How to visit and what to see in Iguazú Falls, World Heritage

The Iguazu waterfalls, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, are one of the most formidable natural wonders throughout South America and, logically, it is one of the favorite destinations in any tourism trip for these two countries.

The attraction of the place is not only reduced to spectacular water falls.

It is also important subtropical forest that surrounds them, which is one of the few preserved remains of the so-called interior Atlantic forest, important for the conservation of flora and fauna.

The set is divided into two national parks, one in each country, where you can enjoy nature in a thousand ways: on foot, by boat and even by helicopter.

Furthermore, the night excursion What you can do on full moon days is a unique experience in the world.

The ecological importance and scenic beauty of the entire area makes both the Iguazu National Park en Argentina such as Iguaçu National Park in Brazil are registered by the Unesco on the list of Heritage.

The sight of the falls is an unforgettable spectacle, practically without equal in the entire world except, perhaps, with the Victoria Falls.

What are Iguazú Falls like: dimensions

It is a cliché to compare them with the Niagara Falls, but it doesn't make sense: those of the Iguazu They are four times as wide and one and a half times as tall.

Arriving at Iguazú waterfalls It collapses down a cliff more than three kilometers wide.

Interestingly, the Iguazu It is an almost small river by American measurements, both in terms of flow and the length of its course.

With barely 700 kilometers of travel, it pales when we compare it with the Orinoco, Paraná and, not to mention, the Amazon.

Just before the fall it looks like a calm river that slides slowly. Suddenly it widens, divides into two streams and falls into the void.

On the side of Brazil heads directly towards the Devil's throat, an immense horseshoe where all the fury of nature is concentrated.

The current on the Argentine side lingers for a bit and circles some islets before rushing along an endless series of waterfalls.

They are all immense, none with a drop of less than 60 meters, although some measure 82 meters.

As the water falls, it hits the bottom, is sprayed and forms a cloud that rises to the sky.

That's why Caengüe Indians who inhabited the area when the Spanish arrived knew the area as “the place where the clouds are born.” There is almost always a arco iris lying on the waterfall.

How to visit Iguazú Falls

Being on both sides of the border between Argentina and Brazil, and the fact that the characteristics of each side are different, forces you to take some details into account when planning your visit.

So, you have to keep in mind that there is a border post which you must pass through when going from one sector to the other.

However, if we only plan to visit the national park corresponding and return within a few hours, it is not necessary to complete all the customs procedures.

Of course, we will not be able to go far from the border and we must return in a relatively short period of time to the country from which we came.

What to see and what activities to do in Iguazú Falls

Since most of the waterfalls fall on the Argentine side, It is advisable to start the visit on the Brazilian side to enjoy the best view of the complex.

There is some viewpoints in strategic places, although surprise encounters are more enjoyed when walking through the forest.

Then to see the falls up close, to really feel the excessiveness of the jumps, you have to tour the Argentine sector of the falls. There you walk through the forest until you almost touch the waterfalls.

On both sides of the border there are boat tours that approach the lower part of the waterfalls.

The most spectacular thing about the entire visit is following, on the Argentine side, the runway that allows you to reach the very edge Devil's throat.

The walkway goes over the water that calms just before rushing into the void and nothing allows you to imagine what you are going to find.

Then you reach the very edge of the abyss. The water is white and overflows with all the possible force of nature.

Night visit of Iguazú Falls

Only for five days a month is it possible to carry out a extraordinary experience: get to this Devil's Throat Balcony at night, then illuminated by the full moon.

Access is then compulsorily accompanied by a guide.

The route is the same as during the day, in Jungle Ecological Train, but the experience is completely different.

Now the shadows dominate the path and the jungle offers another image, with different aromas and sounds, with much more mystery.

As your eyes get used to the darkness, you can see more and more details of the forest.

Then I know walk on the waters along the catwalk until the Devil's Throat Balcony.

If during the day the place impresses with the beauty and strength of nature, at night everything takes on another dimension, with the landscape enlarged by the magic of the moonlight on the water.

Everything takes on an air of unreality, as if nature were flooded with fantasy.

Helicopter flight over Iguazú Falls

Another experience incomparable that can be had in Iguazu is to enjoy the vision of the falls is a helicopter ride to be able to appreciate the whole from the air.

They are only about ten minutes, very intense, but they allow you to admire the waterfalls within a jungle landscape. Flights depart from the Brazilian side.

From the air you can see that the river flows slowly through an area of ​​dense forest until it falls over the cliff while generating a cloud of sprayed water.

It is one of the most exciting helicopter flights in the world.

What is the best time to visit Iguazú Falls?

The place can be visited at any time of the year, but if possible, it is advisable to avoid the months from December to March, because the heat can be excessive, and July, the month of holidays and with the greatest influx of visitors.

We have already said that it is convenient start your visit to Brazil to have an overview and then move on to the Argentine side, where you can observe each of the waterfalls up close and in detail.

Walkways to walk in Iguazú Falls

There are a series of paths that can be followed with or without a guide.

For walk the lower walkways A raincoat may be necessary (in summer you can simply wear a swimsuit) and, fundamentally, good footwear, and it is advisable not to forget a plastic bag to protect photographic equipment, phones and other delicate objects or documents.

The lower circuit along walkways at the foot of the falls is perfectly indicated for independent visits.

There is a service Jungle Ecological Train a Puerto Canoas to visit from there the Devil's throat.

For its part, on the Brazilian side there are several paths that allow great views of the falls.

Following the path that runs along the base of the falls, you reach a elevator allowing climb to the top of the Florian jump, and there are also guided excursions by the Macuco trail.

Iguazú Falls entrance prices

We have already mentioned that when going from one country to the other to visit the falls, you do not need to go through passport control but you must keep in mind that, since it is different national parks you have to pay a new entry, with a price 15 euros in each case.

Hotels where you can sleep in Iguazú Falls

Most visitors look for accommodation in nearby towns, either in Foz do Iguacu o Puerto Iguazu Holiday Rentals, where there is also a good range of restaurants.

But it is worth knowing that there are also accommodations within the national parks, although at a relatively high price.

On the Brazilian side is the Hotel das Cataratas in which some of the waterfalls can be seen from some rooms.

Early and late in the day, when the national park is closed to visitors, hotel guests enjoy the spectacle of the falls in private.

On the other side of the border, in the argentine national park, only the Gran Melia Iguazu.