An Unforgettable Trip to Iguazu Falls

When I was making my itinerary for my trip to Brazil, I made sure I would visit Iguazu Falls. The latter is a spectacular natural wonder you shouldn't miss.

Join me as I explore Iguacu National Park.

Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian Side

After careful research, I realized that it would take several hours to reach the national park from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. I wanted to spread my days in the country to different cities. The long trip to me wasn't worth it because the flight wasn't that much more expensive than taking the overnight bus.

Here are some fast facts about Iguazu Falls:

The waterfalls straddle Argentina and Brazil. You get different views of the waterfalls depending on which side you visit.
Iguazu has 275 waterfalls!
Most of Iguazu is in Argentina (around 80%).
The park is home to hundreds of animal and plant species, making it a biodiverse region.
Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to Get to Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a popular tourist destination for both locals and international visitors. You have a handful of options on how to get to Iguazu Falls. Foz do Iguacu is your port of entry when planning to visit the national park.

By Air

Fly to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU):

Major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Curitiba have direct flights.

Airlines: GOL, LATAM, Azul.

Once at IGU airport:

It’s about a 15–20 minute taxi or ride-share to the falls (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu). You can also take he bus to the city to save money. The same bus going to the park also stops at the airport and the city.

By Bus

Long-distance buses run to Foz do Iguaçu from most major Brazilian cities.

From São Paulo: ~15–18 hours
From Rio de Janeiro: ~24 hours
From Curitiba: ~10 hours

Getting to the Falls from Foz do Iguaçu

You can book an Uber or a taxi to get to the waterfalls. You can also take the public bus to save money. The bus goes directly to the park's entrance.

Iguacu National Park entrance fee: BRL 117

Where to Stay in Iguazu Falls

If you're staying in the Brazil side (like me), you'll have more accommodation options in Foz do Iguacu. The city is small but has more than enough restaurants, accommodation, stores, and public transportation for a comfortable trip.

Exploring the Park

After buying my ticket, I went on over to the buses that take visitors to the park. You have a handful of options on how you can explore it. You can take the biking or hiking trails. You also have the option to go boating. I took the easiest and simplest route. If you have more days in Iguazu, you can definitely go boating, hiking, and biking.

My initial reaction to seeing the first part of the falls was wow. This section was already spectacular. It actually got better until I reached the famous Devil's Throat. You can see the boats that go under the falls from this viewing area.

The trail to the different viewing points was easy, nothing technical. An interesting tidbit about Iguazu is that Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was the first Spaniard to visit the falls. A Brazilian military officer named Edmundo de Barros visualized the creation of a national park when he visited Iguazu more than a century ago in 1897. The Brazilian government established Iguacu National Park in 1939 while their counterpart in Argentina established Iguazu National Park in 1934.

As I got closer to the famous Devil's Throat, the views got better and more spectacular.

You'll get wet during this section of the walk, the powerful cascades of the waterfalls made it seem like it was raining.

You'll have to be patient to take photos from this spot, there's just so many people jostling for position. However, this view is well worth the wait.

I took my sweet time exploring the park. Iguazu Falls was beautiful from every angle.

Marco das Tres Fronteiras

One other place you can visit during your stay at Foz do Iguacu is Marco das Tres Fronteiras. This landmark is the meeting point among three countries Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

This attraction has food stalls, restaurants, a light and fountain show, and a play depicting historical events. It's also a popular spot to watch the sunset. This attraction has an entrance fee: BRL 55.

There are other places to visit while you're in Foz do Iguacu, but the highlight is Iguazu Falls. If you have the time or the interest you can check out the Buddhist Temple, Itaipu Dam, and Parque das Aves.