Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls  is a complex of 275 waterfalls  on the Iguazu River, located on the border of Brazil (Paraná state) and Argentina (Misiones province). The falls are located on the border of the Argentine and Brazilian Iguazu National Parks. Both parks were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The first known inhabitants of this area are the Guarani and Kaingang tribes. Archaeological sites that have been found in the area confirm this. The first European who set foot on this land and is considered the discoverer of waterfalls was Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. He discovered them in 1541 as he moved up the Parana River through the jungle in search of the legendary treasures of the El Dorado. According to his descriptions, the waterfalls did not make a strong impression on him, he called them the Spanish word considerable, that is, “significant”, and noted that “the spray soars high above the water.”

Argentina and Brazil divide the Iguazu Park into two parts, from the Brazilian side the city of Foz Do Iguacu, from the Argentinean Puerto Iguazu.
In 2011, the Iguazu Falls were recognized as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide competition. Also, both parks are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which only adds to their regalia.

Access : Coordinates: -25.686667, -54.444722 / The route to the falls is mostly a trip or flight to Foz do Iguazu on the Brazilian side, or to Puerto Iguazu on the Argentinean side /
/ There are many buses running between Foz do Iguacu, Puerto Iguazu and the two parks.

Highlights :

• The grandiose complex of the most powerful waterfall in the world is formed by 275 cascades in the shape of a horseshoe,the park’s main attraction is the Devil’s Throat, the most replicated horseshoe-shaped Iguazu Falls, 82 meters high and 150 meters wide, which runs right in the middle of the border between Argentina and Brazil.
• The Brazilian park was founded in 1939 and covers an area of ​​185 thousand hectares.
• The park has several viewing platforms, each of which offers completely different panoramas and its own special view of the waterfalls. The observation decks are conveniently connected by wooden decks and bridges.
• The Argentine Park around Iguazu Falls was created in 1934. Its area is 67 thousand hectares. At the same time, about 80% of all Iguazu cascades are located in Argentina.
• The trails along the Iguazu River, leading to the waterfall through the jungle, are full of various animals, butterflies and other flora and fauna.
• The Argentinean side. The entrance to the park cost 120 pesos. A train runs inside the park. we climbed to the very top and after walking along long roads through the rivers ended up at the very base of the waterfall.
• Surrounding towns : The most important towns and those closest to the falls are 18 km downstream from the river at its confluence with the Rio Paraná : Foz do Iguaçu, in Brazil, in Paraná – Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, in the province of Misiones.
• The eco-friendly jungle train leads to various tour departure points, including the most impressive waterfall, the Garganta del Diablo or Devil’s throat ,U-shaped 700m long, 150m wide and 82m high.

Iguazu National Park in Brazil Entrance fees: For foreigners: Ticket for 1 adult – 70 BRL – Ticket for 1 child (2 – 11 years old) – 11 BRL

Iguazu National Park in Argentina Entrance fees: The cost of visiting Iguazu Falls for an adult is 800 ARS.

Activities : Tours and excursions to the Iguazu Falls / photo opportunities / jungle safari / On the Brazilian side, there is a helipad at the entrance to the park. A ten-minute pleasure of flying over waterfalls will cost from $ 200.

Go next : The city of Foz do Iguacu is considered the starting point for exploring the parks from Brazil / The Argentinean town of Puerto Iguazu, which has a more developed tourist infrastructure.