Day 1️⃣: Arrival in Iguazu
Our flight touched down at 7:30 PM. A driver met us at the airport and whisked us away for 18,000 pesos—splitting it three ways, that came to a reasonable 6,000 pesos per person. On the ride into town, we passed the entrance to the legendary Iguazu Falls, nestled neatly between the airport and the city.
After dropping off our luggage at our cozy homestay, we ventured out on foot to explore the local eateries. Most of the homestays and restaurants are clustered together, making it easy to find something delicious to satisfy our travel-weary appetites.
Day 2️⃣: Iguazu Falls – Argentine Side 🇦🇷
We set off bright and early at 8 AM, hailing a taxi that delivered us to the falls by 9 AM. At the park entrance, we purchased our tickets. If you’re lucky enough to have an Argentine ID, you’ll enjoy a significantly reduced rate of 15,000 pesos—a far cry from the passport price!
Once inside, we headed straight for the boat ride tickets, marked with a bold “jungle” sign. Before committing, we listened intently as the guide outlined the route details. His final nod was required before we could finalize the purchase. Alas, even with an ID, there’s no discount for the thrilling boat ride.
We opted for the premium 75,000 peso experience. After securing our boat tickets, we exchanged them for complimentary train tickets, which would transport us to the iconic Devil’s Throat.
Our boat adventure was scheduled for 1 PM, so we arranged for a 3:30 PM train departure. It’s crucial to lock in your train ticket time ahead of schedule; otherwise, you risk missing out on your preferred slot. The boat ride itself is nothing short of exhilarating—it lasts at least two hours, and you’ll be drenched from head to toe.
Changing rooms are available if you need to freshen up, but fear not if you forget spare clothes—the scorching heat ensures you’ll dry off quickly during your hike. The train doesn’t deliver you directly to the Devil’s Throat; a short stroll is required. By 4 PM, we stood awestruck before the mighty Garganta del Diablo, its roaring cascade leaving us feeling utterly enveloped by nature’s grandeur.
To top it off, we were treated to a breathtaking double rainbow 🌈. Unfortunately, we missed the last train on our return journey and ended up walking out of the park under the fading evening light at 6 PM.
Day 3️⃣: Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side 🇧🇷
Departing at 9 AM, we arrived promptly at 10 AM. Our taxi driver skillfully navigated us straight to the Brazilian side of the falls. Here, customs officials carefully inspected our passports and IDs. The Brazilian side proved far busier than its Argentine counterpart, resulting in longer queues for tickets, priced at 32,500 pesos.
Upon arrival, we were enthusiastically encouraged to take a helicopter tour—an unforgettable way to marvel at the falls from above. Words simply cannot capture the sheer beauty of this aerial perspective. Keep in mind, however, that the helicopter ride isn’t included within the park boundaries, meaning you’ll need to re-enter afterward.
We stepped into the park at 1 PM. On the Brazilian side, visitors board buses in small groups, disembarking at designated spots to fully immerse themselves in the natural wonders.
As soon as we hopped off the bus, we set off at a brisk pace to explore the area. By 1:30 PM, we found ourselves at the iconic filming location of Wong Kar-wai’s “Happy Together,” where we snapped a few memorable photos before heading back for another boat ride. The Brazilian side offers a combined ticket for both the boat ride and entrance, priced at 90,000 pesos—a bit steeper than what you’d pay on the Argentine side.
One interesting difference is that the jeep tours on the Brazilian side are conducted in three languages: Spanish, English, and Portuguese, whereas the Argentine version sticks solely to Spanish.
The boat ride on the Brazilian side takes you under a cascading waterfall—not just once, but twice! While it’s an exhilarating experience, the water is bone-chillingly cold, leaving me shivering despite my excitement. For this reason, I personally enjoyed the boat ride on the Argentine side more—it felt just as thrilling without the icy shock.
We wrapped up our adventure by 4 PM, rushing back to catch our flight. Crossing back into Argentina through customs was painfully slow, so if you’re traveling here, be sure to budget extra time for this process. Thankfully, our flight was delayed, which saved us from missing it altogether—we barely made it in time!
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@HotPotato @TravelPotato
