If you’re planning a trip to Argentina and considering a day excursion from Buenos Aires to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, this travel guide will come in handy. Please note that this advice is based on my understanding and hasn’t been personally tested, so it’s meant for reference purposes only.
1. To make the most of your round-trip journey from Buenos Aires to Iguazu, it’s highly recommended to fly with Aerolineas Argentinas. Flybondi, while an option, tends to have a higher likelihood of delays or cancellations. Arrival times at Iguazu vary depending on the flight schedule, but the airport is just 20 minutes away from the park by taxi.
For optimal timing, opt for the earliest or second-earliest flight to ensure you reach Iguazu promptly. If you’re keen on experiencing the thrilling boat ride beneath the falls, aim for an early arrival. This gives you ample time to purchase park tickets (which can involve some queuing) and enter the park.
The first boat ride departs at 9:00 am, followed by another at 10:15 am. Booking online ahead of time is advisable. Be aware that the first session tends to be crowded, lasting roughly two hours and concluding around 11:30 am. Missing this session could disrupt your overall itinerary significantly.
2. Upon reaching the park and purchasing your entry ticket, here’s what you can expect. The park boasts several must-see attractions, including two scenic trails known as the upper circuit and lower circuit, the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat, and the optional boat ride beneath the falls. Within the park, there are three train stations: Central Station (the park entrance), Falls Station (the starting point for both circuits), and Devil’s Throat Station (where you’ll find stunning views of the Devil’s Throat).
Walking from Central Station to Falls Station is quite a distance, so after entering the park, you’ll typically collect a free train ticket and queue up to board the train to Falls Station. If you’ve opted for the boat ride, you can board the train right at the park entrance. After the ride, the train will conveniently drop you off at Falls Station.
Enjoy your adventure to Iguazu Falls!
3. The itinerary is designed with two scenarios: with or without the boat ride.
1. If you skip the boat ride, after arriving at the park, hop on the small train to reach the Falls Station. From here, you can choose between the Upper or Lower Circuit for a scenic walk. Since both trails are looped, you’ll return to the starting point after completing one, so the order doesn’t matter.
Each trail should take around 1.5 hours to explore fully. Afterward, take the small train to the Devil’s Throat Station, allocating about 3 hours for queuing, walking to the viewing platform, snapping photos, and returning. Alternatively, upon reaching the Falls Station, you could proceed directly by train to the Devil’s Throat Station, then backtrack to the Falls Station to enjoy the walking trails.
Without the boat ride, you can comfortably complete all three activities in one day, with plenty of time to spare.
2. If you opt for the exhilarating boat ride (Gran Aventura, website www.iguazujungle.com—be sure to bring a change of clothes as you’ll get completely soaked; raincoats aren’t very effective), I highly recommend booking the first ride at 9:00 am. To do this, your flight needs to arrive at Iguazu Airport before 8:00 am.
After the thrilling boat ride, you’ll be dropped off at the Falls Station around 11:30 am. From there, head straight to the Devil’s Throat by queuing for the small train. It’s best to visit the Devil’s Throat first because if you start with the trails, you might run out of time later for this iconic attraction.
Once you’ve seen the Devil’s Throat, take the train back to the Falls Station and use the remaining time to explore both the Upper and Lower Circuits. If time is tight, you can still cover each trail in about an hour.
4. Return to Buenos Aires: Conclude your perfect day with a flight departing around 8:00 pm to return to Buenos Aires.
