Iguazu Falls. Iguazu Falls, Argentine side How to get from Buenos Aires to Iguazu

Iguazu Falls is a majestic multi-level cascade of waterfalls in South America. They are considered the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and at the beginning of the 21st century, they were named one of the seven wonders of nature on our planet.

Iguazu National Park

The largest Iguazu Falls covers the territory of two national parks, located on the border of the South American countries: Argentina and Brazil. The Argentine Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazú) was founded in 1934 and covers an area of ​​55,000 hectares. The Brazilian park (port. Parque Nacional do Iguaçu) was founded 5 years later on an area of ​​185,262 hectares.

Both parks have been listed as properties since the 1980s World Heritage UNESCO.

Flora and fauna of the area

The Iguazu Falls system is located among the picturesque wildlife surrounded by subtropical jungle. The flora consists of 2 thousand plant species, including endangered ones. The fauna of this area is very diverse and includes dozens of species of reptiles and butterflies.

Of the mammals, the most common are: coral adder, Brazilian otter, puma, capuchin monkey, jaguar, capybara, nosuha, ocelot and others. It is home to such rare bird species as the Great Toucan, the American Swift, the Tirika, the South American Harpy and the Brazilian Merganser.

Information about Iguazu Falls

The first European discoverer of Iguazu Falls is considered to be the Spanish conqueror Cabeza de Vaca. He sailed down the mighty Paraná River in search of jewels and in 1541 saw “something significant.” Cabeza de Vaca called the waterfall "St. Mary's Leap", but this name did not stick. The waterfall system owes its modern name to the Guarani Indian tribe. From their language, “Iguazu” is translated as “big water,” where “I” means “water” and “guazu” means “big.”

The Iguazu Falls group is located on the river of the same name, 25 km from the Parana River. The multi-level cascade, depending on the season, has 275 waterfalls, separated by numerous islands, with a water fall height of 60-80 meters. The most famous waterfalls: “Devil's Throat”, “Adam and Eve”, “Cabeza de Vaca”, “Rivadavia”, “Two Sisters”, “Salto Escondido”, “Union” and others.

The total width of the complex is 2.7 km; if the waterfall system were a continuous wall of water, then Iguazu Falls would become the widest in the world, but at the moment this title is assigned.

Devil's Throat

The highest and most famous waterfall of the Iguazu complex, the Devil's Throat, has a crescent shape and is 700 meters long. Falling from a height of 80 meters, streams of water create a huge cloud of spray and beautiful rainbows, and the sound of the water can be heard several kilometers deep into the jungle.

The waterfall is located at the intersection of Argentina and Brazil, so you can see it from both sides. From the Brazilian side, the view of the Devil's Throat is more spectacular, since the Brazilian coast is lower. And on the Argentine side you can not only watch, but also feel the waterfall by getting as close to it as possible along the bridges.

  • annual attendance of waterfalls from 2 million people;
  • the following films were filmed in the parks: “Moonraker”, “Baraka”, “Godzilla”, “Tango for Three”, “Miami Vice”, “Time of Fear” and many others;
  • in 1978 there was such a dry season that not a single drop of water fell from the ledge of the waterfall;
  • in 1000 years the waterfall moves approximately 1 km;
  • Iguazu Falls serve as the border line for three countries at once: Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina;
  • Many excursions to the waterfalls are complemented by a visit to the world's largest hydroelectric power station, Itaipu, on the Parana River.

Features of visiting Cataratas del Iguazu

It is useless to hide under raincoats from the huge splashes of water, so it is better to wear a swimsuit and put your clothes in a rubber bag (available at the pier upon request).

The tourist infrastructure in the National Parks is well developed: there are toilets, shops, cafes and snack bars.

Not far from the waterfalls there is an airport, walking trails and campsites. You can stay in one of the.

Excursions and entertainment for tourists

To fully appreciate the scale of the spectacle, it is better to watch the Iguazu Falls from both countries.

The Brazilian side offers an unforgettable view of the waterfall; here you can book a helicopter flight or river walk on the boat.

From the Argentine side, you can admire the waterfalls at arm's length. Numerous bridges and observation platforms allow you to see the waterfalls from above, below and from the side (field angle 260 degrees). A train takes tourists to the most popular waterfalls, and there are also cable cars.

After the tour you can watch the performances local residents who sing and dance in the national costumes of Argentina and Brazil.

When is the best time to go?

