The Iguazu Falls (there are several variations of how to say and spell) are massive and magical waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil (and not too far from Paraguay). The Iguazu Falls, the world’s largest waterfalls system, are rightly named to the New 7 Wonders of Nature List and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
If you would rather listen to our detailed podcast episode on this subject, check out
Podcast 31: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and Buenos Aires (Brazil & Argentina).
There are two sides to the Iguazu Falls, the Brazilian and Argentinean sides. We visited both. Our first day we visited the Brazilian side. In comparison, the falls on the Brazilian side are further off in the distance and can be seen from a more panoramic view. The distance walked on the Brazilian side is much shorter than the Argentinean side.
The Argentinean side is in the Iguazu National Park and has more trails to walk along and the trails themselves lead you directly into the falls. There is also a tourist train that takes groups of tourists to three main spots along the way; the upper trail, the lower trail, and the Devil’s Throat.
On this side, you can walk into the heart of the falls at Devil’s Throat and you can also take a boat ride under the tumbling falls and feel the power of the falls. I would recommend that you wear clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting wet as you will be soaked from head to toe after taking this boat ride.
Also, make sure that you have proper waterproof protection for your electronic devices as they will also be exposed to the water on this boat ride and water splashes from the falls along the way.
Travel Tip: Some adventures mean that you might get wet a little….or A LOT. You still should be able to capture the memory with a camera. The GoPro is easy to use the option that can get those unique moments that you want to visit later or share with friends. Easy to pack and durable – we own the cost-friendly Hero Session. Find this and other tips on our Travel Tools page.
The vendors at the park sell raincoats for a low cost that you can place over your clothes if this is something you are interested in. Visiting the falls for us was a very powerful and moving experience. The sheer magnanimity of the force of the falls coupled with their magnificent size and the sounds of nature and rainbows around every corner had us in awe. Our senses were overwhelmed and we knew in those moments that these falls were created by God.
Parque Nacional Das Aves
The National Bird Park is located next to the entrance of the Iguazu National Park, very close in proximity to the Iguazu Falls. There are several immersion aviaries in which you can walk inside and get very close to toucans, ibises, and macaws, to see how they walk, eat, fly and interact with other birds.
There is also a butterfly house in which you can enter and touch and feel the butterflies. The park also is home to eagles and owls and has a reptile house which houses animals such as alligators, a boa constrictor, and an anaconda. The birds in certain sections of the park are allowed to walk freely and fly throughout the park amongst the visitors as if they were in their natural habitat.
Birds from all over Brazil and the world that are no longer in a condition to live in the wild are taken in so that they can happily live in the environment created for them at this park.
Traveled August 2015
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