As soon as you get close to Iguazú Falls you will hear the overwhelming roar of water and you will feel the spray hit your body as rainbows shine through the water. Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO Natural heritage site, these falls are truly a sight to behold. The falls are actually made up of 275 smaller waterfalls that cascade for two miles, which makes these falls twice as wide as Niagara. Running along the River Iguazú, these falls sit on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Visiting both the Brazilian and Argentine side in this Iguazu Falls Itinerary will provide you with spectacular views and panoramas.
I have been to hundreds of waterfalls and this is definitely the most spectacular that I have ever seen. We spent two full days exploring the Falls from all angles to see them from different perspectives. I believe it’s truly the best way to see them.
Because my parents took us on this trip, we were able to stay in places that are above my personal budget level. We stayed in the Gran Melía, which is situated in the middle of Iguazú National Park and provided us quick access to the falls! However, there are plenty of budget options in the town of Puerto Iguazú on the Argentine side and a couple in Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side. I hope you enjoy seeing this wonder of the world!
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Table of Contents
2 Day Iguazu Falls Itinerary
Day 1: Argentinian Side
Start this two day Iguazu Falls Itinerary on the Argentine side in Iguazú National Park which covers 123,500 acres. Entrance to the park costs around $15 and you can pay directly at the entrance stations to get in.
This side of the park has four walking circuits: Devil’s Gorge, Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit, and San Martín Island. Also, there are trains to get from place to place on this side, because some of the walking loops are far from each other. On this side, you can feel the spray of the falls as you observe wildlife such as macaws, coatis, and monkeys if you’re lucky!
Lower Circuit
Start your first walk early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat later in the day. If you are going to take a boat ride later, then you should prioritize the lower circuit as you will get a better view of the falls in the upper circuit from the boat.
The lower circuit is a 1.2 mile loop that takes you around the lower portion of the falls. Walk the paved trail and stop at the various lookout spots. My favorite part of this trail was how you could see down the river and view the historical spots where people used to be able to swim! You will need a couple hours to see this entire circuit.
Devil’s Throat
You can take a break for lunch, before heading to my favorite part of the falls: Devil’s Throat. Start at the Visitor Center and make your way to the Cataratas Train Station. Take the train for an 18 minute ride through the jungle and get off at Garganta Station. Here, you will walk 1 mile on catwalks that go over the river and forest floor.
Stop along the way to see if you can spot any turtles or crocodiles. As soon as you walk out to Devil’s Throat you will be amazed by what lays below. This point allows you to stand over the most voluminous part of the falls. The waters roar, the spray covers you in a thick mist, and rainbows sparkle through the water. This was the first spot that I could really comprehend the magnitude of these falls.
Upper Circuit
If you have extra time, you can walk the upper circuit as well. This circuit is 1.5 miles long and takes a little more than an hour to walk through. From this circuit you’ll get a closer picture of the upper falls.
Day 2: Brazilian Side
Crossing the border from the Argentine side to the Brazilian side can take a lot of time. Try to go early in the morning to avoid lines and get to the park before the crowds come in. There are buses that run from Puerto Iguazú to the Brazilian park, just make sure to bring your passport for border control.
Foz do Iguaçu National Park is the Brazilian name for their park and this side offers stunning panoramic views. At the entrance you can pay the fee that is around $18. You can also find wildlife on this side including parrots, macaws, jaguars, monkeys, and armadillos.
Walkway
Prepare yourself for stunning panoramas of the Falls. As soon as you walk up to the first viewpoint, you will be stunned by the scene. Waterfalls crest over the cliffs ahead and create a magical picture.
This side of the park features a mile long walkway that has many viewpoints and stopping area along the way. Most people can easily walk the path, but there are some stairs in certain sections. At the very end, you can walk close to the falls, but then you will have to get back to the top. There is a stairway or an elevator that will return you back up. The entire walk takes about an hour, but it’s well worth the trip!
Helicopter Ride
On the Brazilian side, you can also stop and take a helicopter tour over the falls! This is a great way to see the sheer volume of water and their grandness! Helicopter rides are a bit pricey at $130 per person. The helicopter site opens at 10 am, but the earlier you get there the less time you will need to wait. There are often a lot of people and you may have to wait for a few hours to take a ride.
You can purchase tickets for the ride at the helicopter company’s site. The 10 minute helicopter ride takes you over the falls and allows you to see the full majestic view of the two-mile long falls. We really enjoyed the ride, but I wish the ride had been even longer!
Boat Ride
After finishing the helicopter ride, you can head back to the Argentine side for one last experience. Head out on the Great Adventure tour! You may want to purchase tickets in advance ($89/person), but there are rides every hour or so. At the headquarters you will hop into an open truck and drive 8 miles through the jungle to get to the riverside. The tour guides will give you plenty of information about Iguazú and the wildlife there.
Once you get to the river, you will walk down a steep staircase until you get to a boat. The boat will speed down the river and offer you great views of the Falls from below. After they have circled the falls for a bit, they will tell you to put your things in a waterproof bag and then they will head under the falls. We loved getting soaked by the waterfalls and the boat ride was a ton of fun. This was a memorable experience and one of my favorite things we did on this trip.
Final Thoughts
Iguazu is one of the most magical places I have ever been. Seeing these rushing waters is an unforgettable experience. I hope you get the chance to see this magnificent and captivating wonder of the world.
Let me know in the comments if you found this Iguazu guide helpful!
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This looks like so much fun! Thanks for the detailed tips!