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Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Iguazu Falls on Your Own
The Iguazu waterfalls in South America are one of the continent’s most famous sights. But why? Let’s start with a few facts about Iguazu falls and answers to some commonly asked questions.
Later in this article, I’ll share with you my top tips for making the most of your visit to the falls, including when to go, how to avoid the crowds, and which extra attractions are worth your money. All the practical information in this guide was updated in 2020 to reflect current prices, exchange rates, visa requirements, etc.
Facts About the Iguazu Falls and FAQs
Are Iguazu Falls a Wonder of the World?
Yes, they are! Until recently, when people spoke of the “wonders of the world”, they were generally referring to the seven wonders of the ancient world, most of which don’t exist anymore.
Then, in 2007, about two thousand years after the ancient seven wonders were first defined, a global vote was held as part of the New 7 Wonders of the World campaign. The seven wonders selected in that campaign are all man-made wonders, and they include the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Next came the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign in 2011, and Iguazu falls was selected as one of these natural wonders.
Are Iguazu Falls Worth It?
Absolutely! As someone who has spent the better part of 20 years traveling and has visited 116 countries and countless waterfalls, I can honestly say that the Iguazu falls are the most spectacular waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
A visit to the falls is an absolute must-do on any South America itinerary. It's one of the most incredible natural sights in the world and is the perfect place to marvel at Mother Nature. You'll feel like you're a world a way from the concrete jungle of São Paulo and other South American cities.
Are Iguazu Falls Bigger than Niagara?
Yes. The Iguazu falls are both taller and wider than Niagara falls. The longest drop in the Iguazu waterfalls system is 82 meters (269 feet), whereas Niagara falls are only 50 meters (165 feet) tall. In terms of width, the Iguazu falls are four times wider than Niagara falls.
Iguazu falls are much bigger than Niagara falls.
Are Iguazu Falls Safe for Tourists?
Yes. Iguazu falls are a very popular tourist destination, and there is no reason to fear for your safety. In Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu, take the same precautions as you would in any city.
The biggest danger is probably the coatis. They look cute and cuddly, but they will bite and scratch you to get at your food if given the chance. The heat can be pretty intense too at certain times of the year.
Occasionally, when the water flow is especially high after an intense period of rain, certain sections of the park may be closed because the walkways are too slippery and therefore dangerous. This happened during my first visit to the falls, in 2009, when the Garganta del Diablo in Argentina was closed for this reason.
Should I Worry about Iguazu Falls Mosquitoes?
Weather websites that rate the danger of mosquitoes in destinations, such as AccuWeather, will often rate the mosquito situation at the falls of Iguazu as “extreme”.
However, I personally did not find mosquitoes to be much of a problem at the falls. And most visitors seem to agree with me, judging by the responses to this question on travel forums.
If you’re prone to mosquito bites, take the usual precautions like wearing pants and long sleeves, especially at night. And bring insect repellant with you from home, especially if you want one high in DEET.
Mosquitoes at Iguazu are said to be most active in the spring and summer, but I was there in spring and they didn’t bother me much. And I normally get bitten a lot!
Where Is Iguazu Falls? Are Iguazu Falls in Argentina or Brazil?
Both. The Iguazu falls stretch for 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) along the length of the Iguazu River, on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Almost 80% of the falls are on the Argentine side, even though more than 95% of the Iguazu River Basin is on the Brazilian side.
However, this means that when visiting the Brazilian side you have fantastic panoramic views of all the falls on the other side.
Are Iguazu Falls in Paraguay?
Iguazu Falls Paraguay doesn't exist, but Paraguay does have Monday Falls.
Photo by FF MM - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
No. Ciudad del Este in Paraguay is not far away, just across the Paraná River from Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, but none of the Iguazu falls are located within Paraguay’s borders.
Paraguay does have another set of falls, called the Monday Falls or Salto del Monday, that empty into the Paraná river nearby.
If the Monday Falls were located anywhere else in the world, they would be a major tourist attraction. Sadly, they simply cannot compete with their world-famous neighbor across the border.
What Else is There to See Nearby?
If you're looking for nearby places to visit in Brazil as part of a larger trip, I recommend the Pantanal wetlands and the eco-friendly city of Curitiba.
The Pantanal is the best place to see jaguars and other wildlife in Brazil, and Curitiba has lots of lovely parks and an incredible vegan food scene. I'd rate it second only to São Paulo for the title of most vegan-friendly city in Brazil.
