One of the world’s natural wonders, the Iguazu Falls are an essential stop on any South America itinerary - but how do you choose which side to visit? This complete guide to visiting the Argentinian Iguazu Falls contains all the information you need to plan your adventure.
Updated December 2021
“Water is the driver of nature.
”
Argentina or Brazil? Normally a question to be asked about your favourite for the World Cup but, for travellers in South America, it's more likely to be focused on from which country you're going to visit Iguazu Falls.
If you're unaware of the dilemma, then the essential info is that the Iguazu Falls (or Foz do Iguaçu in Portugese) are in a curious little part of the world; within an hour's distance from any point, you could travel by bus to Argentina, Paraguay or Brazil. The Falls themselves straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil - and visits are possible on either side.
But, for those travelling on a tight budget, you might only be able to afford one - so how do you choose?
We made a point of consulting many travellers who had already visited the falls about which side they would recommend; without exception, Argentina was the pick.
Although Brazil gives you an unparalleled and undisturbed panoramic view of the 275 individual waterfalls crashing over an 80 metre cliff, it is the Argentine side which brings you in direct contact with their immense power of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Upon first sight, your first word uttered is likely to be 'wow' or, similar to visiting American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, "Poor Niagra!"
For although waterfalls in Latin America have become our number one over-rated attraction, whichever country we're in, there's a reason why Iguazu is a constant entry on all those 'things to see before you die' lists.
With well-constructed metal and wooden walkways, similar to those at Perito Moreno Glacier, one can wander through emerald rain-forest, across the rushing Rio Iguazu and stand in awe on viewpoints right on the edge of the precipice. If you aren't amazed by the Falls, you will still be asking yourself for days how exactly some of the infrastructure was built and how many workers must have died (or not earned nearly enough) putting it all together for our pleasure.
Here's our guide to planning a day trip to Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian side, including our top recommendations for making the most of the day.
visiting argentina’s iguazu falls
//Closer up experience of falls from Argentine side
// Tickets must be bought online
// Currently ARG$2800 p/p but prices increase regularly
// Requires full day
// Puerto Iguazú is good base from which you visit
Useful Things to Know Before you visit the Iguazu Falls, Argentina
there is a Best Time to Visit the Iguazu Falls…
As may be clear from our photos, we visited the Falls during the rainy season (December - February) - and boy did we have a lot of rain!
The Iguazu River was fast-flowing, powerful and filled to bursting which meant mud-coloured falls, several moments of terror when standing a little too close to a waterfall and a few extra activities (like boat tours) being closed. It was also incredibly humid.
We also got pretty wet whilst we were wandering around.
The best time to visit Iguazú Falls is considered to be the dry season of late March to May.
These months boast sunshine, a tolerable level of heat, significantly less chance of rain and - with the exception of the busy Easter period - are quieter with cheaper accommodation prices.
August to early October are also ‘dry months’ but coming quite some time after the end of the rainy season, usually leave the waterfalls lacking a little in water (but still impressive).
If you have no choice but to visit during the wet season, we’d recommend keeping an eye on the local weather forecast and - if you’ve got the time - hold off if the forecast is particularly bad.
But It Will Likely Be Busy Whenever You go
This is one of the principal tourist destinations in South America, so irrespective of which day or season you visit, it’ll likely still be busy.
At certain viewing points, the crowds can be a little unbearable but, if you are patient and wait it out, they will usually disperse for a few moments allowing you to get a shot or unobstructed view of the Falls.
However, as with Machu Picchu, the sheer number of tourists are likely to piss you off at least a little and possibly impact on your enjoyment, so try your best to arrive early morning or stick around until later afternoon to enjoy the site at its least busy.
Also, if you can, avoid visiting on the weekend!
The Iguazu Falls Entry Ticket
Due to the rampant inflation present in Argentina, entry prices to Iguazu Falls are increasing constantly (even the official ticket website sometimes doesn’t keep up!).
As an example, when we visited the price of a single, non-resident adult ticket was ARS$260 - at the time of update to this article (January 2022), that price has risen to a shocking ARS$2800.
Thankfully the actual ticket cost when converted to USD, EUR or GBP remains fairly similar but just be aware that even if you’re reading this a few months later, the price may already have increased.
