Guide to Visit the Iguazu Falls From Both Sides

If you are planning to visit the Iguazu Falls, we leave you with this very complete guide so that you have all the information and can plan your visit.

The Iguazu Falls are one of the natural wonders of the world. Nestled on the border between Argentina and Brazil, the waterfalls reach a height of 80 meters, making it a must-see site.

If you are thinking of visiting the Iguazu Falls, we have prepared this super guide to give you all the information you need to plan your trip and get to know them from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.

When is the best time to travel to Iguazu Falls?

Although they can be visited all year round, the temperature and water flow are not the same if you go in summer or winter.

From November to March you will find a large volume of water falling from the falls, due to the high rainfall season. But also keep in mind that it is high season for South American tourism and bothtemperatures and humidity are very high. In addition, some excursions such as sailing to the falls may not go out if there is too much water flow.

In the winter months (June, July, August) rainfall is not as constant and temperatures at night tend to drop considerably. On the other hand, the water flow is lower, although the fall from the falls is still quite impressive.

For us, the best time to travel to Iguassu Falls is from March to May and from August to October, when temperatures are not so hot, it does not rain as much, the crowds are lower and you can enjoy many activities.

What are the characteristics of the Iguazu Falls?

The numbers speak for themselves. The Iguazu Falls were the product of a great volcanic eruption millions of years ago. There are no more and no less than 275 waterfalls located on the border between Argentina and Brazil on the Iguazu River and in the middle of the jungle.

Beyond the number of waterfalls, what makes it very famous worldwide is the height from where the water falls, which exceeds 60 meters and reaches up to 80 meters and the impressive water flow that averages 1,800 m³/s. One of the most famous sites in the area is the so-called Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), where the terrain is an abrupt 80-meter high depression.

How much is the entrance fee to visit the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side?

The entrance fee to visit the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side varies according to whether you are a national, a Mercosur resident or a foreigner. What is actually paid is the entrance fee to the Iguazú National Park, where the waterfalls are located. Prices are as follows (2022):

• Foreign tourists: the price is 4,000 Argentine pesos.
• Residents of Mercosur (Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela): 2,500 Argentine pesos.
• Residents in Argentina: 1,200 Argentine pesos.
• Children residing in Argentina from 6 to 16 years old: 700 Argentine pesos.
• Children residing in Argentina under 6 years old: free of charge

When entering the national park you must show your ID card or passport, so do not forget to bring it with you. The national park is open every day of the year from 9 am to 5 pm except on 25/12 and 01/01.

📷 Book here the excursion from Puerto Iguazu to the falls. Includes round trip transfer, local guide, and as an optional activity, boat or 4×4 ride to experience the adventure in first person.

How to get tickets for Iguazu Falls Argentine side

Currently, the only way to enter the Iguazú National Park and visit the falls is by purchasing a ticket online. The official website of the Iguazu National Park is where you can purchase tickets.

The entrance fee is per day, but if you want to enter again the next day, you get a 50% discount by presenting your paid ticket at the park entrance ticket office.

How to get from Puerto Iguazu to the Falls or cross to Brazil

There are three options to get to the entrance of the Iguazú National Park from the town of Puerto Iguazú. It can be done by car, paying a parking fee of 400 pesos at the access to the park, or by public transportation through the company Río Uruguay, which makes the trip every 20 minutes, or by cab or remis.

From Puerto Iguazú there are several daily buses that cross the border and take you to the access to the Iguaçu National Park in Brazil. Remember to bring your passport or ID card if you are from Mercosur.

How much is the entrance fee to visit the Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side?

The prices to visit the Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side (2022) are as follows:

• Foreign tourists: the price is 107 reais.
• Residents of Mercosur (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela): 85 reais.
• Residents in Brazil: 63 reais
• Children residing in Mercosur from 2 to 11 years old: 16 reais
• Mercosur resident children under 2 years old: free of charge

The national park is open every day of the year from 9 am to 5 pm.

📷 Book here the excursion from Puerto Iguazu to the Brazilian side waterfalls in the day. Transfers and guide included. It does not include the price of access to the Iguazú Park.

How to get tickets for the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls

You can purchase entrance tickets to Parque Nacional Do Iguaçu from its website.

Things to do at Iguazu Falls on the both sides

It is worthwhile to visit both the Argentine and Brazilian side of the falls, as the views are different. While on the Argentine side you can be next to the falls, on the Brazilian side the panoramic view is perfect.

In our article about things to do in Iguazu in 4 days we tell you more about activities around the city.

Visiting the Iguazu Falls on the Argentinean side

Within the Iguazú National Park there are several attractions to visit. The first thing you come across is the Visitor’s Center, ideal for more information about the ecosystem of the place.

The Ecological Train is the one that connects the main access station to the park with the Cataratas station, where the upper and lower rides depart, and the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). If you have a baby carriage or wheelchair, you can load them here without any problem. As its name suggests, this means of transportation within the park is environmentally friendly due to its low speed and non-polluting nature.

📷 Are you going to visit the Falls on full moon days? Don’t miss this excursion that takes you by night to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) with the moon illuminating the waterfalls. Transfer and guide included.

The Macuco trail is 3.5 kilometers long and goes through deep jungle, which allows for more chances to see monkeys and other species in the area. In addition, it ends at the Arrechea waterfall, which forms a beautiful water well.

If you are a trail lover there are two options. The green trail is the one that connects the main access to the Cataratas station, of low difficulty and short distance, and allows you to see native fauna such as monkeys, toucans and coatis along the way.

As for the gateways The three options that are located next to the waterfalls and where the true beauty of the place can be observed are the following: the upper walkway that allows to observe the jumps from above, the lower promenade penetrating into the jungle and where the jumps are visualized from below, and the Devil’s ThroatThe best of the place with the footbridge over the river and ending on the imposing 80-meter waterfall. Needless to say, all three are a must-see because the panoramic view changes completely.

📷 Book here the boat ride to see the sunset over the Paraná and Iguazú rivers, a fascinating spectacle.

Visiting the Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side

In the Iguaçu National Park, things are much simpler. It has a single 1.5 kilometer long trail and is where the bus drops you off when you get inside the national park, so there is no way to get lost. The Brazilian side has the advantage of a permanent view of the falls throughout the trip. It also has a restaurant with fabulous views and a souvenir store.

At the end of the trail is the best, a viewpoint just 200 meters from the Garganta del Diablo to see it in all its splendor.

Iguazu Falls hotels

Both on the Argentine side in Puerto Iguazú and on the Brazilian side in Foz do Iguazú, the lodging options are very wide and for all budgets. So you can find two fabulous hotels, one on each side, meters from the waterfalls, five star hotels in both cities, hostels, cabins in the middle of the jungle and more.

We have made this article about where to stay in Iguazu with recommendations for accommodation taking into account all budgets and hotel locations. Don’t miss it!

Now you have no excuse to visit the Iguazu Falls and enjoy one of the most impressive natural wonders of the planet.