Both these places are relatively close by in the grand scheme of things, but keep in mind that distances in Brazil are huge! You're still looking at an overnight bus trip. Luckily, Brazil has some of the best buses in the world, so the journey will be comfortable.
Why is Iguazu Falls Famous?
Because it is indescribably beautiful. No photo can do it justice; you really have to see the falls to believe it.
Keep an eye out for birdlife at the falls.
A Few More Iguazu Falls Facts
- The name “Iguazu” means “big water” in the Guarani language spoken by the indigenous people of the area.
- There are various accepted spellings of the name of the falls: Iguazu Falls, Iguazú Falls, Iguaçu Falls, and Iguassu Falls. In Spanish, they are called “Iguazú”, and in Portuguese they are “Iguaçu”. In English, they are generally known as Iguazu Falls or, less commonly as Iguassu Falls.
- In total, the Iguazu waterfall system includes between 150 and 300 individual waterfalls. The number of falls varies, depending on the flow and water level of the river.
- While Victoria Falls in Southern Africa has the largest single curtain of water in the world, the Iguazu waterfalls system as a whole is wider than Victoria Falls. Iguazu is split into many different waterfalls and islands.
Impressions of the Iguazu Waterfalls
The beauty and power of the falls is hard to describe.
But statistics and figures don’t tell the whole story. What’s it really like to gaze in awe at more than 200 waterfalls? Or to speed straight towards one in a boat and stay underneath it until your whole body is soaked to the bone?
I’ve traveled around more than 100 countries and have visited A LOT of waterfalls. In my 20 years of traveling, the Iguazu waterfalls are not only the best falls in South America I’ve seen, they are the most spectacular falls in the world.
The first time I visited the falls, though, I was extremely disappointed. In my case, it was because of the weather, but there are also other factors that could ruin your trip to Iguazu, such as the crowds, immigration procedures, or simply missing out on parts of the falls due to poor time management.
It wasn’t until I returned 13 years later that I finally got to experience the full power and beauty of Iguazu.
In this article, I’ll explain how you can avoid disappointment and make sure you get the most out of your visit to the Iguazu waterfalls.
There’s a lot of talk about which side of the falls is better, Brazil or Argentina. The truth is, they each have different things to offer, and if you’re going to make the effort to go the falls in the first place, you really should see both sides.
Allow yourself two full days just for exploring both sides of the falls. If you want to visit any other attractions in the area, such as the Itaipú Dam or Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, factor in an additional day for that.
How to Get to Iguazu Falls
You have three options for visiting the falls: (1) tour Iguazu falls on your own by public transport; (2) go on an all-inclusive tour of Iguazu falls; or (3) take private transportation, but without a tour guide.
In my view, Iguazu tours are completely unnecessary and take all the fun out of exploring the falls on your own. Large tour groups also clog up the pathways and can ruin the experience for other visitors, so I do not recommend this option.
If you’re staying in Foz do Iguaçu, it’s easy to reach the Brazilian side of the falls by taking the No. 120 public bus, which runs between the city, the airport and the falls. Tickets cost less than four reais.
The journey from the TTU terminal in town to the Cataratas terminus inside the national park takes about 50 minutes.
From Foz, it’s also possible to visit the Argentine side of the falls on public transport, but I recommend taking a private shuttle service instead.
This will save you a lot of time, as you will avoid having to switch buses in Argentina, and your driver can also help you pass through the immigration procedures quickly.
Check visa requirements for your nationality, as these do change. Previously, Americans, Canadians and Australians had to pay a $160 reciprocity fee to enter Argentina.
Brazil visa costs were similarly high, at least for Americans, which made visiting both sides of the Iguazu waterfalls an expensive undertaking.
As of January 2020, if you are American, Canadian, British or Australian, you can enter Argentina AND Brazil free of charge, with no visa required, for up to 90 days.
Until recently, Americans had to apply for an e-visa for Brazil, but this requirement was abolished in June 2019. Use the search box below to check the latest requirements for your nationality.
For most visitors, the Garganta del Diablo in Argentina is the star attraction.
On our most recent visit to Iguazu, Nick and I arranged transport to the Argentine side through Katharina House for just 50 reais per person round trip. This was a great deal, as other hotels were charging 70 to 75. And the 50 reais even included a free caipirinha at the hostel bar!
