Iguazu in 3 days, complete itinerary

Prepare your getaway to Iguazú in 3 days with this suggested itinerary to experience this region of the Argentinean coastline to the fullest. Let’s get to it!

Being Argentinean, I feel very proud of the exuberant natural landscapes that we have in our country and of the great opportunity that I have had to visit them, and for this reason I feel that the Iguazu Falls is one of those places on the planet that you have to visit once in your life.

A World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the waterfalls astound all who visit with the great flow of water that cascades down the 275 80-metre high falls. A visit from both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides will give you a global perspective of what this natural beauty is all about.

But the Argentine Litoral has even more heritage to its credit, in this case historical, in the Ruins of San Ignacio Miní, the most visited of the Jesuit Guaraní Missions. These are located only 250 km from Puerto Iguazú and are an essential stop on a tour of Iguazú.

So, I’ve designed this 3-day itinerary around Iguazú based on my experience travelling along the Argentinean coastline, which will come in handy for your trip or getaway.

Here are some more itinerary options:
🔝 Iguazú in 2 days
🔝 Iguazú in 4 days

Iguazu Itinerary in 3 days with MAPA

• Day 1: Visit the Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian side.
• Day 2: Visit the Brazilian side of the falls and other places in Puerto Iguazu.
• Day 3: Visit the Wanda Mines and the Ruins of San Ignacio Miní.

I believe that 3 days should be the minimum time you should spend in and around Iguazu Falls. It is adequate time to travel at your leisure, although obviously, the longer you can stay in the region, the better.

On this map you will find all the sites we will talk about, together with regional gastronomic recommendations, in this 3-day itinerary of Iguazu.

Tips for travel to Iguazu

• It is essential to plan your trip in advance to make the most of your days in Iguazu and, perhaps, you can save a little money by booking everything in advance.
• If you are a foreigner, check whether you need a visa for Argentina or Brazil. If you are Argentinean, you will need a valid DNI to cross to the Brazilian side.
• Buy tickets to the national parks in advance to avoid queues. You can buy tickets from the official websites for the Argentine side of the falls here and for the Brazilian side here.
• Bring Argentinean pesos for convenience if you are arriving in Iguazu from Argentina, or Brazilian reals if you are arriving from Brazil. Either way, you will be able to pay with either currency.
• Bring comfortable clothes, a mackintosh, sunscreen and, most importantly, mosquito repellent.
• Enjoy the nature and beauty of Iguazu and be respectful of the environment and local culture.

Day 1: Visit to the Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian side

This first day of the Iguazu itinerary in 3 days will be dedicated to the jewel in the crown, the Iguazu Falls.

The ideal is to arrive early in the morning and start with one of the most popular trails, the Circuito Superior and Circuito Inferior, in which you will cross the jungle of Misiones and have views of the waterfalls from different angles.

To get to the Devil’s Throat, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park, you have two options: go by train (which is included in the entrance fee) or take a trail.

Depending on how much time you have, you can venture out on the Macuco trail through the lush jungle to the Arrechea waterfall.

📷 If you prefer to visit with an excursion, check prices here and book.

🔝 For more detailed info, read our guide to travel to Iguazu Falls on your own.

Once in Puerto Iguazu, there are many activities to get to know even more about the flora, fauna and culture of this region.

An example of this is a visit to the Hummingbird Garden, to see these curious birds up close, or Güirá Oga, a centre for the recovery and care of native animals. On the other hand, in the Orquidiario del Indio Solitario you will be able to see the care given to these plants and take a specimen for your home, while in the Parque Ecológico de La Aripuca, you can have a good time in the open air doing some of the activities proposed while you have a yerba mate ice-cream.

Day 2: Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side and sites in Puerto Iguazu

A trip to Iguazu Falls is not complete without visiting the Brazilian side of the park, so that’s why it’s included in this 3-day Iguazu itinerary.

For the visit you have these options:

• Do it on your own, in your own or rented vehicle, by public transport or taxi, following the indications that we have mentioned in our Guide to Visit the Iguazu Falls, or
• Booking in advance a day trip from Puerto Iguazu to the Brazilian side of the falls. Transfers and guide included. Does not include the price of access to the Iguaçu Park.

Once there, the visit is very simple, as there is only one trail with amazing panoramic views of the falls. Although if you want more adventure, they also have a trail called Macuco from which you can navigate to the waterfalls.

📷 If you would like to take the boat trip to the bottom of the falls, you can book your place on this Macuco Safari tour from Foz do Iguaçu.

On your way back to Puerto Iguazú, and to make your trip even more international, go to the Triple Frontier Landmark from where you can see the Paraguayan (and also the Brazilian) coast.

That night we recommend you to go to the Feirinha de Puerto Iguazú for a stroll and to try some local dishes.

Day 3: Visit San Ignacio Miní Ruins

Our 3-day itinerary in Iguazú includes this visit to the San Ignacio Miní Ruins, which are part of a group of Jesuit Reductions scattered throughout Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These reductions are nothing more than the ruins of missionary villages founded in the 17th century, which were sustained by agriculture and cattle raising. Each mission had a central church and spaces where children were taught to read and write and adults were taught a trade.

The Ruins of San Ignacio Miní are not the only ones you can visit in the area, but there are many more, such as Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana and Loreto. So if you drive or rent a car, you can get close to them.

In any case, it would be a good idea to visit the ruins with a local guide or on an excursion (some of them leave from Puerto Iguazú) to learn about the history beyond the bricks that are still standing.

📷 If you want to make the most of a day trip to the ruins (with a stop at the Wanda Mines), don’t miss this tour – book your place!

Before returning, take the opportunity to stroll around this typical missionary town, where there are a few more things to do, such as visiting the Horacio Quiroga Museum, where there is a replica of the house of this famous Uruguayan poet and short story writer, and buy some souvenirs at the Paseo de los Artesanos (Artisans’ Promenade).

Whether on the way there or on the way back, you must stop at the Wanda Mines, a deposit of precious stones where you can also buy some handmade souvenirs. But not only that, there are also guided tours of the mine to learn about the curious history of the site.

Where to stay in Iguazu?

You will probably need one or two nights in a hotel for these 3 days in Iguazu, so we have written an article with a few recommendations that may be useful for your trip.

🔝 Check out our recommendations for hotels in Iguazu (both on the Argentinean and Brazilian side).

In any case, I would like to point out different options to make a base in Puerto Iguazú, on the Argentinean side:

• Overlooking the Falls – Hotel Gran Meliá Iguazú: inside the park and with a view. A once in a lifetime treat.
• Charming Hotel – Panoramic Grand: elegant rooms offering panoramic views of the Iguazu River and the Triple Frontier. It has a restaurant and bar that are an experience in themselves, as well as a magnificent garden.
• Cabins for a more rustic stay – Cabañas El Refugio del Mensu: located at the entrance of the city and surrounded by a huge garden, ideal to stay with the family. Enjoy its swimming pool and its large barbecue area.
• Budget – Hostel Iguazu Falls: close to the centre of Puerto Iguazu, with swimming pool and shared kitchen. Simple private and shared rooms at a good price.

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I hope you liked this proposed itinerary to visit the Iguazu Falls in 3 days and the whole region, even crossing to Brazil. Any questions or comments please let us know and we will respond as soon as we can!

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