Expert: Cintia - 8/11/2004

Question
Hello Cintia,

Thanks for the great work you guys are doing.

My wife and I were planning to be visit Iguazu Falls around 9/8 9/9 and 9/10. We would arrive in Puerto Iguazu on 8th Spetember and can stay 2 or three nights but want to COMPLETELY enjoy the Iguazu falls. Please recommend which tour should I take and what all should I do? (I have visa only for Argentina, how easy is it to get Brazil Visa in puerto iguazu itself?)

WHich part of falls to visit and how (train, boat, etc.). ANy special tour to be considered?. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Answer
Thank you very much for your questions.

If you want to completely enjoy the falls, then you should definitely stay at Sheraton Hotel, because it is the only hotel inside the National Park.  All the other hotels are outside the park, so staying at the Sheraton is much more convenient.
The National Park (NP) is divided in different walking circuits. There are five: Upper Circuit (you can see the falls from above, as if walking above them), Lower Circuit (you see the falls from a more panoramic point of view), San Martin Island (you take a boat at the end of the lower circuit -which is free of charge- and then when you get to the island you have to climb more than 100 steps. The island itself is not special at all but the view from one of its balconies is amazing), Devil's throat (here you have to take a train, also free of charge, up to the last station, then get off, walk a little bit along a catwalk, until you get to to Devil's throat, which is the most impressive fall of all), and Macuco trail (it is a narrow path in the middle of the forest, where you can see many animals. At the end of it you will get to a very small fall and at the bottom you will find a pond. When the weather is hot, you can swim there).
At the end of the lower circuit, where you take the free of charge boat to get to the island, you can also pay for an excursion, in which you are taken up to the falls and you get all soaked. This is very funny and worth doing.
There is a longer version of this tour, in which, after getting all soaked, you will continue on the motorboat along the river, until you get to Puerto Macuco, where you will get off and will take a 4 wheel drive truck. This truck will take you inside the forest and the guide will give you a brief explanation about the fauna and vegetation of that region.
Also, when you go to Devil's throat, you will then have to return. Instead of taking the train again, right next to the station you will see some kayaks. You can rent one of them to get closer to Sheraton Hotel, if you don't want to use the train again.

As for going to the brazilian side, I don't know your nationality, but citizens from some countries, like Americans, must apply for a visa in reciprocity because brazilians are required to get a visa to enter the States. In spite of this, some people cross the border without having the visa. There are taxi drivers willing to take you to the other side for a fixed price, and they take care of dealing with the immigration officer. Logically, this is illegal and we do not endorse such action, but we can't deny it is a fact.

I hope this information helps you and that you have a wonderful stay at the falls.

Kind regards,

Cintia Stella