Our driver, Aníval, drove us and two Brazilian tourists to the Iguazú National Park in Argentina in the morning, waited there for us all day, and then drove us back in the afternoon. He was friendly and helped us pass smoothly through immigration.
This cost us only a little more than going by public transport and was well worth it for the time and hassle that we saved.
If you go to the Argentina Iguazu falls on your own from Brazil, you’ll have to take a bus from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil to the bus station in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, and then another bus from there to the falls. This means wasting a lot of precious time on transport.
And, while the Brazilian side of the falls can be seen in half a day, you really need a full day to fully explore the Argentine side. This is especially true if you plan to take the boat ride underneath the falls, which I highly recommend.
On the other hand, if you are staying overnight in Puerto Iguazú, then it's perfectly feasible to take the public bus from town to the national park. These buses leave every 20 minutes and are operated by a company called Río Uruguay.
Things to Do at Iguazu Falls
A one-kilometer walkway leads to the Garganta del Diablo on the Argentine side.
There are quite a few things to do at Iguazú National Park in Argentina, including:
- The Devil’s Throat – the highest and deepest of the falls
- The Circuito Superior – upper walking trail
- The Circuito Inferior – lower walking trail
- The Ecological Train – train that runs between the main attractions
- The Macuco Trail – trail through the forest leading to the only waterfall where swimming is allowed
- The Iguazu Falls Boat Ride (Gran Aventura) – see detailed description below
You’ll need to plan your day carefully to be able to hit as many of these sights as possible. Even then, you won’t be able to squeeze all of these into one day, so you’ll need to choose between the Gran Aventura boat ride and the Macuco Trail.
Alternatively, you could come back a second day, in which case you should ask for a stamp on your way out. With this stamp, you will only be charged half price the next day.
Iguazu Falls Boat Ride
We found that most of the information we had read about the Iguazu falls boat ride was out of date. In the end, the boat ride ended up being the biggest highlight of our Iguazu falls experience, so I’m really glad we took the time to research it and figure it out!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Iguazu falls boat ride options in 20:
You may come across older accounts from people who took a short, 12-minute boat ride. This is not currently available, because the staircase leading to the dock near Isla San Martín where those boat used to leave from has been deemed unstable.
Rumors are that it is unlikely to be repaired. The free ferry to Isla San Martín has also been discontinued.
The only boat option on the Argentine side is the Gran Aventura, run by a company called Iguazu Jungle. The adventure starts near the park entrance, where you board an open-top jeep for a ride through the jungle to the river. From there you get on the boat, which takes you to some amazing viewpoints right in front of the falls and then goes directly underneath them. The jeep then drops you back in the center of the park.
Watch the video below to see highlights of our boat trip at the falls.
It’s best to do the boat ride first thing, so you don’t waste time going all the way back down to the entrance later on. When we visited in October 2018, the price was 1,500 pesos, which was equivalent to about 33 euros.
That made it much cheaper than the 215 reais charged in Brazil for the Macuco Safari, which is essentially the same boat trip as the Gran Aventura.
However, as of January 2020, with inflation the price has doubled to 3,000 pesos, which makes it only slightly cheaper than the Macuco Safari. Inflation is high in Argentina, and prices and exchange rates are changing all the time, so the price will undoubtedly have changed by the time you read this.
You can also pay for the boat ride in dollars or reais, or with credit or debit card. When paying the 800-peso park entrance fee, however, only pesos and debit cards are accepted. There is an ATM at the entrance that dispenses pesos.
Alternatively, there's now a new option to purchase your tickets online in advance, which is probably wise.
It’s also best to book the Gran Aventura in advance so you don’t have to wait in line. A staff member at Katharina House in Foz do Iguaçu took us to a travel agency in a nearby hotel where we could book the trip without paying any additional charges. You’ll still need to book a time slot once you arrive, though.
While we were buying our entrance tickets, our driver Aníval ran over and booked us a time slot for the Gran Aventura at 9:15am. It was already 9:20 at that point, but that didn’t seem to be a problem. The jeeps and boats seemed to be running pretty much continuously, one after the other.
Be aware that you will get absolutely soaked on the boat. The staff will give you a large waterproof bag to put your things in, but they don’t give you a poncho.