It is better to plan a trip to Iguazu Falls during the rainy season - from November to March. At this time, the river fills with water, the swirls of splashes increase and beautiful rainbows of varying lengths appear. Starting in April, the water flow becomes less rapid and strong.

Cost and work schedule

Brazilian Iguazu Park:

Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00 (in summer - until 18:00).

Ticket price - 16 dollars.

Helicopter flight (10 minutes) - $120.

Argentina's Iguazu Park:

Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 18:00.

Ticket price - 13 dollars.

River rides on inflatable boats - $25.

How to get to Iguazu Falls

In Brazil: get to the nearest town of Foz do Iguaçu, then take a regular bus that takes you to the park.

In Argentina: First get to the nearest town of Puerto Iguazu, from there take a bus to the National Park.

In the last blog I had almost all the interesting waterfalls in the world. But now we have to show you these again wonderful places. Moreover, many confused this waterfall with Niagara. So, let's go...


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Iguazu Falls is one of the world's largest and most famous waterfalls. It is located approximately 24 kilometers from where the Iguazu River flows into the Parana and lies on the border of Argentina and Brazil. The opening panorama fills viewers with feelings of fear, delight and admiration for the perfection of nature. Visiting a waterfall and being in contact with wildlife, the spectacle of the waters awakens emotions that many hope to experience at least once in their lives.

Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, and Niagara Falls in the USA and Canada are the three largest waterfalls in the world. Iguazu consists of 275 waterfalls over 3 km in total width and 80 m in height, making it wider than Victoria Falls, higher than Niagara Falls and more beautiful than either of them. The word "Iguazu" means "big water" in the local language.

Iguazu Falls is a world landmark. The deepest part of the waterfall is called "Garganta do Diablo", or "Devil's Throat", or "Akuma no Nodobue".


Iguazu Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Iguazu River spews out an average of 1,700 cubic meters of water per second, bigger than Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls combined . Waterfalls occur in both cascades and streams.


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During the dry season, visitors can see two separate waterfalls in the shape of two crescents. Each crescent is 732 meters wide. During the dry season, there are fewer rainfalls and the water level of the Iguazu River decreases. Iguazu Falls receives less water, so it splits into two separate falls.


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During the wet season these two crescents join together to form one big waterfall approximately 4 kilometers wide. This happens because more rain falls during the wet season, so more rainwater feeds the Iguazu River in northeastern Brazil.

The waterfall was discovered in 1541. Spanish conquistador Don Alvaro Nunez Caseso de Vaca, who went to the South American jungle in search of gold and adventure.

Iguazu Falls is one of the world's greatest attractions. Thousands of people from all continents crowd daily on the walkways built on the banks of the Iguazu River, just to get at least a few more meters closer to the Garganta do Diablo (Devil's Throat). This is the most terrifying and mysterious of all 275 waterfalls in the Iguazu Cascade - the most large group waterfalls on the planet.

The waterfall is one of the most beautiful spectacles in nature at any time of the year. The beauty of its dancing streams varies depending on the volume of water in the Iguazu River. The average volume is 1.2 million cubic meters per second. When the river floods, this number triples. During dry seasons, thin streams wash the rocks formed by numerous volcanic eruptions approximately 120 million years ago.

In the vicinity of Iguazu there is a national park where visitors can explore the wildlife and vegetation. Boat excursions are available on the Parana and Iguazu rivers. People can also visit the Itaipu Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world.

Here's another good view of the observation deck.

Most of the falls are located on the Argentine side, but the best views are from the Brazilian side. Iguazu is the second most important tourist attraction in Brazil. It is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina at the confluence of the Parana and Iguazu rivers. The spectacular 80-meter drop of water is impressive in itself. But this is not just one, but as many as 275 interconnected waterfalls, forming a cascade of horseshoe-shaped streams of falling water. It’s like tropical birds are flying high, forming a rainbow in the spray and giving the waterfall incredible beauty.


The waterfall can be reached by land, air, or water. The walking trail ascends, passing through numerous observation platforms. At the end, the lift will take you to the top where there is a gift shop and observation post to view the upper plateau of the Iguazu River. There are also excursions by helicopter and boat on the river. And all this splendor is located in the middle of wild nature. The Atlantic rainforest approaches directly to the hotel buildings.

Over the past years, the waterfall program has included all new tourist activities. The choice is varied and offers adventure-filled ecological, scientific and cultural tourism. One of the most exciting trips is along the Iguazu River. Boats take groups of tourists to the waterfall canyon itself. Thrill when driving under some of the waterfalls are indescribable. Some tourists return to relive them a second, third, fourth time.

