Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil)

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A travel journal to Puerto Iguazu by Robert Raymond Ingledew

IGUAZU FALLS, UPPER CIRCUIT Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

Quote: I traveled 7 months ago to this paradise on earth. The falls, the jungle, the whole environment, are all charming. I had posted it in another section, because I am not very familiar yet with the recent changes introduced.

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Where to stay at Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil)

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HOTEL LIBERTADOR IGUAZU Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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I have never stayed on the Brazilian side since Puerto Iguazu is smaller, it is easier to get around and, being a far smaller city, it is safer. However, I know for certain that the best hotel on the Brazilian side is the five star Hotel Tropical Das Cataratas, that faces the falls in all their beauty.On the Argentine side, the Sheraton Iguazu is the only hotel that is inside the National Park, and it also faces the Iguazu Falls. However, if you want to have a good panoramic view you should book a room on the upper floors, since the jungle could hinder a panoramic view of the falls. I understand that the rooms facing the falls are more expensive than those facing the jungle....Read More

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Iguazu Falls, General Overview (edited on August 1, 2009)

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Iguazu Falls, Devils Throat, Brazilian side Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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Iguazu is one of the most beautiful places in the whole earth. You will see more foreigners at the Falls from Russia, Japana, Korea, Europe and the USA than from Argentina itself. And it is the cheapest destination in all Argentina, except during its high season (Easter, July and August). There are a number of bus companies that offer the outstanding First Class service, far better than the traditional bed and semi bed services. The seats lie back completely horizontal, and at least with Via Bariloche and Crucero del Norte, the hot meal on board includes complimentary wine, whisky and champagne. Travel takes some 18 hours from Buenos Aires or from Cordoba, but with that comfort, you wi...Read More

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Parque Das Aves, Iguazu, Brazil (Birds Park)

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A tucan in the Birds park Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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This is a 50 acre natural park, of which 10 acres are a private bird zoo, where you will see some 900 birds of 150 different species. It is a nice complement to the visit of the Brazilian side of the falls. Here you will find not only birds in a semi liberty environment, where a wire mesh about 50 feet above you avoids them from leaving the park, and where those birds that could cause damage or that are valuable are inside cages. You will also see snakes, monkeys and a few other animals.You need at least two hours here to really enjoy the visit. A stopover here during your tour to the Brazilian falls has no additional charge, except the admission to the park, that could be costing anyt...Read More

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Puerto Iguazu, the Triple Border Park (Tres Fronteras)

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Downtown of ciudad del Este, Paraguay Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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This park is located on the triple border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. On one side the Iguazu river (four hundred meters wide) divides Argentina from Brazil and on the left hand side the Parana river (about one mile wide) separates Paraguay from Brazil and Argentina. There are a few handicraft stores, the view of the park is very nice, and this park is included on the tour to the Brazilian side of the falls.This park is at a walking distance from the downtown of Puerto Iguazu, and a taxi ride thee should cost you some 10 to 15 dollars for a round trip with some minutes to take photos. If you go on a taxi, ask for a stop at the Iguazu port, it is inactive now, but you can take...Read More

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Iguazu Falls, the Brazilian Side

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IGUAZU, BRAZILIAN SIDE, A COATI Photo - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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The Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls has the advantage that you can go through it in two hours, since there is only one circuit, and therefore you can visit it the first day of your stay in the afternoon, even adding a visit to the Birds Park that will take another two hours. While a visit to the Argentine side takes at least eight hours if you want to visit the Upper Circuit, the Lower Circuit and San Martin island, apart from the other options you have such as Salto Escondido (Hidden Waterfall).But visiting both sides is a must, plus the "Tres Fronteras" park in Iguazu.US citizens may be required a visa to enter into Brazil, at least at the Iguazu international border. T...Read More

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The Argentine Side of the Iguazu Falls

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One hour and a half to two hours are enough to walk along the only sidewalk on the Brazilian side, but you will need eight hours or more to explore the Argentine side, including the Upper Circuit, the Lower Circuit, San Martin Island, Garganta del Diablo and more.

It is therefore advisable to stay on the Argentine side and use the regular bus service from Puerto iguazu to the National Park, that costs about one dollar each way. The tours to the Brazilian side from Argentina cost some ten dollars per person, including the Brazilian Falls and the Birds Park. Add some ten to twenty US Dollars for the admission to each National Park, and about half that price for the Birds Park.

The Upper Circuit is easy to walk, and there are restaurants, cafeterias, and even internet and phone services inside the National Park, that was refurbished some ten years ago. A meal inside the national park in Argentina can cost anything between ten and thirty dollars. Eating at the Hotel Libertador in Iguazu will cost less then ten dollars including a bottle of wine, but prices in the fashionable restaurants can cost double that price.

The Iguazu falls are a mile and a half wide, and the flow of water can vary from three hundred to fourteen thousand tons of water per second. When the river is low, water is clear. When the river is high, the roar of the waterfalls is really impressive.

The train to the Garganta del Diablo (Devils Throuat) and the crossing in a motorboat to San Martin island are included in the admission fee to the National Park. A motorboat cruise under the falls is an exciting experience, but has its additional cost.

Hotels in Iguazu vary from expensive to very cheap. The Sheraton Hotel is the only hotel facing the falls and is quite expensive, the same as the 4 and 5 star hotels that generally charge international rates.

A budget hotel like the San Fernando, in front of the bus station, with a ceiling fan and no TV, a small room but very nice, cost me 17 dollars per night last December. The Summer months (December to March) can be very warm, but there is abundant shade in the park, and these are the months when the falls literally roar. Prices in Easter, July and August nearly double, and it is practically impossible to find an hotel room without prior reservations.

Tours from Buenos Aires to Iguazu apply higher rates to foreigners. If you take a trip from Cordoba, the cost of the tour including 3 or 4 hotel nights (3 star hotel), plus breakfast, dinner, and all tours, costs some 150 US Dollars per person. including bus travel. Travel to Cordoba is cheaper than travel to Buenos Aires, and safer. And Cordoba is far nearer Mendoza and Northwestern Argentina, and at the same distance from Iguazu, Bariloche, Puerto Madryn and other destinations.

Let me show you with photos what words cannot always explain.

Enjoy your stay in Argentina.

Robert Raymond Ingledew Read Less