Bring one yourself, or bring a change of clothes and keep them in the dry bag, along with your shoes. I chose to wear just a bathing suit on the boat, which worked out pretty well. I was a bit cold, but the advantage was that I didn’t have wet clothes to carry around afterwards.
Visiting Iguazu Falls South America: 2-Day Itinerary
Below is my suggested two-day itinerary for visiting the Iguazu waterfalls, including both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. The itinerary includes my top tips for making the most of your time in the parks and beating the crowds.
The Brazil side is best for panoramic views of the falls.
Day 1: Brazil Iguazu Falls
In Brazil, the falls are in a protected area called the Iguaçu National Park, which opens at 9am. Even though it only takes a half day at most to see the Brazilian side, if you want to beat the crowds you should leave Foz do Iguaçu at 8am on the 120 bus to be sure of getting there when it opens.
Buy your tickets at the automatic ticket machines; it will be faster than at the ticket windows. Prices vary by nationality.
We managed to get the Brazilian price by accident, just because Nick spoke Portuguese to the staff member who was there helping people by their tickets. You could try saying you’re Brazilian when prompted by the machine, but if you choose English as your language this might raise suspicions.
Once you have your ticket, you will need to board the free double-decker bus provided by the park service. Take the bus all the way to the fourth and final stop, Porto Canoas. You will beat the crowds this way.
From the bus stop, walk back in the direction you just came, and you will reach the top of the viewing platform that looks down on the falls. This is the Devil’s Throat, or Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese, although you can’t see as much of it from here as you can from the Argentine side.
I actually liked the views better from here than from the Argentine side, but I seem to be in the minority on that point.
The Devil's Throat (Garganta do Diabo) from the Brazilian side.
From the top, take the elevator down to the passarela. This is the part where you get wet! Many people bring ponchos to the Brazilian side. We didn’t, so we got wet, but it was sunny so our clothes dried out pretty quickly.
After the passarela, take a walk along the trilha das cataratas back to the third bus stop. You will pass lots of people walking in the other direction. Remember how I said you would beat the crowds this way?
The first two bus stops are only for additional paid excursions, but these are poor value compared with what you get on the Argentine side for cheaper or even for free.
If you reach the end of the trail and still want more, you can always walk the trilha again, back to Porto Canoas, and take the bus back to the entrance from there. Even then, you’ll be done by lunch time.
If you do want to eat in the park, I suggest bringing your own food. This is especially true if you are on a tight budget or you follow a special diet.
Speaking as a vegan traveler, there aren’t many plant-based options at the food court beyond açaí and French fries. There is also a cafeteria and a fancier restaurant that might have more, but they will be overpriced.
In order to better spread out your activities over the course of the two days, you could consider doing the Macuco Safari boat ride here instead of the Gran Aventura boat ride in Argentina.
This will give you more time to explore the many other attractions on the Argentina side.
Day 2: Argentina Iguazu Falls
Get up close and personal with the falls on the Argentine side.
To reach the Iguazu National Park in Argentina, take the shuttle service leaving at 8am from Katharina House in Foz du Iguaçu. We did this and were able to start the Gran Aventura by 9:30am.
1. Gran Aventura
See the description of the Iguazu Falls Boat Ride above. Alternatively, if you decide not to do the Gran Aventura, then consider doing the Sendero Macuco instead, which is 3.5km each way (7km return) through the forest and leads to a waterfall that you can swim in.
2. Circuito Superior
The coatis are pretty adorable, but don't let them steal your food!
After the boat ride, the jeep will drop you off in the center of the park, near the Old Hotel Cataratas. From here, take the Circuito Superior trail (1.75 km), which will lead you across the tops of several waterfalls, including the Dos Hermanos, Bossetti, Chico, and Ramirez falls.
Instead of eating at the food court area, take a picnic lunch and eat on one of the benches along the path here. You will avoid the coatis this way. We brought hummus, vegan cashew cheese, a tomato tofu spread, tomatoes, pita bread, edamame, crackers and paçoca, all of which you can pick up at the Super Muffato supermarket in Foz do Iguaçu.
Picnic lunch that we ate on the Circuito Superior trail
3. Circuito Inferior (1.6 km)
At 1.6 kilometers in length, this circuit is only slightly shorter than the Circuito Superior. The “inferior” part of the name just refers to the fact that it's lower than the upper (superior) circuit. But don’t let the name fool you. In my opinion, the views from this circuit are much better than those from the upper one. You will actually be able to see the falls that you were standing on top of on the Circuito Superior.