The adventure is preceded by a trip in open jeeps through Iguazu National Park. Bilingual guides explain the local fauna and flora to groups of visitors - lizards, birds and a large number of insects are usually seen during the trip.

You can also admire the waterfalls from above from a helicopter. The seven-minute flight provides a wider view of the entire panorama of the falls; together with the flight over the city and the Itaipu power plant, this is approximately 35 minutes.


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And here, by the way, is the observation deck Niagara Falls, with which many confused Iguazu.

Let's virtually explore the surroundings with observation deck Iguazu. Click on the pictures below and imagine yourself in BRAZIL

Sources
http: //images.yandex.ru
http: //vodopad.nm.ru

Iguazu Falls complex- Argentina's most famous landmark and one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature. Two million tourists from all over the world come here every year! This makes Iguazu the most visited place in South America.

In Spanish the name of the waterfalls is “Cataratas del Iguazu”, and in Portuguese it is “Cataratas do Iguaçu”. In both cases, the stress falls on the last syllable - Iguazu. The name is usually written in two languages ​​at once, since Iguazu Falls belong to Argentina and Brazil. Although the word “Iguazu” itself is translated from the Indian language of the Guarani tribe as “big water”.

Where is the complex located?

The Iguazu Falls are located in South America, more specifically in its central part on the Brazilian-Argentine border. The border between the two countries stretches along the largest waterfall of the Garganta del Diablo complex (translated as “Devil’s Throat”).

Iguazu belongs to two national parks of the same name - one of them is Brazilian, and the other is Argentinean. Both of them, together with the cascade of waterfalls, have been included in the World Heritage List since the mid-1980s and are protected by UNESCO.

You can view the waterfalls simultaneously from the territories of Argentina and Brazil. Next to Argentine Puerto Iguazu concentrated greatest number waterfalls (about 70%). However, for the most beautiful panoramic photographs, it is better to go to the neighboring state in the city Foz do Iguaçu, the Devil's Throat waterfall is visible in all its glory from the Brazilian side!

How many waterfalls does the Iguazu complex consist of?

There are about 275 waterfalls on the Iguazu River. Most of them do not exceed 60 meters in height, although in some places the water level rises to 82 meters.
The entire complex covers an area of ​​2.7 km² and forms a huge amphitheater. However, about 30% of this territory is occupied by small, uncovered islands located between the waterfalls. Thanks to the bridges stretched between these numerous islands, visitors can walk around the complex and see all its most interesting and beautiful parts.

The entire Iguazu Cascade is larger than the famous Niagara Falls. One more famous waterfall- Victoria - the Argentine-Brazilian complex is inferior only in the size of the water curtain, but surpasses it in total area.

Main waterfall Garganta del Diablo stretches 700 meters along the border of the two states. Best view It opens up from the territory of the Brazilian national park. Here, from 82-meter cliffs, water falls into a horseshoe-shaped canyon, at the very foot of which you can see a rainbow.

Other waterfalls of the complex that are worth visiting:

  • "Adam and Eve"(Salto Adan y Eva) is a small waterfall that can be difficult to notice among the rest of the splendor. However, this place is extremely popular, as it is customary to propose marriage here in order to be happy in marriage. If they have already made an offer to you or are not planning to do so yet, then it is still worth coming here and making your cherished wish. They say they come true!
  • Bossetti Falls(Salto Bossetti) - located near “Adam and Eve”, you can look at it from the upper trail. The waterfall is named after the Italian explorer of Patagonia - Carlos Bossetti.
  • "Three Musketeers"(Salto dos y Tres Mosqueteros) - three powerful streams falling into the gorge next to each other, reminiscent of the famous literary fraternity. By the way, there is also a “Two Musketeers” waterfall in the park.
  • "Two sisters"(Salto dos Hermanas) - two almost identical waterfalls next door.
  • "Holy Mary"(Salto Santa Maria) is the first waterfall of the entire complex to receive its name. In the 16th century, the Spaniard Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who discovered Iguazu, was so amazed by the appearance of this waterfall that he named it after the Virgin Mary.

What to do in Iguazu Park?

  1. Visit observation decks and get impressive photos at the Devil's Throat.
  2. Walk through hiking trails, laid throughout the complex, and see many other beautiful waterfalls.
  3. Take a boat tour and shower under one of the waterfalls.
  4. Cross over to Isla San Martin, where you can relax on sandy beach, and then climb to the top of the island and enjoy views of the Brazilian waterfalls.
  5. Go on a train journey through the jungle through the Argentine part of the complex.
  6. Fly over the national park in a helicopter and take equally breathtaking photographs from above.
  7. Go trekking and walk along one of the forest trails - Green Trail (600 meters long) or Macuco Trail (7 km long).

