A visit to Iguazu Falls Brazil has been on our bucket list for years. If you haven’t noticed yet, we love waterfalls! We trek for hours to see a little trickle cascading down a mountain and get elated at the sign of big gushing streams, hoping to snap the perfect long exposure shot.
But there is more to our love for waterfalls than Max’s obsession with long exposure photography. There is something really magical and grounding in seeing Mother Nature’s work, at feeling it’s power and strength from up close.
When a trip to Brazil was added to our 2016 plans, there was no question about whether Iguazu Falls was going to be on the itinerary. The only questions were, how long do we stay and what was the best way to visit Iguazu Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world?
We gave ourselves 3 days in Foz Iguazu, a small town that serves as a gateway to the falls. One day to arrive/depart, one day to explore the Iguazu Falls Brazil side, and another day just in case we wanted to check out anything else in the area.
Visiting Iguazu Falls Brazil Side
We arrived in the park mid-morning, giving ourselves lots of time to explore the area. But once inside, we quickly discovered that while there were certainly lots of activities available (kayaking, boat ride, bird watching, jeep tours through the park, etc.) the admission price of $17 would essentially only allow us access to Trilha das Cataratas.
Trilha das Cataratas is a 1km loop trail with sweeping views of the falls that winds right into the Devil’s Throat, Iguazu Falls, where Rio Iguazu plunges down, splitting into dozens of waterfalls. And it was, without a doubt, the one unmissable thing to do in the park.
There were about half a dozen stops and designated viewpoints along the trail, each one with its own line-up of tourists waiting to take the perfect selfie with the falls in the background.
The crowd caused a bit of a delay (as did everyone’s interest in the furry coatis that ran around the trail stealing food from the gawking tourists), but exploring the trail didn’t take more than 2-3 hours.
The views were really spectacular, the photos turned out great, and we were overall very happy with our day at the Iguazu Falls Brazil side. Until… well, until we realized how much better it was on the other side.
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Visiting Iguazu Falls Argentina Side
The following day, we made our way across the Brazil/Argentina border, somewhat unsure whether the visit was going to be worth it. (How much different would the Iguazu Falls Argentina side really look?)
That day we realized that it wasn’t just about how different the falls look from the other side, it was about the whole experience that made for a much more enjoyable visit. Here are our reasons why.
Parque Nacional Iguazu is More Developed on the Argentinian Side
There was nothing wrong with the Brazilian side of the park. It had trails, a few souvenir shops, a small cafe, and some tables at the end of the main trail to grab a bite to eat and relax after the walk. But the Iguazu Falls Argentina side offered so much more. There were lots more shops, more food options, cafes, lots of rest areas, picnic areas, and tables (albeit infested with the cute furry coatis).
There were just as many people visiting the falls from the Argentinian side, but the park absorbed the crowds well, managing to keep access to viewpoints and trails free from lines.
The Treks are Better on the Argentinian Side
The $22 admission to the park on the Argentinian side gives you access to not just 1 but 5 different trails, ranging from just 600m to 7 km in length. We had just over 6 hours inside the park, but even that wasn’t enough time for us to check out every single trail.
One of the trails winds around Isla Grande San Martin (a small island accessible by boat), offering unique views of the falls, while another one takes you over the top of the Devil’s Throat, allowing you to look down at the drop. The rest take you through the forest, offering views of the falls from multiple viewpoints.
The Iguazu Falls Brazil side allows you to see the bigger picture, but the Iguazu Falls Argentina side lets you get really really close and feel the power of the falls.
Boat Ride to Iguazu Falls Argentina is cheaper
Nothing helps you feel the power of the falls better than a boat ride into the area where dozens of falls empty into the Rio Iguazu.
Super close while on the Iguazu Falls tours
We looked into doing a boat ride on the Brazilian side, but if you follow any of our Iguazu Falls tips, do the boat tour on the Argentinian side: it’s significantly cheaper! It was $70 for a boat in Brazil, compared to the $30 it cost us to do it in Argentina.
The ride lasted only 15 minutes, but we were completely drenched in the end. The boat took us to a drop on both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, getting us sufficiently wet under each set of falls.
The Iguazu Falls Argentina Side is more Spectacular
Brazil may offer a more sweeping view of the falls, but all along the main Trailha Das Cataracas the view remains pretty much unchanged.
In Argentina, on the other hand, each trail offered a completely different perspective, offering views framed by a permanent rainbow that straddles the two sides of the river.
At the end of the day, our advice is…
Visiting Iguazu Falls should include both sides. Don’t put yourself into a position where you have to choose between the two sides. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days at the falls, giving yourself plenty of time to explore both sides of the National Park. Getting a chance to experience the falls from both sides will allow you to get the true feeling of the greatness of one of the World’s Top Natural Wonders!
