Iguaçu Falls - Brazil

We visited the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls on our second day in the area.  After stopping on the Argentinian border station, our guide took us across the border without even stopping at the Brazilian checkpoint.  So much for paying a hefty amount for the Brazilian visa.  He suggested we could stop if we really wanted a stamp on our passport but we turned down the offer. 

The questions that came up with everyone planning a trip to the falls were: which side was better, was it worth a trip to cross the border (and pay the exorbitant Brazilian visa fee!), how did it compare to Niagara Falls?  We were asked that very question by a couple of German tourists at the Devil's Throat.  Those were difficult questions to answer as values differ and everyone's experiences were different.

When we first arrived at the park on the Brazilian side, I was a little disappointed as the falls were farther away, literally "on the other side of the river" - it was distant, compared to the immediacy of the experience the day before on the Argentinian side.  But as we moved closer towards the Devil's Throat, we saw that it was a different experience but still valuable - we could see the panoramic view of the entire waterfalls system on the Brazilian side that we could not see on the Argentinian side.  And of course, when we got to the Devils' Throat, the experience was very immediate and exciting.

In my opinion, visitors need to see both sides for a complete experience.  We were right above the falls at the Devil's Throat on the Argentinian side and right below it on the Brazilian side - both equally immediate experiences.  And for those who want to get wet, one can get very wet on the Brazilian side too by walking out to the viewing platform which extended all the way out into the middle of the gorge.  On the other hand, it's not something one could not do without and if for whatever reason you could not make it to the other side, it will not be a huge loss.

Have a look at the photos below and decide for yourself.  For me, an extra bonus was the bird park just outside the park entrance.  It was very well-stocked and there were lots of exotic tropical birds for viewing. 

Right beside the Devil's Throat on the Brazilian side

Falls thundering down right beside the viewing platform - good thing at this angle, the camera didn't get any spray.

The multi-levelled falls

The viewing platform extended right into the middle of the gorge, making for a very wet experience

Underwater camera shot at the foot of the Devil's Throat falls on the viewing platform in the middle of the gorge

Pair of black vultures enjoying the scenery

Caracara near the entrance to the park

Toucans in closeup at the bird park

You call this a bird?  It looked like it's dressed up to go on stage!  It's called a "Grou coroado africano".  These flamingos look "normal" in comparison.

This is a red-legged seriema

A female mutum de penacho - unusual in that the male is less bedecked than the female for a change, black curly crown but no striated plumage.

A Roseate spoonbill

Jandaya parakeet

Blue and gold macaw

Scarlet macaw

Cute parrot!

Iguassu Falls - Argentina

Iguassu Falls - the largest waterfalls system in the world - was one of the most powerful spectacles I've experienced in my travels!  It was worth the special trip we made from Buenos Aires before the start of our Patagonia Tour.  We spent two days at the falls, one on the Argentinian side and a good part of the second day on the Brazilian side of the falls.

We started on the Argentinian side in Iguazu National Park.  Our driver advised us to go to the Devil's Throat first as the trail has no shade and there was always a lineup for the train shuttle.  That was good advice.  We waited 45 minutes for the train which ran every half hour.  For anyone planning a trip and are only spending one day in the park on the Argentinian side - make sure enough time is allotted for the 3 main trails. The best strategy is to take the train shuttle to the Devil's Throat first thing in the morning when there are fewer people (there are always crowds!) and therefore less of a lineup for the train.  This is the longest trail and the only one with transport. The viewing area is a limited area on a platform over the falls, so it would be an advantage to make it there early and beat the crowds.  The Upper and Lower trails wind through the forest to the falls and it is best to do these when the sun is hot (or if it's raining).

Spray is a problem at the Devil's Throat depending on the wind direction.  It was a sunny relatively windless day so I was able to get by with just a shower cap over my camera.  The upper trail was far enough from the falls that spray did not pose a problem but the waterfall at the end of the lower trail was right above the platform and no rain sleeve or shower cap could keep the camera dry.  I used my underwater camera at that point but even then, shots have a water film on them.

Lineups and sprays aside, the waterfalls were spectacular and we had a very enjoyable day viewing the falls from different angles, starting above the falls at the Devil's Throat, then at mid-levels on the upper trail and finally below the falls at the lower trail.  There were also lots of wild life in the Park, butterflies, coatis (whole families), birds, turtles, monkeys, even a cayman!

The "Devil'ls Throat"

Closeup of the vortex

The walkway to the falls from the train station

Looking at the Brazilian side of the Devil's Throat

The view from the Upper trail

The falls are in so many layers and levels - here we are still above some sections of the falls

Platforms built over the falls allow visitors to stand almost right over it...and under!

Looking at the Lower trail from the Upper trail

Walking by a waterfall on the lower trail

On the platform at the end of the lower trail - you get very wet as you are right below - these were taken with my underwater camera...

Of course, if you want to get very wet, you could hop on the boat tour which would take you right to the bottom of the falls!  (best done in swim suits)

 

Cayman in the water near a pedestrian bridge

Coatis own the park - they will appear the moment you have food in your hands...