How to get to the complex?

As we have already noted, Iguazu Falls are located in Argentina and Brazil. Both parts of the park are popular with tourists, so both the Argentine and Brazilian sides are fully established tourism infrastructure, operates around the airport and there are many restaurants, hotels, hostels and even campsites open.

The closest city to Iguazu Falls in Argentina is Puerto Iguazu. 20 km from it is international Airport. The most convenient way to fly here is from the Argentine capital - several flights operate daily. The flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls will take 1 hour and 50 minutes and cost US$60-100, depending on the carrier and the size of the luggage. You can also get to the waterfalls from these major cities, like Salta, Mendoza and Cordoba.

If you are flying to see the Iguazu Falls from Brazil, then it will be more convenient to get to the one closest to the complex Brazilian city - Foz do Iguaçu. The flight from Rio here will take 2 hours, and from Sao Paulo - 1.5 hours. A ticket will cost 50-100 US dollars, again depending on the airline and fare. Read more about how to move between the two parts of the national park in the article. Looking for where to stay in the Iguazu area and what to do while there? Read ours, where everything is collected helpful information to organize your trip!

Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina are one of our greatest impressions from the whole world! This is an unreal place: 275 waterfalls, the power of falling water, and the “cherry” - the stunning Devil's Throat waterfall.

We visited both the Brazilian and Argentine parts National Park Iguazu.

This article will:

  • photos, videos and descriptions of waterfalls,
  • useful information: how to get there, prices and schedules, where is the best place to stay, crossing the border,
  • which part is better: Brazilian or Argentinean,
  • what else to see near Iguazu.

Waterfalls and Iguazu National Park: facts and legends

Iguazu is one of the most famous attractions in South America.

Just imagine a complex of 275 waterfalls 2.7 km wide and up to 82 meters high. Its power is 1750 tons of water per second!

The largest and most famous waterfall in Iguazu National Park is called the Devil's Throat (Spanish: Garganta del Diablo) - it is a horseshoe-shaped cliff 150 meters wide and 700 meters long.

The Iguazu Nature Reserve is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is recognized as one of the seven natural wonders Sveta.

Title in English: Iguazu Falls(Iguazu Falls), in Ukrainian Iguazu. The emphasis is on the last syllable.

The name Iguazú translated from the Guarani Indian language means Big Water (y- water, guasu- big).

It was opened for Europeans in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Alvaro Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.

As usual, legends about such places are associated with love affairs :) One of the gods fell in love with a local girl, but she already loved another and ran away with him in a canoe. God got angry and cut the river to create a waterfall down which they would fall forever.

Iguazu Falls is comparable to Victoria and Niagara Falls:

OptionsIguazuVictoriaNiagara
Height64-82 m108 m51 m
Width2700 m1708 m1203 m
Average water flow1746 tons/s1088 tons/s2407 tons/s
Data from English Wikipedia.

How many days does it take to visit Iguazu?

If you have only a few hours to see all the Iguazu Falls on both sides, then visit only the Devil's Throat - this is the most amazing place!

If you don’t have that much time, then the only alternative is this.

Video of Iguazu Falls

I would like to start with our old video. Here Argentina, Brazil and animal world. I rewatched it and got goosebumps: I remember how I didn’t want to leave...

Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

Brazilian side (Cataratas do Iguaçu)

In this part there is one path along the river, about 2 km, with many viewing platforms. From here there is a wonderful panoramic view to the waterfalls.

Animal world

Butterflies and beetles.

Coati raccoons look cute and harmless, but in fact they are arrogant thieves and robbers: they try to steal food from tourists.

Monkey.

Ticket price to Iguazu Brazil in 2019: adults 68 reals, children (2-11 years old) 11 reals. An adult ticket may include a R$2 donation to charity, but this is not required. Tickets can be purchased at the box office and online on the official website: cataratasdoiguacu.com.br.

Opening hours: daily from 9 to 17.

Argentine side (Cataratas del Iguazú)

Devil's Throat Waterfall (Garganta del Diablo, English Devil's Throat)

There are exotic birds.

The Argentine part of Iguazu is larger than the Brazilian part. There are 5 main tracks, 4 of which are marked.

1) Circuito Superior - a short trek along the top of the waterfalls.

