Information
Landmark: Iguazu Falls (Cataratas del Iguazú)City: Iguazu
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Iguazu Falls (Cataratas del Iguazú), Iguazu, Argentina, South America
Overview
Iguazú Falls-called Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish-thunders through Misiones, Argentina, as one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders, with mist rising like silver smoke above the roaring water.Straddling the Argentina–Brazil border on the roaring Iguazú River, these breathtaking falls stretch for nearly 2.7 kilometers, spilling over in more than 275 separate cascades.The falls lie within Argentina’s Iguazú National Park and Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites where mist drifts over the jungle.Iguazú Falls sit along the Iguazú River, where the water thunders through lush subtropical rainforest in northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil.The falls curve into a vast horseshoe, split into two main sections: the Argentine side, where most of the water thunders down, and the Brazilian side, offering sweeping views from a misty ridge.The falls range in height, with the tallest plunge dropping 82 meters (269 feet) and most cascades averaging about 64 meters (210 feet), the roar echoing off the surrounding cliffs.The Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) is the mightiest stretch of the falls, where water plunges straight down with a roar that shakes the air.The falls belong to the Iguazú River, which starts high in Brazil’s lush highlands and winds through Argentina before plunging in a white roar over the plateau’s edge.Iguazú Falls stands out for several striking features, from the thunder of its tallest drop to the mist that cools your face.Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat, is the most famous stretch of Iguazú Falls, where water thunders down in a roaring curtain of mist.The chasm curves in a deep U, almost 150 meters wide, where water plunges with crushing force and throws up a mist that drifts high, cool and damp against your face.Water thunders so loudly you can feel it in your chest, and on the Argentine side, visitors wander walkways and viewpoints that bring them right to the edge of the falls.Garganta del Diablo sits right on the Argentina–Brazil border, and you can reach it from either country, but the Argentine side brings you so close you can feel the mist on your skin.Number two.San Martín Falls, another of the main cascades on the Argentine side, roars so loudly you can hear it before you see the spray drifting through the trees.Just beyond Garganta del Diablo, it sits beside the rushing water, wrapped in a curtain of lush green leaves.Hop on a boat and you can glide right up to the waterfall, feeling the spray on your face and the rush of its roar.Three.Bossetti Falls, on the Argentine side of the park, tumbles in a shimmering sheet of water that catches the sunlight.A wide curtain of water spills over the rocks, framed by a lush green forest that seems to hum with life.Number four.Dos Hermanas Falls sit farther down the Iguazú River, where two streams plunge side by side, sending up a fine mist.The walking trails wind through the rainforest, where the view opens wide and spectacular-mist clings to the leaves, and the canopy stretches for miles.The Iguazú Falls sit inside Iguazú National Park, where orchids cling to mossy trees and countless animals roam the dense, green forest.This region’s subtropical rainforest teems with life, from bright green tree frogs to towering strangler figs, making it one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.The park’s dense rainforest shelters a rich mix of plants, from the deep red trunks of Brazilian mahogany to rosewood, cocoa trees, and tall swaying palms.The area’s also famous for its ferns, bright bromeliads, and delicate orchids, all flourishing in the warm, damp air.Mammals in the area include coatis, playful capuchin monkeys, sleek jaguars, and ocelots, while pumas keep to the shadows and are seldom seen.Birds fill the park with flashes of color and song, from bright toucans and chattering parrots to soaring eagles and the mighty harpy eagle-over 450 species in all.Reptiles roam this region, from sunbathing iguanas to massive anacondas sliding through the grass, and slow-moving turtles by the water’s edge.Fish: The Iguazú River teems with life, from sleek catfish gliding in the shallows to piranhas flashing silver beneath the surface.Things to See and Do 1.At Iguazú Falls, one of the biggest thrills is hopping on a boat tour, where the roar of the water grows louder with every splash.Boats carry visitors right up to the falls, even to the Garganta del Diablo, where the water thunders down and a cool mist drifts over your face.The boat ride sends your heart racing, and before you know it, cool mist from the falls splashes across your face.Number two on the list.The park’s winding walkways and shaded trails lead visitors to the falls from every angle, where you can feel the cool mist on your face.The Upper Circuit (Circuito Superior) and Lower Circuit (Circuito Inferior) draw the most visitors, offering stunning views of the falls-mist rising from below and sunlight glinting off the water from above.The walkways are kept in great shape, easy for any fitness level, and perfect for snapping photos-like catching the spray from a waterfall or the sunlight on wet moss.A narrow rainforest trail winds toward San Martín Falls, drawing you deeper into the park’s lush, damp air.Number three sits alone, like a small ink mark on an empty page.If you want to see the falls from high above, hop on a helicopter tour-it’s an unforgettable rush, with mist rising like silver smoke beneath you.From these tours, you can take in sweeping views of the whole waterfall system, watching the mist rise as you grasp the immense scale and striking beauty of Iguazú Falls.Number four.Jungle safari tours wind through the lush rainforest, where you might spot a monkey leaping between branches, a curious coati on the trail, or bright birds flashing through the trees.On some tours, you’ll hop on a boat and glide right to the base of the falls, where mist dampens your face.Five.Most of Iguazú Falls lies in Argentina, but from Brazil’s side you can step onto a lookout and see the whole sweep at once-mist rising, water thundering in every direction.You can stroll along winding boardwalks, the planks warm underfoot, and stop at different spots that open to sweeping views.On the Brazilian side, you’ll find wide, open views and fewer trails, but the trade-off is a sweeping, dramatic look at the falls, mist curling in the air.Visitor Information: Getting There - You can reach Iguazú Falls quickly from Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, just a short drive past streets lined with jacaranda trees.The city’s served by Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport, where planes arrive daily from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and other big Argentine hubs, along with routes from Brazil and farther abroad.From Puerto Iguazú, you can reach the falls in 10 to 15 minutes by car or taxi, or hop on a shuttle bus that runs regularly for visitors.Iguazú National Park welcomes visitors daily, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., when the last sunlight filters through the mist of the falls.It’s best to get there early, while the morning air is cool, so you can take in the falls before the crowds show up.From December to February, the park often draws bigger crowds, and on holiday weekends you might even hear the hum of conversation before you see the gates.You’ll need to pay an entrance fee to get into Iguazú National Park, where the roar of the falls greets you at the gate.Children, seniors, and anyone living in Argentina can get a discount-think half-price tickets for a sunny afternoon at the museum.Fees keep the trails clear, the grass trimmed, and the park’s conservation work alive.The best time to visit Iguazú Falls is when the mist hangs in the air and the roar of the water fills the warm afternoon.
