This place is a place worth visiting. From my own experience, the view is incredible, there are food courts, there are guides who speak Portuguese, Spanish to English. When you get to the Falls, there is a stall to buy souvenirs, there they accept dollars or reais. That is on the Brazilian side. On the Argentine side, there is a little train that takes you to the Devil's Throat, then there are the food courts, there is also a rubber boat ride, which passes near the Falls, or if you are a little less intrepid, there is a quiet walk in a canoe on a lake, with a man who explains different things that you probably did not know. And if you're lucky, maybe when you leave, they'll give you some 10% off coupons, at the food courts and souvenirs. Hope this can help you.
Understand
Located on the border between Brazil Y Argentina and near the triple border with Paraguay. The Iguazú Falls are, without a doubt, one of the most impressive and beautiful places that can be seen in this part of the world, especially when the climate is appropriate.
History
The first European to see the impressive falls was the conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541. Long before that, the Guaraní people inhabited the area and gave the falls a name, a variant of which is used today. During a period of colonial times it was known as the Santa Maria Falls. These lands once belonged to Paraguay; the borders were redrawn after the Paraguayan War of the 1860s.
A German expedition in the late 19th century "rediscovered" the falls, ushering in tourism and more comprehensive academic studies of the falls. At that time, the region was still an impenetrable jungle on the Argentine side. The Argentine part was declared a national park in 1934, the Brazilian part five years later. Fifty years later, in 1984, the Argentine part was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, followed by the Brazilian part two years later. Later, the falls were chosen as one of the 7 new wonders of nature and, in fact, it is one of the most important places on a continent particularly famous for its natural attractions.
Landscape
Iguazu Falls are in some respects the largest in the world and are often compared to two other great waterfalls, Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls. The former has a somewhat higher average annual flow rate than Iguaçu and the latter is slightly higher at its highest point. What distinguishes Iguazú is its width of approximately 2,700 meters, which is almost as much as Niagara and Victoria Falls combined. Also, the highest flow recorded from Iguaçu is much higher than the other two falls.
Flora and fauna
With approximately 450 species of birds, there is much to see for bird watchers. Highlights include iconic ones large dark swifts that They live on the rocky walls behind the walls and five types of toucans, including the great toucan. You can also spot herons, wild eagles, parrots, and the endangered black-fronted turkey.
Wild cats such as jaguars, margays and ocelots live in the region. Other notable mammals include giant anteaters, tapirs, giant otters, and coatis. Aquatic life includes yacare alligators, turtles, and of course different species of fish, and as you would expect from a tropical environment, there are also a variety of insects around.
A highlight of the local flora is the ceibo (Cockspur coral tree), which blooms with the national flower of Argentina.
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Weather
A little south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the climate is classified as humid subtropical. The average daytime temperature varies between 25 ° C in summer and 15 ° C in winter. For a place with dry and wet seasons, the difference between them is smaller. On average, there are nine monthly rainy days from October to February and six in May and July.
To get
By plane
- Puerto Iguazú: it is the closest airport in the Argentine part. It is a few kilometers from the Iguazú National Park and the Falls, and about 25 kilometers from the city of Puerto Iguazú. Several daily flights arrive from Buenos Aires.
- Foz do Iguaçu: It is the closest airport in the Brazilian part, with arrival of daily national and international flights. International flights and most travelers connect in Sao Paulo.
- Assumption: Many travelers choose this airport for reasons of proximity to the falls (300 kms) by land or by taking a local flight to Ciudad del Este. This option often represents a lower cost and fewer travel hours for those who arrive with a stopover in Lima or from a country in the north of South America, since it avoids a stopover in Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires, depending on whether they enter from the Brazilian side. or Argentine respectively.
By bus
From Sao Paulo there are several bus routes that connect with the entire southern part of the country and on international routes to Argentina and Paraguay. This tour represents a rich and enjoyable experience through the landscapes of southern Brazil, visiting several important states and cities and towns full of history and beauty. These services are often of excellent quality and reasonably priced. The tour is approximately 22 hours.
