ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SPEND THE MOST AMAZING WEEKEND IN IGUAZU
Did you ever have a chance to watch the movie «The Mission»? The film starred by Jeremy Irons and Robert de Niro was shot in Iguazu on 1986, within such an amazing natural environment as the jungle and the waterfalls. They say Iguazu means «big water» and it´s absolutely true! The Iguazu National Park is an Argentine protected area (as is a natural geographic border with Brazil, this country also safeguards the territory), that covers not only the Iguazu River and the waterfalls but the most southern jungle in South America.
If you´re planning to visit Iguazu, here´s a guide to activities you should not miss.
1- WATERFALLS INFERIOR TRAIL
Once you arrive to the Iguazu National Park (one must pay a fee for the entrance) you can choose from an array of trails to visit. The Inferior Trail (or Circuito Inferior) would be my starting point. You´ll get to see the water falling almost into your face! Try to do it early in the morning as you will have a chance to see more rainbows than you ever imagined. The «Two Sisters» («Dos Hermanas») fall is the first in the row, then many others as Bossetti, San Martín and a lot more.
«Two Sisters» or «Dos Hermanas» falls
2- WATERFALLS SUPERIOR TRAIL
On this long trail you will appreciate the falls from a different perspective because you will see the water falling from above the falls. It´s pretty impressive to listen how the water roars as it crushes down. You also will have a chance to observe the diferent birds and tropical flowers that belong to this stunning place!
3- SAN MARTIN ISLE
Isle San Martin is very near to the lower part of the Inferior Trail. I must warn you about two issues: it´s not posible to cross every day from land to the isle because of the level of the Iguazu River, so you must check that info before going to the pier. The other important thing: to get to the pier one must descend some heavy stone stairs (and when you´re back, then go up), so it´s not advisable for people with serious leg or back problems.
But for those who can make it, please, don´t hesitate to give it a shot. The boat transfer is free and the entrance is included in the Park ticket. The visit to the isle won´t take more than 1 hour. There are also heavy stairs in the island to get close to the falls and the weather is humid and the heat intense, so bring water along with you (it´s not possible to buy anything on the isle). Visit first the San Martin Fall, you´ll be facing it literally! For sure you will get wet and also listen to the screams of the people on the «Great Adventure» boat.
You will walk in the middle of this jungle, so pretty!
To finally get to see «The Devil´s Throat» in front of you!
4- THE DEVIL´S THROAT – «LA GARGANTA DEL DIABLO»
Undoubtedly this is the biggest fall in Iguazu. From the Argentine side you have a train inside the Park that will lead you to large footbridges over the Iguazu River and finally you will step over «The Devil´s Throat». It´s a unique experience and one can spend hours there (and thankfuly there are no stairs at all, so anyone can make it there!!) watching the rainbows, the birds, the wáter and how big nature is!
5- THE GREAT ADVENTURE
I left The Great Adventure for the end on purpose. It is not a fall, its´not a bird. It´s an activity, and what an awesome one! Take the tour («Jungle» is the center where you buy the tickets) and begin your journey on land (my advise: don´t begin from below on the pier). A truck will take many people to another side of the island. There you´ll step up inside a boat and get so close to many falls than you ever dreamed of. But, the surprise is hidden to the end: you will go under the San Martin Fall. Yes! You read well, you will get a shower under this amazing fall. It´s impossible not to scream nor to keep your eyes open as the water will hit on your face as if you were diving in a pool! It´s so much fun! The thing is you do it twice, so there´s no chance you leave dry! Then you will finish on the pier and can watch again all the falls from the Inferior Trail.
Children under 12 years old are not allowed to do the adventure for security reasons.
You may buy a raincoat to keep yourself as dry as you can, but it´s not 100% guaranteed (but it´ll protect you from freezing)
Protect your cameras and mobiles. Or bring your GoPro with you!
