One of the world’s biggest and
most beautiful waterfalls, Iguazu Falls is one of Argentina’s prime tourist
attractions. Each year, thousands of visitors make their way to the falls to
get a glimpse of one of nature’s most beautiful sites.
Made up of 275 individual
waterfalls, Iguazu Falls is one of the biggest and most famous waterfalls in
the world. Recently chosen as one of the seven natural wonders of the world,
the falls are located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. With 80% of the
falls lying inside Argentina’s Iguazu National Park, visitors to Iguazu can
explore the falls as well as the other attractions inside the park. Undoubtedly
the top attraction in the area, many tourists spend multiple days exploring the
falls from different vantage points, including from below on a boat and from
above in a helicopter.
Things
to do in Iguazú Falls
Parque
Nacional Iguazú
On the Argentine side of the
marvelous falls, this park has loads to offer, and involves a fair amount of
walking. The spread-out entrance complex ends at a train station, with
departures every half-hour to the Cataratas train station, where the waterfall
walks begin, and to the Garganta del Diablo. You may prefer to walk: it’s only
650m along the Sendero Verde path to the Cataratas station, and a further 2.3km
to the Garganta. You may well see capuchin monkeys along the way.
Garganta
del Diablo
Garganta del Diablo, translated
as The Devil’s Throat, is a set of waterfalls that emerge into a gorge, which
accounts for the biggest flow of the Iguazu Falls. Visitors can take a two hour
hike to Garganta del Diablo where they will enjoy incredible views of the falls
and rainbows that form within. If you will be visiting, don’t forget to bring
extra clothes. The steam from the Garganta del Diablo will most likely have you
wet by the time you’re ready to leave. This is without a doubt a top attraction
of Iguazu Falls, so make sure to leave time for a visit.
Foz
de Iguazu, Brazil
Because the Iguazu falls is
located on the border of Argentina and Brazil, visitors can venture to the
Brazilian side to explore the neighboring city of Foz de Iguazu. From here
tourists can visit the Brazilian side of the falls, Brazil’s Iguazu National Park
(Parque Nacional do Iguaçu), the Itaipu Dam, the Triplice Fonteira, and Parque
das Aves (The Bird Park), all top attractions of Iguazu Falls.
Guira
Oga Wildlife Center
Guira Oga is a center of rescue,
rehabilitation and breeding of wildlife. Located within the jungle surrounding
Iguazu Falls, visitors can take a guided tour of the wildlife center where they
will learn about the history of the animals and what the refuge does to help
the vulnerable species. For those interested in learning about the colorful
birds and unique animals that inhabit the Iguazu jungle, this is definitely a
top attraction that should not be missed.
Hummingbird
Garden (Jardin de los Picaflores)
Jardin de los Picaflores, or
Hummingbird Garden, is another top attraction for travelers interested in
wildlife. Visitors will be led on a tour through the garden where they will see
many types of hummingbirds, which come to feed and lay their eggs, and will
learn about the different species they see. For an amazing day full of
incredible photo opportunities, visitors should consider stopping at the
Hummingbird Garden.
Casino
Iguazu
For a different type of
attraction than the plethora of outdoor sites the area offers, visitors to
Iguazu Falls can relax at the Casino Iguazu. Located at the Iguazu Grand Hotel,
a trip to this world-class casino is the perfect way to wind down after a long
day of exploring the beautiful falls and surrounding jungle.
La
Aripuca Guarani Cultural Center
Designed to raise awareness of
the increasing threat rainforest destruction poses to the world, this
large-scale model of an aripuca (a trap used by the local Guarani people to
catch small animals) is one of the area’s top attractions. Both educational and
thought-provoking, La Aripuca educates visitors about threatened tree species
and provides information about how they can help stop this destruction that
poses a great threat to our way of life.
