River of Iguaçu, not really a big tributary of famous Parana, has the falls that can take everybody breath away. It’s the Falls of Iguaçu that made Eleanore Roosevelt once said, “Poor Niagara”. The Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu, the main destination to see this natural gem has some 350 thousand people and shares its tourist services with the close Argentinian counterpart where the waterfalls are referred to as “Las Cataratas”.
A magnificent view towards La Garganta del Diablo (the Devil’s Throat), the most beautiful part of the falls as seen from the Brazilian side.
The waterfalls were discovered by a Spanish sailor Cabeza de Vaca in 1549. It was then within Paraguay until 1860 and due to agreement in The War of the Triple Alliance it was divided between Argentina (southern side) and Brazil (northern side).
Walking deck towards La Garganta del Diablo on the Brazilian side, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
The two countries also share different angles in view at the waterfalls. It’s impossible to get to know the waterfalls by looking at them from one side only. The whole package of visiting the falls must include a trip to Argentina to see them from only the top and Brazil, where it can be viewed from both a side angle view and from the bottom. The two countries have excellent tourist services there to satisfy the most demanding visitor. If that’s not enough, one can cross the bridge over Parana from lazy and laid back Brazilian Foz do Iguaçu and after a 10 minutes’ trip on a city bus from Brazil there’s an easy access to Paraguay’s side in busy, noisy and very “Hispanic” Ciudad del Este. It’s almost a perfect opportunity to be in 3 countries within a single day.
La Garganta del Diablo as viewed from the top of a walking deck, National Parque de Iguazu, Argentina.
Argentinian part of this water magnificance includes both a train ride in the forest and a walkway stroll towards La Garganta del Diablo over still waters of the river, full of crocodiles relaxing under the sun and birds living in bushes. It’s the place where pretty slow moving Iguaçu river drops abruptly to the depth of some 100 metres down to form one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Splashing water, sun and light wind creates ever present rainbow that can be seen beneath, under the feet of the visitors deck.
A boat ride towards the biggest waterfall of the area, La Garganta del Diablo (97m high) on the Argentinian side.
In the whole area there are some 274 waterfalls transfer as much as 14 million litres of water in a second. The air is constantly filled with moisture and noise of falling water. Tourist companies from Argentina’s side offer boat rides toward the area of exactly where vertically falling water touches the waters beneath and this is always a very wet experience after coming back. Also, it’s possible to take just a minute’s ride on a boat to the island (Isla de San Martin) where, after a short walk, the waterfalls can be seen without getting wet. This service is included in the price of the visit to Nacional Parque de Iguazu where the waterfalls are on the Argentinian side.
Spectacular view of the waterfalls from a tiny island (Isla de San Martin) on the Argentinian side.
The Brazilian side offers a side view of the waterfalls and possibility of coming up to La Garganta del Diablo on the walking deck. This adventure however is another type of experience. It’s not only a lot of moisture and splashing water in the air but also a lot of tourists who want to come up to the area as close as possible. Open camera has to be very well protected as a sudden splash of water can severely damage it.
Roaring waters of the waterfalls in Nacional Parque de Iguazu, Argentina.
