One Day in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

Puerto Iguazú is a relatively small city in the Misiones province of Argentina. Located near the northeastern border, the town sits at the junction between the Iguazú and Paraná rivers where Argentina meets both Brazil and Paraguay. The two main routes to Puerto Iguazú are either through the Puerto Iguazú Airport (IGR) or by bus (the ride from Buenos Aires is about 18 hours on a nonstop overnight bus).

Read below for our recommendations of the best activities to take advantage of during a day in Puerto Iguazú to make the most out of your trip.

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1. Visit Iguazú National Park

If you were only able to do one thing while in Puerto Iguazú, you should get a ticket to Iguazú National Park and see Las Cataratas del Iguazú (Iguazú Falls). Together, these waterfalls make up the largest waterfall system in the world, with over 200 vertical drops to marvel at. The central falls, shown below, are a stunning 80 meters high and about 2700 meters in length.

Iguazú National Park is also home to a large portion of the Atlantic Forest, which houses over 2000 species! Some notably rare wildlife that can be found in the park include caiman, ocelots, Harpy eagles, and jaguars. Don’t panic though – it’s much more likely you’ll run into some hungry coatis looking for a bit of your snack than a hungry jaguar (the park does ask that you NOT feed the coatis though). The park was declared a World Heritage site in the 1980’s to protect its biodiversity and impressive waterfall ecosystems.

There are several trails from which you can see the rainforest, hidden waterfalls, and Iguazú Falls up close. Based on your skill level, you can choose from the following:

• Devil’s Throat Trail: 1.3 miles & 150 ft elevation gain (popular)
• Iguazú Green Trail: 0.9 miles & 72 ft elevation gain
• Macuco Trail: 4.7 miles & 360 ft elevation gain
• Lower Circuit: 1.4 miles & 219 ft elevation gain
• Upper Circuit: 1.6 miles & 209 ft elevation gain

Entrance fees for Iguazú National Park this year cost 800 pesos (about $10 US dollars) and include access to all circuits within the park.

2. Take a Boat Tour Through Iguazú Falls

If you want to see the waterfalls from a closer vantage point, sign up for the Speed Boat Falls Tour offered by the park. You will meet your tour guide at the information center within Iguazú National Park, where you will be picked up in an off-roading open-top vehicle. Your tour group will then drive through the jungle down to the loading docks for the boats.

On the ride down, your tour guide may stop the vehicle to point out local wildlife and share information about the park and the history of the falls. This jungle drive is also a great opportunity to meet the other travelers in your tour group before you embark on the boat together.

Once down to the river, you will be fitted into a life-jacket and boarded onto your boat. Here you will have the chance to store any items that you would like to keep dry. Take it.

Your river boat will then begin its cruise through the falls. Seeing the waterfalls from the river is a truly beautiful experience. Be prepared for the bumps that come with navigating a river in a relatively small water-craft, and expect to get wet. Your captain will quite literally take you through the waterfalls. The amount of backsplash you get will depend on your seat in the boat, but all passengers should look forward to bathing in the water. I personally was seated at the edge of the river boat and returned with my clothes, hair, and makeup all dripping profusely. If you want to be as lucky, I recommend boarding the boat early to have the first-pick at available seats.

Pending availability, tickets for the Speed Boat Falls Tour can be purchased same-day at the information center within the park. If you would like to reserve your spot in advance, online bookings can also be made.

Other activities offered in the park include river rafting, the Eco-Float tour, and train rides to the top of the falls.

3. Walk to Las Tres Fronteras (The Triple Frontier)

For a quieter activity when you are done exploring the park, take a walk to the point of Las Tres Fronteras. This is a small park that looks out onto the rivers’ intersection between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay (the “Three Borders,” or the “Triple Frontier”).

Las Tres Fronteras is a 15 minute walk from town and has no entry fees.

Where To Stay in Puerto Iguazú

Check out the accommodations below for a great stay that fits your travel style during your visit to Puerto Iguazú!

• Luxury Resort: The Iguazú Grand Resort
• Popular Hotel: The Z Boutique
• Budget Stay: The Host Puerto Iguazú

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why is Iguazú National Park famous? One of Argentina’s National System of Federal Protected Areas, Iguazú National Park is home to one of the Natural Wonders of the World: Las Cataratas del Iguazú (commonly known as Iguazú Falls). With over 200 falls, Iguazú makes up the largest waterfall system in the world. 

2. What wildlife is Iguazú National Park home to? According to the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Iguazú National Park is home to over 2000 species of plants and animals. While you are sure to see coatis roaming and butterflies fluttering throughout the park, some of the more stealthy animals in the area include jaguars, ocelots, and caiman.

3. How popular is Iguazú National Park? One of the most popular tourist destinations in Argentina – if not the world – Iguazú National Park hosts over a million people per year.

4. How much is the entrance fee for Iguazú National Park? Entrance fees for Iguazú National Park cost about 800 pesos (about $10 US dollars) and include access to all circuits within the park.

5. What country is Iguazú Falls in? The Iguazú Falls are technically located in Misiones, Argentina, but are seated right along the Brazilian border and are visible from both Argentina and Brazil.

Check out our travel guide for one day in El Calafate next!

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