Visiting Iguazu Falls, we saw hundreds of cascades tumbling along a 2.7-kilometre stretch of the Iguazu River. Comprising the world’s largest waterfall system, they are on the border between Argentina and Brazil. The official count is 275 falls, but that figure changes based on rains.
The numbers are almost incomprehensible, and standing in front of any portion of this massive waterfall between Brazil and Argentina, I am spellbound. Visiting Iguazu Falls is worth the effort it takes to get there. To date, it is one of the most spectacular sights we have ever seen.
Recently, someone asked me, “Why do you like world travel so much?” Standing in front of Iguazu Falls, one of the seven wonders of nature, I know exactly why. As a travel photographer, I can capture the grandeur but not the power. There is nothing quite like standing at the top of the cascade called the Devil’s Throat. Here, I can feel the strength of the water in every fibre of my being.
Random Fact: Iguazu means “Big Water” in Paraguayan Guaraní, an indigenous South American language and one of the two official languages of Paraguay.
First, be inspired by Argentina…
Before visiting Iguazu Falls
Like any great adventure, planning ahead avoids disappointment. In the case of Iguazu, a lack of planning might prevent you from seeing all you want.
- Travelling on a New Zealand passport, we did not need visas for Argentina or Brazil. That is not the case for everyone. Travellers from Canada, the USA, Australia, and Japan need to purchase visas for Brazil in advance of their travel. See the official Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs page for details.
- Bring a rain jacket or poncho if you don’t want to get wet from the mist of the falls. For me, it was hot outside, and I welcomed the mist.
- Bring and use a good mosquito repellent with Deet. Despite the warnings, I used an all-natural product instead of one with Deet, and I contracted dengue fever. You don’t want this.
- CDC and WHO recommend Yellow Fever vaccines. I can assure you that having my immunization records reduced the number of days I was in isolation when I got sick.
Seeing the falls with a private guide
While you can easily see the falls on your own with the tips below, we opted for all the added benefits that come with a guide. We chose Marcelo from Tours by Locals, and he was knowledgeable, reliable, flexible, friendly, and spoke perfect English.
We have used a variety of Tours by Locals guides worldwide, and so far, they have all been great. We believe part of the reason is that we communicate via email with our guide before hiring.
In the case of visiting Iguazu Falls, we opted for a 2+ day adventure. Marcelo picked us up from the airport on arrival. The next two days were spent with one in Brazil and the other in Argentina. We talked in advance and custom-created a tour based on his suggestions that met our needs and budget.
Marcelo’s knowledge of borders, entrances, and viewing points made everything easy. He had tips for the best views, and his flora and fauna knowledge, as well as his bird-spotting skills, are really impressive. Reserve your private tour with Marcelo here.
Visiting Iguazu Falls – Brazil side
We visited the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls first. Although more of the cascades are physically located in Argentina, it is Brazil that is most often thought to have better views. See if you agree. Iguazu National Park Brazil (Iguaçu National Park) was founded in 1939 and spans 185,000 hectares. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo credit: ©Sarah Albom. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: ©Sarah Albom. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: ©Sarah Albom. All rights reserved.
Specific tips for visiting Iguazu Falls – Brazil side
- In Portuguese, the falls are spelt: Iguaçu Falls
- If you are staying in Argentina, get an early start as you will need to allow time to cross the border. You can remain in your vehicle as you exit Argentina – simply show your passport to the gate agent. However, you will need to park the vehicle and walk into the customs office to get your clearance to enter Brazil (it will be the same on the return at the end of the day).
- We had a fabulous private guide. There’s more about Marcelo from Tours by Locals above, or reserve your day with Marcelo here. He was The other options (see below) include a group tour, a bus, or renting a car.
- If you are also visiting Parque das Aves (we do recommend that you do this) on the same day, go to the bird park first. The birds are more active in the morning, and the park will be less crowded. Purchasing tickets to Iguazu Falls Park in Brazil is easy, and they will take Brazilian reals or credit cards. (They do not accept Argentinean pesos or US dollars.)
- Ticket in hand, you will need to travel about 11 km into the park before you see the falls, either on a bus or with a guide). Unauthorized private vehicles are not allowed to make the drive.
- The walk through the park is downhill. At the end of the trail, there is an elevator that brings 30 people back up to the top every two minutes.
- There are a few snacks available at the bottom of the falls before entering the elevator area. Importantly, there are a few cafes offering a large selection of meals once back up at the top.
