Iguazu Falls National Park

Iguazu falls is one of the most impressive natural wonders in South America. Located along the Iguazu River, the waterfalls have formed where the river meets the Parana Plateau. There are close to 300 individual waterfalls here, stretched along a 2.7-km stretch of land, and the powerful water plunges between 60 and 82 meters into the canyon below.

As we finished our trip through the Andes (Peru and Bolivia) and needed to find an airport to fly back home to Mexico. Before we left, we decided that we had to see Iguazu Falls. We managed to find a cheap flight from Montevideo, Uruguay, and began to plan our trip to the Waterfalls of Iguazu. I have been so excited about slowly working our way towards this post as we follow our adventures across South America. This was much like our actual adventure traveling towards this destination in real life.

There are close to 300 waterfalls located along a 2.7-km stretch of land, where the Iguazu River meets the Parana Plateau, falling as high as 82 meters from top to bottom. About half of this liquid power falls at a single point (known as the Devil’s Throat) which is the highest and the deepest part of the waterfalls and is the main attraction Iguazu. This is also the busiest part of the National Park and its impossible to avoid huge groups of tourists – it is worth every elbow to the chest to get a few minutes next to the Garganta del Diablo.

What makes Iguazu Falls so amazing?

Iguazu Falls are one of the best waterfalls in the world. It should sit near the top of everyone’s people’s bucket list and is (and was for us) one of the highlights of any trip to South America.

Iguazu Falls are one of the most famous – and stunning – waterfalls in the world. They hold this lofty praise with some good company – often compared alongside Niagra and Victoria Falls as one of the best. When you see it with your own eyes, it is hard to imagine a more impressive natural phenomenon. We visited in the rainy season when the rivers were swollen with extra water, adding to the spectacle.

The rest of the day we spent walking the different trails that take you around the attraction, which lead to viewing platforms that allow you to get an up close and personal view. There is no shortage of impressive views. There are so many small, medium and large size waterfalls everywhere. In the rainy season – when we were visiting – the water surges and creates close to 300 individual falls. It was a day we will never forget.

So much water!

It’s impossible the capture in a picture or video how truly impressive these falls are. Everywhere you look, there is water going over an edge. There is always the sound of water crashing, a constant mist rising up to hit your face, and the smell of the jungle all around you. It is a 360-degree assault on all of your senses.

We spent an afternoon exploring the massive falls and captured a video of our day of adventures. There is so much to see and do here, with three “circuits” – a collection of catwalks and viewing platforms – which allow you to get up close to the waterfalls.

If you have time – and a Brazilian Visa – you can spend two days viewing the falls from both sides of the river. We only had a short time to visit and chose the Argentina side (the larger and more popular side of the falls). There are many islands and catwalks that allows you to walk next to, underneath and beside this natural wonder. This allows you to get up close and personal with the waterfalls. Iguazu has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1980s (in both countries) and was recently named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

This is a place that you have to see to believe.

Where is Iguazu Falls and how do i get there?

The Iguazu River forms the southernmost border between Brazil and Argentina, and the falls are shared between the two countries – a little unfairly in Argentina’s favour – in a 20/80 split. A little further downstream from the falls, is the “three corners”, where the Iguazu and Parana rivers join together, forming the border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

I had been here before – in 2005 – but for Norma, this would be her first time visiting Iguazu. Both times I traveled to Iguazu required long overnight buses to cover the large distance between here and anywhere else. Both times the long journey was worth it, as the waterfalls are so beautiful and worth any inconvenience it takes to get here.

We only had one day to explore, but we wish we had enough time to visit from the Brazil side as well, but sadly we only got the one day experience. These pictures are a testament to how amazing this place is.

We got up early, took the bus from town and made it here before some of the crowds took over. We went straight to the Devil’s Throat, a massive horseshoe-shaped waterfall where the majority of the Parana River falls over the edge. The thunderous roar of the water and constant mist blowing up towards the viewing platform made for one impressive sight.

Iguazu Falls National Park:

The view of the waterfalls from below. 2017.

Welcome to the jungle. 2017.

A coati sitting in a tree. 2017.

Iguazu Falls. 2017.

The thunderous sound of water crashing everywhere around you. 2017.

Waterfalls. 2017.

The Devil’s Throat. 2017.

Butterflies. 2017.

Upper Parana Rivier. 2017.

Waterfall. 2017.

The Devil’s Throat with mist. 2017.

Across the other side of the falls, you can see the Brazil flag. 2017.

Catwalks across the river. 2017.

Double Rainbow. 2017.

Iguazu Falls. 2017.

Going in for a closer look. 2017.

A Coati digging in the dirt. 2017.

Norma posing in front of the waterfalls. 2017.

Standing on the edge. 2017.

Waterfalls everywhere. 2017.

Popular viewing platform. 2017.

Breathtaking views. 2017. 

Iguazu Falls. 2017.

A family of Coati’s. 2017.

The calm before the fall. 2017.

Wildlife everywhere. 2017.

Viewing platforms. 2017.

Mist rising from the Devil’s Throat. 2017.

Picture Perfect. 2017.

Rob posing in front of the falls. 2017.

The upper Parana River. 2017.

Failed Attempt: When shooting waterfall pictures its hard to avoid the mist. 2017.

Iguazu Falls National Park. 2017. 

The Waterfalls of Iguazu:

What an amazing place! Iguazu Falls are located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. When all this water reaches the Parana Plateau, it comes crashing down in a series of almost 300 individual waterfalls.

The main attraction is the Devil’s Throat -where about half of the total water reaches the edge. We spent a day exploring the Argentine side of the falls and tried to capture the experience on video. The constant sound of crashing water and the mist hitting your face (or camera lens) makes for an unforgettable experience.