It would be criminal to pass across the border of Argentina, into Brazil without taking in one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature – Iguazu Falls.
THE LEGEND
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the land around Iguazu falls was owned by the Guarani Indians. Year after year the Guarani tribe would sacrifice a beautiful virgin to the Serpent God, that they believed lived in the Iguazu River. Usually, these women were bred purely for sacrifice, however, one day the Serpent God saw the reflection of beautiful women in the river and demanded that she be sacrificed to him. Despite the girl already being promised to a warrior from a neighbouring tribe, the elders were too afraid to refuse the Serpent God and made plans to sacrifice her the night before her wedding. That night the girl and her lover fled the tribe escaping along the Iguazu river in a canoe. In a rage the Serpent God sliced through the Iguazu River, causing the river to pour over the cracked earth trapping the lovers and preventing them from escaping. It is believed this is how falls were created.
VISITING THE FALLS
Standing in front of Iguazu Falls today it seems almost feasible that the 275 cascades that make up the falls could only be created by a divine power. Four times as wide as Canada’s Niagara Falls and stretching out across two miles of Argentinian and Brazilian soil, the falls devours everything that falls into its path.
The protected rainforest ecosystem surrounding Iguazu is split into two parks: Parque Nacional Iguazu (Argentina) and Parque Nacional do Iguacu (Brazil). The jungle-like surroundings in both parks are home to over two thousand plant species that revel in the tropical humid environment. The parks are also home to crocodiles, lizards, otters, turtles, racoons and monkeys and if you’re very lucky you may even catch a glimpse of Jaguar or Puma.
Most strikingly there is an abundance of tame vibrantly coloured butterflies that flit and fly throughout the park. Spreading flashes of colour across the falls, they are unafraid to land on the hundreds of tourists that pass through the park.
Situated only a twenty-minute drive apart from each other both Puerto Iguazu in Argentina and Foz do Iguacu in Brazil offer up a different viewing experience. Set aside two days in order to enjoy both parks fully, however if you are short on time it is possible and easy to catch a cab across the border to the other side.
THE ARGENTINEAN SIDE
Dependent upon whether you arrive in the North or south of Argentina, the falls tend to be either a first of last stop in Argentina leaving a lasting impression regardless. The Parque Nacional Iguazu (Argentina) is much more geared up for tourism than the Brazilian side. With an open sided jungle train that weaves it’s way through the park, the park mirrors that of an American theme park.
The Argentinian side offers up a holistic view of the horseshoe-shaped falls allowing you to get a sense of the scale of the 275 cascades. There are two main walking trails to enjoy throughout the day, the Lower circuit and the Upper circuit. Head to the Lower circuit for the best panoramic views of the falls, whereas the Upper circuit allows you to stand at the mouth of the falls and watch the falls crash down below you.
If you have the time and the money be sure to sign up for the river boat ride that takes you right up to the base of the falls, allowing you to experience the force of the falls from a completely different perspective.
THE BRAZILIAN SIDE
Be sure to pack your waterproof jacket for a trip to the Foz do Iguacu. On the Brazilian side, you get a chance to walk out onto a network of platforms that wrap around the falls. Here you get the chance to feel the complete force of the falls as they crash down around you, imagine yourself in your own herbal essences ad as the water crashes down around you!
Upon arriving in the park join the 1200 meter trail which will lead you to the Devils Throat. This eighty-meter fall will steal all of your senses as you make your way along the platform that wraps around it. You can also queue to catch a lift that takes you up to a platform that provides you with ariel views of the entirety of the falls across both Argentina and Brazil.
GETTING TO IGUAZU
Getting to the falls is easy. If like us you don’t have the cash to splash on a falls side hotel you will find the most affordable accommodation on the Argentinian side in Puerto Iguazu. It’s from here that you will find regular buses to the falls from the bus station. It’s also possible to catch the bus from various stops throughout the town that will take you to both the Argentinian and Brazilian side. We took a bus to the Argentinian side from Puerto Iguazu one day and then a short taxi ride the following day across the border. Taxi’s are relatively inexpensive and less hectic than catching the bus. We also found the taxi driver extremely helpful at the border in advising us on what forms we needed to complete and where we needed to go.
