Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls
Ticked off in January 2016
Lean over the railing at the Devil's Throat and feel the ground shake as half a river vanishes into the mist.
The adventure
You hear Iguazú long before you see it, a low roar rolling through the subtropical forest. Then the trees open up and there it is: a horseshoe of waterfalls almost three kilometres long, hundreds of separate cascades tumbling over two levels of rock, with rainbows hanging in the spray and swifts darting in and out of the curtains of water.
On the Argentine side, metal walkways take you right out over the river to the edge of the Devil's Throat, where the water plunges about 80 metres into a churning cloud and you are soaked in seconds. Across the border in Brazil, the view widens into the full panorama. Add a speedboat ride straight into the base of the falls, coatis raiding picnic bags and toucans in the trees, and it is unforgettable.
Why it’s epic
- Around 275 separate falls stretched along nearly 3 kilometres of the Iguazú River.
- The Devil's Throat, a U-shaped chasm where the water drops about 80 metres.
- Both national parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rich in coatis, toucans and butterflies.
- Speedboat rides that drive right into the spray at the foot of the falls.
What it is
Iguazú Falls has around 275 separate waterfalls along nearly 3 kilometres, including the thundering Devil's Throat.
How to do it
Spend a day on each side: the Argentine side for walkways among the falls, and the Brazilian side for the panorama.
Top tip
Take a boat ride under the falls, but bring a waterproof bag.
Need to know
- Each side has its own national park ticket, and crossing between Argentina and Brazil needs your passport.
- Give the Argentine side a full day, as it has the most trails; the Brazilian side takes a few hours.
- Water levels vary through the year, and after heavy rain some walkways can close.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Fly into
- IGR airport
Park tickets and boat rides are reasonable, so flights to Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu are the main cost.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1Fly to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) or Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
- Day 2Argentine side: the Devil's Throat walkways and the boat ride into the falls
- Day 3Brazilian side for the panoramic view, then fly on
Do it yourself
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My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Feel The Spray Of Iguazu Falls” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.