Witness the Beauty of Iguazu National Park, Argentina

Iguazu National Park in Argentina is home to the country’s most stunning natural wonders, one of which is the Iguazu Falls. Located at Misiones, northwest Argentina, part of the park sits inside the boundary of Brazil. However, around 80% is still in the Argentine border.

This national park is a major tourist destination and people from all over the world come to witness the beauty of nature and hope to get a glimpse of some of the rarest animals in the world in their natural habitat.

How to Get There

Most visitors to Iguazu National Park will come through the city of Puerto Iguazu. You’ll be able to reach the city by taking a commercial flight from Buenos Aires. However, it is also possible to take a bus from Buenos Aires but the trip will take around 18 hours.

Another alternative is to fly in to Foz do Iguacu International Airport in Brazil and then cross the border into Argentina. Just make sure that all your travel documents are in order because you’ll need to present these at the immigration counters located at the border of both countries.

Once at Puerto Iguazu City, you’ll find buses that travel to Iguazu National Park, particularly the Iguazu Falls. You can also hire a taxi to take you to the fall’s entrance, but expect them to be a bit expensive.

Getting Around the Park

Park authorities charge entrance fees that are equivalent to around $25. After going through the entrance, you’ll need to find your way to the Central Station where you’ll be able to catch a train to the different stations within the Upper and Lower Circuits. The jungle trains are a great way to get around the park, but you can also walk on the numerous walking trails that lead to the major attractions.

The Upper circuit takes you on a trip to the viewpoints located near the upper portion of the falls. The lower circuit goes to the bottom portion so you’ll be able to see the falls from below.

What to Do

The falls are certainly the best attraction in Iguazu National Park, although you can also do other activities such as hiking. One of the best routes is to hike to Devil’s Throat. The path is perpendicular to the railway, but walking gives you more time to inspect the various species of flora and fauna.

You might want to bring along extra clothing as you’ll certainly get wet whether you decide to hike or hop on the train to visit the various stations. Once you complete the Lower circuit, you’ll find that there are free boat rides going to Isla San Martin, or San Martin Island. There you’ll get a magnificent view of Devil’s Throat and other falls such as the hidden waterfall. However, be aware that you’ll need to do a bit of climbing. The 172 steps that lead to the viewing balcony is certainly not for the faint of heart.

Asides from going on a self-guided tour, you might also want to join one of the various tours provided by local companies. The Iguazu Jungle Tour takes you through the jungles of the park on an open jeep. It will also include a boat ride, so be prepared to get wet. The Paseo Ecologico is a bit more subtle although there is a portion where you’ll be riding a raft. During the ride, the guide will explain many interesting things about the national park and the rivers.

Accommodation

If you plan to spend a few days exploring Iguazu National Park, it’s best to stay at one of the hotels in Puerto Iguazu. The hotels aren’t far from the bus terminals for the trips back and forth to the park so you won’t have to worry about getting back to your room after an exhausting day of walking. Where to Eat Inside the Park

There is a cafeteria and a restaurant inside Iguazu National Park where you can have meals or snacks. You’ll also be able to purchase bottled water to take along with you during your walks. The temperatures can get a little high so make sure that you’re well hydrated at all times.

Safety

The Iguazu National Park is well maintained, especially the various walking paths and viewing balconies. However, never be too relaxed about your safety, especially when there are many people wanting to go to the same places.

Always follow the walking paths and try not to deviate from them. The Iguazu National Park is huge and getting lost inside it is not something you’ll want to do.

Photos of Iguazu National Park