For a number of years Kathie and I always marveled at the section of the EPCOT’s Soarin movie concerning Iguazu Falls. We decided to take a 18 day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale on the Sapphire Princess which ended for us in Buenos Aires. We then booked for a 3 day journey to see these magical falls. We started by flying in mid-December of 2024 from Buenos Aires on Argentina Aerolineas to a city which was northwest of the Iquazu Falls called Foz do Iguacu.
The flight was just over an hour landing at “IGR.” We could actually see the mist rising from the falls from our window seat.
We were the only plane at the airport at 14:00—a strange feeling indeed.
There are several ways to get where you want to go. We decided to get a taxi. Rates, luckily, are fixed. In December, the taxi rate from to our Panoramic Grand Hotel on the Argentinian side was US $18.
Our ride was a good 10 miles along this jungle road. Every so often are posters warning you about encountering “Jaguars” and other animals. We never did see one and the chances of actually seeing a Jaguar is highly remote. But I would not allow children to venture too far off! There are Puma’s too.
At our hotel we had to pay an extra fee for a “Tourist Card,” i.e., another tax. The next day our tour guide insisted that we have our cards as security checkpoints will make sure you have paid your fee.
We did a private tour from Viator. It was just over $200. Our official guide sent his buddy to do the tour. We found Nelton Linton from Brazil quite knowledgeable. He is soon to be a guide with ToursByLocals.
Our guide picked us up 7:20 AM to “beat” the crowds. We went to the Argentinian side first. We had to pay our entry fee of about US $20 per person—all credit cards accepted. I believe one can pay for a ticket on line which would save you from 15 to 30 minutes of waiting.
There are a number of informative pavilions along the way. We never did stop to see one. Our intent was to get on the “train” early for a ride out to the falls. The train reminded us our experiences at Magic Kingdom. Although this train would allow four people to sit on one side—a rather tight fit.
After leaving the train, there is over a half-mile walk to get to the famous section of Iguazu Falls called “Devil’s Throat.” It is here where the highest falls are located, 269 feet high. Eleanor Roosevelt in 1944 when she saw Iguazu Falls said, “Poor Niagara.”
Iguazu Falls is the largest falls in the world—over 275 falls (sometimes 300), with over 40 named falls—all from one river—Iguazu.
Like Niagara Falls, one can take a fast-speeding boat to see the falls up close. On the Brazilian side they allow people to use the helicopter.
The walkway is made up of cement and steel. We did see someone being pushed in a wheelchair. The steel mesh does feel different on your feet.
Nelton showed us what the old walkway looked like:
Every so often, you can see an old part of the walkway destroyed by a flood or two.
You will likely not be alone. The train takes you back to where you have an option to trek the upper or lower falls trail. We did the upper falls trail and it is also stunning.
Our guide took us over to the Brazilian side in the afternoon. Going over the border was not tricky, but you have to have your passports. It took a good 30 or so minutes. We surmise that one could rent a car and do the entire falls by themselves.
There is a large entry complex for the Brazilian side of the falls. After paying their fee, busses will take you down the road to see their side of the falls. Since we had a guide, we were allowed to travel by our tour guides car.
Even though there are more falls on the Argentinian side, we thought the Brazilian side of the falls is as beautiful and magical as Argentina. On the Brazilian side, though, one can actually see the falls from the bottom looking up.
It was also on the Brazilian side that we saw the most wildlife. A small butterfly landed on Kathie’s finger.
We did not get back to our hotel until at least 17:00. It was a long but exciting day. A day we will never forget.
We decided to spend three days around Iguazu. First day travel; second day touring the falls; and the third day enjoying our hotel’s pool and trekking into town.
We could have done the falls in 2 days. Some companies will fly you up and back in one day.
There are two famous hotels of note: The Argentinian side there is the Gran Melia. The Brazilian side the pink Belmond Hotel.
We looked into staying at one these fine hotels as they are close to the falls. We could not justify the cost though. Spending one day at a luxury place, was the expense of a decent hotel in town for 3 days. Either way, the falls is what we came to see.