Brazil hotels in the National Park
We opted to stay on the Argentina side in Puerto Iguazu (see below) and were very happy with our choice as we speak some Spanish (the official language in Argentina) and no Portuguese (the official language in Brazil). However, I will admit we were tempted by the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, a luxurious five-star hotel inside the national park in Brazil. Reserve your stay at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas here
If it is not available (or you want to spend a bit less), there are plenty of other nearby hotels here.
Other key sites in Foz do Iguaçu, (Iguazu Brazil)
Two other activities not to miss in Foz do Iguaçu:
• Frontier Bridge to Paraguay: One can either drive or walk across the Frontier Bridge from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, to Cuidad del Este, Paraguay. Here, you will find a roughly ten-block shopping district, often with much lower prices than one can get in Brazil. (More on our adventure coming soon).
• Bird Park (Parque de Aves): Not too far from the entrance to Iguazu National Park Brazil is Parque de Aves, a privately owned bird sanctuary zoo filled with colourful species. In addition to being home to some rare or endangered birds, it has a conservation and breeding programme.
Photo credit: ©Sarah Albom. All rights reserved.
Read Next: Parque das Aves in Brazil
Visiting Iguazu Falls – Argentina side
Honestly, visiting Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side was just as thrilling as the Brazilian side. They are both different, yet both dramatic. We dedicated the better part of a day to each, leaving little time for other activities. Iguazu National Park Argentina was founded in 1934, five years ahead of the Brazilian park, It spans 67,000 hectares. The Argentina side is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Specific tips for visiting Iguazu Falls – Argentina side
- Start early. Be there before the park opens (we arrived at 7.45 am) and get on the first train to the Devil’s Throat. The best way to do this is to have one member of your party get the tickets while the others hold a place in the entry queue.
- There are multiple queues to get tickets – be sure you are in the proper one for your nationality (South American or all others).
- Do the upper circuit first before the day gets too hot. The lower circuit is mostly in the shade.
- The best place to get a map of the park is from the people selling the boat tour.
- If it’s your first visit to Argentina, you will want to start with this travel guide.
Nearby Argentina hotels
We stayed in the town of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina at the Hotel Saint George. With four-star luxury, comfortable beds, a spa with a very affordable and wonderfully relaxing massage, a beautiful pool, and a great breakfast, we believe we made a perfect choice.
We could have stayed in the park, but we wanted to be in town, as we spent three nights here without a car. A town that thrives on tourism, there are plenty of restaurants, bakeries, shops, and even things to do. And best of all, from Hotel Saint George it was all within walking distance. Reserve your stay at Hotel Saint George here
If you prefer to be in the national park in Argentina, your option is the five-star Gran Meliá Iguazú. Waterfall views are available from your room, but you will pay for it. Reserve your stay at Gran Meliá Iguazú here
If neither hotel is available (or you want to spend a bit less), there are plenty of other nearby hotels. Check them out here.
Other key nearby sites in Argentina
Staying in town rather than inside the park, we could walk around and enjoy the charming, laid-back town of Puerto Iguazu. Also, here are two not to be missed sites:
• The Three Frontiers (Tres Fronteras): The Iguazu River flows over the falls separating Brazil and Argentina. The river also meets the Paraná River, creating a corner named the Tres Fronteras.
• Hummingbird Garden (El Jardín de los Picaflores): If you love hummingbirds, this is the place to visit. The family-run garden is only open for a few hours each afternoon, and to get in, you need to first stand outside the gate and clap your hands. This will alert the gatekeeper without disturbing the birds. The fee was nominal, and the birds were wild.
Iguazu Falls boat tour
A boat ride is one of the more popular things to do at the falls. You can do this in either Brazil or Argentina. Both will give you a poncho to cover yourself and your belongings, both will cruise mostly through calm waters, and both will give you a warning (to put away your non-waterproof camera) and then get too close to the falls thus getting everyone wet.
We were told that the main difference is that you will be given a dry bag for your belongings on the Argentinean side but not on the Brazilian side. While boat tours can be booked on the day, they often fill up. If you don’t book in advance, it should be one of the first things you do on arrival to be sure to get a time slot.
Helicopter over Iguazu Falls
If your budget allows it, one of the most spectacular ways to see the falls is from above, although the flight times are short. Reserve your panoramic helicopter flight here
A few more general tips when visiting Iguazu Falls
- Use sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Carry plenty of water, and remember to drink it.
- Drones are illegal over the falls in Argentina.
- Don’t pet the coatis. They may look cute, but if you touch them, they will most likely use their claws, and you will need medical attention. If you bring food into the park, remember the sound of crinkling plastic wrap will attract coatis looking for food. Try to avoid doing it.
