Iguazu Falls Trip

Iguazu Falls us a truly magnificent system of over 284 waterfalls that extends almost 3 kilometers wide. The Iguassu Falls sites between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. In 2011, it was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It is truly an awe-inspiring site that everyone should see. Here is what you need to know to plan your own Iguazu Falls Trip including where it is, how to get here, best time to visit, tour options, and which side is better – the Brazil or Iguazu Falls Argentina side.

If you’ve been falling our family’s adventures you know we love to plan Disney World vacations. Every time we go to Epcot and ride Soarin I am always inspired to travel! On the ride, you glide over Iguazu Falls in South America; it is spectacular! So when we were planning trips to antarctica I knew I had to get to Iguassu Falls as a pre or post stop. Because we probably will only come once, I mean there are lots of amazing things to see in the world, I wanted to do it right. So we visisted both the Argentina side and the Iguassu Falls Brazil side. Both are spectacular and offere very different and beautiful experiences and vistas. Let me tell you where is Iguazu falls, how to get there, best time to visit, and some other practical tips. Plus of course, here are lots of pictures so you can decide what side of the falls you want to visit on your Iguazu falls trip!

So you will see the falls spelled differently in this post and visiting the falls. Let me explain. Iguassu was the original name for the falls many, many years ago. Later Argentina named it Iguazu and Brazil changed it to Iguaçu. Either way you google it or spell it, you are talking about the same falls.

where is iguazu falls

First of all, let’s take a peak at where is Iguazu falls. Iguazu Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder located on the border of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. You can see the falls from paths in both the Argentinan and Brazilian side. This magnificent waterfall system is made up of 275 individual cascades, collectively spanning nearly two miles in width. The sheer power and beauty of Iguazu Falls are truly awe-inspiring, making it a must-see destination for any traveler.

Argentina Iguazu Waterfalls Argentina Side Garganta del Diablo with rainbow — Iguazu Falla

best time to visit iguazu falls

Iguassu falls is located close to the equator which means it is pretty much the same temparture year-round. Typical lows are 59 F with highs at 89 F. There is a variance of only about 10 degrees, with the high in the 80s occur October through April, whereas the high in the 70s are May thorugh September.

So as you can see the heat wont very tremendously. The main difference is the rainfall and humidity. If you visit during the dry season, which runs from May to September, you’ll get to see more of the intricate rock formations and enjoy clearer views of the falls. Additionally, the dry season also offers slightly milder temperatures and lower humidity, making it an ideal time for hiking and exploring the surrounding trails. Keep in mind that this is also peak tourist season, so be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices. On the other hand, if you visit during the wet season from October to April, the water levels are higher, creating a more dramatic and powerful display of the falls. Just be prepared for the possibility of rain and muddy trails.

No matter when you choose to visit, Iguazu Falls is sure to leave you in awe of its beauty and power. We visited in the begining of March.

La Reserva Virgin Lodge jungle paths between rooms

La Reserva Virgin Lodge outside our room

La Reserva Virgin Lodge porch with whirlpool tub and blinds that open to be in nature

how to get to iguazu falls

If you’re flying internationally, the closest airports are the Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) on the Argentine side and Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) in Brazil. These are small airports that will require a connecting flight if traveling internationally. From either airport, you can easily take a taxi or tour to the falls.

We flew into the Argentina side of the falls and took a taxi to our hotel We stayed at La Reserva Virgin Lodge which was absolutely amazing! I wish we had longer to stay and relax here. You feel like you are staying in the jungle and we even had a tub on on our porch. The included breakfast was really nice with lots of options, and it was close to both the airport and the falls.

iguazu falls tours

You can take a taxi to get to the falls if you like, but we loved being picked up at our hotel by our Iguazu Falls Tour. The tour walked us through several trails to see the Iguassu Falls on the Argentina side, answered any questions we had, and took our picture. Then they guided us accross the border and passport control (note you will now need a Visa to visit Brazil). Then we saw the Brazil side of the Iguazu falls – which is very different and not to be missed. We ended up having extra time and they suggested visiting Parque Das Aves, which was such a nice thoughtful way to round out our day. Finally they took us (and our luggage they had been caring for all day) to the airport to catch our connecitng international flight back to the United States. The tour made our visit seemless and easy, a win for our large family!

Basically on the Argentina side you are on the top of the falls and the Brazil side will take you down into the falls.

upper and lower walking trails at igassu waterfalls argentina side

iguazu falls argentina side

Discover the beauty of Argentina’s Iguazu National Park! Open every day from 8am-4:30pm, with a variety of amenities like accessible bathrooms, WIFI, and more. Entrance fees of 700 pesos for adults apply, but there are discounts for children and no charge for disabilities.

