The Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina and Brazil

Iguazu Falls, 275 waterfalls over a full 3 km stretch.

The waterfalls are hard to imagine: 275 waterfalls (drops) that accumulate over a 3 km stretch and fall from a height of 82 meters, which corresponds to a 24 story high building. Water beats hard from that height. Worth seeing if you are traveling in Argentina? I would say so 🙂

The Iguazu Falls are located in both Argentina and Brazil! Please refer to the map below in this article.

The general shape of all the Iguazu waterfalls resembles a giant horseshoe, so you feel surrounded by thunderous cascades of water on 3 sides. They are even located in two different countries Argentina and Brazil!

The fall can be as high as 150 feet or 500 feet in the air. It is thus one of the most impressive windfalls in the world. The constant waterfalls with the light create several beautiful and diverse rainbows throughout the day.

The Iguazu waterfalls are 20% in Brazil and 80% in Argentina

The Iguazu waterfalls are waterfalls from the Iguaçu River on the border between the Brazilian (20%) state of Paraná (in the south) and the Argentine (80%). province of Misiones, and is located in the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park and the Argentine Iguazú National Park. The majority of waterfalls are in Argentine territory, while the best vantage point is in Brazilian territory.

The name derives from the guarani words í (water) and guazú (large).

The Iguazu Falls are considered among the world’s most amazing waterfalls. The fall height of Iguazu Falls is 70 meters, – in some places up to 82 meters and the waterfalls spread over almost 2.7 kilometers, of which water flows over the edge of 1.8 kilometers, via the 270 individual falls. Where the greatest single fall is called Devil’s Throat (Devil’s yawn/throat) and is approx. 300 meters wide.

An average of 5,000 cubic meters of water per second flows through Iguazu Falls, but this figure covers periods of high water volume, 12,750 cubic meters, while there may be other periods of almost no water, and other periods of drying out, as the case may be was for 28 days in 1978.

It is recommended to see the waterfalls from both the Argentine side where they are wild and fierce and from the Brazilian side where they are beautiful.

At the waterfalls lies another tourist attraction, namely the Itaipú hydroelectric power station.

Iguazú National Park came on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984

Iguazú National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage

The parks that surround Iguazú Falls and part of the Iguazú River are formed by lush rainforests filled with all kinds of wildlife. You can take some really amazing guided tours. Some guided tours are dedicated to topics such as local birdlife. Tourists should be wary of jaguars and other big cats while in the woods.

The waterfalls are located in two national parks and in some of the most important rainforests in the world. Both national parks (one in Argentina and the other in Brazil) have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and fortunately, they have special protection to look after the unique nature.

Garganta del Diablo, part of the Iguazu waterfalls

The most famous part of the waterfall is the Devil’s Neck or “Garganta do Diablo” in Portuguese. Water flows in from three different sides, making it quite unique. From the Argentine side, it is possible to choose a path that goes directly over the area. It is an incredible experience where you will be very close to the water.

When is the best season to travel to Iguazu waterfalls and Garganta Del Diablo?

Spring and Fall are generally the best choices for visiting the waterfalls, although the two peak seasons can also be a little more expensive. Summer is only comfortable if you have your clothes around the waterfalls. Summer in the rainforest is overwhelming for many tourists, and so is the rainy season. Rainy season means the waterfalls have their strongest flow, but they can be closed.

The Brazilian side or the Argentine side?

The general view is that a tourist requires two full days to see the waterfalls, one to the Argentine side with its close up views, walkways and maybe a boat ride and then another day for the Brazilian side where you can take in Iguazu of all its magnitude. Some tourists may want to spend extra time here, either enjoying hiking through the rainforest or try white water rafting or mountain climbing.

Argentine side of the the the Iguazu waterfalls

Start your day buying the tickets to the park at the entrance. Simple as that.

Various tours include the upper part (1 hour), lower part (2 hours), the Devil’s Gab catwalk (45 minutes) as well as the San Martin Island Trail (45 minutes).

Visit Iguazu National Park

The lower circuit is the hardest of all trips on Iguazu. It has a number of stairs. We recommend doing this first while having all your energy. From the end of this trail you can catch a boat to the island of San Martin.

Taking the boat to San Martin, and then taking one of the tourism companies to the bottom of the Devil’s Gab and during some of the other cascades is a truly spectacular way to get another vantage point.

After walking back on the train again to the Devil’s neck. There is a small restaurant area and there is an observation deck. A good place to rest after all these amazing impressions.