Tickets must be booked in advance via the official website, whereupon you will get entry at a specific time. Due to this, it’s essential that you arrange your transport to correspond with your entry time.
You can no longer buy your ticket from the office upon arrival.
The entry ticket also travel on the little shuttle train (more of that later) and a short boat ride across to San Martin Island.
Top Tip | The National Park that encompasses the Falls is huge - and exploring all of it in one day can be tricky. Therefore, it’s worth noting that upon leaving, it’s possible to ask the staff to validate your ticket, so that you can return the next day with a 50% discount.
getting to the Iguazu Falls is easy
From the central bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu, you will find departures every 20-30 minutes, starting from 7 a.m. Plan to turn up for services at :00, :20, and :40 past the hour but don't be surprised if these vary slightly.
Don't worry about buying your ticket in advance for the bus, as you can simply turn up and buy the ticket for the next departure. We went with a company called Rio Uruguay (one of the most popular, with the largest number of departures) and there were no issues.
Journey time is around 30 - 40 minutes and costs around $6 - $8 USD. Unfortunately, due to inflations we are unable to establish price in Argentinian Pesos - if you find out, we’d love for you to let us know in the comments.
To return to town, you'll find the pick-up point just outside the park entrance. Buses will turn up every 30 minutes or so, but just remember that you can only use the company with which you bough the original ticket. If you plan on staying later than 5 p.m., make sure to confirm the last pick-up time before you enter the park.
There are multiple trails to follow
The main way of navigating the site is on foot and with the Jungle Train.
From the entrance, the first thing you need to do is grab a map and make your way to the 'train station', where the little tourist train will bring you very slowly to the first pitstop.
The train has departures every 30 minutes, with the last train departing from the Devil’s Throat Station at 5:30 p.m. This train is included in the entrance ticket to the park and you can travel on it as many times as you like.
We'd recommend you disembark there in order to explore the Falls via the Superior (viewpoints along upper rim of waterfall) and Inferior trails (longer walk on the bottom end of the falls with the main attraction being the lookout to watch Salto Bossetti and Dos Hermanastrails).
All the trails are well sign-posted and marked.
This should comfortably take you 2-3 hours after which you should return to the 'train station', which has bathrooms and an eating area.
This is a good time to grab some lunch, before continuing on to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) trail.
The 150 metre wide Garganta is the star of the show if you visit the Argentine side. Made up of 14 waterfalls, the viewing point is right on the edge of the thundering water and, as an experience, it's parts exhilarating, parts terrifying and parts unforgettable.
Alternative trails include the Sendero Macuco which is the least visited in the park - mainly because it’s 3.5 kilometres in each direction, which is more than most visitors have time for. The trail leads to Salto Arrachea, one of the more remote waterfalls. Unfortunately this path is often closed by the rangers due to puma or other big cat sightings.
Instead of taking the Jungle Train, you can also walk the 600m Green Trail that begins not far from the entrance, to the Cataratas Station and the beginning of the Upper and Lower Circuits.
Iguazu Falls tours
// The Full moon walk
For five nights a month (over the full moon) it’s possible to join a completely unique tour through the National Park - specifically following the Devil’s Throat Circuit, with a professional guide - under the light of the moon.
The tour lasts 2.5 hours with three departures a night: 7.45 pm, 8.30 pm and 9.15 pm.
Tours must be booked in advance via the official website. The current price (December 2021) is ARS$4400.
// The Gran Aventura tour
For those that are looking to experience Iguazu Falls at its best, consider joining the full-day Gran Aventura (Great Adventure) tour.
After arriving in the National Park, you’ll board a boat to get up-close to the cascading waterfalls. Then you’ll hop on a 4×4 for a thrilling ride through the park, whilst listening to your guide share information about the park itself, the waterfalls and the region’s native flora and fauna. Next, set off for a stroll through the park which has 3 main trails — the Superior, the Inferior, and the Devil’s Throat - before hopping the ecological train back to the entrance.
Being on quite a tight budget during our time in Argentina, we weren’t able to join this tour - but it sounds absolutely incredible and has great reviews. The price is $95 USD per person.
You can check availability, book and find out more here.
// Other Iguazu Falls Tours
The Food Inside is Pretty Pricey
Anybody who has visited any sort of theme park will know that food bought from restaurants and kiosks inside always costs way more than it should - the various eateries here are no different.