4. Devil’s Throat Iguazu
Take the “ecological” train from Estación Cataratas to Garganta del Diablo. The train leaves every 30 minutes, at :10 and :40 past the hour. Tickets are free, but you do need to pick up a free ticket at the ticket desk. Sometimes the staff check and won’t let you on without one.
For most visitors, the Garganta del Diablo on the Argentine side seems to be the biggest highlight of their trip to Iguazu. It's definitely the most famous Argentine waterfall.
While the falls are certainly powerful here, and it’s humbling to be right in the middle of them, I honestly preferred the Brazilian side of the Garganta.
For me, beauty trumps power, but apparently, I have weird tastes when it comes to waterfalls.
The return train from the Garganta del Diablo station is on the hour and the half hour. If you’ve arranged transport back to Foz do Iguaçu, you’ll need to take the 4pm train in order to get back on time for a 5pm departure.
Iguazu Falls Attractions to Avoid
There are some attractions in the area that exploit animals for tourists’ entertainment, so please don't support them. They are the Bosque Guaraní Zoo in Foz do Iguaçu, the Zoológico Regional y Vivero Forestal in Paraguay, the Parque das Aves near the Iguaçu National Park in Brazil, and the Bela Vista Ecological Refuge near the Itaipu Dam.
Even though the latter uses the word “refuge” in its name, in reality it’s just a glorified zoo, where wild animals are locked up in cages and put on display for tourists. The “refuge” is associated with the dam and is an effort to compensate for the environmental destruction it caused, by “rescuing” animals and educating the public about the environment. It’s really all about PR.
If you want to see wildlife displaced by the dam, there are some legitimate biological sanctuaries nearby, such as the Refugio Mbaracayú on the border between Brazil and Paraguay.
Also keep an eye out for wild animals on the trails at Iguazu falls! We saw a toucan, an agouti, a huge iguana and some smaller lizards, other beautiful birds, and of course loads of coatis!
Apparently, monkeys are pretty common too, and if you’re super lucky you might even spot a puma in the jungle on the Gran Aventura.
This iguana is one of many species of animals you can see along the trails in Iguazu National Park.
Vegan Food at Iguazu Falls
Since we used Foz do Iguaçu as our base for visiting the falls, we ate all of our meals there, apart from the picnics we brought with us to the national parks.
While Foz is not Brazil’s most vegan-friendly city, there are a few decent options and one really noteworthy vegan-friendly restaurant.
Restaurants in Foz do Iguaçu
Pop Art + Black Cat Café
Sadly, the risotto was a far cry from what we've had in Italy.
This is a vegetarian and mostly vegan café. For lunch, they have three options: a burger, a risotto and an “executive” meal. We had the burger and the risotto, but unfortunately, we didn’t like them much. The brownie and brigadeiro for dessert was the best part of our meal there.
Equilibrio Gastronomia Funcional
This café has a focus on healthy, allergen-free eating. There are at least five vegan dishes on the menu. We tried the stroganoff, the meatballs and the stuffed eggplant.
Of those, the stuffed eggplant was a clear favorite. The stroganoff was more of a mild tofu curry and didn’t really taste like stroganoff.
The chocolate cookies made with sweet potato are also pretty good. They take last orders around 6:30pm, so go early if you want dinner here.
La Bella Pizza
This is a typical Brazilian pizzeria that happened to be near our hotel. You can choose up to three different flavors for one pizza, and the staff will put different toppings on each of the three sections.
They’re also happy to make pizza without cheese on request. We chose one third mushrooms, one third palm hearts and one third fresh tomatoes.
La Strega
Our meal at La Strega was the best we ate in Foz by far. It’s an Italian restaurant with a full-page vegan menu that consists mostly of pasta and risotto dishes.
They also offer a platter of vegan meats, but it’s pretty expensive compared with the other dishes. Nick had the spaghetti all’amatriciana, while I chose the pumpkin ravioli with a sauce of tomatoes, leeks and black olives. Both were delicious!
After our visit, they announced on Instagram that they were adding even more vegan items to their menu, including appetizers, main dishes and desserts.
Cheiro Verde
This is an all-vegetarian buffet. Like most buffet restaurants in Brazil, it’s only open for lunch. We never made it there, since we chose to bring a picnic lunch to the parks instead. If you finish early on the day you visit the Brazilian side of the falls and decide to have lunch in town, this could be a good option.