- We visited Iguazu Falls in December and had perfect weather. In contrast, Sarah also visited in December a few years earlier, and it rained the entire time she was there.
How to get to Iguazu Falls
• Fly to Iguazu Falls: We opted to fly to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires (the capital of Argentina). The flight was less than two hours, and it was quick and easy. Multiple airlines provide daily flights from Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Rosario, and Salta in Argentina. The other option is to fly into Iguazu, Brazil, from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or Lima (Peru). In my opinion, this is the best way to get to Iguazu Falls.
• Take a bus to Iguazu Falls: On her first visit to the falls in 2016, Sarah took a bus from Buenos Aires. The drive is 25 hours. While the buses in Argentina are world-famous for being nice, that is still a long time to be on a bus.
• Drive to Iguazu Falls: Self-driving is another way of getting to Iguazu Falls. Throughout South America, we had positive experiences renting cars with Rentalcars.com. The trip won’t be any shorter than with the bus, but you have more options and can break it up over many days, perhaps even a week or two.
• Iguazu Falls day trip: At the opposite extreme of the long bus or car drive is a day trip from Buenos Aires that starts with an early morning flight, gets you out to the falls with a private tour, and brings you back the same day. With more cash than time, this can be a good option; however, you will only get to see the falls from one side. Reserve your private day trip from Buenos Aires with airfare
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels) or VRBO (self-contained).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Campervans or Motorhomes: we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount
- Private guides: we love the private guides at Tours by Locals
- Travel Insurance: we start at InsureMyTrip as they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Iguazu Falls are one of our South American itinerary destinations.
And don’t miss our South America travel safety tips.
Is visiting Iguazu Falls on your bucket list?
A.Rrajani
SUCH A AMAZING PLACE!
THANK YOU FOR SHARINGâŠ..
beatravelling
Iguazu Falls look beautiful! Maybe I’ll have to do it while visiting Chile/Argentina next fall. Have done Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls.
Marcelle
Beautiful pictures, Rhonda! Now, you need to see the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean and the Zambian side.
Rob+Ann
Dengue Fever…not the sort of souvenir you want, huh? But wow – it looks like the trip itself was awesome! Great photos, as always, and a super helpful guide. Pinning this one for later. Thanks for sharing!
Wilbur
A great guide and wonderful pictures. I am so jealous of the toucan picture! We went in November and loved it. The power was awesome as you said. It was fantastic getting soaked at Devilâs Throat. I am planning a post on the birds I encountered in South America. Could I use your toucan one if I give you a credit and leave your copyright mark on it? Wilbur.
Eli@CoachDaddy
What an incredible journey, Rhonda. I would love my kids to experience it. I’m always fascinated at what birds are found around the world, too.
How do you decide which adventures to take?
Erin Gustafson | Oregon Girl Around the World
Gasp! Swoon. So amazing beautiful. And I completely concur. You can’t feel the scale of the Colosseum from a photograph. You can’t explain the reaction to standing underneath the Eiffel Tower for the first time. You can’t capture the crystal clear water of the Caribbean as clear as it is in person. And I can only imagine the sound and feeling of being around these stunning falls. Would love to experience for myself someday. Thanks for sharing all the great tips and cutest coatis (that I would never try to touch!) Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
hilary
Oh my gosh this is fabulous! Don’t laugh, but we keep seeing the Iguazu Falls when we visit Disneyland. They have an attraction called Soaring over the world, and its one of the places where “you soar!” Very cool!
Jill
Wow! Beautiful photos of an incredible place – and the birds, too. I’d love to go there someday.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
Wow! These are incredible! Your photos are wonderful. I am sure it was hard to put your camera away for the boat ride. I too would have enjoyed being showered by the mist on a hot day.
Sharon
I can imagine the “soundtrack” of the water at the falls! Ever since I saw the movie “The Mission” I have wanted to visit the Iguazu Falls. Your photos show that they are much larger than I imagined. What an experience to be there in person!
Paul
We stayed at the falls on the Brazil side and it was a great experience. We were in the fancy hotel inside the park so the falls were right at our doorstep and we could go out an explore after the day trippers left. One of my favourite waterfalls ever I think.
Esther
Wow, what an amazing guide. The Iguazu Falls are on top of my list to visit, the grandness of them! Your photos are just striking. I hadn’t even considered animal life around the falls, but wow!