2) Circuito Inferior - a longer track along the bottom of the waterfalls. Main viewing platforms: Salto Bossetti and Dos Hermanas. This trail also passes by the ferry pier to San Martin Island and the boat tour operators.

3) Isla San Martin - access here is only by free ferry, but it periodically does not operate. Usually at the ticket counters it is written if the island of San Martin is closed: “san martin cerrado”. There are two viewpoints and many birds.

4) Garganta del Diablo waterfall - this is the coolest place on both sides of Iguazu! You first need to get to the Devil's Throat by free train(runs every half hour), and then walk 1 km along the bridge paths.

5) Sendero Macuco is an unmarked but easy path through the jungle (about 7 km). Sometimes closed for unknown reasons.

In addition to walking, you can take a boat directly under the waterfall. Lots of adrenaline!

But the coolest thing is to fly over Iguazu Falls in a helicopter.

Ticket price in Iguazu Argentina 2019: adults 700 pesos, children (6-12 years old) 180 pesos, parking 140 pesos. You can pay either in Argentine pesos or by card; other currencies are not accepted.

Opening hours: daily from 8 am to 6 pm.

Official site: iguazuargentina.com.

Attractions near Iguazu

What to see and do in Iguazu besides the waterfalls?

1. There is a 10-minute walk from the exit on the Brazilian side of Iguazu. It is quite possible to visit both the waterfalls and the bird park in one day if you leave for Iguazu early.

2. In Paraguay, not far from the border, there is. The tour is free. The same hydroelectric power station can be visited from the Brazilian side, but for money.

3. There are more three borders sign(Marco Das Tres Fronteiras), but there is nothing to see there.

Iguazu Falls on the world map

Where is Iguazu Falls? It is located on the Iguazu River, which flows into the Parana River. This is in South America, right on the border and next to .

On the map I marked the entrance to the waterfalls on both sides, bus stations, airports and interesting places around Iguazu.

How to get to Iguazu Falls

Flights to Iguazu

There are three airports near Iguazu:

ARGENTINA: Aeropuerto Internacional Cataratas Del Iguazú (IATA code: IGR)

Schedule Buenos Aires - Puerto Iguazu:

BRAZIL: Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IATA code: IGU)

Schedule Rio de Janeiro - Foz do Iguaçu:

PARAGUAY: Guaraní International Airport (IATA code: AGT)

Where to buy cheap air tickets

To find cheap flights, I usually compare prices using several aggregators. They all have the same principle - they search for tickets in the databases of hundreds of airlines, but their databases may differ, so the price will be better in one or the other - check everything at once.

  • - incredibly flexible search, and there is a guarantee of a connection, even if you are flying low-cost airlines and the first flight is delayed!
  • - best prices for tickets from Russia and Kazakhstan, convenient calendar low prices.
  • - there are people here good prices for tickets from Ukraine.

By the way, KIWI gives 20 euro coupons for air tickets to new users, but they can only be received by email. If anyone needs it, I can send you an invitation.

Get 20€ on kiwi.com ➜

From the point of view of the road to the city and the waterfalls, the Foz do Iguaçu airport is ideally located - within walking distance from the entrance to the National Park. The other two airports are outside the city.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets:

How to get to the waterfalls from the city

1. Public transport

Argentina: any bus from the Terminal de Omnibus bus station that says "Cataratas" on it. Ticket price starts from 150 pesos, they run every 20-30 minutes.

Brazil: Bus number 120 ("Parque Nacional") runs from the bus station to Iguazu National Park and passes the airport and Bird Park. Ticket price: 3.80 reais, interval: every 20-30 minutes.

Brazil-Argentina: There is a bus service between bus stations in Brazil and Argentina. In Foz do Iguaçu it stops outside the bus station, at the corner of Rua Mem de Sá and Rua Tarobá, in Puerto Iguaçu - at the bus station.

Attention! This bus does not stop at Brazilian customs. If you are traveling back and forth, that’s ok, you’ll save space on stamps. If you are going to cross the Brazilian border through other checkpoints, then tell the driver to stop at the border, get stamps and continue on on the next bus.

2. Transfer

Hotels offer transfers to the national park by minibuses. We didn’t use this, we rode regular buses.

3. Rented car

We usually compare prices and conditions on aggregator sites that collect offers from different rentals, and choose the most profitable option:

When choosing a car, also make sure that you have permission to cross the border.

4. Taxi

A taxi across the border will cost from 40 USD one way.

