Chasing Waterfalls in Argentina: A Full Itinerary for Iguazú Falls
Is visiting Iguazú Falls on your bucket list? If it isn’t yet, I hope that after reading this full itinerary it will be!
I grew up in North America where Niagara Falls is the king of waterfalls. When I moved to Argentina and started to talk about visiting Iguazú, naturally my question was always, “But how does it compare to Niagara?” It was my only frame of reference!
Well, my friends, there’s a new king of waterfalls and that is Las Cataratas del Iguazú.
Welcome to my Chasing Waterfalls in Argentina Itinerary! This itinerary is perfect for exploring Iguazú National Park at a leisurely pace. It will appeal to anyone with a love for nature, adventure, and luxury!
*Note: When I visited Iguazú, the border with Brazil was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we were unable to visit the Brazilian side of the park, this itinerary leaves plenty of free time that you could use to visit Brazil.
Travel Tips
The best months to visit are May, September, or October. The climate is hot and humid, so it’s best to visit when it’s a little less hot and a lot less crowded. These months can be a bit drier, so if you want more rainfall (and bigger falls), consider November or December. Also, consider visiting during the week for smaller crowds. During peak season on the weekends, the park can easily see up to 10,000 visitors a day.
Avoid visiting over Easter weekend and pretty much all of July when schools in Argentina are on winter break.
I’ve heard stories of people doing a day trip to Iguazú from Buenos Aires. So, while I guess that’s possible if you’re short on time…it also sounds awful to me.
I would recommend at least three full days in Iguazú, especially if you want to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. This itinerary is for four days, because I also wanted time to enjoy the amenities at the hotel.
In Argentina, you’ll fly into the Cataratas International Airport. Flights from Buenos Aires are less than 2 hours. In Brazil, fly into the Foz do Iguaçu International Airport.
Be prepared to pay a fee to enter the national park. If you’re staying inside the park at the Gran Meliá, you’ll only have to pay this fee once. For foreigners, the fee is 2000 pesos per person, or about $20 on the official exchange rate.
Bring sun protection and clothing for hot, humid weather. There is little shade on the boardwalks connecting viewpoints in the park. Sunscreen, a hat, and long sleeves with UV protection are a must!
If you plan on booking the Gran Aventura boat cruise, pack clothing you don’t mind getting soaked while wearing.
When I visited Iguazú, guides were mandatory. While this park is totally doable to explore on your own and, currently, the mandatory guide rule is no longer in effect, I find having a guide for some of your visit is really beneficial.
These official guides are experts in local flora and fauna, and you will spot wildlife you would have likely walked right by on your own. I also find it wonderful to have someone around who can answer all my questions about a new (to me) place. It’s a really great way to learn about an area.
Also, with the pandemic decimating the income of a lot of people in the tourism industry, hiring a guide helps put money back into local pockets. With about 80% of people in the Iguazú area dependent on tourism dollars to survive, it feels good to help contribute to that income.
Day-to-Day
DAY ONE: Arrival
Plan to arrive in Iguazú by early afternoon. You can pre-arrange a private transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Check in to the Gran Meliá. This is the most luxurious and convenient place to stay when visiting the falls in Argentina. The hotel is located within the national park, which makes visiting the falls an absolute breeze. Upgrade to the Red Level and be guaranteed a room with unobstructed views of Devil’s Throat.
Once you’ve settled into you room, head into the park for your first visit to Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat. Board the ecological train that will take you to the beginning of the over-water boardwalk that leads you to this iconic horseshoe waterfall system. Look for fish and turtles in the water and watch the skies for toucans and other tropical birds.
As you get closer to the end of the path, you’ll hear the falls well before you see them. As you round that last bend…you’re suddenly standing on top of one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, listening to the roar and feeling the mist on your face.
Plan to spend some time here if you can. We were lucky to visit at a time when the number of visitors was way down and we had this viewing platform virtually to ourselves. It’s a magical and emotional experience to see Devil’s Throat for the first time.
After you’ve had your fill at Devil’s Throat (if that’s even possible), head back to the hotel to relax by the pool or enjoy a glass of wine on your private balcony.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel or you can make the 30 minute trip into Puerto Iguazú where you’ll find an abundance of restaurants to choose from. We opted to enjoy all our meals on-site the hotel.
DAY TWO: Iguazú National Park
I know it’s not a popular vacation activity, but I highly recommend waking up for sunrise, especially if you have a balcony view of the waterfalls. You will likely be one of the only people up, accompanied only by the distant roar of the falls and songs of the birds as day breaks. Enjoy the colors over the falls and watch for toucans during this most peaceful time of day.
After breakfast at the hotel, plan to explore the park all day today. Walk the Upper Trail, the Lower Trail, and (if you’re like me) plan for a return visit to Devil’s Throat. When I visited, the Lower Trail was completely closed, but a portion of it has now reopened. A guide is no longer required to visit any of these trails. (But, as I mentioned earlier, I would recommend hiring a guide for at least part of your visit!)
The ecological train connects the entire park, so you’ll have no problem getting around to the various trails. Be ready with your camera – Iguazú National Park has over 450 species of birds! Spotting the Toco Toucan was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
Iguazú Falls is a waterfall system comprised of 275 total drops, making it the largest waterfall system in the world. The trails will take you along various areas of this system, with the Upper Circuit following along the top of the falls, and the Lower Circuit at their base. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful area, so take your time and enjoy it!
When you’re finished exploring the park, head back to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Watch the sunset at the rooftop bar of the hotel with a caipirinha before heading downstairs to dinner. And after dinner, if you’re lucky to have a clear sky, finish the night gazing up at the Milky Way.
DAY THREE: A Great Adventure on the Iguazú River
Today is a day for excitement and adrenaline! You’re heading UNDER one of the falls!
After breakfast, make your way to Iguazú Jungle Tours. There are two places where you can get on the truck and luckily, one of those places is an easy walk from the Gran Meliá Hotel. The bilingual guide will first take you through the jungle of the park and share more information about the local flora and fauna. You’ll drive for about 5kms before reaching the boat.
You’ll sail for about 6kms, enjoying some rapids, before reaching a really beautiful viewpoint of Devil’s Throat. Get your pictures now, because you’re going to want to put your phones into your dry bag soon!
Next, your boat will sail under the San Martín Waterfall…where you will get completely drenched! GoPros are highly recommended here.
This is probably one of the most fun boating excursions I’ve ever been on and I highly recommend it! You’ll want to pre-book your tickets the day before and the cost is 7000 pesos. They offer two tours, but the Gran Aventura is the most exciting.
Click here to visit Iguazú Jungle’s website and to get more information on the Great Adventure!
After our boat excursion, we opted to return to the hotel and spend some time at the spa. Alternatively, you could spend the rest of today on the Brazilian side of the park. I would love to return to Iguazú again and explore this other vantage point now that the border has reopened.
But, if you’re in the mood to relax some more, I can highly recommend the Yasi Spa where I had a massage and one of the best facials ever.
DAY FOUR: Departure
Enjoy one last sunrise (or sleep in!). Have a leisurely breakfast and maybe one last dip in the pool. If you’re staying at the Gran Meliá, I recommend you take every opportunity possible to enjoy the space.
You can once again arrange a transfer from the hotel back to the airport. And onwards to your next adventure!
My trip to Iguazú Falls was truly one for the books, and I’m sure it will be for you as well. I’ll never forget the overwhelming emotion with that first moment overlooking Devil’s Throat. It’s an indescribable feeling, and I hope you will feel the same.
Just be warned: you WILL want to return! (And yes, I’m already planning my return trip!)
