A guide to Iguazu Falls: when to go, how to visit and what to expect

Times

11-05-2025

The Iguazu Falls might have stolen the limelight from Robert de Niro and Jeremy Irons in the 1986 blockbuster The Mission — just one among many of this natural wonder's big-screen roles — but no two-dimensional image comes close to capturing the vast power of them in real life. To fully appreciate the roar of water tumbling over the cliffs; to feel it vibrating through your bones; to glimpse butterflies dancing through the humid mist into the surrounding rainforest; and to see, with your own eyes, toco toucans and rufous-collared sparrows in kaleidoscopic flight over the Iguazu River… well, you really have to be there.
Viewable from Argentina and Brazil, and also accessible from Paraguay, this is a place where nature doesn't whisper — it shouts. Ready to embark on your own Indiana Jones-style adventure of a lifetime? Here's everything you need to know about the Iguazu Falls.
• Read our full guide to South America
Situated on the Iguazu River, the awesome cataracts of Iguazu Falls form part of the natural border separating Argentina and Brazil. Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side (entry costs about £15), and Iguazu National Park in Argentina (about £28) both offer stunning views and tours of surely the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
So should you explore the Brazilian side of the falls, or visit Iguazu from the Argentinian side?
The short answer is both. Some 80 per cent of the falls lie in Argentina, with the remaining 20 per cent on the Brazilian side, but each country offers a unique perspective of this stunning spectacle.
The Argentinian side is the place for an up-close and visceral experience of the falls, with spray-drenched speedboat rides beneath the roaring torrents, and suspended walkways taking you right to the very edge of the Devil's Throat and beyond. The Brazilian side offers perspective. Spectacular, panoramic views of Iguazu Falls make it the perfect place to take photographs and get a sense of its scope and scale, without getting your camera drenched.
The falls are located in remote corners of Brazil and Argentina. To get there you'll need to travel to either the town of Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, or Puerto Iguazu on the Argentinian side of the border. You can get a very comfortable, fully reclining coach seat for the 17-hour bus trip from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu, but with airports serving each town, in most cases it's quicker and easier to fly.
Foz do Iguaçu Airport is about eight miles from the town centre, served by taxis and regular buses. Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport in Argentina is 12 miles from Puerto Iguazu and is also well connected.
If your trip to the falls is part of a holiday in Argentina or Brazil, then you're better off staying each night in the town in which you arrived rather than taking your luggage across the border when visiting the other side. Foz do Iguaçu is the larger of the two towns and offers more choices for accommodation, dining and nightlife.
If you happen to be in Paraguay, you can also visit from the country's easternmost city, Ciudad del Este, which is served by Guarani International Airport. From here you can simply cross the border — the mighty Parana River — to Foz do Iguaçu via Friendship Bridge.
• Brazil's best hotels
The best time to go is between late March to May, or August to September.
The falls are spectacular and flowing all year round, of course, so you can really visit any time, but there are a number of factors to consider when picking the best dates.
With the exception of the period around Easter — which is the busiest time of year — the dry season between late March and early June boasts sunshine, manageable heat and humidity, less chance of being caught in the rain, and — particularly from Monday and Friday — it's a quieter time to visit, with better hotel availability and prices.
August and September are also drier months, but the weather is a little cooler, making it an excellent time to explore the surrounding rainforests on hikes or bike rides. During these periods of lower rainfall, the waterfalls aren't at their peak, but they are certainly still impressive.
It's during the southern summer months that the falls have their highest water levels, so you can visit between December and February if you don't mind getting wet. Aside from the rain, the downsides to visiting at this time are the humid, hot weather — which can make visits a little less comfortable — and some of the hiking trails may be unreachable too. This period is when Brazilians and Argentinians take their annual holidays, so the park can be particularly crowded and hotel rooms more scarce, especially at weekends.
The Iguazu region's culture, history and culinary traditions are shaped by its Guarani roots and the cross-border influences of Brazil and Argentina. On both sides, you'll spot traditionally-made heritage crafts such as intricately woven baskets and hand-carved wooden figurines.
But it's the food that truly captures the essence of the region. Argentina's surubi, a succulent fish from the Parana River, is a must-try, whether grilled to perfection or served in a rich stew atop a mound of fluffy rice. Brazil counters with its pao de queijo, a moreish cheese bread eaten at breakfast or as a snack.
To dive deeper into local flavours, join a food tour that weaves through both countries. Highlights might include stops to sample artisanal sweet treats — including alfajores (Argentina's beloved dulce de leche-laden cookies) and Brazilian favourite cocadas (chewy coconut confections) — and at Foz do Iguaçu's roadside churrascarias, where sizzling meat awaits.
• Best things to do in Argentina
On the Argentinian side of the falls, visitors can take a step back in time at the San Ignacio Ruins, a Unesco World Heritage site nestled in the Misiones jungle. Founded in the 17th century, these now-crumbling, baroque-style Jesuit missions offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of colonial South America.
An hour south from Puerto Iguazu lies the quirky Wanda Mines, home to an array of semi-precious stones including amethyst and topaz. Treasure-seekers will love taking a tour into the heart of the operation to learn about the glittering mineral wealth hidden beneath the earth.
On the Brazil-Paraguay border, you'll find another watery lodestar in the form of Itaipu Dam, a feat of modern engineering. One of the world's largest hydroelectric plants, its man-made might provides a sleek contrast to Iguazu's raw, elemental power.
• Best places to visit in South America
• Locally known variously as Cataratas del Iguazu, Cataratas do Iguaçu, and sometimes as Iguassu Falls, 'Iguazu' is actually a word from the Guarani language that translates to 'great water'.• The longest drops at Iguazu Falls are more than 80m (260ft) high. To put that into perspective, Niagara Falls are 57m (188ft) in height, and — lacking the incredible scope and setting of Iguazu — are less impressive. In fact, when former American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited, she's said to have gasped, 'Poor Niagara!' However, Iguazu Falls are not the tallest in the world by any stretch — that record is held by Angel Falls in Venezuela, with a total drop of 979m (3,212ft).• Iguazu Falls actually consists of approximately 275 individual cascades spread out around a 1.7-mile-long, U-shaped cliff formation that cuts through the Iguazu River. It's partly this shape that makes them so magnificent, allowing visitors to witness the falls thundering all around them.
• The ultimate bucket-list trips