Argentina

Is it Iguassu Falls OR Iguacu Falls OR Iguazu Falls?

Iguassu was the original name for the falls many years ago (native language). Later Argentina named it Iguazu and Brazil changed it to Iguacu. You can still see some old signs and shop names with Iguassu, but it has not been used for years.

• Iguazu = Cataratas del Iguazú =  in Spanish = Argentina
• Iguaçu = Cataratas do Iguaçu = in Portuguese = Brazil
• Iguassu = Probably English = old spelling

“The falls may be reached from two main towns, with one on either side of the falls: Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, as well as from Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, on the other side of the Paraná River from Foz do Iguaçu. Each of those three cities having commercial airports. The falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil). The two parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986, respectively.”

Iguassu falls has over 275 individual cascades. The combined flow of these individual falls is the largest of any waterfall in the world. It is much taller than Niagara Falls and is twice as wide. In the rainy season, there can be 450,000 cubic feet of water cascading over the falls per second.

Longest Drop : 82 metres (269 ft)

The experience of the water falls can only be viewed in person. There is no justice done by any picture or video. I recommend to do both sides of the falls from Brazil and Argentina. Brazil side gives more panoramic views and Argentina side takes you closer to the falls. The Argentinian side had opportunity to spend more time as there are more trails, different viewing points and numerous activities to choose from. 

Here is our experience of the Argentina side day trip:

The city in Argentina where the Iguazu Falls are located is called Puerto Iguazu. Our day started with a breakfast at the hotel with so many choices.

Argentina Immigration was time consuming and there were many vehicles waiting to clear the immigration including tourist buses. Our guide helped us clear the immigration.

Things to do in Iguazu falls, Argentina :

The Iguazu National Park on the Argentine side has 6 different circuits

• Devil’s throat
• Superior Circuit
• Lower Circuit
• Macuco Trail
• Rainforest Ecological Train
• Green Trail

Devil’s Throat : Devil’s throat is one of the main attractions of Iguazu Falls. It is undoubtedly the highlight of this park. Mist and the sound at devil’s throat is unbelievable. You will be so close to the majestic water falls. You can spend hours watching the water falls. To get to the devil’s throat, you need to take Ecological Train of the Jungle, which takes all its visitors through the park. It is available all day and has a frequency of approximately every 15 minutes. If you want, you can also walk near the road to the Garganta Station, but keep in mind that it is a long route (approximately 2000 meters). From train station it’s a long walk on the trail. Distance is a bit long but the path is flat and has several seats to rest. It will be around 2 hours round trip.

Superior/Upper Circuit : This circuit will take 2 hours on a well paved path. It’s also called upper circuit. This circuit allows you to have a panoramic view of Iguazu Falls from the upper walkways (does not include the Devil’s Throat). From here you can also see a bit of the lower circuit. Through approximately 1.75 kilometers, you will have a view from above of the Dos Hermanas, Chico, Ramirez, Bosetti, Adan and Eva, Mendez, and finally Mbiguá waterfalls.

Green Trail : This trail is a small 600-meter flat, stairless path that connects the visitor center to the Cataratas train station. It’s about 30 mins round trip.

Inferior/Lower Circuit : This circuit allows you to enter the jungle through various stairs and walkways, where you will see flora and fauna characteristic of the area. As you move forward you will see a beautiful panoramic view of the falls. Round trip will take around 2 hours approximately with 1700 meters.

Macuco Trail : The Macuco trail is a path of approximately 7.7 kilometers (round trip) that allows you to get to know a place with no human intervention. The trail has no construction or anything similar, just a clear path for visitors to walk on. There are no restrooms in the trail. Don’t forget to use it at the start of the trail. It will take about 3 hours approximately with medium difficulty.

Devil’s throat train ride and hike :

Speed boat ride :

iguazujungle company offers the tours on the Argentina side. They offer Great Adventure and Ecological Trip. Great adventure combines in a single trip the very essence of Iguazu National Park: the jungle and the waterfalls. This ride is only allowed for Children ages 12 and older. Make sure to take the passport original, they will check at the boarding time.

Another tour offered by the iguazu jungle. Ecological trip is a silent and quiet sailing experience on rafts, covering the different islands of the Upper Iguazu River.

4 x 4 ride (5km) in truck from Yacaratia trail to the start of the Puerto Macuco trail. Down the riverbank stairs to the Iguazu speed boat. Speed boat ride is bumpy and fun. Boat will take about 6 kms in the Lower Iguazu River. There were plenty of rapids with beautiful views. They will take the boat to the largest water fall (Tres Mosqueteros Fall). Both the Argentine and Brazilian sides and the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) are visible from this location. After that boat will go to San Martín waterfall, the second in dimension. This speed boat will go under the water fall and gave a thrilling experience of mist and down pour. The power of the water fall is an incredible experience. After the falls, boat will bring back same route to the trail and back on the truck.

After the experience it does makes sense of not allowing kids under 12 in this rid, probably due to rapids.

Upper Circuit Trail :

A 2 hour hike through the upper circuit trail with multiple water fall views. Very nice to walk on top of the water fall.

 

Wild life in the Iguazu Falls – Argentina

Coati’s stole out bag of food near the restaurant.

Nice dinner to end the long day trip.

 

Things to know:

1. How many days do you need to visit Iguazu Falls?

Two days. One day on Brazil side and another day on Argentina side.

2. What is the best time of year to visit Iguazu Falls?

You an visit all year round.

3. Do you need a visa to go to Iguazu Falls Argentina?

4. What percentage of falls in Brazil and Argentina?

70-80% of the falls are on the Argentinean side, you really can’t see the scale of them from the Argentinean side. On the Brazilian side, you see everything.

5. Is this part of UNESCO?

Iguazu Falls became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

6. Is Iguazu part of seven wonders?

In 2011, it was selected as one of the winners of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

7. Which is bigger Niagara or Iguazu?

Isn’t it a common question? Both are places you should visit. The Iguazu falls are larger than Niagara and even wider as it has a span of falls throughout the area. The atmosphere at Niagara is of a tourist town while the Iguazu Falls is more of a national park (both at the Brazil falls side and Argentina Falls side).

8. Park entrance fee?

Buy tickets online before or through any guide.

9. Park hours on Argentina side

The park opens from 9:00 a.m. at 18hs (6:00 p.m.), but you can only go to the park until 4:30 p.m.

10. Is there swimming area?

No, swimming in Iguazu Falls is not allowed under any circumstances

11. Do you want to stay inside the park?

There are 2 hotels inside the Argentina side of the falls. As we made a day trip, we didn’t explore the option of staying inside the park.