The Awe-Inspiring Iguassu Falls

After spending 4 days in Rio de Janeiro and doing things like hiking to Christ the Redeemer, taking the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, and walking around the Santa Teresa neighborhood, our group was ready for the next phase of our trip: Iguassu Falls.

We were all really excited for Iguassu Falls, but the feeling we got after catching that first glimpse of the falls far surpassed the anticipation.

There is a reason that Iguassu Falls is a World Heritage Site, one of the 7 natural wonders of South America, and one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

After seeing Iguassu Falls, Niagara Falls seems like a trickle.  Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but that’s how impressive and awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls seemed to us.

When we arrived to Iguassu Falls, we were greeted with sunshine and 90 degree weather, in what seemed another world away from dreary and rainy Rio de Janeiro.  Airline geek note – I love trying new airlines, so flying to and from Rio and Iguassu Falls, we got to fly 2 new airlines: GOL (partnered with Delta), and Azul Airlines (partnered with United).

After retrieving our bags, we took a taxi to the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas.  For reference, Iguassu Falls is located within Iguassu National Park and the Belmond hotel is the only hotel located within the Brazilian side of the national park (conversely, the Sheraton is the only hotel located inside the park on the Argentinian side).

This is important to know for a couple reasons: 1) the national park is only open from 9-5, so if you’re staying outside of the park, you can only view the falls during those times; however, if you stay at the Belmond, you have access to the falls at all times, which is especially awesome at sunrise and sunset.  2) private vehicles, including taxis, cannot enter the national park, so a taxi can only bring you as far as the national park entrance.

Not to worry, the Belmond hotel has a small welcome area at the park entrance where they provide a shuttle the rest of the way.

On the shuttle ride to the hotel we passed a couple noticeable landmarks in the park, including the Macuco Safari Tour Company.  We used Macuco Safari to take a speedboat ride directly under the falls.  It was incredible.

After checking in to our hotel and getting settled, we went immediately to the falls.  I don’t exaggerate when I say that the falls are literally across the street from the hotel.  There is a sign leading you to the first of many viewing points of the falls, but once you’re on the path, there is only one way you can go.  It’s very easy to get around.

The only thing you’ll be contending with is the crowd.  (foot stomp).  Not sure if the foot stomp is just a military thing, but when you foot stomp while saying something, it means you should probably take notes.  In this case, I’m foot stomping the advantages of staying inside the park.

When we first got there, the crowds were thick.  We walked a little ways down and then turned around.  After 5pm, when the park closes, we went back.  What. A. Difference.  We pretty much had the path and the falls to ourselves.  We took our time, snapping as many pictures as we could, and avoiding all the small and not so small lizards to cross our path.

Then we got to a sign for the Devil’s Throat.

Do not miss the Devil’s Throat. (yes, italics and foot stomp)

This part of the falls is often called the most impressive part, and for good reason.  Just know ahead of time that you will get completely soaked, so dress accordingly.

There is a boardwalk extending out over the falls, so you can get a birds eye view of the lower falls and get absolutely drenched by the upper falls.  This has to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.  Note: All pictures of the falls are in a gallery below.

We made sure to go back the next morning right around sunrise, before the park opened.  This was also incredible because as the sun rises on the Brazil side, it slowly illuminates the Argentinian falls, giving a completely different perspective of the falls compared to the previous afternoon.

All in all, we spent 2 nights at Iguassu Falls.  If I were to plan this trip again, instead of 4 nights in Rio and 2 in Iguassu, I’d do 3 and 3, or maybe even 2 nights in Rio and 4 nights in Iguassu.  Iguassu was that good.  And we were just on the Brazilian side.  A future trip to the Argentinian side is definitely in order.

Okay, now that you’re armed with all this information, let’s recap:

What to Know About Iguassu Falls

• Iguassu Falls is divided between Brazil and Argentina.  For this trip, we only visited the Brazilian side.
• For US Citizens, you need a visa to enter Brazil, which costs $160.  You don’t need a visa for Argentina, but you do have to pay a $160 reciprocity fee before entering Argentina.  So just be aware of that if you are planning to visit both sides.
• Iguassu Falls is located within Iguassu National Park (more on that in a minute).
• You may see different spellings of the falls.  Iguazu Falls is the Spanish variation, while Iguaçu Falls is the Portuguese variation.  Worldwide, its known as Iguassu Falls.  All are correct.
• You can view the falls from various perspectives: from the network of trails within the park, from above in a helicopter tour, or from below on a speed boat tour (which I highly recommend!).
• On the Brazilian side, do not miss Devil’s Throat, or Garganta do Diabo.  It’ll bring you right up to the most impressive part of the falls, and you will get soaked so plan accordingly.

What to Know About Iguassu National Park

• Iguassu National Park, like most national parks, has opening and closing hours.  The park is open from 9-5 on the Brazilian side.
• No private vehicles, including taxis, are allowed within the national park.  If you are driving, you will have to park in a lot outside the park and take a shuttle bus in to the park.
• The only hotel located within the Brazilian side of the national park is the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas.  Do yourself a favor and book your stay here.  Only the people staying at this hotel can access the falls outside of the park hours, so you’re likely to have the falls all to yourself.  Absolutely worth it.
• If you do book the Belmond Hotel, a taxi can take you from the airport to the entrance of the national park (5-10 minute ride).  At this point, you’ll arrive to the hotel’s welcome area, where hotel staff will provide a personal shuttle to the actual hotel.
• For more information about the park, including prices and what to bring, check this website.

Pictures

I took so many pictures at Iguassu Falls that I decided it would be best to create a custom gallery using Envira Gallery.  Otherwise, it would take forever for this page to load.  Below you’ll find two separate galleries: Iguassu Falls and the Belmond Hotel.  Feel free to pin any of the pictures to Pinterest!

Iguassu Falls Gallery

Belmond Hotel Gallery