Obligatory Traveler
This has so much helpful information. Seeing the falls is on my bucket list so I made sure to pin for future reference. I’m going to use all of this great advice. Do you think you write a post about your experience with dengue fever. It would be really interesting
Rhonda Albom
Yes, I will write about it, not sure when though. I have so much material from the interesting places we visited over nine weeks.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I am pretty sure I told you you would love Iguazu. It is one of the places I hope to get back to one day.
Rhonda Albom
Actually, you were one of the reasons we made sure Iguazu was on our itinerary.
California Globetrotter
I visited Iguazu Falls back in 2003 and still remember how amazing it was! We got incredibly lucky with one of the boat tours, as a group of people all crammed onto one boat just before us, leaving me and my parents to arrive just in time to catch a boat entirely to ourselves and the driver took us pretty close to the falls! Would love to go again and truly explore more of the falls!
USHA SITAARAAM
Beautiful post and photographs. I would love to visit the falls some day.
Rhonda Albom
It’s even more stunning live.
Ryan K Biddulph
This has long been on my list Rhonda. Amazing. I love your pictures and hey, what a cute coati. Adorable. But I’d leave plenty of space between me and he LOL…since they are wild.
Rhonda Albom
There are plenty of warning signs in multiple languages about the coati. When we were walking along a path a boy about 3 years old bent down to quickly give one a pet. The entire crowd reacted and pulled him away. Thankfully he was unharmed.
Priyadarshini Rajendran
Lovely pictures , I have not been to either side of the falls yet and I would love to. We have an upcoming Brazil trip and it is great to see that Brazil side views are the best. Will plan using these tips.
Rhonda Albom
The border crossing at Iguazu is pretty easy. I would recommend seeing both if you are making the effort to get to that corner of Brazil.
Paul Pietrangelo
I love waterfalls. Happy Valentine’s Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
For a waterfall lover, Iguazu is a must see. It is well worth the effort it takes to get there.
Karolina
Oh, wow! these photos are absolutely amazing! Fascinating place! I’m pinning this post – if I ever go – this post is uber comprehensive :))
Rhonda Albom
I hope you do get to get there. Iguazu Falls are even more amazing live.
Iris
Beautiful post! I hope to visit one day
Rhonda Albom
It takes a bit of effort to get there, but it is worth it.
Christine
WOW…just WOW! These photos say it all from the waterfalls, scenery, and animals. I would love to travel to Argentina. Thanks for the inspiration. I need a vacation bad.
Rhonda Albom
If you make it as far as Iguazu, be sure to cross to Brazil too.
Vivienne
Wow! What an amazing trip! I love your helpful tidbits about the visas. I never would have known to get one, until the last minute lol Also, Iguacu Falls AND Iguazu Falls look so beautiful.
Rhonda Albom
The last minute would have been too late for the visa, depending on which country you currently live in.
Kelly Anne Rothaermel
So fantastic! Would love to go there someday! Thanks for sharing! have a great week!
Rhonda Albom
Standing at the falls is really mind-blowing.
drkottaway
Wonderful! I can’t wait to travel more….
Rhonda Albom
LOL – If you are not a traveller, you might find this one a bit more difficult. It’s tucked up a corner of the world that isn’t all that easy to get too, but well worth the effort.
Carol
Thanks for the tour and info and such a gorgeous natural wonder. Pinned and shared
Rhonda Albom
It is easy to understand how it became one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Handmade Jewelry Haven
Wow you got some AMAZING photos!!
Looks like a romantic and unique spot to go with your lovey đ
Thanks for sharing!!
– Lisa
Rhonda Albom
Carrying the tripod helped to get some of the photos.
Anda
Excellent guide, Rhonda! Your detailed post took me on a beautiful tour of Iguazu Falls. I loved this area and my memories about it are still very vivid. You took some great pictures here. I particularly like the one of the Coati (I see Sarah took it).
Rhonda Albom
It is a special place, and I think my memories will stay quite vivid as well.
stevebethere
That was interesting I always find these sort of places peaceful even though waterfalls etc can be loud, brilliant photos Rhonda :~)
Have a trickletastic week đ
Rhonda Albom
I agree, it was mostly peaceful, except for the more crowded areas and portions where we get wet from the mist đ
Lydia C. Lee
Stunning – I’m even impressed with the bird feeder too!
Rhonda Albom
LOL – there were several of these bird feeders around the hummingbird gardens.
indah nuria
Oh my…such a beautiful place. Take me there đ
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Amazing photos! It’s really making me want to visit it myself one day.
Rob+Ann
Great photos! I didn’t realize you could get so close to the falls. Definitely on our bucket list, and maybe moving up a few notches now! đ Thanks for sharing!
