How to visit Iguazu Falls, Argentina side

If you’ve seen Niagara Falls, Yosemite Falls, Gullfoss, or even Victoria Falls – you will still be blown away the first time you see Iguazu Falls. Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, these falls make the others look like mere trickles by comparison. They can be seen from either country, and there are advantages to each. As a result, we recommend visiting both sides of the falls on your trip. This article outlines everything you need to know to visit Iguazu Falls, Argentina side.

About Iguazu Falls National Park

Iguazu Falls National Park is located in the northeastern province of Misiones, Argentina. It is a natural wonder that attracts visitors from all over the world. With its breathtaking waterfalls, lush rainforest, and diverse wildlife, the park offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The waterfalls are the main attraction. With almost 300 individual cataracts, and a width 3 times the size of Niagara Falls, their enormity is hard to believe, even when you’re standing right in front of them. The icing on the cake is the natural setting they are in. Surrounded on all sides by lush rainforest, your visit will include sightings of exotic toucans, monkeys, coatimundis, and if you’re lucky – perhaps even an elusive jaguar.

Should I visit Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side or the Brazil side?

Without question – the answer to this is, both. It’s a very different experience on each side of the falls.

The majority of the falls, including Devil’s Throat, are located on the Argentine side. This means that visitors on this side can explore a larger number of falls, providing a more extensive and immersive experience. The trails on this side of the falls lead beside and above the falls, taking you up close to the rushing water. The experience culminates at a platform overlooking Devil’s Throat, the most impressive waterfall at Iguazu Falls.

On the Brazilian side, which is home to 20% of the falls, you mostly get a panoramic view of the falls that are located in Argentina. The trail here is much shorter than the trail network across the river. But the end of the trail, which reaches onto a series of platforms extending into Devil’s Throat, can’t be missed. The platforms sit on the ledge between the upper falls and lower falls. When you are out on these platforms, you are surrounded by the falls on all sides.

Both sides of the falls give you the opportunity to spot wildlife and to take a speed boat ride up close to the falls if you wish.

The good news is that taking a day trip across the border to see the falls from a different perspective is very doable. If you visit the falls from both the Brazil and Argentina sides, we recommend going to Argentina first. The national park in Brazil is smaller than its Argentine counterpart, but in our opinion, the view of the falls from Brazil is the most jaw-dropping and it should be the lasting impression of the falls that you take with you.

How to visit Parque das Aves, Brazil

How much time do I need to visit Iguazu Falls?

We recommend spending at least two full days at Iguazu Falls. Spend one day exploring the park on the Argentine side, hiking as many trails as you wish. On the second day, visit the Brazil side. Because the trail network here is shorter, it will take you less time to see the park, so this is a good place to fit in your speed boat ride.

With an extra day to spare, you will be able to fit in more activities. Consider a scenic helicopter ride over the falls to get a birds-eye view of their majesty. Or, visit the popular Parque das Aves – a very well-done bird park with gorgeous gardens and lots of tropical wildlife. Both of these activities are available on the Brazil side of the falls, right outside the park gate.

When should I go to Iguazu Falls?

The best time to visit Iguazu Falls depends on your preferences and what you hope to experience during your visit. Here are some considerations for different seasons.

High water season (November to March)

If you want to witness the falls at their most powerful and see the water volume at its peak, the high water season is ideal. During this period, the falls are in full flow, and the cascades are more impressive and dramatic. However, the high water season also means more humidity, heat, and occasional heavy rainfall. The trails may be more slippery, and some viewpoints may be partially obstructed by mist. Expect larger crowds during this time, so it’s advisable to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak visitor hours.

We visited in mid-March. All photos in this article were taken at that time.

Low water season (April to October)

If you prefer a more tranquil experience and the opportunity to explore the trails with fewer crowds, the low water season is recommended. During this period, the water volume decreases, allowing you to see more rock formations and appreciate the geological aspects of the falls. The trails are generally drier, making it easier to navigate, and you’ll have clearer views of the falls without as much mist. However, some smaller waterfalls may have reduced flow, and the overall visual impact may be less compared to the high water season.

Iguazu Falls is a stunning destination year-round, and each season offers its own unique charm. The falls are located in a subtropical region, so the weather is generally warm and humid throughout the year.

