Argentina · Brazil · Paraná Plateau
Iguazu Falls
Cataratas del Iguazú / Cataratas do Iguaçu
Nearly 275 individual cascades stretch across almost three kilometres where the Iguazu River meets a basalt escarpment, with catwalks on the Argentine side leading through the spray and a panoramic overlook on the Brazilian side taking in the whole sweep at once. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed 'poor Niagara' on first seeing it.
Nearly 275 individual cascades stretch across almost three kilometres where the Iguazu River meets a basalt escarpment, with catwalks on the Argentine side leading through the spray and a panoramic overlook on the Brazilian side taking in the whole sweep at once. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed 'poor Niagara' on first seeing it.
Iguazu Falls drops 82 metres (269 ft) across a face roughly 2700 metres wide on the Iguazu, inside Iguazú National Park / Iguaçu National Park. It is a segmented-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Puerto Iguazú, with IGR the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
Water is fullest after the Aug-Oct rains; extreme flood events occasionally close walkways.
What you can do here
Helicopter flights
Some falls are simply too wide to see from the ground. Twelve minutes in the air solves it.
Zip lines
Cable-crossing a gorge at the height the spray reaches, usually with the falls in your peripheral vision the whole way.
Boat cruises
The classic approach: come at the falls from the water, usually at sunset, usually with a drink.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
Wildlife & safari
Falls that sit inside serious wildlife country, where the water is only half the reason to come.
When to go
Water is fullest after the Aug-Oct rains; extreme flood events occasionally close walkways.
Entry: ~$25-30 USD Argentina side, ~$20 USD Brazil side
Getting there
- Base townPuerto Iguazú
- AirportIGR
- CountryArgentina, Brazil
- RegionParaná Plateau, South America
- AccessEasy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
On the map
-25.6953, -54.4367
Quick answers
How tall is Iguazu Falls?
Iguazu Falls drops 82 metres (269 feet), across a face about 2700 metres wide. It is a segmented-type waterfall on the Iguazu.
When is the best time to visit Iguazu Falls?
Peak flow is August to November. Water is fullest after the Aug-Oct rains; extreme flood events occasionally close walkways.
What can you do at Iguazu Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: helicopter flights, zip lines, boat cruises, hiking, photography and wildlife & safari. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Iguazu Falls?
The usual base is Puerto Iguazú, and the closest airport is IGR. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. ~$25-30 USD Argentina side, ~$20 USD Brazil side.
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