From Buenos Aires there are several long distance bus companies bound for Puerto Iguazu. The most comfortable category is called "suite bed" with fully reclining seats, and the duration of the trip is approx. 17 hours. To check schedules and rates: [http://www.omnilineas.com.ar/bus/retiro/puerto-iguazu/ Micros of Buenos Aires]
From Asuncion: It is a relatively short journey (300 kms) that takes approximately 6 hours. You can take Paraguayan, Argentine or Brazilian lines. Estimated cost is USD 20
By car
Moving around Argentina from Posadas to Puerto Iguazú is one of the most beautiful experiences of a tourist tour by car. The 400 km landscape is of very colorful jungle full of attractions and places to visit from Jesuit Ruins to small paradises of small waterfalls. Gemstone mining sites, highly recommended to do with time.
Travel
There are different ways of getting around to see the falls. You can hire charter services, remises or rent a car. Obviously the car rental gives you greater freedom when it comes to getting to know, since it allows you to better know the falls both on the Argentine side or on the Brazilian side, as well as visiting places such as Minas de Wanda, Ruinas de San Ignacio or even se You can go to the moconá falls.
Both sides of the park are well served by footpaths.
On the Argentine side of the park there is a small train that leaves every 30 minutes from near the entrance to the beginning of the trail to the Devil's Throat.
On the Brazilian side, there is a bus service that connects the falls with other activities. This service runs from the entrance to the end of the park every 10 minutes in both directions.
By bus
From Foz de Iguazú to Puerto Iguazú: there is a bus that leaves just outside the bus terminal, at the corner of Rua Mem de Sá and Rua Tarobá. It costs R $ 4 or AR $ 8. The bus may or may not stop at the Brazilian border checkpoint, but will normally stop at the Argentine border control, where your passport will be stamped. You can also exchange foreign currency at the Argentine border checkpoint, but keep in mind that the bus can leave without you if it takes too long, letting you take a taxi (~ AR $ 80) or wait for the next bus. This bus ends at the Puerto Iguazú bus station where you can take the bus to the National Park.
From Puerto Iguazú to the Brazilian Iguazú Falls National Park: Río Uruguay operates a bus every hour from the bus terminal that awaits Argentine and Brazilian immigration. In fact, you don't even have to leave the bus for Brazilian customs, the driver will collect your passport and stamp it. First bus to the Brazilian falls: 08:30, last bus back to Puerto Iguazú: 17:00. The round trip ticket costs AR $ 320 (June 2019). Conveniently, there are large lockers that fit backpacks at the entrance of the falls (buy a token in the store - R $ 9). Which means you can see the falls and then take the bus back into town (or the airport) and get out.
In taxi
One way to circulate is to hire a remis and it is not excessively expensive. ([email protected]) Remises are usually very reliable, although it is advisable to inquire in advance of the rates and ask for one at the official counters. Some of the recommended routes offered by all remises:
- Travel to the Brazilian part of the Falls, wait for the taxi driver in the park and return to Puerto Iguazú. It costs about $ 220 (pesos), depending on the origin of the trip. It does not include entrance to the park, which is another $ 30 Argentine pesos. It must be taken into account that a border is crossed, so it is essential to carry a passport when passing customs. If you are short on time, keep in mind that getting through customs may take some time, as you have to fill out some forms and check your passports (and customs officials are not particularly quick).
- Travel to the Argentine part and back about $ 170 pesos (the entrance to the falls is not included)
Watch
- Brazilian part: the tour can be done in about an hour. The entrance costs $ 33 Argentine pesos (of course you can also pay in Brazilian currency). A well-marked route is followed to end on a footbridge near the Devil's Throat, the most spectacular of all the waterfalls. An elevator goes up to the upper level for views from above. The last entry to the park is at 17:00. The last elevator is at 18:00. The last bus back to the park entrance is at 18:30. You can also hire a helicopter to fly over the Falls.
- Argentine part: you have to calculate a minimum of 6 hours to do the entire route. The entrance costs about $ 40 pesos. However, it is advisable to pay the additional $ 90 pesos that the "Great Adventure" tour costs, which consists of a part of 8km by truck through the jungle, and a part of 6km by motorboat that takes you to the Falls, reaching the waterfall of San Martín. During the boat ride, when the time comes it will be announced that the visitor must keep electronic objects (cameras, mobile phones, etc.) inside the waterproof bags that are provided, since the boat gets "under" the falls and gets absolutely wet everything. Additionally, if one does not want to walk the rest of the day with wet shoes, it may also be convenient to store the shoes inside the bag.
