How to Plan an Ideal Day at Iguazu Falls

Visiting the Argentina Side of the Falls Outside Puerto Iguazu

Feb 28, 2009 Kesse Buchanan

Any visit to the falls will be memorable, but it is recommended to visit the park in a certain order for the maximum effect of viewing the falls on the Argentina side.

Not only are they a UNESCO World Heritage site, but Iguazu Falls, straddling Argentina and Brazil are now ranked number five to be rated as one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Iguazu Falls Park Logistics

There are buses every 15-30 minutes leaving from 8 a.m. onwards until 8 p.m. from the main bus station in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. The bus fare is 5 pesos each way (about $1.75). Buses drop passengers off in front of the park. Admission to the park for foreigners is 60 pesos (about $20). If one sees the falls one day and wants to go again the next, they can get their ticket stamped and get in for half price the next day, so be sure to keep the ticket.

If a visitor only has one day to see the falls, all the sites can be seen as long as a plan is made. It is more exciting to build up to the most dramatic view of the falls and see the impressive Throat of The Devil view last, then the other views are more appreciated. This itinerary also allows for the most comfort clothing and crowd-wise as well as time for a picnic in an ideal location.

Iguazu Falls Itinerary

Upper Circuit

The upper circuit is the best starting place. It tends to be the most crowed, so if one takes it first in the morning it will be less crowded than in the afternoon when more people are in the park. It is also the walk that one is least likely to get wet on, so they are not walking in wet clothes all day due to the spray from the falls. The upper circuit is a short walk and will not take up too much time.

Lower Circuit

It is easy to access the lower circuit after the upper and there are bathrooms located conveniently in between. There is also a place to buy food if one is hungry. The lower circuit takes longer but is well worth the effort and it takes visitors to the launching point for the boats.

There are a variety of possible side trips that can take visitors on exciting boat rides to the falls. This costs extra but is extremely popular. Be prepared to get wet. Trips can be booked at the park.

San Martin Island

Boats to San Martin Island leave every ten minutes from the bottom of the lower circuit. It is free and they only take about five minutes to get to the island. From the island there is another great viewpoint of the falls but be prepared for some spray here. After visiting the viewpoint, it is nice to relax on the sandy beach of the island and an ideal place for a picnic. Swimming is allowed as well.

A train, free of charge, takes a visitor to the final stop. From here, one walks on elevated trails over rivers and swamps. Crocodiles can be seen from this point. The spray of the falls is visible before the falls themselves. The view is stunning and the platform leads to right above the falls. This is also the best view of the Brazil side.

Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)

If one still has energy after all this, there is another hike that can be done, the Macuco Trail to another waterfall, a little over 3 kilometers each way.

There are places to buy food in the park as well as souvenirs and a visitor’s center. Wildlife in the park includes birds, butterflies, crocodiles, coatis, monkeys and even jaguars.

What to Bring for a Day at Iguazu Falls

· Sunscreen

· Water bottle

· Bug repellent

· Picnic lunch

· Swimsuit and towel

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Camera

· Plastic bag or waterproofing for camera

A trip to Igauzu Falls is unforgettable, and even if one manages to see everything in one day, it is likely they will want to come back for a second day to do it all again.

The copyright of the article How to Plan an Ideal Day at Iguazu Falls in South America Travel is owned by Kesse Buchanan. Permission to republish How to Plan an Ideal Day at Iguazu Falls in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.