Iguazu Falls

The first time I heard about the Iguazu Falls was through a couple we met when travelling in Canada.  They raved about how spectacular it was, a destination not to be missed.  I filed that remark in my memory bank. A few years later, when a trip to South America was on the cards, I made sure we added it to our itinerary.  And it definitely did not disappoint!

The Falls lie in the rainforest on the borders of Brazil and Argentina and can be viewed from either country.  However, to experience their full splendour, you must see them from both sides.  It’s a two-hour flight from Rio to Foz do Iguazu airport.  We stayed in Puerto Iguazu on the Argentinian side which is a half hour drive across the border.  You will need your passport and relevant visa.

Puerto Iguazu

Puerto Iguazu is a small town with a population of 80,000 people and a few shops and restaurants.  Do try out the local bakery … it makes the best bread rolls! 

Make sure you have your insect spray as this is a rain forest area. Alternatively, cover up with light clothing but it can get quite humid at times. Choose your level of comfort with a sensible combination of chemicals and clothing.

We started out early to view the Argentinian side. Devil’s Throat is the most popular lookout point.  It is on a curve where many of the falls come crashing down, blowing mist into the air and forming clouds.  A mini train gets you right up to the edge.  There are plenty of walkways to get close to the falls and view them from several angles or heights.  Along the ride through the park, you may be lucky to see jaguars, pumas and monkeys.  Raccoons wander around among the tourists looking for food.  They reminded me of Rottnest Island with its quokkas everywhere. However, unlike the tourist-friendly quokkas, these animals can be aggressive.  So if they do get a paw on your lunch, say goodbye to your food graciously!

If you feel adventurous, you can walk the upper circuit for a panoramic view of the cascades!  The lower circuit has a steep and slippery descent with numerous steps.  The Fitbit clocked 16,000 steps. Walk with care in wet weather. This circuit brings you very close to the falls. Keep to a comfortable pace and skip some of the trails if they appear tedious. You can take a boat ride at the bottom of the falls but be prepared for a soaking.

Keep your iPhone in a plastic case or the spray will ruin it. 

I kept my phone in my handbag but the rain seeped through and it went dead.  Using a hairdryer did not help. The phone re-activated after 3 days but cost me plenty of photos!

Foz do Iguazú

The second day was a later start as we had to check out of the hotel, visit the Brazilian side and then hop on a late evening flight. The town on this side of the falls (Foz do Iguazú) is much bigger with a population of about 250,000. 

At the entrance of the National Park is the Bird Park. It is home to rare and exotic birds and animals … flamingoes, macaws, toucans, anacondas, boa constrictors (ugh!) eagles, vultures, to name a few.  It’s well worth a visit.

The drive through the national park is a long one. There is a nice restaurant overlooking the falls where you can have a meal. Elevators descend to the lower platform. The catwalk extends along the waterfalls for about 1km  Carry a raincoat even if it’s not raining, for protection from the spray and mist.

We skipped the boat ride in favour of a helicopter. The aerial view was simply spectacular with the added bonus of staying dry.

In comparison, Niagara at 50m high has a stronger force and larger volume of water in a continuous drop. Iguazu is more spectacular with a higher drop, broken into several smaller falls (around 270). With a sweeping panorama of cascades for miles, Iguazu gets my vote!

Next stop … Peru