Next, you disembark at a dock located on the "Lower Route". If the weather conditions and the water level allow it, there are boats that take you free of charge to the island of San Martín, where scenes from the movie "La Misión" were filmed. If not, you can continue with the lower route. After this, it is a good time to take a break and eat something at the restaurant to recharge your batteries.
Then the tour of the "Upper Route" continues. Finally, you take a train that takes you to the catwalks of the Devil's Throat.
On full moon days, there are night tours that lead to the Devil's Throat, although they are subject to weather conditions. If it rains or is covered there are no tours.
- Wanda Mines: if you have a free morning after visiting the falls
- East City: located Paraguay, It is a walk that is usually done to get to know the place and make purchases.
- The ruins of San Ignacio: Old Jesuit monastery, today in ruins, with a small museum, which informs about the stay of the founder of the Jesuits in those lands
To buy
Numerous hand-carved wooden crafts representing animals (jaguars, coatis, toucans ...) are sold in the place. They also sell blowguns, maracas, flutes and handmade necklaces. There is also jewelry made with semi-precious stones that are abundant in the area.
To eat
- El Quincho de uncle beloved restaurant: excellent steakhouse with a superb wine cellar.
A piacere Restaurant Parrilla located on Córdoba avenue where you can eat pasta, river fish, Argentine cut meat, it offers an air-conditioned lounge and a patio with a terrace.
Argentina
The Meliá hotel (see #Sleeping below) in the same park offers a good alternative to the junk food stalls located throughout the park. There is a nice terrace where you can rest from which you can see the mist coming off the falls and also generally see toucans and other birds flying around.
It is unexpectedly difficult to have breakfast in the city before 9:30 a.m., everything is still closed, so prepare some at your accommodation.
Brazilian side
On the Brazilian side, there is a buffet found right next to the gorge at the station Porto Canoas at the end of the trail. The food is not good but the view of the river makes for a surreal sight as you know the falls are so close but you cannot see them other than the fog and noise. It is a good place to eat. In addition to the buffet at R $ 40, you can have a combined meal (hamburger) at one of the points of sale right in front of the buffet restaurant for around R $ 10.
Drink and go out
On both sides of the falls there are plenty of opportunities to buy a drink. In the support cafeterias during the tour, or at the end of the tour, in the Porto Canoas cafeteria or Restaurant.
Sleep
Keep in mind that there are official tourist and resident prices. Unless you have an Argentine passport or reside there, you have to choose the tourist rate. There are only two options to stay within the park within walking distance of the falls: Meliá in Argentina and Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil. Both are a bit pricey and take advantage of their position. Most people prefer to stay in Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side or in Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, where a large number and variety of accommodation options can be found. Transportation to the falls during the day is a 20 minute bus ride.
- Sheraton Hotel: It is the most expensive, but it is the only one within the National Park of Cataratas
- Hotel Cataratas: 5-star hotel, the double costs about € 120. It has a spa, outdoor Jacuzzi, swimming pool, indoor pool and Jacuzzi, paddle courts. Free Internet. Breakfast is correct. However, dinner leaves a lot to be desired for a 5-star hotel.
- Residencial Uno Hostel: an economical option in the city center, with all services: breakfast, free Internet, Wi-Fi area, swimming pool, bar, guest kitchen, grill, private rooms (from € 20 a double) and shared rooms (from from € 5.50). Fray Luis Beltrán 116. Tel: 54-3757-420-529. E-mail: [email protected]
- Hotel Lilian: A good hotel located three blocks from the center, a quiet and cozy place to rest. Fray Luis Beltran 183
Brazilian side
- Belmond Hotel das Cataratas , Rodovia Br 469, Km 32, Iguazú National Park, Foz do Iguazú, ☏ [45 2102-7000], no fee: [1800-237-1236], ✉ [[1]]. Impressive location within the Brazilian National Park, perched on the falls. Walk to the Brazilian viewpoints and Porto Canoas. Traditional luxury hotel with exclusive appointments, gourmet dining rooms, outdoor pool and tennis. Observation deck on the roof. 203 rooms. An unforgettable hotel. From R $ 1,200. (updated July 2017 | edit)
Argentine side
Check out the Puerto Iguazú article for a good number of accommodation options in this area.
