Iguazu Falls are incredible waterfalls on the Argentina / Brazil border and close to the Paraguay border. Things to do at Iguazu Falls include;
- Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side
- Iguazu Falls – Brazilian side
- Puerto Iguazu town – Argentina
- Foz do Iguacu town – Brazil
- Iguazu Falls Boat Tours in no man’s land
- Bus from Iguazu to Rio
You can stay on the Argentinian or Brazilian side of the falls. The Argentinian side is quieter, safer and cheaper so I recommend staying there. However, the best views of the falls are from the Brazilian side.
Iguazu Falls – Argentinian Side
To get to the Argentinian side of the falls from the small town of Puerto Iguazu, you must walk to the bus station and wait for the next bus marked ‘Cataratas’. The buses leave regularly and will take you right up to the visitor center. There are many different prices to enter Iguazu, the tourist price is the most expensive but still great value for what you get to see and if you decide to stay a second day, it will be half price.
On the Argentinian side of the falls there are lots of hiking trails through the jungle which open up at certain points giving unique viewpoints of the falls. At the visitor center you’ll find a mini village with shops and restaurants as well as information on the park such as hiking. Note that whilst visiting the Argentinian side you will get very close to the top of the falls.
Boat Tour through No Man’ Land
There are boat tours on the river through no mans land in between Brazil and Argentina. A boat tour will get you very close to the falls, it will also travel through more tranquil parts of the river where you can wildlife watch.
Iguazu Falls – Brazil Side
From the Brazilian side of the falls you get to view the falls from a distance as they fall from the Argentinian side. There are many wooden walkways reaching out into the water so you can make the perfect Instagram picture.
To get to the falls from Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side you must first go to the bus station in the city and change for a bus to the falls. One ticket works for both buses. The bus will take you to the visitor center where you pay the entry fee and can take a courtesy bus to the viewing platforms and a short hike.
Movies Filmed at Iguazu Falls
Famous movies filmed at Iguazu Falls include;
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
- James Bond – Moonraker
- Miami Vice
You may remember the earlier Indiana Jones film which was filmed at Petra, Jordan.
How to get from Iguazu to Rio
Overnight bus from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janiero
I bought my bus ticket to Rio at the Puerto Iguazu bus station in Argentina. I thought I was buying a direct bus ticket but actually I got a private taxi to take me through the border to the Foz do Iguaçu bus station in Brazil. This was a very easy process as the taxi driver took my passport for stamping out of Argentina and into Brazil whilst I waited in the car, then he took me onto Foz bus station. The bus I took was Kaiowa, which cost 207 Brazilian reais. As I bought the ticket in Argentina, it meant I paid in pesos which I bought on the black market, this meant the ticket was significantly cheaper.
You need to take anti malaria medicine whilst traveling through Brazil in addition to a yellow fever vaccination. You can get yellow fever vaccinations free in Brazil which is something to consider if it’s expensive in your home country.
The overnight bus was comfortable, it took 25 hours to reach Rio. There were no free meals on this bus but there were plenty of stops at clean places with good food and clean bathrooms.
The Iguazu falls look impressive. It is dreamlike watching it through your blog post. I haven’t been to Rio de Jainero. The photos look inviting and it makes me want to see the Iguazu falls in real. Thanks for sharing.
I am just doing some researches on the most beautiful waterfalls around the world. Of course, the Iguazu waterfalls are always named. Good to know that the Argentinian side is safer, will have to keep it on my mind (btw: Great pictures of the falls).
I was planning to go here from Brazil last month, but could not due to the lack of time. I will now do it when I am in Argentine next….looks grand! With safety in mind, thats possibly the best thing to do!
I’m so jealous! This is one of my bucket list trips! A friend of mine did it recently and I was so envious. Your pics are great and really inspire me to want to make the trip ASAP.
You were very courageous to take that 25 hours road trip to Rio. I do not think that I can endure that kind of trip alone. Puerto Iguazú looks like the home of a lot of waterfalls. I hope that I can visit that place someday.
Woahhhh the Iguazu falls look impressive. This is very high on my wander list. I am right now ticking off water falls. Hopefully I’ll do this soon.
The Iguazu Falls looked so magnificent and going on a trek would be an amazing adventure. Thank you for the Yellow Fever tip – always better to be on the safe side.
Iguazu Falls have definitely been on my bucket list for way too long! Such a beautiful natural wonder! And great tip about staying on the Argentinian side of the falls! I would definitely be interested in doing the hikes up to the waterfall, but which side would you say has the best view of the falls? I saw that you went to the Brazilian side as well, was that because you were on your way to Brazil anyways or because you just wanted to see Iguazu Falls from two countries? Thanks 🙂
Looks like a great adventure! I was in Brazil a few months ago but I didn’t make it to the Iguazu falls. You pictures look amazing and I would love to go back and visit this area. It would be great to see them from both the Brazilian and the Argentinian sides. Thanks for sharing all the tips 😉
Great to see this sight. I have heard a lot of things about Iguazu. It also features in some of my favorite films. Hope to be there someday.
The Iguazu falls seem worth the visit for sure! Thanks for the helpful tip on staying on the Argentinian side. I would love to hike up to the falls and get a closer look. I suppose it would be worth it to explore both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides especially if you plan to go through to Brazil afterwards.
so cool I didn’t know Iguazu Falls were on the border between Brasil and Argentina – hope I can visit it once
This really looks amazing. And it’s good to know that there are boat tours. I can only imagine what it is like to see the waterfalls from below, sitting in a boat! 🙂 Thanks for all the tips on what to do on both sides of the border, hope I’ll get there some day!
Thanks for the post and the information about visiting the falls! Your pictures are amazing!
I’ve always wanted to see Iguazu! These photos have me wanting to pack my bags!
Iguana has been on my list for a long time. I get to see it through national geographic or planet earth videos. Your photos make it seem even closer and better. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips. They will be very helpful.
This is high on my travel bucket list. Both countries are so appealing to me. Great post.
Wow, this place looks amazing! I have never been in either of the countries but would definitely like to visit someday. This waterfall is huge! It would look even more beautiful if the water wasn’t so brown, but hey.. you can’t have everything.
South America is high on my list now that i have solo traveled 33 countries already. good points for including google map as well. Keep traveling 🙂