said “poor Niagra” when she laid eyes on Iguazu. In fact, the Iguazu Falls are four times wider than their North American counterpart and some of the waterfalls are even taller.

The source of the Iguazu river is in the Paraña state of Brazil. The river travels through 1200km of smooth plateau before it accumulates in cracks and layers that have formed in the sandstone and basalt, a result of a volcanic eruption.

It then plunges into an 80 meter canyon at an average rate of 553 cubic feet of water per second feeding the various waterfalls. All around the crescent moon shaped edge of the canyon the river simultaneously flows around islets and over cliffs and into 275 different cascades. The largest of these is the thundering Gargantua del Diablo, or “Devil’s Throat”; other significant falls are the San Martin, the Bossetti, and the Bernabe Mendez.

The tropical location of this wonder of nature makes the Iguazu falls all the more compelling for travelers. The falls are surrounded by the natural grandeur of the subtropical jungle, resplendent with lush flora and fauna, including orchids, begonias, flocks of colorful parrots, 5 different species of toucan, cacique birds, and a cornucopia of over 100 species of butterfly. Bird and nature lovers are advised to arrive at the falls early in the day so that they can fully appreciate the falls without the larger crowds who arrive in the late morning and afternoon.

The Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls contains around 2 thirds of all of the waterfalls. From the visitors center here there are various trails and routes that around the complex.

The two basic circuits are the upper path and the lower path. On the lower path the bases of the different falls can be explored and these emanate large clouds of gentle spray. It is possible to travel to some of the islands downstream and even to go swimming in the lake, though this is not advisable without expert local advice - problems with parasites are not uncommon for swimmers.  

The upper path offers wonderful panoramic views of the entire system and from here the might and grandeur of the falls can be fully appreciated. Closer to the falls there are a series of catwalks can be taken over the water rushing into the Devil’s Throat - necessary protective waterproof gear is provided.

Various tours can be made into the virgin rainforest, protected within the boundaries of the national parks on both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the border.  In particular there are various Safaris and Birdwatchingtours that capture the best of the natural sights on offer. The Macuco Trail is one such option:  ask our expert and highly trained travel advisors for details of available tours.

Boating is another popular leisure activity for travelers in the area, made all the more exciting by the backdrop of the Iguazu Falls. There are plenty of options on offer, from a tranquil look at wildlife from a rowing boat to a full blown rafting experience. One of the highlights is taking an Iguazu Falls “Baptism”; in other words taking a boat underneath the continuous torrent of water from one of the falls.

There are a few other things to see and do in the city that would be of interest to travelers. The Tríplice Fronteira (Triple Frontier) is the point where the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay all meet, delineated by the fork between the Parana and Iguazu Rivers – just downstream from the Iguazu Falls. Each country has constructed a monument in their section with their national flags to recognize this congruence of the three different countries and the intertwined history between them.