- Meliá Iguazú (formerly Sheraton Internacional Iguazú Resort), free of charge: [3451159]. Check in: 15:00, check in: 12:00. Incredible location within the Argentine National Park, at the foot of the Argentine waterfalls. Newly remodeled pool / gym / spa. Otherwise the place feels a bit run down, but you didn't come here to laze inside the hotel anyway. Observation deck on the roof. Speak English. 180 rooms. Double jungle view / waterfall view US $ 305 / US $ 365 per night. If you stay there, pay an additional $ 50 per night for "falls view" and request a third floor room where the view is best. Make sure to keep your patio door closed early in the morning, or the monkeys can steal things. Breakfast is included.
Excursions
The dam of Itaipu On the border between Brazil and Paraguay it is the second largest dam in the world after the Three Gorges Dam. It is also one of the modern wonders of the world. It generates around 90% of the electricity in Paraguay and 25% in Brazil, so Paraguay only needs around 7% of the electricity produced. Approx. Every hour (sometimes more frequently) there is a panoramic bus tour, where you can see the dam from the outside and drive twice over the dam wall (once down at the turbine entrances and once up on the crest of the dam). In addition, there is a "technical tour" of several hours 2-3 times a day, where you can also visit the interior of the dam. In the reservoir there are also some beaches that promise to cool off from the humid heat.
Those who spend the night on the Argentine side and have a little more time can make a detour at wanda mines , National Route no. 12, Tel .: (0 37 57) 47 01 81. These are located about 40 km from Puerto Iguazú. Here semi-precious stones are mined. There are guided tours of the mines in English or Spanish. Not only are the mining methods explained and shown, but you can also learn how the mines were created and detailed facts about the (semi) precious stones. Entry: 12 pesos.
The Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este is also often offered as a tour. However, this is only worth it if you are really interested in the prices of sneakers and electronic devices in Paraguay, because the city is not interesting for tourists.
Security
Wear raincoats and protect your camera as it can get quite wet at some gazebos. Some people visit the waterfalls in a bathing suit (recommended in summer). The park itself is quite well organized, they have a train line so that you can get from the entrance to the main circuits (Upper Circuit, Devil's Throat, etc. See below). They also have food stalls inside the park near the train stations, but food and drinks are very expensive there. It is a good idea to bring some food and water if you are spending the day in the park. Luggage storage is available at the park entrance for AR $ 100/150 for a medium / large suitcase respectively.
- On sunny days it is advisable to bring sunscreen, as burns are frequent. An insect repellent doesn't hurt either.
- Coatis, friendly little animals that usually frequent the catwalks, stop being so when they attack you to steal your food. You have to be especially careful when opening backpacks, as they hear noise and rush to steal food, even biting. In any case, avoid feeding these animals.
- Do not forget that the walkways go through part of the jungle and it is possible to find some animals. In the river it is possible to see crocodiles. In some areas you have to be alert to possible snakes in the trees. Despite all this, the area is very safe and the danger is minimal.
Surroundings
Besides visiting the falls, the activities offered by tour operators on both sides of the park, and having a drink or dinner in Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu, there is not much else to do in this area. So don't plan on staying here your entire vacation, 2 or 3 days should. For the Brazilian side, you don't need more than 4 hours in total. It is often cheaper to fly from the Brazilian side to São Paulo, for example, than to take the bus (not to mention faster).
- If you want to visit another country, there are buses to East City in Paraguay from both sides. From there, you can head to the rest of Paraguay or go see the Itaipu Dam, the second largest dam in the world, about 10 km north of the city. Citizens of some countries need a visa to pass the border area, and I dont know they can obtain visas when they arrive in Ciudad del Este.
- The ruins of Jesuit missions declared a World Heritage Site in the province of Missions, Argentina and Trinity , Paraguay.
- Incarnation (Paraguay) and Inns (Argentina), border cities a few hours southwest of the falls. Posadas makes a good stop on the way between Iguazú and Buenos Aires.
external links
Wikipedia has an article on Iguazu Falls.w: Iguazu Falls
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Iguazu FallsCommons.