Some of the must-see attractions on the Argentina side include:

Ride the Ecological Jungle Train – Your entrance to Iguazu National Park includes unlimited rides on the ‘Green Train’, an ecological train circuit that takes you through the jungle and along the river, stopping at the main walking trails and Devil’s Throat. Depending on when you arrive it may be quicker to walk the 1/3 of a mile trail instead of waiting for the next scheduled train. Plus it may also mean you don’t arrive with a train load of visitors.
Walk the Lower and Upper Circuit – Discover the two main walking trails at Iguazu Falls Argentina park that showcase breathtaking views of the stunning waterfalls. The Lower Circuit features a two-kilometer system of walkways and challenging stairways designed to bring you up close to the awe-inspiring cascades. The Upper Circuit offers incredible panoramic views, especially stunning in the early morning or late afternoon when rainbows dance through the spray
Devil’s Throat, where the majority of the water flows over the cliffs, creating a thunderous roar and mist that will take your breath away.

spectacular view of iguazu falls at every turn

Lower Falls Trail

Start walking the one way path that will take you along the edge of these incredible falls. You will want to stop and take a picture at every turn, but wait for the clearings for the best picture spots. There are two really great spots on the Argentinan side, I’ll show you so you know what to expect and where to stop.

iguazu falls argentian size on upper and lower walking trails — Get a family picture overlooking the massive Iguassu Falls

You will know the best spots because they will have a ladder and park employees there to try to take your picture – for a fee. Just step up and ask your guide or another visitor to get your picture. You may have to be patient as it gets very crowded!

The sunlight which came and went behind clouds really impacted the colors and light in our pictures, so take lots of shots so you have many to choose from. This is a once in a lifetime family trip!

HINT: Get to the Argentina side first thing and walk quickly along the trail to the picture spots =)

you may have to wait your turn to get your perfect picture or keep walking to this 2nd great picture spot overlooking iguazu falls argentina side — Keep walking for a 2nd great location for a family picture

Don’t worry if the first spot was too crowded, there is another great spot just a little bit farther. But do make sure to get a picture here – these two spots are the best in my opinion on the Argentinian side.

best spot to take a picture with the iguassu falls

iguazu falls argentina side

I actually think this second spot is best for individual or couple pictures. Here is my son in the same spot. However you choose to capture it, it is a breathtaking view for sure!

Family of South American Coati, Ring-tailed Coati, Nasua nasua at Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. A common species of Coati present near Iguassu Falls. — South American Coati, Ring-tailed

South American, Ring-tailed Coat

We saw tons of these South American, Ring-tailed Coati in teh trees, ground, and under the walkways near the falls. These adorable creatures can be found in parts of North and South America, sporting a distinctive ringed tail that sets them apart from other animals. Ring-tail coatis are highly social animals that live in groups called bands, and they are known for their playful and curious nature. These mammals have a varied diet, feasting on anything from fruit and insects to small animals and even bird eggs. They are excellent climbers and spend much of their time in trees, using their sharp claws to navigate the forest canopy with ease. Ring-tail coatis are also known for their strong sense of smell, which they use to search for food and communicate with other members of their band.

Seriously every time you thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. You felt like you were on top of the powerful Iguazu falls! It was truly amazing and so exhilarating!

Because the falls are so wide, there are different vistas at every turn of the upper and lower trails at Iguazu Falls Argentina.

Lower Falls Trail

The lower falls trail takes you, as the name suggests, lower. You wont be on top of the falls but more parallel to lower part of the trail. It was great to see a different vantage point and definitelyworth doing! Personally, I think the family pictures are better at the upper trails. But I included a picture so you can see what you prefer. It was deffinetly more crowded, but again it wasn’t first thing anymore.

iguassu falls argentina side from lower trail

We thoroughly enjoyed the hike along the trail with the jaw-dropping views of the waterfalls! Make sure you bring water, a hat, and bug spray.

Because the waterfalls are over 2 kilometers long, the view changes dramatically as you walk along the trail!

end of lower trails iguazu falls argentina side

This is the end of lower trails of the Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side. Now you need to walk back up to get to the main area. This is a lot of uphill walking and you will be glad you brought water, but it is nice and shaded.

This is a good time to get a snack, ice cream, get more water, or use the bathroom. This probably took you the entire morning, or about 4 hours if you kept a pretty steady pace. We left here and saw the Iguassu Falls Brazil. I’ll tell you a secret, the Brazil side was my favorite, but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss either side. So if you are making the effort to come all the way out here, I really suggest you see both sides. Whether you see them all in one action-packed day like we did or take your time and spend a day in each, you will be glad you saw both sides of these spectactular waterfalls!

Everything you need to know and lots of pictures to plan a trip to Iguazu Falls! Tons or trails and views of 284 waterfalls on the Argentina side.

iguassu falls brazil

I had planned to do just one post with both sides, but this post has gotten huge just sharing the Argentina side of the Iguassu falls, so I’m going to seperate them. See miss our post with what to see at iguassu falls brazil plus lots of pictures!

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