Tours and excursions

There are no Russian-language excursions to Iguazu (or rather, there is one in which). It's not cheap, but if time is limited, then it's a great option to still get to Iguazu.

There are plenty of English-language options on GetYourGuide.

Hotels

Where to stay - in the Argentinean Puerto Iguazu or the Brazilian Foz do Iguazu - does not matter. From any of these cities you can go to the waterfall on your own in one day, just choose accommodation closer to the bus station.

Accommodation in Puerto Iguazú

  • When to go: seasons, climate and weather when there are fewer people

    In general, Iguazu Falls can be visited all year round. During the dry season, the weather will be better, but there will be less water. During the rainy season, the waterfalls are full of water, but there is also a greater risk of getting wet.

    Rainy season: December, January, February. Dry season: April-June.

    Hottest: December-March. Coolest: June-August.

    From July to October and from February to April there will be good weather and fewer tourists.

    Peak seasons: end of December (between Catholic Christmas and New Year), the week of Catholic Easter, the holiday season (January-February).

    For the photo: the sun rises on the Brazilian side and goes to the Argentine side. So it’s better to visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu in the afternoon, and the Argentine side in the morning.

    What to take with you

    1) Water protection for your phone and camera: near the waterfalls there is a lot of suspended water, everything gets wet instantly.

    2) A polyethylene raincoat to protect yourself from water droplets.

    3) Comfortable, quick-drying shoes with non-slip soles. Ideal - sports sandals.

    4) Food and water.

    5) Sun protection: cream, glasses, cap.

    6) Repellent.

    Our review and which side is better

    According to tourists, the Argentine side is more beautiful. We have been on both sides and believe that it is better not to save time and money and visit both parts of Iguazu Falls: they are different and each is beautiful in its own way.

    The Brazilian side offers panoramic views of the falls, but you don't get very close to them.

    On the Argentine side, you will walk along paths directly above the roaring water and see the Devil's Throat - the most powerful and impressive waterfall to Iguazu, but you don’t see the whole panorama.

So, Iguazu. Perhaps the main attraction of Argentina after Buenos Aires. Its other attractions are not so bright, although they are also fascinating. Patagonian glaciers and snow are unlikely to surprise Russians, but the mountains and salt lakes of Salta and Turuman are perhaps not for everyone. Buenos Aires is a dirty parody of European cities, but at the same time it is fantastically cozy and beautiful. Therefore, it became Iguazu. There is no escape from it. These waterfalls are located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the Argentine side is more interesting, it takes 5-6 hours. One and a half hours is enough for the Brazilian side. In addition, on the Argentine side, in addition to the park with waterfalls, there are many other interesting things, for example, villages of the Guarani Indians, the Park of the Three Borders, and you can go to the ruins of the Jesuit city. You can get to Iguazu Falls from Brazil's Rio and Sao Paolo by plane. In this case, you will fly to the Brazilian side, to the city of Foz do Iguazu. Don't be confused, the Brazilian airport code is IGU. In Argentina, there are flights to Igusa (airport code IGR) from Salta and Buenos Aires. A ticket costs $250-400 (round trip). You can also come to Iguazu from Buenos Aires by bus of varying degrees of comfort, for 17 hours and 70-100 dollars one way. It is also theoretically possible to come to Brazilian Iguazu from Rio and Sao Paulo, but buses go there very rarely. It’s better to drop this idea right away.

We are approaching... There, the most important waterfall is visible - “Devil's Throat”, smoke is coming from it. The elongated building is the best and most expensive and most unique hotel in this area, the Belmond das Cataratas Hotel. This is the only hotel that I recommend renting on the Brazilian side. It is located in a park with waterfalls. By the way, on the Argentine side of the park there is also a 5* Sheraton hotel. This is a monstrously bad hotel according to the reviews of all my tourists. And so, if Belmond is not enough, then you need to settle on the Argentine side. But more about hotels at the end of the report or.

Iguazu, compared to Buenos Aires, is a different planet. Another world. The city is located at a different latitude, and everything is different here, tropical animals, tropical insects, other people, more Indian type, and huge ants running across the red earth


The city of Iguazu itself can be called a city with a stretch. It's more of a village. Although there is a main square there, and even a decent shopping mall Punto Iguazu, with several good restaurants. The city of Iguazu is very Latin American, it’s not like the prim Buenos Aires and the south of the country, it’s simple Latin America! But the good thing about Argentina is that the country is completely different: Iguazu, Buenos Aires, Cumbrecita and Bariloche, Ushuaia, Salta - this is all absolutely different worlds. Traveling through them, you can get impressions of several different countries.


