The Iguazu Falls were never on my wish list. I’ve been to the Niagara Falls, and the Victoria Falls, in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, and felt content waterfalls wise. But since I was in the “neighbourhood”, in Asuncion, Paraguay, I figured I might as well. I guess you should have this “ok I’ll do it” attitude in mind, when reading about my experience 😀
I based myself in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, and visited the falls on the Argentinian side on a day trip. Booked transportation through my hotel’s tour desk, so can’t remember which company I went with. Picked up early in the morning, and ushered into a minivan. Besides a veeery long wait at the border, at a parking lot filled with vehicles waiting for their turn, everything went smoothly. Border crossing could be the reason we left so early. The driver also made a stop at a shop for those who wanted to get some Argentine pesos. Got dropped off, and picked up, at the complex entrance. I think the others in the car had more of a tour experience, doing the boat etc. This was perfect for me though. Get me there, then leave me alone 😀
The falls on the Argentinian side are a lot bigger than on the Brazilian side. Meaning the area, not the falls themselves, as the falls on the Argentinian side are more a collection of smaller falls. Most of the approx. 275 cascades are located here. To cover the whole thing there are several trails, I’d say two main ones, and a jungle train (fare included in the entrance fee).
After buying a ticket and entering through the portal like building, you find yourself at the visitor’s centre area. A restaurant, an exhibition, ticket booths for in-park activities – the regular stuff. From there either take the train from the central train station, or walk the Green Trail, 600 meters long. I opted for the latter. Train or walking will take you to the Cataratas station, which is where the Upper Circuit and Lower Circuit are located. Upper Circuit is 1550 meters long, and ends up at Upper Iguazu River before it turns back. Lower Circuit is 1.4 km long, and runs somewhat along the banks of the Lower Iguazu River, before it turns inland, bringing you back to where you started. At the departure point there is a hotel, and some restaurants. Both trails consist of a mix of boarded walkways and dirt tracks, and take you past a good amount of waterfalls. Honestly it got tiresome after a while, and I wasn’t too impressed with what I saw. Best view/spot is where several smaller waterfalls sit in a row, with the water plummeting down one step at a time from the upper river to the lower river. Maybe just go straight to that place…on both trails. Checking those two circuits off, I boarded the jungle train for Devil’s Throat. Destination Garganta Station. A 1100 m long trail takes you across Upper Iguazu River, to a small platform that sits atop Devil’s Throat. Nothing fantastic really, but why not when already in the park.
In addition to above trails there are the 5.5 km long Yacaratia Trail, from the central train station to Macuco Dock, from where you can take a boat on the Lower Iguazu River to Devil’s Throat and the rest of the major falls. Also pass San Martin Island, which might have a trail as well. And the Macuco Trail, from the central train station to Arrechea Fall. 3.5 km long. I didn’t do neither.
I’d almost say the best thing about this park was the animal encounters. Never seen a swarm of butterflies. Cute monkeys. A very curious, almost too close for comfort, plush-crested jay. Coatis, which I’ve never come across before either. Also a lot less people here than on the Brazilian side, which was packed beyond imagination. Could be this area is bigger, so people spread out? Or it is just not as popular due to lacking the major waterfalls appeal.
Website: iguazuargentina.com
The falls
The area
The train
The food
The animals
