Foz do Iguacu (Iguacu Falls), on the Brazil - Argentina border, is one of the three great waterfalls of the world. The other two being Niagara Falls, on the US - Canada border, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa. The falls itself consists of the spectacular “Devil’s Throat” and numerous smaller cataracts on each side.
Both the Brazilian and Argentine sides are now national parks with paid admittance. Both sides provide unique experiences, so it is best to visit both. Border crossing is relatively easy. It is possible to use local or hotel taxis for transportation but if a multilingual guide is desired, best to source a tour guide.
On the Brazilian side, Hotel des Cataracas, a Belmond hotel, is inside the park and provides an excellent panorama of the falls. There are also walking paths along the bank of the river and a restaurant almost at the top of the falls, all of which offer spectacular vistas.
It is also possible to fly over the falls in a four-passenger helicopter, available just outside the park on the Brazilian side. This is a fantastic experience and really provides a unique understanding of the sheer power of the water. Advance reservations can be made but are usually not necessary.
On the Argentine side, there are no hotels within the park, but the excellent Hotel Mercure Iguazu is only a few kilometers away. The park near the falls is built up with restaurants and souvenir shops. Once past the shops there is a high route which consists of sturdy steel walkways only feet above the water leading to a deck at the very top of the main gorge. The experience is loud and wet. The lower route again takes one into the mists, provides views of the falls from below and once more is stunning.
Access by air is either from Sao Paulo, or one of several other cities in Brazil, to Foz do Iguacu International Airport or from Buenos Aires to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport in Argentina.
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