The Iguazu Falls (additionally variously spelled Iguacu, Iguaçu and Iguassu) are one of many world’s most spectacular waterfalls. Situated close to the triple border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay in South America, they are often seen from two international locations: Argentina and Brazil. Most vacationers go to either side, however this typically isn’t potential as a consequence of visa or time restraints.
I’ve been to either side twice, and I feel either side provide a distinct expertise of the falls. The doorway charge is comparable (round US$23), and either side have boat journeys and different non-obligatory extras accessible.
View from Brazilian aspect
Final yr, we visited the Brazilian aspect first, which might be the best choice. There’s much less to do on this aspect, with simply the one path working alongside the river, however the views are spectacular. It’s a full panorama of waterfall, with the Satan’s Throat part off to the left and smaller falls stretching away to the proper.
While you arrive you stroll via an fascinating data show with info in regards to the falls; this leads you to a bus cease the place you possibly can watch for the bus to take you alongside the street via the nationwide park to the falls. Final yr, that’s precisely what we did, catching the bus to the final cease. We then proceeded to get drenched on the backside of the Satan’s Throat then stroll again alongside the riverside path to the primary bus cease reverse the pink resort. This yr, we joined a guided tour with City Adventures, who’re allowed to deliver their very own autos into the park.
Our information Clarice dropped us on the entrance, the place we purchased our tickets and walked via the museum part to the park street, the place she was ready for us. She then dropped us on the first cease and allow us to wander alongside the trail for a couple of minutes earlier than assembly up with us afterward to inform us in regards to the falls and stroll with us the remainder of the way in which. Being Brazilian, she was naturally biased in the direction of the Brazilian aspect, although she agrees that the Argentinean aspect is price a go to too.
View from Argentinian aspect
The expertise on the Argentinean aspect is sort of completely different. I discovered it much more touristy; there was extra to do, actually, but in addition much more individuals there to do it. On arrival, you are taking a stroll alongside a forest observe till you arrive at Estación Cataratas (Waterfall Station), the place you stand in line to attend for a practice to take you to the waterfalls. You may as well stroll when you like – final yr we caught the practice there however walked again on the trail alongside the practice observe. This yr, with City Adventures once more, we caught the practice each methods.
When you get off the practice, you’ll see indicators for the Satan’s Throat Walkway, a wood boardwalk that takes you over the higher a part of the river and opens out right into a platform above the Satan’s Throat, probably the most spectacular a part of the Igauzu Falls. The platform was packed each occasions we went, however at the least it was open … It closed for repairs for a brief interval this yr after being broken by flooding, and solely reopened once more three days earlier than our go to. On the Argentinean aspect, you’re on the prime of this part of the falls, out over it in reality. In distinction, the walkway on the Brazilian aspect takes you over the river on the backside – an altogether wetter expertise!
After strolling again alongside the walkway, we caught the practice again to Estación Cataratas, from the place you possibly can stroll the Higher and Decrease Trails. Because the names indicate, the Higher Path is greater up and provides you views of a number of the smaller falls from above, whereas the decrease path permits you to stand up shut and private with these identical falls decrease down. This yr, we visited the Argentinean aspect first, and after we went to the Brazilian aspect I recognised a few of these smaller falls, lots of that are named after individuals. It was cool to see from a distance what I’d seen shut up the day earlier than.
So which aspect?
This yr we selected to do a ship journey on the Argentinean aspect, one thing comparable is offered on the opposite aspect of the river. Our boat journey was adopted by a jeep journey via the nationwide park, with a information telling us in regards to the natural world of the realm. Final yr, we additionally headed into the jungle alongside the Macuco path, the place we noticed monkeys and quite a lot of birds. This yr, no monkeys have been to be seen on the Argentinean aspect, although we did spot some in Brazil.
Conclusion
So, Argentina or Brazil? Nicely, if you’d like extra choices for issues to do then Argentina. If you’d like panoramic views, Brazil. If you wish to journey a practice, Argentina. When you desire buses, Brazil. When you actually can solely go to one aspect, you’ll have an superior expertise on both, with numerous viewpoints and an opportunity to stand up shut and private. However actually, if it’s in any respect potential, it’s best to go to either side of the Iguazu Falls.
