Iguazu Falls
Argentina & Brazil from Paraguay
Iguazu Falls, Iguazú Falls, Iguassu Falls, or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. They are the largest waterfalls system in the world.
The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River rises near the city of Curitiba. For most of its course, the river flows through Brazil; however, most of the falls are on the Argentine side. Below its confluence with the San Antonio River, the Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil.
The name “Iguazu” comes from the Guarani or Tupi words “y”, meaning “water”, and “ûasú “[waˈsu], meaning “big”. Legend has it that a deity planned to marry a beautiful woman named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In a rage, the deity sliced the river, creating the waterfalls and condemning the lovers to an eternal fall. The first European to record the existence of the falls was the Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541.
Iguazu Falls Has 6 Circuits to Enjoy
The Iguazú National Park has different circuits in the Argentinian side that people of all ages can enjoy: the upper, the lower, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), the Macuco Trail, the Rainforest Ecological Train, and the Green Trail.
It has metal walkways that cross the jungle and allow you to see the falls from different panoramic views.
Superior Circuit: In this circuit, you can visit the falls from above. It starts 200 meters from the “Estación Cataratas” and extends to 1,750 meters. The estimated travel time is approximately 2 hours. It is accessible to all people since it does not present any difficulty.
Lower Circuit: The lower circuit has a distance of 1,700 meters. The estimated visiting time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. The accessibility is average. It has 2 paths that lead to the same place, one accessible with a ramp and the other with stairs.
Devil’s Throat: The circuit is fully accessible and can be covered in approximately 1 and a half hours. It has an extension of 2,200 meters, and it is possible to get very close to the Garganta del Diablo waterfall, one of the most impressive in the Iguazú National Park.
Macuco Trail: The Macuco Trail is an excellent option for trekking lovers. Its route has an approximate duration of 2 hours. It has an extension of 3,500 meters. At the end of the tour, you can appreciate the Arrechea waterfall, which is more than 20 meters high.
Rainforest Ecological Train: The Rainforest Ecological train connects the entrance of the Iguazú National Park from the central station to the park’s circuits. It has an intermediate stop to access the lower and upper circuits and ends at the Garganta del Diablo station. It has a distance of 3,700 meters, with a departure frequency every 30 minutes.
Green Trail: The green trail extends to 655 meters and does not present any difficulty. This circuit lasts approximately 30 minutes. Along the way, it is possible to see birds and appreciate a great diversity of flora characteristic of the Paraná rainforest.
These circuits will allow you to see the falls from different panoramic views.