Getting to Iguazu Falls, Argentina side

If you are coming to Iguazu Falls from within Argentina, it’s logical to think you might be connecting through Buenos Aires. From there, it’s a sub-2 hour flight to Puerto Iguazu, the closest town to the falls. From Puerto Iguazu you can catch a local bus to the park. Buses run every 20 minutes from sunrise until 9 p.m. and the fare is 650 Argentine pesos (about $3 USD). Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi.

So how do you get to Iguazu Falls, Argentina side when you are based in Brazil? There are car services that can arrange the trip for you. A taxi picked us up at our hotel in Brazil and took us to the border, where we were stamped out of the country. They then drove us into Argentina and helped us through customs, where we were stamped in. A new taxi driver was waiting for us there and took us to Iguazu Falls National Park. We settled on a time and place to rendezvous, and the driver was waiting for us as scheduled. The same customs process and taxi swap happened in reverse to return us to Brazil. It all felt very safe and hassle-free.

How much does it cost to visit Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side?

Admission to the park is 5500 Argentine pesos for adults, which is about $24 USD. Children ages 6-12 are 2000 pesos or $9. Children under 6 are free.

If you are an Argentine national, prices are lower: 1500 pesos for adults, and 750 pesos for children ages 6-12. And if you are from the province of Misiones, they are lower still – 600 pesos.

You can purchase tickets on the official website in advance in order to skip the queue at the park, but doing so means that you’ll need to enter at a prescribed time. If your trip to the park includes a border crossing, during which you’ll need to be processed on both the Brazil and Argentina sides of the border, it can be tricky to know how long the trip will take. We recommend buying your tickets at the park; if you arrive early, queues are manageable, and there are multiple ticket windows open.

What are the opening hours for Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side?

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The last entry is at 4:30 p.m.

What is there to do at Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side?

Seeing the falls is obviously the main attraction here. There are several trails that lead you around the park to different vantage points. Most visitors focus on the first 3 trails (Superior Circuit, Inferior Circuit, and Devil’s Throat or Garganta del Diablo) which afford the best views of the falls.

The Superior Circuit and the Inferior Circuit at Iguazu Falls

The Inferior Circuit and Superior Circuit at Iguazu Falls offer visitors two distinct experiences within Iguazu Falls National Park in Argentina. Here are the key differences between these two circuits:

Inferior Circuit

Location and Access

• The Inferior Circuit is located on the lower portion of Iguazu Falls, allowing visitors to get closer to the base of the falls and experience the power and mist firsthand.
• The circuit is easily accessible from the park’s entrance, and it is usually the starting point for many visitors exploring the falls.
• The Inferior Circuit is approximately 1.4 kilometers (1 mile) long.

Views and Highlights

• The Inferior Circuit offers a more immersive experience, bringing you closer to the cascades. The walkways take you along the riverbank, allowing you to witness the falls from various angles and viewpoints.
• The circuit offers stunning views of smaller cascades, rapids, and pools, providing a more intimate encounter with the natural beauty of the falls.

Trail and Walkways

• The trail consists of a network of well-maintained walkways and stairs that wind through the rainforest and along the river. These walkways take you closer to the water and provide opportunities to feel the spray and hear the thunderous sounds of the falls.
• The walkways are designed to keep visitors safe and dry, even during periods of high water flow. They offer unique vantage points and allow you to observe the falls from different levels.

Superior Circuit

Location and Access

• The Superior Circuit is located on the upper portion of Iguazu Falls, offering visitors panoramic views of the cascades from above.
• To access the Superior Circuit, you’ll need to follow a separate trail from the park’s entrance, which leads to elevated walkways and viewpoints.
• The Superior Circuit is approximately 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) long.

Views and Highlights

• The Superior Circuit provides breathtaking panoramic views of the falls, showcasing their vastness and intricate details from an elevated perspective.
• The circuit offers a wider view of the falls, allowing you to see both smaller cascades and larger waterfalls, and appreciate the grandeur of the entire Iguazu Falls system.

Trail and Walkways

• The trail for the Superior Circuit consists of elevated walkways and platforms that wind through the rainforest, providing visitors with exceptional views at different sections of the falls.
• These walkways are designed to offer unobstructed vistas, allowing you to capture stunning photographs and experience the beauty of the falls surrounded by the lush greenery.

