Iguazu Falls: need-to-knows & nice-to-knows

Iguazu Falls are probably one of the places in Argentina there is written the most about online and for a good reason! This system of around 270 different waterfalls located on the border between Argentina and Brazil is truly spectacular. Actually, so spectacular that the natural parks on either side of the border have been declared UNESCO world heritage.

I have collected some of my best need-to-knows and nice-to-knows of fun and useful facts about the Iguazu Falls (you can check out my other need-to-knows and nice-to-know post here). Even though there are already plenty of recourses and blog posts about the Iguazu Falls out there (just check out how many hits you get on Pinterest!), I wanted to try out my luck.

And then, of course, share some of my photos from visiting the falls. Unfortunately, it was cloudy a lot of the time when I visited (mid-December), so I missed the option of taking some of those astounding pictures of the waterfalls with rainbows over – damn it!

I hope you will enjoy my post, and find some useful information or maybe just inspire you to visit! If you feel like I missed some important facts about the Iguazu Falls, then please feel free to drop your pro-tip in the comments below!

NEED TO KNOW

The Iguazu Falls are located on the borders of Argentina and Brazil inside a huge rainforest. In Argentina, the falls are called Cataratas de Iguazú, whereas in Brazil their name is Cataratas do Iguaçu.

NICE TO KNOW

Even though the Iguazu Falls are located inside a rainforest, you will not have to worry about getting lost or eaten by dangerous animals. The falls are accessed through a very well-ordered national park (and they close the whole thing down if there come any dangerous animals inside the park – trust me, it is all over the national news in Argentina when it from time to time happens).

NEED TO KNOW

The Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls accounts for around 80% of the total falls which results in the national park on the Argentine side is way bigger than the Brazilian one.

NICE TO KNOW

There is an ongoing debate on which side is the best to visit… Without a doubt, I enjoyed more the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls (a little bit biased here? Hm, maybe! After all, I’m living in Argentina, right?).

NEED TO KNOW

On the Argentine. there are several different trails to do to see the different individual falls close-up and from different angles. Remember to both check out the lower circuit and upper circuit of Cataratas de Iguazú. You can easily spend one-and-a-half or two days on the Argentine side (there is a discount on the second day – wuuhu! Read more below). Read more about doing the Argentine side without a guide here.

On the Brazilian side, there is only one main path that everybody has to follow and it quickly gets felt up with people and selfie-sticks…

NICE TO KNOW

Each of the sides of the falls has nicely paved walking treks, and you do not need the big hiking gear – just some comfy walking shoes to do either side.

NICE TO KNOW

A raincoat or poncho and a rain cover for your bag will come in useful, because…

NEED TO KNOW

… Be prepared to get soaked! Like REALLY soaked!

On either side of the Iguazu Falls, you get so close to the waterfalls that you are almost guaranteed to get soaked from the experience – prepare yourself, your camera and other devices. Or your electronics might end their days at Iguazu…

NICE TO KNOW

A small plastic bag and some rubber bans can serve well as protection for your camera (see pictures below) if you don’t want to spend money on a smart designed rain cover.

NEED TO KNOW

The most popular spot of the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls is called Garganta del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat, and it is said to be the last thing that you should visit on the Argentine side because nothing else is as impressive.

However, actually we visited the Devil’s Throats as the first thing, and the rest of falls are just impressive in their own way afterward.

NICE TO KNOW

There is a small “Jungle Train” taking people to the entrance of the trail to Devil’s Throat. The trail you walk to get to the Devil’s Throat is one long bridge over the Iguazú River. You’ll, in the end, come to the viewpoint just on the edge of the Devil’s Throat. Kind of scary place… I really hoped that the bridge would hold 😉

The Jungle Train leaves from the middle of the Argentine park, and there are well-marked signs from the entrance to the station.

NEED TO KNOW

On the Brazilian side, there are buses taking you from the main entrance of the natural park to the entrance of the trail overviewing the falls. The views from the Brazilian side are more panoramic as you will actually stand and look over towards the parts in Argentina.

NICE TO KNOW

Even though the waterfalls are more than impressive, the surrounding jungle area around the Iguazú falls offers plenty of other unique natural encounters. Just check out some of these pictures.