All the soil in this region has a vibrant red-brown color. All the dirt on shoes, on cars, on asphalt is red-brown.


Many people begin their trip to Argentina with Iguazu. Tourists come here from the Brazilian Iguazu. And of course, tourists need to exchange dollars, because as you know, in Argentina the dollar exchange rate is black. I recommend this black exchanger. He looks official because he is official. And by default they will offer you the official exchange rate for a dollar. But if you ask in a hushed voice for more, they will give it. Of course, this is a province and here you won’t get as much for a dollar as in the capital. But it’s quite possible to change it for a couple of days. It is better, of course, for these purposes to ask for help from the driver who will drive you. More details about drivers. Black exchanger address: Av. Victoria Aguirre 564.


So, we enter the park. Here is a map of the Argentine side of the park with the waterfalls. When you click on it, it will open in a larger size.


The park is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a mini-train in the park that takes you to the Devil's throat. There are also 2 routes - the upper, short one, called Paseo Superior and the long lower one, Cirquito Inferior, which has access to boats on which you can ride close to the waterfalls. This attraction is called Aventura Nautica and costs about $17 in pesos at the black exchange rate. There are many signs in the park, there are clear paths, so there can be no problems with orientation there. The park has good restaurant type buffet Fortin, where you can have lunch.

Now I'll arrange it for you virtual tour through this park. In the park you will probably meet local shy and arrogant animals, Coati. They usually beg tourists for something tasty, or check trash cans. On the Argentine side, the trash cans were covered with lids. On the Brazilian one they left a hole into which not too fat Coatis climb for prey.



Coatis, despite their modest appearance, sometimes behave businesslike and impudently with tourists, snatching food out of their hands, and if the tourist is carrying a plastic bag. This is a sure sign for the coati that there is food inside. They try to tear these packages with their nails, or simply snatch them from the hands of a tourist.



There are menacing signs hanging around the park with photographs of terrible wounds, and evil coatis and monkeys. This should warn the tourist from the danger that threatens him in the face of these cute animals. But I personally have never seen coatis bite anyone other than each other.



A flock of free-roaming monkeys also lives in the park.


Please take care of the starving monkeys and bring a bag of peanuts with you to the park.




We go deep into the park along the “Green Path” - Sendero Verde. In general, all routes in the park are clearly marked.


This path runs through the cultivated jungle and takes us to the Cataratas station. Here in the park there is a small narrow-gauge railway open train. And it has 3 stops: Estacion Central, Estacion Cataratas and Garganta del Diablo. You don't need the first and main station, Estacion Central. From central entrance You walk on foot and at Estacion Central turn right onto the Sendero Verde hiking trail. You need to go to the second, main station Estacion Cataratas, where 2 main ones begin walking routes, and not far from this station there is a restaurant called Fortin. The Sendero Verde route runs through the cultivated jungle, and this is where you can meet monkeys. The walk does not take long, you can of course travel this distance by train, but it will not be interesting and it will be long, the train makes a circle.


So, we are at the Estacion Cataratas station. First we will go to the Devil's Throat, then we will return here and follow two main walking routes, Paseo Superior and Cirquito Inferior. That is, this place is key. All main routes start from here. We are waiting for the train and watching a family of loitering coatis.



Please pay attention to the tourist on the left side of the frame. She deliberately covered her face with a book so that the multimillion-dollar public reading my modest notes would not see her. But if she hadn’t covered her face, it wouldn’t have occurred to me or you to pay such close attention to her. Who is this? Why doesn't she want to show her face? These questions still remain unanswered... I ask everyone who recognizes her to write in the comments, so we will find this woman and finally show everyone!




We arrive at the final station Garganta del Diablo. Devil's Throat Station is the name of the main waterfall. The train is not going any further, please vacate the carriages.


Along the iron bridges, we go to the very Devil's Throat, the largest of the local waterfalls, and one of the largest waterfalls in the world.


Lives in this area great amount very beautiful butterflies.






And below they bask in the sun sea ​​turtles, also with butterflies, pay attention!


There it is, the Devil's Throat











On the other side - Brazil



The most unusual body inscription I have ever seen: “Thank you, MORE please.”



Let's go back and take the train.



We return to the same station from where we left, Estacion Cataratas - Waterfalls Station.


And we go to the "Upper Walk", Paseo Superior. Looking ahead, I will say that this route is the most beautiful of the entire Argentine park.




The views are stunning, and if you click on this photo, it will open in high resolution, just right for your desktop wallpaper.