We brought our own packed lunch and recommend that those travelling on a bit of a budget (or just those that don’t like being fleeced for an overpriced sandwich and soft drink) do so too.
Beware the Coatis
Coatis are both an attraction and a pest at the falls.
The little critters are very cute but don't be under any illusions - they will try and steal your food and the have very little fear of humans.
In the designated cafe areas, you're likely to see more than a dozen wandering around individually or in a pack. Although everyone's trying to get close and take pictures, please do exercise common sense and precaution - they run the place and they do bite.
Aside from coatis, you might be lucky enough to spot some monkeys playing in the trees. There are also thousands of beautiful butterflies around the park, so keep your eyes open.
You Can Hop in a Boat To See the Falls Better
Included in your entry ticket is the short ferry ride to San Martin Island, which has a trail of its own bringing you up close to several more falls, including Salto San Martín.
It’s possible to picnic and paddle on the sheltered side of the island, but for obvious safety reasons don’t venture too far.
The ferry launch is located at the end of the Inferior trail, but do note that it is often closed due to high water levels (as it was when we visited). A decision is made at 10.30 am each morning, so it’s best to check when you arrive.
The last boat to the island departs at 3.15 pm.
There is also the opportunity to join a 12 minute, high octane boat ride that brings you right up to the thundering waters of the cascades (note: you will get soaked). These depart from the same dock but the price is really quite high and so not really suitable for anyone on even a little bit of a budget.
If anyone has updated prices for this, we’d love if you could let us know in the comments.
Be Prepared to Get Wet!
Irrespective of what time of year you visit, you’ll almost certainly get a little damp whilst exploring the Falls - especially if you go on one of the boat rides!
We’d recommend coming prepared with waterproofs, or perhaps even buying one of those thin, hooded ponchos that are always on sale at these sort of attractions. Just a little tip: try and buy one from one of the vendors outside the entrance, rather than inside where the price is marked up quite considerably.
Additionally, if you’ve got expensive camera equipment, be sure to have a way to keep it dry and put it away completely when close to the falls in rainy season. If you’ve just got a phone, it’s not a bad idea to invest in one of those waterproof cases (just try and buy a good quality case as the cheap options usually break quickly and are a terrible use of unnecessary plastic).
Don’t Underestimate the Walk
As we mentioned above, the park and its trails are a feat of architectural, structural and organisational genius and we recommend you explore them all at nice leisurely pace.
But don’t underestimate how vast the park is; between walking the trails and breaks for lunch, you should plan on spending at least 5 or 6 hours there. If you intend on visiting the Brazilian side, keep that for another day.
It’s also a good idea to wear a good decent pair of trainers or walking shoes. This is not the place for sandals with no grip, especially during the rainy season when you may well end up your butt if you take a corner too fast!
where To Stay in puerto iguazu
Aside from visiting the Falls over the course of one or two days, there really isn't too much else to do in Puerto Iguazu. That's not to say the town is unpleasant (although it's nothing to write home about), but just that most travellers - long and short term - won't be stopping over for much time.
Hostels
Before diving into our hotel recommendations, we just wanted to mention that if basing selections purely on reviews of recent guests, the ‘good’ hostel options in Puerto Iguazu are somewhat limited. Please do bear this in mind when selecting your bed for the night - it may be literally that rather than a fantastic experience.
The Host Bed & Meeting | One of the few hostels with an excellent review in 2021! This hostel has an eco / sustainable focus, is full of art, and has won couple of awards. Offers dorms (with curtains) as well as privates, has a free breakfast, self-catering facilities, and a garden. Find out more here.
Poramba Hostel | This is the friendly little hostel that we stayed at, located just a few minutes walk from the bus station. The staff were very helpful during our stay, providing information about where to eat and information on visiting the Falls. When we stayed they offered good, spacious dorms and a few private rooms which, although lacking a little in natural light, are more than adequate for a night or two. The best part is the small pool whilst they have also a well-equipped kitchen. We do wish to note that this quality is perhaps a tad lacking nowadays (as noted by recent reviews) - we hope that it improves in the coming months/years, but we’d recommend taking a look at recent guest’s feedback before booking. Check out their rates and book a room here.