NEED TO KNOW

One of the biggest stars in the park are the coatis! They are wandering around all over the park, especially on the Argentine side.

Even though the coatis are cute, they will steal your food and are NOT to be petted – take the signs placed by the park administration serious. I was shocked by people would try to pet the coatis even though, there were huge signs on how they attack people.

NICE TO KNOW

If you want to do a boat tour on the Iguazu River and get really close to the falls, choose the Argentine side! The Brazilian tours aren’t allowed to cross the border to Argentina for getting close to the falls.

The best times to visit the Iguazu Falls

NEED TO KNOW

The best time to visit the Iguazu falls should be from March to October, which is winter and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The falls should be less impressive (but still worth it!) due to lower water level but the possibility of enjoying them with a blue sky should also be higher.

NICE TO KNOW

However, you can basically visit the falls whenever you want because the natural park on neither the Argentine or the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls closes, and you can visit any time of the year.

NEED TO KNOW

The rain season around Iguazu is April through May, and October through November. The Iguazu Falls will be at their most impressive point since there will be more water, but you will also be at high risk of a huge shower.

NICE TO KNOW

The last part of December and all through January as it is the peak for vacations in Argentina and Brazil and the possibility of being ran over by a bunch of Argentine or Brazilian families is quite high.

How to get to the Iguazu Falls?

NEED TO KNOW

The nearest city on the Argentine is called Puerto Iguazú and the city on the Brazilian side Foz do Iguazú – keep that in mind when you are looking for either flight or bus tickets.

NICE TO KNOW

Both Puerto de Iguazú and Foz do Iguazú is located quite far from the actual entrance to the Iguazu natural park, but it is possible to take a public bus from either side to the respective park entrances.

NEED TO KNOW

To get to the Iguazu Falls from major cities in Argentina or Brazil, it is possible to take the bus to either Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguazú. Check current prices and schedules for buses in Argentina here or buses in Brazil here.

NICE TO KNOW

Buuut you must take into consideration that the bus journey from, for example, Buenos Aires to Puerto de Iguazú takes close to 20 hours!

NEED TO KNOW

Alternatively, from Buenos Aires, there are regular flight connections to the Argentine and Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls. Likewise, there are flights connections from the major Brazilian cities to the Brazilian side.

NICE TO KNOW

It will usually be more economical to fly domestic according to the country you are primarily visiting from, e.g. if you are arriving from Buenos Aires, it is cheaper to book a flight to the Argentine side of the falls, Puerto de Iguazú.

When visiting the Iguazu Falls…

NEED TO KNOW

The entrance prices for the Argentine side are at the moment $500 Argentine pesos (check current exchange rates here) As mentioned above, remember you can get a 50% discount on your second day’s visit to the Argentine side (highly recommendable). Remember to check the current prices yourself here as inflation and exchange rates change quickly in Argentina.

NICE TO KNOW

To obtain the discount on the second day on the Argentine side, it is important that you remember to get your ticket stamped in the ticket office upon leaving after your first day in the park.

NEED TO KNOW

The entrance prices for the Brazilian side is at the moment R$62 Brazilian Real (current exchange rate here), and you should actually be able to book online beforehand or pay by credit card. Remember to double check current prices here.

NICE TO KNOW

Remember that both parks give you considerable discounts if you are resident in either a MERCOSUR country or resident of their country. Hence, this also includes foreigners with a valid residency card in Argentina or Brazil, respectively.

NEED TO KNOW

If you want to visit both sides of the Iguazu Falls, remember to check whether you will need a visa for entering either Brazil or Argentina before you go – might complicate things if you have to and forgot to check beforehand.

NICE TO KNOW

After visiting the Brazilian side, you can visit the bird park, Parque das Aves, which is just across the road from the main entrance of National park Cataratas do Iguaçu. I enjoyed watching all the colorful birds after two days of watching a loooot of water.

NEED TO KNOW

For more information, check out the official website for the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls here and the Brazilian side here.

Have you ever visited the Iguazu Falls? Or are you planning your trip there? Is there any piece of important information that I have missed about the falls?

Please feel free to share your story, ideas or tips in the comments below!

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