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Perhaps one of the most picturesque location on the planet. Iguazu Falls is located on the Border of Brazil and Argentina inside of the Iguazu National Park. here are some travel tips and facts to help you make informed decisions and most importantly have fun visiting a waterfall that is taller and twice as long as Niagara.
Union Fall, Iguazu’s largest cataract. Image Source Wikipedia
- Iguazu Falls is located in both Argentina and Brazil Iguazu National Parks, and both parks were recognized in 1984 and 1987 as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, is a specialized agency within the UN that recognizes places with outstanding cultural or natural importance that preserves the heritage of humanity.
- It is believed the falls were created when a God fell in love with a mortal woman, but became angry once he discovered the woman had run away via canoe with her lover, a mortal man. In a fit of rage, the God sliced the river, creating the waterfalls. The mortal couple were doomed to fall forever.
- The most visually striking part of the Falls is a unique horseshoe-shaped chasm called the Devil’s Throat. The Falls tumble over the Parana Plateau with an edge that stretches across for 1.7 miles.
- As mentioned before, the Falls lie on the border of Brazil and Argentina and can be accessed through close neighbor Paraguay, too. You can stay nearby in the large Brazilian city is called Foz do Iguacu, and if you’re in Argentina you’ll want to stay at Puerto Iguazu.
- There are two hotels inside the park, one Argentine and one Brazilian, of course. In Brazil there is the Hotel Cataratas, a typical luxury hotel perched near the falls with an observation deck on the roof. Argentina has the Sheraton Internacional Iguazu Resort, which has some common areas recently remodeled.
- Usually it’s easy to pass between the two sides of the falls since authorities understand that tourists are just there for a day trip. Be wary though if you’re from the U.S., you’ll need a visa got get to the Brazilian side of the falls and they aren’t issued at the border.
- It’s a good idea to have some sort of waterproof protection for your camera and clothing because it can get wet in some viewing areas. There is a constant cloud of mist in the air from the huge force of water. Some people even wear swimsuits in the summertime.
- One of the striking parts of the waterfall are the several islands that split the falls into several streams at the edge of the plateau. An ever-present mist cloud constantly soaks the islands of the falls, which produces a humid climate and unique ecosystems as a result.
- There is a train system that runs throughout the park that drops off and picks up visitors at the main viewing areas. Most stops have snack stands that you can purchase food from, but they can be overpriced. You can bring your own lunch if you want to.
- Just like Niagara Falls, there are boat rides available that can give you a whole new perspective at the falls. They are available from both the Argentine side and Brazilian side. Also, so emphasize, you will get soaked on these boat rides. THey provide protection for your camera, though.
Emily Kaltman writes for Estancia Churrascaria, Austin’s first Brazilian steakhouse. She enjoys writing about South American travel and nature.
