Information
Landmark: Garganta del DiabloCity: Iguazu
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Garganta del Diablo, Iguazu, Argentina, South America
Overview
Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat, roars with mist and thunder as the most famous and breathtaking part of Argentina’s Iguazú Falls.Straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil, it towers above the rest of the Iguazú Falls, roaring with more force than any of its many cascades.The falls were named for the deep, thunderous roar of water plunging into a vast U-shaped chasm, a sound you can feel in your chest, and from afar, the sight looks almost otherworldly.Garganta del Diablo is a sweeping U-shaped gorge, stretching roughly 150 meters-about the length of one and a half football fields-across.It’s the widest and most striking of all the Iguazú Falls, with water thundering over its edge in a roaring white curtain.From a height of 82 meters-about 269 feet-the water crashes down with a thunderous roar, loud enough to carry for miles through the misty air.Water Flow: The rush of water over Garganta del Diablo comes from the Iguazú River, which starts high in Brazil’s green highlands and pours all the way down to create the vast sweep of Iguazú Falls.The falls drain a wide stretch of the river, sending a roaring surge of water crashing into the dark chasm below.Mist and Spray: Water thunders into the gorge, kicking up a cool cloud that drifts skyward and hangs in the air, wrapping the falls in a dramatic, almost mystical haze.When sunlight cuts through the mist, it often throws a rainbow into the air, a soft arc of color that makes the scene even more beautiful.Here’s how to visit Garganta del Diablo-start at the trailhead where you can hear the rush of water before you even see it.Most visitors reach Garganta del Diablo from the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls, where the roar of water greets you before the view comes into sight.From here, you can follow a narrow walkway that takes you straight to the viewpoint, where the gorge opens below in a sweep of jagged rock and rushing water.This walkway winds through the Upper and Lower Circuit trails in Iguazú National Park, offering breathtaking spots to pause and watch the falls roar below.Walkways and trails on the Upper Circuit guide visitors to the brink of Garganta del Diablo, where mist hangs in the air and sweeping views stretch over the roaring falls and dense rainforest.From the Lower Circuit, you get a fresh angle on the scene and follow the path down to the base, where the roar fills your ears and cool mist clings to your skin.To get to the walkways, hop on the park’s small train at Iguazú National Park’s main entrance and ride it to Garganta del Diablo station, where the air smells faintly of wet stone.On the train ride, you’ll glide past thick green rainforest and catch glimpses of bright parrots before you step off at the start of the walkway.Number two.Most of the waterfalls lie on the Argentine side, but from Brazil you can still spot Garganta del Diablo in the distance, its mist curling high above the roar.But from the Brazilian side, the wide view feels distant, lacking the thunder-in-your-chest rush you get standing amid the spray on the Argentine side.Things to see, try, and enjoy-like catching the scent of fresh coffee drifting from a corner café.At Garganta del Diablo, one of the top draws is the boat ride that carries you right to the roaring base of the falls, where mist soaks your face.On the Argentine side, the boat glides close to the base of Garganta del Diablo, where visitors feel the thunder of the falls and the cool spray against their faces.It’s a rush that fills you with awe, like standing on a cliff edge with the wind in your face.Number two stood alone on the page, like a single drop of ink in a wide margin.For a sweeping bird’s-eye view of Garganta del Diablo, hop on a helicopter and watch the mist swirl beneath you.From above, you get a sweeping view of the falls and the wild green stretching for miles, a breathtaking glimpse of Garganta del Diablo’s sheer scale and roaring force.Number three.At Garganta del Diablo, waterfalls roar and mist hangs in the air-it’s the kind of place photographers can’t stop shooting.The falls offer endless chances for breathtaking shots-roaring water crashing into the gorge, cool mist drifting up from the base, and bright rainbows shimmering in the spray.The best time to snap photos is early morning or late afternoon, when the light turns warm and golden and the crowds have thinned.Number four waited there, sharp as chalk on a blackboard.On sunny days, fine mist from the Garganta del Diablo catches the light and forms rainbows, their colors shimmering like paint on glass, adding a touch of beauty and mystery to the view.Sunlight slips through the mist, scattering into a vivid arc of reds, blues, and golds that stands out sharply against the dark water and lush green shore.The area around Garganta del Diablo lies within Iguazú National Park, where lush forests hum with life and rare birds flash bright colors through the trees.As you follow the winding trails toward the falls, you might spot all kinds of wildlife.Keep an eye out for coatis-lively, raccoon-like creatures that often nose through the leaves right beside the path.In the park’s rainforest, you might spot capuchins and other monkey species leaping from branch to branch, leaves rustling in their wake.Toucans: The surrounding canopy teems with brightly colored toucans and other exotic birds, their feathers flashing like bits of sunlight.The surrounding rainforest also teems with life, from delicate ferns to bright bromeliads and orchids that cling to mossy branches.Visitor tip: pack waterproof gear.The spray from Garganta del Diablo drifts through the air like fine rain, soaking jackets and camera lenses before you know it, so bring a good raincoat, a dry bag, and anything else that keeps your stuff safe.Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes-the paths around Garganta del Diablo can get slick, especially where mist clings to the rocks.Stay hydrated-it gets sticky and sweltering in summer, so keep a cold bottle of water with you.Go early, just after the gates open, or wait until late afternoon when the light turns golden and the park feels open and calm.Watch for rainbows-on a sunny day, the falls’ mist can catch the light and throw bright bands of color across the air, a moment that feels almost otherworldly.In the end, Garganta del Diablo stands at the heart of Iguazú Falls, roaring with mist and thunder, and it’s easily the most breathtaking spot in this natural wonder.The roaring power and misty beauty of the falls, framed by soaring cliffs and alive with bright kingfishers, create an experience visitors never forget.Stand at the cliff’s edge with cool mist on your cheeks, watch a rainbow bloom in the spray, and you’ll know why Garganta del Diablo is an adventure you’ll never forget in one of the world’s most breathtaking places.
