Argentina
Iguazu Falls is the place where the Iguazú River throws itself off a basalt cliff in around 270 separate drops, on the border of Argentina and Brazil, and the two countries have built two very different ways to see it.
On the Argentine side, raised walkways carry you over and beside the water, past the Devil's Throat and down to the lower circuit; on the Brazilian side, a single clifftop trail frames the whole crescent. This guide books both sides properly, with the Gran Aventura and Macuco Safari boat rides, a helicopter flight above the cataracts, the walk-through aviaries of the Parque das Aves, the giant Itaipu Dam and a sunset at the triple frontier where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. It is also honest about this season: high water has closed walkways on both sides, so we say what is open and how to check. Then it matches you to a hotel in Puerto Iguazú, in Foz do Iguaçu or inside a national park, with entry fees and border-crossing tips for crossing between them.
Iguazú Falls, Argentine Side
The jungle-walkway side of Iguazú: Argentina holds most of the falls and the park's three main circuits, so you walk above, beside and below the water. Bring a full day, a rain layer and a flexible plan, because river levels decide which walkways are open.
Iguaçu Falls, Brazilian Side
The panorama side: a single clifftop trail of about a kilometre that frames the whole curve of falls, ending on a walkway that leads right into the spray of the Devil's Throat. Shorter than Argentina, but the best place to take in the full sweep.
Parque das Aves
A walk-through bird park opposite the entrance to the Brazilian falls, with big aviaries where macaws, toucans and parrots fly over your head. Easy, shady, family-friendly and a perfect companion to a falls morning.
Gran Aventura Boat Ride
A forest truck ride and a fast inflatable boat that takes you straight beneath the Argentine falls. You will be soaked within minutes, and that is the point. Reserve ahead and bring a dry bag, because river levels can pause departures.
The jungle-walkway side of Iguazú: Argentina holds most of the falls and the park's three main circuits, so you walk above, beside and below the water. Bring a full day, a rain layer and a flexible plan, because river levels decide which walkways are open.
A forest truck ride and a fast inflatable boat that takes you straight beneath the Argentine falls. You will be soaked within minutes, and that is the point. Reserve ahead and bring a dry bag, because river levels can pause departures.
The panorama side: a single clifftop trail of about a kilometre that frames the whole curve of falls, ending on a walkway that leads right into the spray of the Devil's Throat. Shorter than Argentina, but the best place to take in the full sweep.
Brazil's answer to the Gran Aventura: an electric forest truck, a short jungle walk and a speedboat ride into the spray at the foot of the falls. It is bookable alongside your park ticket and suits anyone who wants to get wet.
One of the largest hydroelectric plants on Earth, built jointly by Brazil and Paraguay on the Paraná River. A panoramic tour shows the spillway, the dam wall and the reservoir, and it makes a good rainy-day or half-day change from waterfalls.
A walk-through bird park opposite the entrance to the Brazilian falls, with big aviaries where macaws, toucans and parrots fly over your head. Easy, shady, family-friendly and a perfect companion to a falls morning.
A ten-minute panoramic flight from the Brazilian side that shows the whole falls system from above, including the Devil's Throat and the thin green line of river. Short, memorable and worth saving for a clear day.
Brazil's riverside viewpoint where the Iguaçu meets the Paraná and three countries touch. A painted obelisk, a lookout over Argentina and Paraguay, and an evening cultural show make it the classic sunset stop in Foz do Iguaçu.
FreePuerto Iguazú's riverside triple-frontier park, a short taxi or walk from the town center. A blue-and-white monolith, views of Brazil and Paraguay and a fountain and projection show make it a simple, mostly free sunset stop.
A rescue and rehabilitation refuge on the road to the Argentine falls, where toucans, toucanets, monkeys and other injured or confiscated animals are cared for. A short, shady, low-key visit that adds wildlife context to the falls.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Iguaçu National Park, Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
The pink colonial landmark inside the Brazilian national park, a short stroll from the falls trail and the only hotel on the Brazilian side with early and late access to the walkways. A heated pool, spa and falls-view terraces make it the region's classic splurge.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$Iguazú National Park, Argentina
The only hotel inside the Argentine national park, with a 50-metre infinity pool that faces the Devil's Throat, falls-view balconies and a spa. A short walk from the walkways, it saves the daily commute and gives you the park to yourself at dawn.
Rates on Expedia →Selva Iryapu, Puerto Iguazú (Argentina)
A forest-set four-star near the Hito Tres Fronteras in Puerto Iguazú, with a jungle pool, spa area, restaurant and balconies over greenery. Comfortable and well priced, and a good base for the Argentine side without resort prices.
Rates on Expedia →Avenida das Cataratas, Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
A big family resort on the road to the falls, with pools, hot tubs, a golf course and supervised kids activities. A good value for groups who want to relax between waterfall days and not leave the property for dinner.
Rates on Expedia →Central Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
A no-frills, well-located budget hotel on Avenida República Argentina in Foz do Iguaçu, minutes from the center, with a buffet breakfast, a 24-hour lobby store and the Itaipu and falls in easy reach. Simple, clean and priced for travelers who spend days outside.
Rates on Expedia →The practical primer for Iguazú and Iguaçu Falls: how many days to plan, how the Argentine and Brazilian sides differ, entry fees, border-crossing tips and what the high river this season means for the walkways.
A guide to choosing between sleeping in Argentina, in Brazil or inside a national park, with five hotels across both towns at splurge, mid-range and budget prices.
