Travel in Iguaçu Falls
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Informations on Iguazu Falls: history, politics, economy, culture, Did you mean: Iguazu Falls
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One of the great natural wonders of the world, the Iguaçu Falls (Portuguese: Cataratas do Iguaçu, Spanish: Cataratas del Iguazú) are situated near the border of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.
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Get in
The Tri-Border
Access to the Falls is usually done through one of the three cities in the so-called tri-border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
The city on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu - big, but less secure. The town on the Argentine side is called Puerto_Iguazu and is small and pretty. Although the falls are between Brazil and Argentina only, Ciudad del Este, the city on the Paraguayan side, is just across the bridge from Brazil. It's a hectic (but exciting) centre for contraband and cheap electronic goods.
Border crossing between these countries is fairly relaxed - authorities assume most people are on a day trip across the border and won't even stamp your passport. So, if you are crossing into another country for good, you will have to persuade them to stamp you passport (otherwise you could run in to problems later).
By plane
From Foz do Iguaçu there are frequent flights to Rio de Janeiro etc. From Puerto Iguazu there are daily flights to Buenos Aires
By Bus
On the Brazilian side, Foz do Iguaçu is about seven hours by bus from Curitiba. From Puerto Iguazu there are several daily buses to Buenos Aires and Posadas and from Ciudad del Este there are lots of buses to Asuncion.
Get around
There are hourly (or so) buses between Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazu and Ciudad del Este. There are also hourly (or so) buses between Foz do Iguaçu and the Brazilian side of the falls and between Puerto Iguazu and the Argentine side of the falls.
It is only a short walk across the Friendship Bridge over the river Parana between Foz do Iguaçu and Ciudad del Este.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
See
The Iguaçu Falls are an awesome sight as tons of water throw themselves over cliffs and the mist rises amongst the jungle. They are taller than Niagara Falls, and twice as wide, for which Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed on her first sight of the Falls: "Poor Niagara!"
It is well worth spending a day on each side of the falls.
On the Argentine side (30 AR$ pp, second day for half price if you get your ticket stamped before leaving on the first day) there are a whole series of walkways and trails by the main visitors centre, allowing you to stand right on the edge of the precipice, below some of the waterfalls themselves, see a good overview and take a short boat trip to Isla San Martin below the falls. Wear waterproofs and protect your camera!
There is a free train running up to a 1km-long walkway across the river to stand just back from the main horseshoe of falls - the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo), where the roar and spray are tremendous.
On the Brazilian side (20 R$ pp, cheaper for Brazilian residents) you get an excellent overview of Devil's Throat and the rest of the falls, from both above and below.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
- Albergue Paudimar Campestre (Av. das Cataratas). Twelve kilometres outside Foz do Iguaçu on the way to the Brazilian side of the falls, it's more a mini-resort than a hostel. It offers free internet, budget meals and also has a swimming pool and bar. They also arrange tours to the Argentinean side of the falls. Half the taxi fair from the bus terminal is returned if you go with two or more persons and stay at least two days. Look for the stand at the bus terminal.
- Camping El Viejo Americano - 5 km outside of Puerto Iguazu on the Argentine side of the falls. Very cheap and great for both camping (bring a tent and your gear!) and staying in the bungalows (costs extra). You can get there by bus (take bus heading towards the falls) or by taxi (which will cost a bit more). There are pools, a restuarant, convenience store and soccer fields, which are all very well maintained. Many fire pits for barbecues and other niceties. Bugs galore so bring Off or other bug repellent.
Get out
- From Ciudad del Este or Foz do Iguaçu you can visit the Itaipu Dam - one of the largest in the world. No entrance fee, but expect a quick tour in a bus and a bit of propaganda.
- Between Puerto Iguazu and Posadas the red sandstone ruins of the Jesuit mission of San Ignacio are well worth a visit.