Super Muffato
This large supermarket in Foz do Iguaçu is great for stocking up on picnic items. Look for the refrigerated section in the back with hummus, tofu-based spreads and vegan cream cheese. It’s in between the “pizzas e lanches” section and the “fiamberia” section.
They also have vegan hard cheese in a different refrigerated aisle, where the lactose-free dairy products are. And then there’s a health food aisle marked “sem gluten, sem lactose” with fun snacks like seaweed crisps and roasted edamame.
Iguazu Falls Hotels - Where to Stay in Iguazu Falls
We stayed at Iguassu Central Bed & Breakfast in Foz do Iguaçu, not too far from the TTU bus station. The owner Nilton speaks English well and gave us lots of great info.
If hostels are more your style, the nearby Katharina House at Rua Tarobá 952 also seems friendly. This is where we booked our transport to the Argentine side, and we also enjoyed a caipirinha here at the bar. It was included in the price of the transport!
There is a large Iguazu Falls map hanging out front, which we found really helpful in planning our trip.
The staff here will be happy to arrange Iguazu falls tours or answer any questions you have about what to do in Iguazu falls.
Iguazu Falls Weather and the Best Time to Visit Iguazu Falls
The falls are in a humid subtropical climate, which means that both temperatures and rainfall are high year-round, although there are seasonal variations.
With climate change, though, weather extremes seem to be more frequent at Iguazu. Floods and droughts are increasingly common, either of which could ruin your visit to the falls.
As recently as March 2019, all boat trips were temporarily suspended due to low water flow. Dry periods typically last for a few weeks, although a severe drought in 2006 lasted for months.
The humidity and heat are at their most extreme in the summer (December to February), whereas the water level is lowest in winter (June to August). Neither of these is ideal.
Generall, the rainy season runs from November to March. This leads to higher water levels and greater flow, but this impressive spectacle will be lost on you if you have to view it through the rain and fog.
Your best bet is to come in the spring or autumn, and to try to time your visit to fall on a sunny day. Also keep in mind that crowds are at their worst in January/February, during Easter and in June/July, as this is when Argentinians and Brazilians are on school holidays.
The first time Nick and I visited Iguazu Falls, back in 2009, it was almost completely shrouded in fog. I could hear thunderous waterfalls pounding all around me, but I could barely see any of them. It was a huge disappointment!
On our next visit, in 2018, we watched the weather forecast carefully. When we saw that several days of rain were predicted, we postponed our Iguazu waterfalls visit and looked for other things to do in Brazil while we waited out the rain.
It was well worth it! The Iguazu falls are one of the most spectacular sights in all of South America, if not the world.
Depending on the weather, a visit to Iguazu could be the biggest highlight of your trip or the biggest disappointment. If you can be flexible and have the time to spare, hold out for good weather.
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This is truly an epic and useful guide for anyone who wants to visit Iguazu Falls in either the Brazil side, the Argentina side, or both. I did not know that Iguazu Falls was wider than Victoria Falls in Africa. It does seem a good idea for one to bring in your own picnic food for a meal inside the park rather than to rely on more limited and overpriced foods and drinks sold at the park cafeteria. Whether you are following a vegan diet or not. Pinned.
I’m so glad you found the post helpful, Deborah! Yes, I do recommend bringing a picnic lunch, regardless of what kind of diet you eat. My husband and I really enjoyed our picnic in the midst of nature, rather than jostling with the crowds at the food court.
The relationship between Foz do Iguacu and nature is something surreal. And that’s why so many people want to visit the city. A tip for those who don’t know yet how to get there, one of the cheapest way is getting to Sao Paulo by bus and then catch a bus from there to Foz. You could also use some extra days to get to know better the “paulista” capital! On this site https://brazilbustravel.com/sao-paulo-tiete-sp-x-foz-do-iguacu-pr you can buy bus tickets.
Yes, I traveled all around Brazil by bus for two months the last time I was there. Distances are long, but the buses are some of the most comfortable anywhere in the world!
Hi Wendy, Thank you very much for the beautiful and descriptive write up on Iguazu falls. I am planning to visit in January after my Antarctica trip (I have few spare days to spend). What’s your opinion on arriving at Argentina side, visit the Brazilian side on first day, Argentina side on 2nd day and then back on 3rd day? Will immigration be more difficult from Argentina to Brazil compared to Brazil to Argentina?
