Imagine a wall of water almost three kilometers long, rushing in hundreds of streams into a deep canyon. The roar of the waterfalls can be heard for hundreds of meters, and a fine mist hangs in the air. This is exactly the first impression of Iguazu Falls – one of the largest waterfall systems in the world.
Iguazu Falls are among the most famous natural sites in South America. They lie on the border of Brazil and Argentina and together form one of the largest waterfall systems in the world.
During our trip to South America, we decided to visit the Brazilian side of Iguaçu National Park. Although most of the waterfalls are located on the Argentinian side, the Brazilian part offers some of the best panoramic views of the entire waterfall system.
Where Iguazu Falls are located
Iguazu Falls are located on the Iguazu River on the border of two states – Brazil and Argentina. The Brazilian side is in the state of Paraná, near the city of Foz do Iguaçu, which is also a border city near the Brazil-Paraguay border. This is why visitors often come here from Paraguay.
The entire system consists of approximately 275 individual waterfalls, stretching for almost 3 kilometers. The largest and most famous spot is the enormous chasm called Garganta del Diablo – Devil’s Throat.
Iguaçu National Park in Brazil
The Brazilian side of the waterfalls belongs to Iguaçu National Park (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu), which was founded in 1939. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Unlike the Argentinian side, the Brazilian part of the park is more compact. Most visitors here follow one main scenic route that runs along the edge of the Iguazu River canyon.
Journey from Paraguay to the waterfalls
Our visit to the waterfalls began in the morning in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. We had a rental car from a local car rental company. Normally, it’s not allowed to cross international borders with a Paraguayan rental car, but visiting Iguazu Falls is a common exception in this region. You just need to inform the car rental company in advance so they can adjust the vehicle’s insurance for driving in Brazil.
The biggest complication of the entire journey for us was not the border control itself, but the traffic on the Friendship Bridge. At the time of our visit, it was the only way to get from Paraguay to Brazil by car, and there were often long traffic jams on the bridge.
Today, there is also a newer bridge, Puente de la Integración, further south on the Paraná River, so we recommend checking the current traffic situation before your trip and choosing the fastest route at that time.
After crossing the border, we relatively quickly passed through the center of Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side and continued directly towards the national park on BR-469. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the city center.
Arrival at Iguaçu National Park
The road leads you to the parking lot at the Visitor Center – Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. You need to park your car here. If possible, we recommend finding a spot in the shade, as it gets very hot here during the day.
Immediately after parking, we were pleasantly surprised by the good organization of the visit. A park employee directed us from the parking lot towards the visitor center.
Inside, we purchased tickets at a self-service terminal and paid by card. After buying the tickets, other staff explained the next steps – visitors continue by shuttle bus. The park bus runs between the visitor center and individual stops at the waterfalls. Everything here was very well organized – buses ran regularly, and it was easy to find a seat.
If you want a slightly better view during the ride, we recommend sitting on the right side of the bus. However, you won’t see the waterfalls very well from the bus itself, as the route mostly passes through dense jungle.
The bus has several stops along the route. We recommend getting off one stop before the final one – Estação Trilha das Cataratas – and continuing to the waterfalls on foot along the hiking trail leading along the river.
Scenic trail to the waterfalls
From the Estação Trilha das Cataratas stop, a paved path leads through the local subtropical jungle directly to the waterfalls. The trail is comfortable and well-maintained, so even less experienced visitors can manage it without problems.
During the walk, you might also encounter local park residents. Most often, these are various species of birds, butterflies, or smaller mammals. For example, South American coatis, which are accustomed to the presence of tourists, appear quite frequently. You can see toucans or parrots in the treetops, and many colorful butterflies fly around the path.
The trail runs along the Iguazu River canyon and gradually offers views of dozens of waterfalls on the Argentinian side.
One of the advantages of the Brazilian side is precisely the panoramic view of the entire waterfall system. From many places, it is possible to see a wide arc of waterfalls that would not be as clearly visible from the Argentinian side.
Devil’s Throat from the Brazilian side
The highlight of the visit is the viewing platform leading directly to the waterfalls in the Devil’s Throat area. The water here plunges into a deep gorge with immense force, creating a dense mist that is visible from a great distance.
With a strong water flow, it is almost impossible to stay completely dry. The mist from the waterfalls often reaches the viewing platform at the end of the walkway. During our visit, a distinct rainbow formed in the fine water spray, further enhancing the view of the falling water and making the waterfall views one of the most powerful moments of the entire visit. We visited the waterfalls outside the main rainy season. Even so, the power of the falling water was incredible, and we could only imagine what it might look like during periods of heavy rain.
Drone use prohibited
Throughout the national park, we noticed several signs prohibiting the use of drones. We respected this ban, so unfortunately, we don’t have any drone footage from this location – but we are sure that the view of the waterfalls from above would have been worth it.
Visitor facilities at the end of the trail
At the end of the scenic trail, there are several restaurants and small stalls where you can buy food or drinks. There are also souvenir shops.
If you don’t want to buy souvenirs directly here, you still have the option to do so at the visitor center by the parking lot. The aforementioned shuttle bus service will take you back there from the end of the trail.
Brazilian or Argentinian side?
Many travelers ask which side of Iguazu Falls to visit. Ideally, you should see both.
The Argentinian side offers more trails and the opportunity to get directly above some of the waterfalls. The Brazilian side is shorter but provides a better overall view of the entire waterfall system.
If you only have time for one visit, the choice depends on whether you prefer panoramic views or a more detailed interaction with the waterfalls.
Conclusion
Iguazu Falls are among the places that can impress even experienced travelers. The scale of the waterfalls, the power of the falling water, and the surrounding tropical nature create a combination that is hard to compare with other waterfalls in the world.
The Brazilian part of the national park is a very good place for a first introduction to this unique natural phenomenon. Thanks to the park’s good organization and regular shuttle bus service, the entire visit can be completed at a pleasant pace in one afternoon – even with enough time to spare for the return to Paraguay. We therefore definitely recommend visiting this place to anyone traveling in this part of South America.