Iguazu Falls (Iguazú Falls, Iguassu Falls, Iguaçu Falls, or Yguazú Falls)

Iguazu Falls (or more accurately Iguazú Falls) is the spanish name (

• About the Falls
• Photos of the Falls
• Videos of the Falls
• When to go
• How to get there
• Planning and Preparing for Your Trip
• Activities
• Which side is better?
• Map of the Falls
• Have you been to this waterfall?

ABOUT THE FALLS

Sitting on the Iguazú River, it is shared by Argentina and Brazil as both countries are separated by the river. Catwalks are built on both sides providing closer (often times mistier and wetter) views of the great waterfall.

During normal flow, Iguazu Falls is actually split into two main parts by the San Martin Island (La Isla San Martín). The part with the largest volume of water is the narrow horseshoe of the Devil's Throat (La Garganta del Diablo). This is the portion of the falls that is split between Argentina and Brazil.

On the other side of San Martin Island is another series of waterfalls and cascades (many of which have names) with the main one being Salto San Martín. This side is exclusively Argentinian. Among the names of the waterfalls on this side are Salto Eva, Salto Adán, Salto Bossetti (very impressive), Salto Dos Hermanas, Salto Alvar Nuñez, Salto Guardaparque Bernabé Mendez, Salto Mbigua, Salto Chico, and Salto Lanusse. There are also several waterfalls going through San Martín Island (e.g. Salto Rivadavía and Salto Escondido; also on the Argentina side) as well.

What makes this mega waterfall so special is that it feels like it's in nature where it belongs. Sure the catwalks and jet boat tours (along with Brazilian helicopters) can take away from the nature, but it's certainly more natural than one of the rival waterfalls like say Niagara Falls.

Speaking of which, numerous catwalks afford you various ways to view and experience Iguazu Falls. Argentina has most of the catwalks while Brazil's walks mostly focus on panoramas of the Argentinian side as well as closeups of the thunderous Devil's Throat. Regarding the Argentinian catwalks, Paseo Superior takes you around the upper rim of the waterfalls Salto Bossetti and closer views of Salto San Martín while Paseo Inferior takes you to the bottom of parts of the falls while providing boat access to San Martín Island.

San Martín Island gets you as close to the gushing Salto San Martín as you can safely get on land as well as other falls and pools on its lee side. You're bound to see wildlife on these catwalks (in addition to those on San Martin Island) such as the banded-tailed coaties, birds like various species of parrot and toucans, butterflies of many different colors, and even predatory cats like the Jaguar as well as the Puma and Ocelot.

There are other ways to experience the falls such as a thrilling boat ride.

Indeed there are many ways to experience the falls. Heck, if the timing's right, you could even do special tours of the falls by moonlight! But in any case, what's mentioned on this page merely scratches the surface of how you can spend your time here. Check out the photos below to see the mighty Iguazu Falls...

[Back to top]

PHOTOS OF THE FALLS

View from the end of El Paseo Superior (the upper trail on the Argentina side)

View from the upper Salto Bossetti Lookout

Another look from the Paseo Superior

Salto Alvar Nuñez

Looking down at one of the lower Salto Bossetti Lookouts

Distant view of the Devil's Throat

The catwalk and Salto Bossetti

Another look at Salto Bossetti

Salto Chico

Salto Dos Hermanas

Looking right across La Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) from the Argentina side

One of the falls tumbling from San Martin Island as seen from Brazilian side

View from Brazilian side

The Three Musketeers Falls

Looking into the Devil's Throat from a distant overlook on the Brazilian side

The immense scale of Iguazu Falls

Looking down at the falls from the tower on the Brazilian side

View of the misty mess while on the boat tour

Boat getting drenched beneath Salto San Martin

View of Salto Bossetti from the lower overlook

Drenched beneath Salto San Martin

Palm trees framing Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side from a very popular lookout spot

View from Isla San Martin

Salto Escondido

Sun bathers on San Martin Island

VIDEOS OF THE FALLS

Share your experience.

Click here to see visitor comments

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Thank You  Not rated yet
This website helped me a lot for a history project.

Great videos and pictures.

Also with in depth information.

Clueless Tourist - Iguacu Falls  Not rated yet
The first time I saw Iquacu Falls was from a small jet in 1985. It was my first trip to South America and shamefully I did not know of the Falls. We ...

More Than Worth The Trip  Not rated yet
On our way from USA to Antarctica we purposely made a stop at the Iquazu Falls on the advice of a friend - and it was MORE than worth the trip! We live ...

The Most Amazing Thing (Iguassu Falls)  Not rated yet
I was there when I was 17... and it was the most amazing thing I`ve ever seen in this world!!!! they are really great and deserve to be on the top !!! I ...

Iguazu Falls - Fee to Cross from Argentina to Brazil  Not rated yet
It should be noted that there is a $100 fee to cross from Argentina to Brazil. If you hire a taxi and guide in Puerto Iguacu he might be able to get ...

Iguazu Falls Summer 2008  Not rated yet
It is so amazing to see this waterfall. It was only then that i really realized the powers of nature, AND WATER!!

I never thought there could be enough ...