Where to go

The Iguazu Falls

An area of jaw-dropping beauty and savage history...

The Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls

Located right at the very northern most point of Argentina, surrounded on all sides by other countries, lies the province of Misiones and the infamous falls of Iguazu. A firm favourite on the tourist trail to Argentina (and rightly so) the Iguazu Falls is one of nature’s greatest wonders and highly recommended. At a site like this, as with many elsewhere, with great fame has come great numbers, and the once small town of Puerto Iguazu has steadily expanded along with the demand….this does not, however, detract from the experience in our view.

As you drive north and enter the province of Misiones from Corrientes, you immediately start to notice differences in the lie of the land. Where Corrientes, like much of Argentina, is flat and rolling grasslands, Misiones is a land of rich red hills and tropical jungle. Driving further north, past the famous Jesuit missionaries at San Ignacio, Santa Ana and Loreto, the jungle becomes thicker and thicker until you finally arrive at the junction to the falls.

The Iguazu Falls, named after the river of the same name, is a collection of two hundred or so separate cascades of water and truly takes the breath away. The majority of the actual falls themselves lie in Argentina with the Brazilian side simply overlooking. Therefore, a trip to the falls is generally best if you take in both sides and experience getting up close and personal (and very wet!) from Argentina, and to stand back and admire from Brazil. (For more in depth information on the falls please follow the link below.)

As far as accommodation is concerned, again, you have a few choices. As the falls are a national park on both sides of the border, there are only a couple of hotels that are close enough to offer a view, the Sheraton on the Argentina side, and the hotel Las Cataratas on the Brazil. Outside of the park, the main grouping of hotels is in Puerto Iguazu where the range is much wider.

Click here to view some video footage of the area.

Best time to visit the Iguazu Falls:

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    At a glance…The Iguazu Falls

  • Size: 275 falls along 2.7kms of the Iguazu River
  • Location: North Eastern Argentina
  • Recommended time: 2 to 4 nights
  • Time to visit: September to April
  • Go here for: wildlife
  • Further reading...

  • › Nature and Wildlife
  • › Culture
  • › What to do at the Iguazu Falls
  • Our recommended top hotels and lodges for The Iguazu Falls:

    1. Awasi Iguazu - Main Area

      Awasi Iguazu

      Awasi Iguazu is a new, luxury option, in and around the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side of the border. Owned and operated by the Awasi chain (who operate a couple of the best properties in Chile, the Awasi Atacama and the Awasi Patagonia) this is a very classy new option and has shaken up the... More...

      Our rating:
      5
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      5
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      5
    2. Belmond Hotel das Cataratas - Falls view

      Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

      Owned and managed by the superb Belmond chain, Hotel das Cataratas is the only alternative to the Melia Hotel that has views to the falls themselves. Being on the Brazilian side means that, arguably, the views themselves are even better than from the Argentine side and so, it is logical, that the... More...

      Our rating:
      5
      User rating:
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      5
    3. Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel - Pool

      Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel

      Definitely the pick of the hotels in and around the falls for our money, the Loi Suites Iguazu are a really quality choice. Located in a newer development just out side of the town, the hotel is set in amongst the rainforest, with a series of interlinking pools and communal areas. It is true that... More...

      Our rating:
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      User rating:
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    4. The Melia Iguazu Hotel

      The Melia Iguazu Hotel (formerly the Sheraton)

      Without doubt, the Melia Iguazu (formerly the Sheraton) really has the pick of the views of all the lodges and hotels of the area as, being located right in the Parque Nacional, it is afforded views over the falls themselves. This is also a benefit as, when the park opens, it is possible to wander... More...

      Our rating:
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    5. Yacutinga Lodge - Reception

      Yacutinga Lodge

      A quirky alternative to staying in Puerto Iguazu, Yacutinga Lodge is located along the river from the falls and offers the chance to stay out in the wilds, right in the heart of the forest. For this reason the lodge itself is fairly simple but, with the range of activities that it can offer, it is... More...

      Our rating:
      4
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      4