Iguazu Falls: Argentina or Brazil?

 Panorama from the Brazilian side

This is the big debate isn’t it. The Iguazu Falls is by far the most amazing waterfall I’ve seen in my life.

Bordering both Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in the World. It stretches for almost 2.7km along the Iguazu River and can be visited easily from both sides of the border and from Paraguay. The most impressive of the 275 cascading waterfalls is the U-shaped Devil’s Throat.

But which side of the falls is better and what should you do if you only have time to visit one. Skip to the bottom if you you just want the conclusion but you’ll be missing out on lots of useful information and pictures!

Detailed information on costs, durations and directions to the falls can be seen from my Iguazu Falls Ultimate Guide here.

Protip: You will get wet. Bring a poncho, extra clothes and waterproof your stuff before you go! There are lockers provided at the entrance of both parks for you to store your belongings.

Argentina 

The waterfalls were vomiting rainbows everywhere everytime the sun shines

The Argentinian side of the falls is easiest reached from Puerto Iguazu and generally offers a pretty close encounter with the falls. There are 3 main sections of the falls here, the Paseo Garganta del Diablo (paseo means trail), Paseo Superior and Paseo Inferior. A train shuttle service ferries you easily to all routes.

Protip: Start from the Garganta del Diablo for a general view, then the Superior and finally the Inferior route for a close encounter with the waterfalls and boat ride. I took 5hours including the 12min boat ride.

Selfie over the edge of Devil’s Throat
Feeling the power of the falls
Just 5m away and getting insanely drenched

 Wet and wild at the Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls. Rainbows and water everywhere!!!! Full blog post with more pictures and useful tips up soon. #argentina #goeverywhere #iguazu #iguazufalls #travel #gopro #waterfall #nofilter

Waterfall boat trip is a must do!

Pros:

• You can get very close to the waterfalls. Certain portions you are literally above the waterfall and the view looking down is pretty amazing. There is even a gallery at the Inferior trail where you are literally 5m away from the falls and will get very very wet.
• There are a couple of small waterfalls you can also explore and get close to.
• My favourite part is the option to only do the boat tour for a cheaper price instead of having it packaged with other jungle walking activities on the Brazilian side.
• It is convenient for families with children because of the flat walkways.

Cons:

• The border crossing from Foz do Iguazu is pretty troublesome and takes up more time than you should.
• They only accept pesos at the park entrance even though USD and Brazilian Reals can be used for the activities and shops inside the National Park.
• There is a lot of walking in this Park

Brazil

 Overview of the spectacular Iguazu Falls

Brazilian side of the falls can be easily reached from Foz do Iguazu by bus 120 that runs pretty often along the main streets (detailed guide from link below). A convenient shuttle bus inside runs to all the different attractions in the park.

Protip: Take the Path of the Falls, a 1.2km trail along the coast with stunning views of the falls before ending at the breathtaking walkway infront of the Devil’s Throat.  Park can be completed in 3hours.

The Brazilian side showing off the scale and power of the falls
Piking at the Iguazu Falls. Pretty difficult with all the visitors walking around
View of the falls along the Path of the falls
 I approve of this rainbow

Pros:

• Insane overview of the falls. Best way to appreciate the scale and grandeur of the falls.
• Easy to access from Foz do Iguazu and less walking within the park. Everything within comfortable walking distance.
• Option of more adventurous activities like helicopter flights(outside the park), rappeling, climbing and the 9km Poco Preto trail.
• Experience a little of everything from the grand scale of things to a small section above the falls. The long walkway in front of the Devil’s Throat at the end of the Path of the Falls gets you wet and personal with the falls.

Cons:

• No cheap option to experience only the waterfall boat ride as everything is packaged with some of their other activities.

Protip: Check out the intimate bird park just beside the Iguazu Falls National park too! Takes about 2hrs and is pretty cool.

Conclusion: Both sides of the falls are amazing and offer slightly different stuff. Do both if you can but pick the Brazilian side if you are short on time because you get to appreciate the grand scale of things. That in my opinion is the best part of the falls :)

Remember to do the boat trip under the falls too because that is amazing!

For a detailed guide on getting to the falls, costs, transfers and stuff, check out Iguazu Falls Ultimate Guide from Foz do Iguazu here! Got a differing opinion or suggestion? Drop a comment below!

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