Hi Soumyaranjan,
I don’t think immigration will be any more difficult going that way, but be sure to check the latest visa requirements for your nationality, as they do sometimes change.
Thank you for this information and stunning photos! I’m a vegan who likes to travel. This year I’m going to visit this place. How much money did you spend there?
Hi Joshua,
Iguazu is definitely not one of the cheapest destinations in South America, but it’s totally worth it. My husband and I stayed at the Iguassu Central Bed and Breakfast in Foz do Iguaçu and paid about 20 euros per night. The entry fee to the national parks will depend on your nationality; you can check it on their websites. Visas can be another big expense but will also depend on nationality. As an American, I was lucky that Argentina had done away with its $160 dollar reciprocity fee by the time I visited. Inflation was rampant in Argentina when I was there, so prices were changing all the time. Generally, prices were cheaper on the Argentine side than on the Brazilian side.
Thank you!
HI wendy .
YOur guide is really helpful. Do you know anywhere good to stay on the argentinian side?
Naomi
Thanks for the kind words, Naomi! I’m really glad the guide has been helpful to you while planning your trip to Iguazu. It’s been a while since I stayed on the Argentine side in Puerto Iguazú, so I don’t have a personal recommendation, but I’ve heard great things about Hospedaje José Gorgues
Dear Wendy, thank you for your review! I’m going to Iguazu Falls this November. I will stay just two days (1 night) in the Brazilian side. The first day (i will arrive at 10 am) i would like to go immediately to the BR Side and maybe try the boat excursion. Then second day starting very early in the morning i would like to go in the Argentine side. My flight back is scheduled at 6 pm. It’s my time enough? Any suggestion is welcome! Thanks.
Hi Francis,
I think it’s still worth going to both sides even with the short amount of time you have. No matter which order you do them in, you will need to arrange a private transfer to the Argentine side, as the regular group transfers will leave too early for you to make it on your first day and will return too late for you to catch your flight on your second day. I’d probably suggest doing the Argentine side the day you arrive, so that you don’t have to worry about crossing the border to catch your flight. The Brazilian side is quite nice early in the morning, when there aren’t many people there. Have a great trip!
Dear Wendy, Thank you immensely for this write-up which is of great help. Initially I was leaning towards spending an afternoon on the Argentinian side and a full day on the Brazilian side. I have reconsidered now.
Thank you for the dietary information as well (I’m a fellow vegan). I look forward to reading your other write-ups.
Thanks again,
Anand
Hi Anand,
I’m so glad to hear that you found the post to be helpful! Yes, I definitely recommend alloting more time to the Argentinian side than the Brazilian side, as there’s a lot more to do there. Have a wonderful trip to Iguazu!
Thanks. We are here today November 4, 2019. No water, no falls, no boat rides. This is nothing to do. We booked for 3 days and very disappointed:(
I’m sorry to hear that you are having such a negative experience at Iguazu! I’m confused though. What do you mean there’s no water and no falls? I know the amount of water flow depends on the season, but the falls never dry up completely!
Hi. Great review.
My wife has an ankle problem and so we need to keep steps to a minimum. How can we plan a route to avoid steps. We are taking a kneel scooter called orthomate for the bad leg so I could carry that if there are just a few steps.
Can you give us some ideas please. We are staying in Belmond das Cateratas.
Thanks, ian
Hi Ian,
I’m afraid I can’t remember the details of where or if there were many steps on the trails. However, having done a bit of research, it seems that many of the trails are wheelchair accessible, especially on the Argentine side. This would seem to indicate that steps can be avoided pretty easily. From what I recall, the trails are mostly wooden boardwalks and are fairly wide. I hope that helps. Have a wonderful trip to Iguazu!
Hello Wendy, It’s my dream to visit “Iguazu Falls”. Seeing your description, my wife can not wait to visit the place. Thank you a lot for writing such informative description.
That’s so lovely to hear, Niloy. I’m really glad you enjoyed reading the article, and I hope you and your wife can visit Iguazu Falls before too long!
Hi, we are planning a trip currently, and can not wait! This is a bucket list destination! Any chance you’ve been back since covid?
Have a wonderful trip to Iguazu! It definitely deserves a place on any bucket list. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to go back there since covid, so I can’t provide any updated information beyond what’s written in this article.