Brazil and Argentina have a long history of rivalry. The two nations compete in practically everything, from football teams to natural marvels, tourist attractions to barbecues, which country has the most attractive people, and which side of the Iguazu Falls is best.
Brazil claims only 20% of the falls, and Argentina a good 80%. From Brazil, gazing towards Argentina, you get a better perspective of the falls, but in Argentina you may approach closer and explore more. Both sides of Iguazu Falls are magnificent, and if you have the time and resources to see both, you should.
Find out which side of the Iguazu Falls is best if you can only view them from one side.
The Argentina Side
The Most Immersive Way
Seeing the falls from the Argentinian side is a comprehensive and intensely sensory experience. Iguazu has the highest average yearly flow of water in the world, and the roaring sound will teach you about it. It’s not for the weak of spirit, the experience is very humbling.
To get to the best view of the beginning of this raging river, you can stroll along a series of catwalks that provide access to the Devil’s Throat, a horseshoe-shaped curtain of waterfalls with 14 breathtaking cascades. Argentina is home to about two-thirds of the falls, so you may easily spend a day or two there.
Three primary circuits covering a combined 8 kilometers may be explored on the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park: the Upper Circuit, the Lower Circuit, and the Devil’s Throat.
There’s nothing ordinary about either the upper or lower circuits. They are stair-climbing circuits that meander through the lush forest of Misiones, through cascading waterfalls and breathtaking vistas of the nearby Iguazu Falls.
To complete the lower circuit, which travels through the park’s lowest regions, will take around two hours. The upper one is the highest and offers breathtaking views of the dizzying drop of the jumps below. It’s the kind of natural show that can never be repeated. It’s a shorter distance and can be covered in around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
As we mentioned before, perhaps the most impressive feature of the park is the Devil’s Throat. Taking the subway to the walkway’s starting point will get you to Devil’s Throat. The tour lasts for about an hour and a half, and wheelchair users may enjoy it because there are no steps involved.
If you’re visiting from the Argentine side, you may take use of the park’s miniature railway, which stops at three different locations along the route from the park’s entrance to the Devil’s Throat. It’s just a short walk up the steel walkway to the main observation platform from the railway stop, so there’s no need to work up a sweat.
The Argentine side also has a lot of great things to offer in terms of outdoor recreation thanks to its extensive network of mapped nature paths. There are several vantage places along each route from which to take in the various cascades of water and smaller falls, and you may even ascend to the top of the falls and venture inside them.
The Brazil Side
Shorter but Better Panoramic Views
You can’t get a good sense of the size of the Iguazu Falls from the Argentinean side, where 80 percent of them are located, but you can from the Brazilian side, where you can view the entire spectacle. The vantage spots are significantly more conveniently located, and there are more of them on the Brazilian side.
Yes, the visit is shorter. The basic visit is usually completed in half a day, but it allows you to see the whole Devil’s Throat and the entire falls, from above and below. Take the glass elevator down from the observation deck to the promenade and stroll right up to the brink of the breathtaking waterfalls.
You can, however, enhance your experience by including intriguing extras such as eating lunch at the local restaurant Puerto Canoas, participating in adventure activities such as the Macuco Safari, which combines a walk through the jungle with river navigation, flying over the falls in a helicopter ride, biking through the jungle, or skydiving. You can also extend your vacation to the Brazilian side of the falls by visiting Parque Das Aves or the famous Itaipu Dam.
Final Words
Iguazu Falls is more than simply a tourist attraction; it’s a delightful and fulfilling experience. The beauty of the falls draped in a magnificent rainbow at the ideal time of year is stunning.
Seeing the falls from both sides is certainly worthwhile. They are clearly distinct, yet equally lovely and worthwhile. However, if you have questions about which side of the Iguazu Falls is best, an expert from Baboo travel would help.
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