On our recent trip to Argentina, we took a two-hour flight north to the hamlet of Puerto Iguazú – gateway to one of the most awe-inspiring wonders in South America, if not the world. Iguazú Falls is what happens when the upper Iguazú River plunges almost 300 feet into the lower Iguazú River gorge. Its horizontal span – almost two miles – ranks it the fourth widest waterfall system in the world, behind Khone Phapheng in Laos, Pará in Venezuela, and Kongou in Gabon (note to selves: visit those too!).
So you might be wondering how Niagara Falls fits on this scale. According to the information we got at Iguazú National Park, Niagara is the ninth widest. Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe is number seven in width, but holds the distinction of having the world’s widest uninterrupted curtain of water.
At the falls, the Iguazú River creates an international border between Brazil and Argentina; in fact, it’s possible to visit the falls on either side. Most tourists (at least those from someplace beside the U.S.) check out the view from both countries, but a visa to Brazil costs U.S. citizens $160 (per person!). We’d gotten our hopes up because we’d heard that fee had been waived for the Olympics, but it turns out the waiver expired on Sept. 12 – so we took a pass on Brazil.
The Argentina side did not disappoint. We can’t imagine the views from Brazil being any more encompassing, or breathtaking. Argentina has created a beautifully maintained national park that gives fantastic access to visitors, including panoramic views with walkways and platforms that take you right out over several of the falls. There’s also a boat ride that took us right into the Devil’s Throat, and so far into the San Martin fall that we got completely drenched (and I do mean drenched!).
Fourteen miles downstream, the lower Iguazú River joins with the Río Paraná at the juncture of three countries: Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. We spent three nights in the town of Puerto Iguazú, with panoramic views of the confluence. Since I just had to find out how many other places in the world enable you to stand in (or, in our case, view) three countries at once, I found this article – with a nice mention of the Iguazú-Paraná tripoint.
So, back to the falls. Honestly, they simply defy description. Nothing I can say here, nor any of these pictures, really captures the immense power of all of that water. In many spots, it felt like the very ground was shaking under our feet. Visiting Iguazú Falls was a truly humbling experience, and a reminder of how small we humans are in the scheme of things. We’ll never forget our trip there.
21 Comments
A travelogue worthy of National Geographic!
Aww, muy amable 🙂
Great pictures. The second bird could be a weaver judging from the nest?
I had a feeling you’d know! I’ll have to research weavers now. Thanks, amiga!
having lived near iguacu falls for 3 yrs visited many times, best view ,experience is from Brazilian sideas you can also go to base of waterfalls , was fortunate to see in 1983 , record rainfall wiped out platform at base with monstrous flow from falls , so much to see there ”itaipu dam ” on parana river 15 miles away , enormous bird park and parks on both side of falls helicopter rides and boat rides , niagara so small compared to this and Vic falls in Zimbawi which is not as wide as iguacu but deeper, both best to see in rainy season for maximum effects of waterfall!!
Thanks for your comment! We hope to see the falls from the Brazil side someday. I hear they’ve had similar rainfall lately that wiped out the walkway at the Devil’s Throat.
Now, that’s what I’ve been waiting for! Breathtaking views and I love that you included the beautiful birds and flowers. Thanks for taking us along with you!
Thanks, Mimi, glad you liked the photos! And yes, the flora and fauna were a big part of the experience there. That was a little unexpected, actually.
Okay, you two, enough with the bucket list items. Lordy, we’re gonna be bankrupt trying to keep up with you. Great pix, as usual, and great writing, too. And the pictures…Wow. Keep ’em coming!
Love the pictures, will read the letter tomorrow! Thanks! love you, Janis
On Mon, Oct 3, 2016 at 3:04 PM, Latitude Adjustment wrote:
> Latitude Adjustment: Two Wanderers in Panama posted: ” On our recent trip > to Argentina, we took a two-hour flight north to the hamlet of Puerto > Iguazú – gateway to one of the most awe-inspiring wonders in South America, > if not the world. Iguazú Falls is what happens when the upper Iguazú River > plunges almos” >
Excellent! Ya, we had to pay the $160 each as our cruise lands in Rio. We won’t make those falls this trip, though, I don’t think. Too bad. It sounds like a wonderful place to see. Guy
On Mon, Oct 3, 2016 at 5:04 PM, Latitude Adjustment wrote:
> Latitude Adjustment: Two Wanderers in Panama posted: ” On our recent trip > to Argentina, we took a two-hour flight north to the hamlet of Puerto > Iguazú – gateway to one of the most awe-inspiring wonders in South America, > if not the world. Iguazú Falls is what happens when the upper Iguazú River > plunges almos” >
You’ll just have to use your Brazil visa to go back another time! I think it’s good for a few years, no?
Wow!!!
This post makes me wish there was more than just a “Like” button to push! What I really meant was, “WOW!”…Just Breathtaking! Incredible photos and I’m sure they can’t come close to capturing it , like you said! Thanks so much for sharing them!
It was unbelievable! I see a trip there for you and Scott in the very near future 🙂
Wow!! Incredible! You have me convinced that our trip next year should be to Argentina. How did you find the prices compared to other S. American cities?
Wow, what photos! That looks amazing
It’s magical!! Well done and looks like an amazing trip 🙂
Really breathaking one and your picture are very beautiful!
Great Photos! Iguazu is firmly on our agenda for our Argentina trip in a few months. Can’t wait to experience it for ourselves
Thank you!! You will LOVE Iguazú. We wanted to see it from the Brazil side as well, but at the time Brazil was charging US citizens a pretty hefty entrance fee. I think that’s been waived now, though. Enjoy your trip to Argentina!