The photo you see above this text was taken of the largest waterfall system in the world! Iguazu falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by the Paraná province of Brazil and the Misiones province of Argentina. Here I will be doing an overview of my experience on the BRAZILIAN SIDE – Iguaçu National Park. I did not have the time nor extra funds to visit the Argentinian side, BUT I have heard that it is better due to the sheer amount of viewpoints and the trails alongside the falls. With all that being said, what I saw in Brazil was still mind blowing. I would go as far as saying it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.
Before I tell you my most important tips and information about visiting one of nature’s most majestic children, allow me to give you some nerdy facts about it.
Quickly….
The falls are located at the geopolitical tri-border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. They were formed within the Paraná Plateau by a geological fault line, where the Iguazu River flows over the edge of a massive basaltic lava flow that caps the plateau. This geological formation creates a horseshoe shape and results in a phenomenon consisting of about 275 cascades and islands that cover around 2 and a half km. The immense volume of water plunges down a maximum height of 82 meters, concentrated in the unbelievable chasm known as the “Devil’s Throat”.
The photo you see here was taken from above the cascades, but just know the trail leads to viewing platforms surrounded by the heaviest flow of water crashing down into to river below. The powerful sound of the cascades and the feeling of mist touching your skin is a surreal experience. It’s so much ENDLESS WATER EVERYWHERE!
MY BIGGEST (AND ONLY) TIPS FOR THIS BLOG –
1. ARRIVE BEFORE THE PARK OPENS. YOU MUST DO THIS IF YOU WANT TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CROWDS. THE PARK FILLS UP VERY QUICKLY AND TAKING PHOTOS BECOMES SOMEWHAT OF A BATTLE WITH TIME AND HUMANS.
2. After you pay to enter the park, you will board a bus that takes you to the waterfalls. DO NOT GET OFF AT THE FIRST STOP. WAIT UNTIL THE FINAL STOP TO EXIT THE BUS. THAT IS WHERE YOU ACCESS THE ENTRANCE TO THE DEVIL’S THROAT WITH NO CROWDS IN FRONT OF YOU.
Now….if you don’t wish to see the Devil’s Throat right away and prefer to see it at the end of the walking trail as a climax, you’re welcome to do so. At least if you arrive early enough you won’t be getting trampled over by people. You could feasibly take your time. However, to have the most tranquil and spiritual experience at the apex of the park, go to Devil’s Throat first.
I DID NEITHER. JUST KNOW YOU ARE LEARNING FROM MY MISTAKES.
TAKEAWAYS FROM MY TIME
There isn’t really much I can say to sell this place to you. Just do it! The most unique component for me was the glimmering of several rainbows in the mist created by the flow of the cascades. I had never in my life looked down to see a rainbow. Every other time I had to look up. Besides that, the landscape itself is breathtaking. No photo can do it justice!
GETTING THERE
PAY ATTENTION:
You can fly or take a bus to Foz do Iguaçu, the city gateway to Iguazu Falls. Flying is the much better option and is cost effectIve if you book in advance. If you try to book last minute you’ll pay sky-high prices. Also, if you book a round trip flight, the return flights from Foz do Iguazu are more expensive and less frequent, and even on a website like Scyscanner they’re harder to come across. Keep all of this mind and be diligent. One way flights to Foz do Iguaçu are much easier and cheaper to buy in general.
If you have any issue with purchasing a flight, you can always take the bus and not pay extra money to check a bag. Price points for buses are lower than flights for the most part and stay consistent. The journey times are long though, often running overnight.
São Paulo
The trip from the main bus terminal takes about 16 to 18 hours
Rio de Janeiro
The journey is longer, around 24 to 26 hours
Curitiba
The ride is about 11 hours.
Florianópolis
15 hours, with overnight options.
Other Cities
Direct routes also exist from cities such as Cuiabá, Campo Grande, and Belo Horizonte.
