Let me walk you through my itinerary. There may be a few details I’ve missed, but I’ll add them in the comments later.
Round-trip flight times:
✈️ 6:40-8:35 (delayed to 7:20-9:20)
✈️ 20:05-9:25 (delayed to 20:30-10:30)
Once you land, you’ll need transportation to reach Iguazu Falls, located within the stunning Iguazú National Park.
📍 **Iguazú National Park**
Here are your options for getting from the airport to the park:
TAXI: After exiting the airport, turn left where you’ll find a taxi counter with a price list. Don’t hesitate to bargain!
🚙 UBER: A convenient choice costing around ARS 9730 (approximately RMB 70).
🚌 BUS: Allegedly, there’s a bus counter just outside the terminal, but I didn’t do my research properly and missed it.
At the taxi counter, we asked if we could visit the Brazilian side without a visa. The answer was yes—for most nationalities—but Koreans were told otherwise 😑 (typical competitive spirit, right?). To make the most of our trip, we chartered a taxi for $100, which included round trips to both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.
We eagerly anticipated crossing into Brazil after leaving the Argentine border to collect our entry stamp (Picture 4). However, we were stopped and informed that a visa was required. Disappointed but undeterred, we decided to fully embrace the Argentine side instead. As a consolation, our driver took us to the tri-border point connecting Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil (Picture 4), giving us the thrill of visiting three countries in one day!
By noon, we finally arrived at the entrance to the Argentine side.
🎟 **Ticket Price:** ARS 45000 (approximately RMB 324)
⏰ **12:00 PM – 3:00 PM**
We began by taking the train to explore the iconic Devil’s Throat (Red Line, 2200m). Pictures 1 and 2 showcase this breathtaking sight—no explanation needed. Before reaching the main attraction, you’ll stroll along a picturesque pathway through lush greenery. Once at the Devil’s Throat, prepare to be awestruck by its sheer power; gazing into it feels like standing on the edge of eternity.
⏰ **3:00 PM – 5:00 PM**
Next, we tackled the Upper Trail (Blue Line, 1550m) and Lower Trail (Orange Line, 1400m). These paths offer unique perspectives of the falls—at eye level (Pictures 6, 7, 8) and from below (Picture 9). Both trails are well worth exploring, and the hiking difficulty is moderate, with each segment taking about 40 minutes for walking and photography.
😴 **Summary:** Based on other travel guides and my personal experience, here’s how to maximize your time at Iguazu if you only have one day:
If you hold a Brazilian visa, start your morning on the Brazilian side for an up-close view of the falls, then head back to the Argentine side to marvel at the Devil’s Throat.
If you don’t have a Brazilian visa, focus on the Argentine side and venture under the falls for a more immersive experience. This allows greater flexibility with your schedule.
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention the elephant in the room—the park’s food is both shockingly pricey and far from satisfying! A simple sandwich will set you back around 64 RMB, while a humble bottle of mineral water costs a staggering 20 RMB. As for the cookies? Let’s just say they didn’t exactly tempt me. If you ask me, packing your own snacks is the way to go.
At AEP airport, there’s a McDonald’s before security where you can grab something quick, and a few sandwich options if you’re willing to venture post-security. Plus, there are convenient water fountains scattered around for refilling your bottles—definitely a lifesaver!
On the other hand, IGU airport has the delightful Martinez restaurant before security, which offers some solid choices. However, once you pass through security, the dining scene starts to feel a bit lackluster. The available options aren’t exactly appetizing, so it might be wise to plan ahead. 🤔