Devil’s Throat Access

The Superior Circuit does not provide direct access to Devil’s Throat, which is the main and most impressive waterfall in the park. To reach Devil’s Throat, visitors need to take the Ecological Train from the Inferior Circuit.

Both Superior and Inferior circuits offer unique perspectives and should ideally be experienced together to get a comprehensive view of Iguazu Falls. The Inferior Circuit brings you closer to the power and intensity of the falls, while the Superior Circuit provides a panoramic and majestic view from above. Each circuit offers its own highlights and stunning sights, allowing visitors to appreciate the splendor of Iguazu Falls from different angles.

How to see Devil’s Throat at Iguazu Falls, Argentina side

Devil’s Throat is considered to be the main and most spectacular waterfall at Iguazu Falls. Locally known as Garganta del Diablo, it is situated at the heart of Iguazu Falls, where the Iguazu River forms the most impressive and voluminous waterfall in the park.

The Ecological Train

To access Devil’s Throat, you will need to take the Ecological Train, which departs from the park’s Central Station. The train ride takes approximately 20 minutes and offers beautiful views of the surrounding rainforest. Use of the train is included with your park admission. Because Devil’s Throat is a highlight of a visit to the park, the train can get very crowded. We recommend visiting Devil’s Throat either first thing in the morning when the park opens, or late in the afternoon before it closes, to see Devil’s Throat with the fewest crowds possible.

The Devil’s Throat trail

After disembarking from the train, you will follow a well-marked trail called Paseo Garganta del Diablo leading to a series of walkways and platforms that take you right to the edge of Devil’s Throat. The trail is approximately 1.1 kilometers (0.6 miles) long. This trail involves walking on elevated walkways that provide stunning views of the surrounding rainforest and lead to a platform located right above Devil’s Throat. The walkways are made of sturdy metal grating that allows visitors to see through and appreciate the power of the falls below. Do note though, they can be slippery when wet. A significant section of the walkways was washed away during flooding in late 2022. It was rebuilt, with the grand reopening happening in March 2023.

From the walkways, you can witness the powerful spray, feel the thunderous vibration, and hear the deafening roar of the falls. The experience is truly captivating and allows you to grasp the grandeur and force of nature. The trail to Devil’s Throat also offers opportunities for wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes open for various bird species, including colorful toucans and swifts, as well as butterflies fluttering amidst the lush foliage. You might also catch glimpses of coatis, small mammal species resembling raccoons, as they scurry through the vegetation. (The coatis seem to like hanging out at the train stations in particular. Don’t be surprised to see a few jump on-board the stopped train with you in search of packed lunches and snacks!)

It’s important to note that the availability of the Ecological Train and the conditions of the trails may vary. It’s advisable to check the park’s official website or inquire with the park authorities for any updates or changes before your visit.

Lesser-known trails at Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side

There are a few more trails in the park that you can explore:

• The Green Trail is a 600m long trail that leads from the park entrance to the Cataratas train station near the start of the Superior and Inferior circuits. If you are planning to hike those circuits, this can be a good way to get there – the walk isn’t long and you might see monkeys or other wildlife along the way. However, if you’re arriving in the morning and heading to Devil’s Throat first thing to beat the crowds, don’t take this trail with the intention of boarding the train at the end of it. If you try boarding the train at Cataratas Station during busy times, you might find that it’s already full of passengers who got on at Central Station, just inside the park gate.
• The Macuco trail is not often visited because it is 3.5 km long in each direction. It leads to a waterfall called Salto Arrachea, giving a close-up view. But, the trail is often closed by park rangers if big cats are in the area.

Food, drink and services inside Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side

The park has several quick service restaurants with plentiful seating, washrooms, and official gift shops available. The empanadas are delicious! But you can bring your own food and drink into the park, too.

Beware the coatimundis who frequent the restaurant areas. They are scavenging for your scraps, and will be quick to swipe your food if your back is turned.

In addition to official park merchandise at the gift shops, you can also shop for souvenirs from a range of indigenous craftsmen who sell their wares inside the park. These items include woven baskets and carved wooden animals, whistles, beads and wind chimes.

We hope this article has given you some useful information to help plan your own trip to Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina side. Have you already been to Iguazu Falls? Is there any advice you would share with others? Let us know in the comments below.

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