Iguaçu Falls, Brazil: Best Things to Do – Top Picks

With a thunderous roar that can be heard from miles away, Iguaçu Falls sends over 400,000 gallons of water per second cascading down 275 individual waterfalls — making it twice as wide as Niagara Falls and significantly more impressive. This UNESCO World Heritage site straddling the border of Brazil and Argentina offers travelers one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles on Earth. Whether you’re planning to explore the panoramic Brazilian side or the more intimate Argentine perspective, this guide will help you discover the very best experiences at this magnificent wonder of nature.

Getting to Iguaçu Falls

The Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls is accessed through the city of Foz do Iguaçu, which has an international airport (IGU) with regular connections to major Brazilian cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. If you’re coming from Argentina, the falls are accessible from Puerto Iguazú, just across the border.

Best Time to Visit

The falls are spectacular year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Visit between August and November for comfortable temperatures and moderate water flow. December to February brings higher temperatures and more rainfall, resulting in fuller waterfalls but more crowds. March to May offers pleasant weather and fewer visitors, while June and July can be cooler but still enjoyable.

Exploring the Brazilian Side

The Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls offers spectacular panoramic views that showcase the magnitude of this natural wonder. A well-maintained trail system leads visitors along the canyon, providing increasingly impressive vistas culminating at the breathtaking Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo).

Devil’s Throat

The highlight of the Brazilian side is the walkway that extends out over the river, bringing you face-to-face with the Devil’s Throat. Here, water thunders down from three sides into a narrow chasm, creating a perpetual cloud of mist and rainbows. The power and sound of the water is truly awe-inspiring.

Parque das Aves (Bird Park)

Located near the entrance to the Brazilian national park, this bird sanctuary houses over 1,000 birds from 150 species, including toucans, macaws, and flamingos. Many of the birds have been rescued from wildlife traffickers. The immersive aviaries allow visitors to walk among free-flying birds in a natural rainforest setting.

Discovering the Argentinian Side

While the Brazilian side offers panoramic views, the Argentinian side allows you to get up close and personal with the falls through an extensive network of trails and walkways. Plan to spend a full day here to explore all the circuits.

Upper and Lower Circuits

The Upper Circuit (Circuito Superior) provides views from the top of the falls, while the Lower Circuit (Circuito Inferior) offers perspectives from below. The Lower Circuit is particularly impressive as you can feel the spray from the falls and get remarkably close to several cascades.

Ecological Jungle Train

This narrow-gauge train transports visitors through the rainforest to the starting points of various trails, including the path to Devil’s Throat. Powered by natural gas to minimize environmental impact, the train ride itself is a pleasant journey through the lush jungle.

Macuco Safari

For an unforgettable adventure, take the Macuco Safari boat ride that brings you thrillingly close to the base of the falls. After an electric vehicle ride through the jungle and a short hike, you’ll board powerful boats that navigate the rapids and take you right into the spray of the falls. Be prepared to get completely soaked!

Where to Stay

The area around Iguaçu Falls offers accommodation options for every budget, from luxury resorts to comfortable mid-range hotels and budget-friendly hostels.

Luxury Option: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

This pink-hued colonial-style hotel is the only accommodation inside Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park. Staying here grants you exclusive access to the falls before and after regular park hours—a magical experience without the crowds. The hotel features elegant rooms, a beautiful pool, and excellent dining options.

Mid-Range Options

Both Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) offer numerous comfortable hotels with good amenities. Many provide shuttle services to the falls and have pools to cool off after a day of exploration.

Budget-Friendly Choices

Hostels and guesthouses in both towns cater to budget travelers. Puerto Iguazú tends to be slightly less expensive than the Brazilian side and has a good selection of affordable accommodations.

Beyond the Falls: Other Attractions

While the falls are undoubtedly the main attraction, the surrounding area offers several other interesting experiences worth exploring.

Itaipu Dam

Once the world’s largest hydroelectric dam (now second only to China’s Three Gorges Dam), Itaipu is an engineering marvel on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. Tours take you inside this massive structure that supplies nearly 80% of Paraguay’s electricity and 17% of Brazil’s.

Triple Frontier (Marco das Três Fronteiras)

Visit the unique point where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet at the confluence of the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers. Each country has an obelisk marking its territory, painted in the colors of its national flag.

Guaraní Indigenous Community

Learn about the culture and traditions of the Guaraní people, the indigenous inhabitants of the region. Several communities near Puerto Iguazú welcome visitors to experience their way of life, traditional crafts, and ancestral knowledge of the rainforest.

Practical Tips for Visiting Iguaçu Falls

Best Photo Spots

For the most impressive photos, visit Devil’s Throat early in the morning when the light is soft and crowds are thinner. On the Brazilian side, the walkway provides excellent panoramic shots, especially around midday when rainbows are most likely to appear in the mist.

Ready to Experience the Wonder of Iguaçu Falls?

Iguaçu Falls stands as one of nature’s most spectacular masterpieces, where the raw power of water meets the lush beauty of the rainforest. Whether you’re captivated by panoramic vistas from the Brazilian side, thrilled by close encounters on the Argentinian walkways, or soaked to the skin on a Macuco Safari boat ride, this natural wonder delivers unforgettable experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.