Information
City: IguazuCountry: Argentina
Continent: South America
Iguazu, Argentina, South America
Overview
Iguazu (or Iguazú) is both a region and home to the world‑famous Iguazu Falls, where torrents of water thunder between Argentina and Brazil.These falls rank among the largest and most breathtaking on the planet, drawing millions each year to watch the water roar into the mist.The area surrounding the falls-especially Puerto Iguazú in Argentina and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil-acts as the main gateway, where visitors set out to explore the roar and mist of this stunning natural wonder.Iguazu Falls, known in Spanish as Cataratas del Iguazú, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and ranks among the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where mist rises in shimmering clouds above the roaring water.It sits in Iguazu National Park, resting on the wide, rushing Iguazu River that marks the border between Argentina and Brazil.The falls span about 2.7 kilometers, with roughly 275 distinct cascades tumbling down, each sending up a cool mist.The biggest of them all is the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo), a roaring U-shaped waterfall plunging 80 meters-about the height of a 26-story building-and it’s the centerpiece of the site.The falls range in height, and some plunge as far as 82 meters-about the drop of a 26‑story building.Iguazu Falls ranks among the world’s most powerful waterfalls, with peak flows sending roughly 1,750 cubic meters of water every second thundering over its edge in a roaring white curtain.It adds to the rush and awe you feel as you stand close, mist cooling your face and the roar filling your ears.All around the falls stretches a lush tropical rainforest, alive with jaguars slipping through the shadows, capybaras grazing near the water’s edge, coatis darting between trees, monkeys chattering overhead, and birds flashing bursts of bright color.The region lies within Argentina’s Iguazú National Park and Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park, both protected areas where thick jungle hums with life and rare species hide in the shadows.Visiting the falls means you can wander both the Argentinean trails and the Brazilian viewpoints, where mist cools your face.Visitors can soak in sweeping views from the cliffs, wander along tidy wooden boardwalks, and hop on a boat that glides close enough to feel the mist from the falls.On the Argentine side, long winding trails bring you right up to the roar and mist of the falls, while from Brazil, you get wide, breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon.Puerto Iguazú, in Argentina’s Misiones Province, sits just 17 kilometers-about a fifteen‑minute drive-from the roar and mist of Iguazu Falls, serving as the country’s main gateway to the site.It’s a small, lively town where visitors can find everything from cozy cafés to a helpful tourist office.In Puerto Iguazú, tourism drives the economy, with hotels buzzing at check-in, restaurants serving fresh empanadas, and shops lined with souvenirs for curious visitors.The town thrives on agriculture, especially the rich green fields of yerba mate, rows of tobacco, and the sweet scent of ripe tropical fruits.Beyond the falls, Puerto Iguazú draws visitors to sights like Hito Tres Fronteras, where the muddy Paraná River marks the meeting of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, and to the lush trails of Iguazú National Park.The town sits near the massive Itaipú Dam, where water thunders through giant spillways, and not far from Yacutinga Lodge, a conservation haven dedicated to sustainable tourism.Foz do Iguaçu sits just over the border in Brazil’s Paraná State, where the air hums with the rush of the nearby falls.On the Brazilian side, it mirrors Puerto Iguazú but offers a fresh view of the falls, where you can see mist curling up from the water below.Economy: Like Puerto Iguazú, Foz do Iguaçu thrives on tourism, acting as a hub for travelers bound for the thundering spray and mist of Iguazu Falls.The town also draws strength from the Itaipú Dam, which powers homes in both Brazil and Paraguay and pumps money into the local economy.Beyond the roar of Iguazu Falls, Foz do Iguaçu draws visitors to the vast Itaipu Dam with its sweeping viewing decks, the vibrant Bird Park alive with flashes of scarlet and green, and the Marco das Três Fronteiras, where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet.Ciudad del Este, in Paraguay, sits just a short drive from Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú, with the river’s mist often drifting in from the nearby falls.It may not center on the falls, but the city hums with commerce, packed with bright electronics shops, bustling markets, and a steady flow of international trade.Economy: Ciudad del Este bustles with trade, drawing shoppers from Brazil and Argentina who cross the border for cheaper goods, like electronics sold at a fraction of the price.While shopping is the main draw in Ciudad del Este, you’re only a short trip from natural wonders like the misty roar of Saltos del Monday and the scenic views of La Encarnación.On both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, Iguazu Falls lies within national parks that guard its lush rainforest and thundering water.Iguazú National Park in Argentina covers roughly 67,000 hectares-about 165,000 acres-of dense, misty subtropical rainforest.The park features miles of hiking trails, boat rides that skim across the misty water, and suspended walkways where you can stand just yards from the falls without disturbing the surrounding wilderness.The park is also home to the Iguazu Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot toucans in the trees and discover the region’s rich, varied ecosystems.In Brazil, Iguaçu National Park-much like the one across the border in Argentina-spans roughly 185,000 hectares, about the size of a city where the roar of waterfalls carries for miles.Several viewing platforms dot the area, and winding trails lead you through mist and roar, with a few paths taking you right to the Devil’s Throat for a breathtaking look at the falls.The park puts a strong emphasis on conservation, weaving in sustainable tourism practices like limiting trail traffic to protect the wildflowers.Iguazu enjoys a subtropical climate, so it stays warm all year, with muggy summer rains and crisp, dry winter days.Summer, from December to February, brings hot, sticky days, with temperatures climbing anywhere between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F).It’s the wet season now, so you can count on steady rain drumming on the leaves, swelling the falls with more water.Winter runs from June to August, with mild days hovering between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F)-cool enough for a light jacket in the morning.It may be cooler, but it’s still a great time to visit-rain is rare, and the mild air makes wandering the streets a pleasure.Spring and autumn are perfect for a trip-the air stays mild, and rainy days are rare enough that streets stay dry most afternoons.The falls are at their best in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when the air feels mild and the paths aren’t crowded.Around the falls, dense rainforests and misty wetlands teem with life, from bright tree frogs clinging to leaves to birds flashing through the canopy.Visitors will spot an array of birds here, from the bright-billed toco toucan to the flame-red scarlet ibis and the powerful harpy eagle soaring overhead.Mammals here include coatis, monkeys, capybaras, and the rarely seen jaguar, which slips silently through the shadows.In Iguazu National Park, you might spot reptiles like caimans basking on a sunny riverbank, along with many other species.
Landmarks in Iguazu