This photo is also in high resolution, just click on the picture.




We go through the entire Paseo Superior route, return to its beginning, and here is the beginning of another route. On the upper level there were global, beautiful views, and now we are going to the lower level, Paseo Inferior, and see what is there...


This route is longer and more wooded.



The opposite bank of the river is Brazil. Extreme jumping unit, year 2013.


This is him in 2014.

In June 2014 there was a flood in Iguazu. Due to the fact that the enterprises located along the Parana River simultaneously opened the floodgates, the water rose. It rose tens of meters and broke many structures. Both the Argentine and Brazilian sides suffered. And for many months, many park routes were closed. But now, in 2015, everything works


This is the Brazilian side, and the bridges over the waterfalls, which we will see up close in my story about the Brazilian part of the park.


Cash register. Here you can purchase tickets for boat rides under the waterfalls. Often this skating is combined with other events, for example, Gran Aventura, Big Adventure. This includes swimming close to waterfalls, cutting through the river at high speed, and then driving through the jungle in trucks. But I don't recommend buying the Gran Aventura. Swimming to waterfalls is very cool, cutting through a stormy river is also great. But a ride in the back through the jungle is a rather boring, uninteresting and lengthy event. Therefore, I recommend you the best option: Aventura Nautica. This is only a swim close to the waterfalls. You buy a ticket at this box office, it will cost about 20 dollars in black-and-peso equivalent.


We bought a ticket and went downstairs to board. It takes about 5 minutes to go there. Before loading onto the boats, all people are given waterproof bags to hide things in.

Everyone still puts on life jackets, and everyone is filmed. With double benefits: firstly, you will then be offered to buy this video, and secondly, this video will conveniently identify the dead.


In 2011, the waterfall covered a boat, it capsized and two people died. They were pulled to the bottom by a strong pressure of water. You can watch a video of the rescue operation here.


But in reality everything is safe. The Argentines take great care of everything, and the boat drivers are masters and virtuosos. During the entire time, only two people died, although the boats overturned several times.


Swimming under a waterfall, or rather swimming close to it, is the same as turning on the shower at full power and pointing it at your face. Everyone comes out wet, absolutely wet. It’s still dry here, but I didn’t film the swim. Because showers, it’s a pity for the camera, and they’re not allowed for safety reasons and the safety of equipment. But even if I were filming, nothing would be visible: there is a very strong breeze near the waterfall, and everything is just white. Well, it’s very difficult to keep your eyes open because of the water pouring into them.





Kites are circling over the swim site, waiting for dinner...


Besides swimming under waterfalls, there are less extreme entertainment, you can simply take a boat to San Martin Island. There he is, on the left





Yonder visible upper route, Paseo Superior, which we have already walked along


By the way, the conquistador traveler who discovered the Iguazu Falls noted in his diary: “waterfalls are just waterfalls, nothing special.”





Carrying children on shoulders is prohibited. Because the paths are slippery




There is only one hotel in the park. This is Sheraton. The hotel is disgusting, judging by the reviews of EVERYONE who has been there. The only plus of this hotel is that it is located inside the park. But you won’t be able to take advantage of this advantage either: after 18:00 all routes will be closed, and you can only walk near the hotel. But, yes, you can see waterfalls from the windows.






In general, that’s all with the Argentine park. We leave it and go back to the city of Iguazu. There is one place there that is definitely worth a visit. This is the Three Borders Park - Tres Fronteras. The whole point is that in this place they converge borders of three states: Paraguay (left), Brazil (right) and Argentina (we are there). These three states are separated by 2 rivers: the Parana (the wider one) and the Iguazu (the one closer to us)


Brazilian side.


This beautiful round house used to be a restaurant. But 7 years ago, the waters of the Parana River rose so much that they flooded and destroyed the restaurant. Since then it has stood in this form.


And just above the former restaurant there is a symbolic Brazilian border pillar.


This is an Argentine border pillar.


Well, this is Paraguayan








In general, this hotel has recently become disproportionately expensive; remember that there are many similar ones in the jungle nearby.



Here it is, the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazu, and Parque Nacional Iguazu.

I can organize for you, who will take you to the most important places on the Argentine and Brazilian sides for 120-140 dollars per day

If you are going to Iguazu and want to stay in a comfortable and beautiful place, choose a hotel to your liking on booking, and send me its address by e-mail. And I will advise you whether it is located in a good place, whether it is safe there, whether it is beautiful and whether it is far from there to get to interesting places.

 

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