Falling in Love with Iguazu Falls, Argentina

The Grand Finale

Our last stop in Argentina was Iguazu Falls. To paraphrase Will Rogers–I have never met a waterfall I didn’t like. Iguazu Falls are no ordinary waterfalls. Cascada is the Spanish word for waterfall. When I asked Argentineans about Las Cascadas de Iguazu, they had no idea what I was talking about because they have a special word for a falls of this magnitude–Cataratas, meaning multiple falls, basically a waterfall network. To put this in perspective, Iguazu is twice as high as Niagara Falls and is the largest waterfall in the world. There are over 200 individual falls with over 20 major ones. The statistics overwhelm the brain while the actual waterfalls overwhelm the senses in the best way possible.

A Picture is Worth a Million Words

The best way to experience the magnificence of Iguazu Falls is, of course, be there. The next best course is to see it through photos which will inspire you to get thee hither. It is a National Park and extensive grated walkways connect the major falls and take you to every angle possible.

Our indelible first sight of the falls was refreshingly wet as mist soaked us completely. Our guide stayed back, and many tourists used raincoats, but I embraced the falls’ watery hug. 

Appropriately named, Devil’s Throat, this first fall is the tallest of all.  Our guide eventually moved us to a less misty spot where our ears took a pounding, the thundering made it impossible to speak–only breathe in and out.

Our knowledgeable guide took us through windy pathways that spotlighted the “minor” falls.

The intricate walkways are a feat of engineering that lead one around, down, and up and over and all about. The idea is that you have every opportunity for every vantage point that is possible. Sometimes you are at a distance with a picture-perfect postcard image. 

Certain walkways took us up close and personal. One walkway situated us on top of a waterfall appearing to be the most massive infinity pool ever. 

Getting There

Iguazu Falls has its very own airport Cataratas de Iguazu (IGR) only five miles from the falls. Of course, Buenos Aires has several flights a day, but we were able to fly there directly from Salta in less than two hours. Iguazu National Park is located in the Iguazu Jungle. Immediately on disembarking from our plane, we were surrounded by tropical jungle forest, jungle noises, and a cool humidity that charged us with electric energy.

Recommendations

•  A guide is invaluable. Our guide was able to arrange our pickup to avoid the crowds. We were actually there on Easter Sunday, evidently the busiest day of the year. His careful planning helped us to avoid the lines and the crowds.
• Although we didn’t go to the Brazilian side (the visa was expensive and complicated), I would definitely recommend it. If you only have time for one, the Argentinean side is much more adventuresome. Things have changed and now Brazil has a visa-free entry.
• We stayed at Hotel la Aldea de la Selva (Jungle) Lodge not far from the falls. Local artisans have crafted the rustic furniture, and the dining room offers decent food. Our cabins were scattered throughout the dense canopy of the rainforest. The day we left, we learned the true meaning of the word “rainforest” when the skies cracked open. Almost mimicking falls, the copious sheets of water came roaring down, loud and raucous. We watched the show from our cozy cabin, safe and dry.

What are you waiting for? Here are my tips and recommendations for going to Argentina.