Sarah E. Albom
You can stand directly above them, including the Devil’s Throat. I didn’t show the photo but I have one with the waterfall for the Devil’s Throat rushing under the boardwalk and out into nothingness.
Photo(Geo)grapher
What a beautiful place! The waterfalls are gorgeous!
Sarah E. Albom
It was amazing to feel their sheer power from up close.
Ruth
Wow! That is what I call a great waterfall (or waterfalls). I can’t wait to visit this area. Love that you were able to spot wildlife too.
Sarah E. Albom
It is absolutely incredible to witness.
Pawna Camping
What a great timing of photographs.
Amazing view. Great job. Im in love with blog.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
It is a shame you got so much rain. I went to Iguazu a few years ago and got sunshine the whole time. They are the most magnificent falls I have ever seen.
Sarah E. Albom
Two trips went, and the trip a week before ours didn’t have a single drop of cloud.
Beth
It must have felt awesome to witness a world wonder … also, coatis are cute AF đ
Sarah E. Albom
I loved the coatis, I couldn’t get enough of them. There was another photographer in the group and we followed them around for probably about 20 minutes looking for the best photo.
Anda
Very beautiful shots, Sarah! I’ve seen IguazĂș Falls in 2005 and since then I keep promising myself that I’ll go back. I was so impressed by these waterfall (especially the Devilâs Throat), but also by the entire area. Extremely well kept and easy to visit.
Sarah E. Albom
It was stunning. My host family told me that it looks different every time you go, so you definitely have to go back!
Karen
Great photos Sarah took
Lisa Ross
Wow I love all those pics but especially the first one and the spider. Glad you’re back safe and sound after a fabulous experience Sarah. How does it feel to be back? What’s next in your life?
L. Diane Wolfe
The falls are gorgeous! What an adventure.
shere
Very nice pictures!! I think the mist adds some mystery to the pictures. We would love to visit Argentina and will add Iguazu to our itinerary.
Sarah E. Albom
Thanks, I think that as well. And absolutely, you have to go to Iguazu! Make sure to see it from the Brazilian side as well.
Lexa Cain
Your pics are absolutely stunning! Even the one with a lot of mist looks awesome — I kind of like the otherworldly sense the mist gives. Congrats on your exchange. You’re so brave & yes, I think this experience helped you and will stay with you forever. I’m sure your family was happy to welcome you home though!
Sarah E. Albom
I loved the waterfall with the mist. I thought it looked very mysterious and dreamlike. I loved every second of my exchange, but it is nice to be back.
Laurel-Rain Snow
Wonderful shots! I do love seeing waterfalls and other beauty in Nature.
Sarah E. Albom
I love waterfalls as well, especially when they’re on this scale.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Wow, that’s like seeing one of the wonders of the world. Great photos, Sarah. I’m sure the rain dampened some of your photo opportunities, but you got some good stuff anyway.
Sarah E. Albom
Thanks Alex. The rain was a bit of a pity but I still managed to get some nice shots.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Sarah – what incredible photos … and I hadn’t realised quite how wonderful the Falls are – I knew they were spectacular … but you’ve shown me (and us) how absolutely brilliant the place is … the strength of the water flow … awesome … no wonder your parents want you to take them on an Argentinian tour at some stage … good luck with the rest of your studies and then AUT … I’m sure you’ll get in – cheers Hilary
Sarah E. Albom
It’s absolutely stunning there, and I loved every second. I can’t wait to go back!
Ricardo Torres
LOVED all The image… places where not Many people stay closer and very emotionaly when you can see very closer The IguazĂș and niagaras fall….
Sarah E. Albom
It’s absolutely amazing to be so close and be able to feel the power from the waterfalls.
Poem Fanatic @ Poems and Poets
Your photography is amazing! I really love the spider and coati pictures- not to take anything away from those magnificent waterfall shots.
Hope you enjoyed your experience abroad, Sarah!
Sarah E. Albom
Thanks đ one of my favourite styles of photography is macro.
Brona
Wow what a fabulous experience you’ve had. And that’s a proper waterfall!
I hope you have a lot more posts planned, because this is an area of the world that not that many of us get to visit.
Great photos by the way – you’re obviously using more than your smart phone camera đ
Sarah E. Albom
They’re called Iguazu Falls and they’re some of the biggest waterfalls in the world. I’ve already written a bunch of posts about Argentina because I stayed there for a year on a student exchange and I plan to write more just as soon as I finish going through all my photos. And no, these aren’t from a smartphone. I currently use Canon 450D but I want to upgrade to a 70D or move to Olympus in the next year or so.