Beer Hotel Iguazu | No, you haven’t read that wrong - this is indeed a hostel with an on-site brewery, as well as all manner of beer-related activities. Also has spa, large pool, good-sized and well-furnished dorms and private rooms and self-catering facilities. Find out more here.
Small Hotels & Guest Houses
Hotel Yvera Cataratas | A great middle-of-the-road hotel with basic but large and clean rooms. Friendly staff and there’s a pool for guest use. Find out more here.
Rincón Escondido B&B | Exceptional reviews, this all hotel has really lovely rooms at a good price. Small pool, great breakfast and previous guest speak very highly of the hosts. Find out more here.
Oasis Bed and Breakfast | Just outside the centre of Puerto Iguazu, this small B&B is set within a large garden of regional trees and shrubs. Clean & comfortable rooms, there is also a guest kitchen. Find out more here.
Mérit Iguazú Hotel | A little soul-less in its design, it is however a modern hotel with good amenities including a roof pool. It’s also exceptionally well-priced for the standard. Find out more here.
Posada 21 Oranges is also a really great option.
Luxury Accommodation
Panoramic Grand - Iguazú | 5* luxury in the centre of Puerto Igauzu, this hotel offers panoramic views of the Iguazú river and the Triple Frontier. (especially great at sunset) Surrounded by a lush garden, it offers a decadent swimming pool, a restaurant, casino, and fitness centre. Buffer breakfast and excellent on-site restaurant for dinner. Find out more here.
Pirayu Hotel & Resort | This contemporary four-star hotel in the heart of Puerto Iguazu offers excellent views of the river, large modern rooms, an excellent breakfast, tour desk, pool with great outdoors space and even tennis court. Find out more here.
Jungle Accommodation
If you’d like to combine your visit to the Falls with a staying in the heart of the forest, consider booking an accommodation in the Iryapú Jungle (located a coupe of kilometres outside of Puerto Iguazu).
Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel | An absolutely stunning 5* jungle lodge, a 15 minute drive from the Falls. With a strong sustainability focus, they offer exquisite rooms and suites - with undisturbed jungle views - alongside excellent facilities (pool, deck area, several hotels restaurant). Find out more here.
La Aldea De La Selva Lodge | A cheaper option as compared to above, but no less spectacular. Huge tree-house style rooms with excellent facilities including restaurant and pool. Find out more here.
Did You Know You Can Stay in Iguazu Falls National Park?
Whilst staying within the National Park is absolutely not a possibility for the vast majority of you reading this blog post, if budget isn’t a concern, be sure to take a look at Gran Melia Iguazu. A luxurious hotel where from your hotel room you can see the Falls!
It would definitely be an amazingly unique stay. Find out more here.
How to Get to Iguazu Falls / Puerto Igauzu
// HOW TO GET FROM IGUAZÚ AIRPORT TO Puerto Iguazu
Puerto Iguazú airport is located around 25 km from the city centre, and can be accessed taxi or tourist shuttle bus.
Taxi | With Argentinian inflation as it is, this has quite possibly increased but in December 2021, the price is around ARS$1300. Please do let us know if that has increased.
Tourist Shuttle | As this is shared transport, it is a significantly cheaper option; current price is ARS$350 per person, one way and can be arranged upon arrival. Vans leave every 20 - 30 minutes.
If you would like to book your shuttle transfer in advance (both one-way and return), you can do so here.
// Bus to Puerto Iguazu from Elsewhere in Argentina
For many of you travelling in Argentina, this is how you will arrive. However do note that if you are travelling from somewhere relatively far away, for example Buenos Aires, then it is still worth looking into flights as they may work out around the same price, for a significantly shorter journey.
The bus station is located in the centre of Puerto Iguazu, and so in walking distance to many of the accommodation options listed above. You can find it here on maps.
// onward travel from puerto iguazu
Pick your country!
From the bus terminal, there are regular departures to the town of Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil (1 hour) from where you can travel onwards to the Brazilian side of the Falls or take an overnight connection elsewhere in the country.
Alternatively, there are regular departures to Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.
If you're staying in Argentina, then your likely next stop is Posadas (6 hours) from where you can connect to Buenos Aires (13 hours) or Resistencia (6 hours). As mentioned above, as bus travel in Argentina is very pricey, keep an eye on flight prices to your next stop are rates are often favourable.
