Iguazu Falls National Park Argentina Brazil Trails Map Prices Tours Puerto Iguazu Foz do Iguazu

Iguazu Falls National Park - Argentina & Brazil

The Iguazu Falls National Park comprises the northern area of the province of Misiones, Argentina and the southwestern area of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Its 275 waterfalls make this Park one of the top destinations in South America with nearly 2 million tourists a year.
  • The Iguazu Falls National Park extends over both countries (see Iguazu Falls map) and viewpoints are located all along the Park. While the Brazilian side allows panoramic views of the falls, the Argentine side offers closer access and longer trails.
  • The Park´s 2 main gates are located a few kilometers away from the cities of Foz do Iguazu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. Foz do Iguazu receives more tourists due to its larger infrastructure of hotels and tour operators. However, tourists usually visit both sides of the Iguazu Falls Park for a fundamental reason: the sight is marvelous and the experience is different from both sides making it worth traveling the few kilometers that separates them (see Iguazu Falls pictures).
    Just keep in mind that to get into either country, a visa may be required.

    Iguazu Falls National Park: Map of Trails in Argentina & Brazil

    Iguazu Falls, Argentina

    The Iguazu Falls in Argentina have an access with a Visitor Center where tickets are sold at about USD10. The ticket includes two train and a boat ride that crosses over to the San Martin Island. To get to the main gate, there is a bus service running every 45 minutes from different points of Puerto Iguazu: downtown, Hito Tres Fronteras (main area of Puerto Iguazu hotels), the Bus Station and Ruta 12. The bus is about USD1 per person each way.
  • Once inside the Iguazu Falls Park you can hire bilingual guides or make the tour on your own. The are closest to the Visitor Center comprises a patio with restaurants, souvenir shops, an amphitheatre and a space dedicated to the Park´s ecosystem. There is also an exhibition of natives who lived in the area during the past centuries. The exhibits are in Spanish only.
  • The train terminal is at Central Station, some 400 mts away from the main gate. Here is where the first leg starts and you can either ride the train or take a 20-minute easy walk along Sendero Verde (green trail). Both ways will get you to Cataratas Station, the starting point of the Upper Circuit
  • The Upper Circuit is a half-hour walk along a 1200 mts trail – with low degree of difficulty and no stairs – that goes deep into the jungle. All of a sudden, you run into breathtaking views of the Falls. You will get lots of closer views at the different observation points, and more panoramic sights toward the end of the trail (see Iguazu Falls pictures)
  • The Lower Circuit requires more physical effort due to its stairs but it can be perfectly done if you take it nice and slow, catching your breath on the different viewpoints. On this trail you will also walk deep into the jungle, crossing streams and coming across local fauna.
  • The Lower Circuit goes all the way down to the river, where the boat crosses over to San Martin Island. On the way down, there are balconies with marvelous bottom-up views of the falls (the same falls that you see from above in the Upper Circuit). If you have any physical impairment, stay away from this last section.
  • If you want to enhance your Iguazu Falls experience, try the Great Adventure which takes you by boat right to the base of the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat fall), right below the 70 mts waterfall (see Iguazu Falls tours)
  • The second leg of the train ride leaves from Cataratas Station and goes to Garganta del Diablo Station, a small area with fast foods and toilets. The trail goes across several branches of the upper Iguazu River, deep into the rain forest. Visitors get to watch various kinds of birds – such as beautiful toucans.
  • Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat) is a 70-meter-deep pot where several branches of the Iguazu river converge causing a violent water fall. A balcony set up at the border allows tourists to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Touring Iguazu Falls, Argentina

    You can walk the trails in any order, and most people start at Garganta del Diablo. But if you are in for the day, it´s better to do the upper and lower circuits during the morning when the heat is reasonable. Take a break at lunch time and then walk the trail to Garganta del Diablo. This is also the part of the day with the best light for your pictures.
    Do not miss the guided tour to Garganta del Diablo on full moon nights. It is absolutely amazing! (see Iguazu Falls tours)

    Iguazu Falls in Brazil

    The Iguazu Falls National Park - Brazilian side - starts also at the Visitor Center, located 20 km from Foz do Iguazu. Admission is USD 4 per person and includes the bus to the Falls and access to all the trails. In the main building there are toilets, gift shops, crafts, ATMs and temporary exhibits.
  • Macuco is the first bus stop: a short trail that runs across the rainforest into a 25 mts waterfall: the Macuco Fall. At the end of the trail there is a boat that takes visitors to the base of the waterfalls.
  • After Macuco the bus goes 1 km stopping at diverse observation posts that offer sights of the Falls. The main one is Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat).
  • At the end of the bus ride, Puerto Canoas comprises a large infrastructure that includes souvenir stores, toilets, fast foods and a restaurant. On full moon nights special dinner tables are served at the restaurant, allowing guests to enjoy a pleasant meal right in front of the naturally lit Garganta del Diablo.

    The Iguazu Falls National Park offers visitors all the comfort and safety needed to enjoy the beauty of the Iguazu Falls: transportation, toilets, medical assistance, fast food, safe trails, boat rides and an extremely friendly staff. There is also transportation available for handicapped tourists.
    The Park is open from 8 am to 6 pm – although it usually closes at 8 pm during the summer. Puerto Canoas and the Argentinean path to Garganta del Diablo is open until later during full moon nights.
    There are two hotels within the Park - Sheraton Iguazu in Argentina and Tropical das Cataratas in Brazil (see Iguazu Falls hotels). If you can get a room with the view ...

    Trail
    Country
    Time
    Difficulty
    Sendero Verde ( Green Trail)
    Argentina
    20 minutes
    Low
    Upper Circuit
    Argentina
    1 hour
    Low
    Lower Circuit
    Argentina
    2 hours
    Average to High
    San Martin Island
    Argentina
    40 minutes
    High
    Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat)
    Argentina
    45 minutes
    Low
    Macuco
    Brazil
    1 hour
    Medium

    Photos: Cataratas do Iguaçu
    • Iguazu Falls National Park

    Iguazu Falls National Park

    Iguazu Falls National Park

    Iguazu Falls National Park

    Iguazu Falls National Park

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    Iguazu Falls National Park Argentina Brazil Trails Map Prices Tours Puerto Iguazu Foz do Iguazu