Essential Travel Info for Visiting Iguazu Falls:
Best time to visit Iguazu Falls Brazil
Almost any time of year is good for visiting Iguazu Falls. December to February sees the highest rainfall, which means the falls are more impressive, but heavy rain may close some of the trails. The dry season of April to June means blue skies and pleasant temperatures, but the falls may lose a little of their power and mystique… but not much!
Getting to Iguazu Falls Brazil
Foz Iguazu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazu in Argentina both act as a great base for exploring the Iguazu National Park. The park is located just outside of the town but is easily accessible by bus from Foz Iguazu town centre or from Puerto Iguazu town centre. The best way to get into the towns is by flying, as both are located rather far from the main cities of Argentina and Brazil.
If you are coming from the Argentina side, it is possible to organize Iguazu Falls tours from Buenos Aires. If you are coming from the Brazil side, it is possible to take a flight from Rio to Iguazu Falls, or from São Paulo to Iguazu Falls. If you book flights in advance, you can find return tickets for around $200.
Some Sustainable Iguazu Falls Hotels
There are plenty of accommodation options in Foz Iguazu and Puerto Iguazu. We stayed at the Nadai Comfort Hotel e Spa in Foz Iguazu. It was a great centrally located hotel with a good restaurant on-site that served as the perfect base for our time in the area.
There are a couple of sustainable options in the area. San Juan Eco Hotel lies between the town centre and the park, making it a great option for exploring both. Meanwhile, the Iguassu Eco Hostel is perfect for travellers looking for Iguazu Falls hotels on a budget which won’t compromise the environment.
Iguazu Falls Tours
Iguassu Falls: Guided Tour & Macuco Safari on Pontoon Boats
This 6-hour guided tour of the Iguazu Falls takes in the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park in all its beauty. You’ll visit the Benjamin Constant and Deodoro Falls, and take the panoramic elevator to the top of Floriano Falls. After lunch, you’ll go on a safari and then take the pontoon boat on the Iguazu River. Bring your swimmers, as you’ll also get to take a refreshing swim at the Devil’s Throat along the way!
Moon Walk
For a totally unique tour, why not take the Moon Walk Tour of the Argentina Falls? The falls and the park take on a whole new romantic charm in the moonlight. You’ll take the eco-friendly train through the rainforest to the Falls and enjoy a truly magical moment watching the moon’s reflection on the water.
Boat Ride Under the Fall
For a tour of Iguazu Falls that goes beyond the typical boat tours, take the Iguazu Falls Tour and Boat Ride Under the Fall. You’ll spend a full day exploring the park with a guided walking tour of the National Park’s walkways and visit 18 falls, all while learning about the rich history and culture of the area.
Additional Iguazu Falls Tips
Bring Snacks
When visiting the Iguazu Falls Brazil side of the park, bring snacks to tide you over while you explore the Trilha das Cataraca, as there aren’t that many restaurant options along the way.
What to Wear
Wear a good waterproof jacket or a buy a disposable poncho in town before you go (they charge $8 for them inside the park and only $2 in town). Wear waterproof pants or bring a change of bottoms along with the raincoat, as you will definitely get wet from top to bottom while walking across the Devil’s Throat Iguazu Falls walkway or if you plan on taking the boat ride to the base of the falls (do it, it’s totally worth it). Take your shoes off in the boat and keep them inside your bag if you want to keep them dry.
Watch out for Coatis
They are cute but vicious (like monkeys in Bali). We saw them chasing people around the park to steal food from their backpacks.
How long do you need at Iguazu Falls Brazil?
You don’t need more than 4 hrs on the Iguazu Falls Brazil side (unless you want to do any of the extra activities, like kayaking, keep tours, etc.). Give yourself 8+ hours inside the park on the Argentinean side.
Visas!
Don’t forget that crossing the Argentina/Brazil border means you have to deal with visas. Many nationalities will require a visa to cross over to the Brazilian side (this includes US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders. British Citizens get visa-free access) and Canadians, as well as Australians, will need a visa to get over to Argentina (and it’s not cheap! $80!). Argentinian Visas can be purchased at hotels in Brazil on the day of the crossing, but Brazilian visa may need to be obtained ahead of time.
Great tips! Love the long-exposure shots of the falls!
Fantastic post guys, everything I wanted to know 🙂 Thank you.
Glad it helped! Enjoy your trip to the Falls!
as of June 2019 US citizens no longer need a visa!!! Love this site. so much info. We are hoping to head there in March of 2020. I am curious – were you worried of taking expensive camera equipment? I’ve never traveled to “3rd world” countries but my husband lived in Brazil for 2 years. I am a bit nervous!