Argentine side of Iguazu Falls

Sometimes spontaneous decisions result in the best experiences of your lives.

I believe that…no, I know that.

We were in Buenos Aires when we saw a picture of the falls in a travel store window. My husband commented that it looked nice and I told him I had considered going there but it was way up north on the Brazilian border. Well, my husband, being the adventurous sort, thought we should see if we could go there.

No flights available…it is a school holiday. Well! that just was putting a challenge to my hubby and the search was on! Somehow the gods were with us and after searching for (and finding) the airlines office we were able to book tickets on a flight to Iguazu. One down, one to go…accommodations?

Again luck was on our side and a wonderful lady in a travel agency (who was shocked that we were able to get plane tickets) made a few phone calls and was able to book us a hotel room in the only hotel right in the national park.

Yeah! Iguazu Falls here we come.

Our flight takes us over the rain forest and then over a portion of the falls. The airport near the falls is small but modern and efficient.

Took a taxi to the park where we paid our entrance fee and then on to the hotel.

Aside: Our taxi (remise) driver suggested a trip to the Brazil side of the falls before we explored the Argentine side. So naturally we booked him to take us there as soon as we had checked into the hotel. His suggestion was an excellent one for two reasons. One, we were glad to have a local help us negotiate the border crossing into Brazil. Two, seeing the “big picture” of the Argentine side of the falls from the perspective of the Brazil side gave us an overview that one misses when you are just a matter of feet from the falls. (Plus the Devil’s Throat experience on the Brazil side is powerful.) Join us on the Brazil side.

Our hotel is the only one right in the National Park….and the view is wonderful.

(Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

We are at the Sheraton Iguazu (they spell it with a “z”) International Resort.

 

This evening we wander the beautiful gardens.

What are these? Edible?

Have supper…complete with excellent entertainment

and go to sleep with a view of the falls. Perfecto!

Next morning we are ready to explore the Argentine side of the cataratas.

Bright and early we wander through the gardens and get on the little train

and travel through an area that gives no hint as to what lies just ahead.

 The train takes us past lovely streams

and drops us off at the bus

which will take us to a boat

which will take us across to the catwalks along the top of the falls.

Now imagine this…we are near the top of the falls, can actually see in the near distance where the water begins its descent. The boat is motorized but for safety we are told that in the case of an emergency there is a rope across the top of the falls and in the unlikely event the motor stops, just grab into that rope and hang on and wait for rescue!

Yikes! Is this really a good idea?

We make it across safely and discover that the scary boat ride was definitely worth it.

Remember this view from the Brazil side?

Well, today we are walking on catwalks right next to those falls.

Click here to join the Argentine side walk (too many photos to include in this posting!)

Wow!

I am at a loss for words to explain the experience!

Late this afternoon we decide to explore the lower falls. There is a pathway just in front of the hotel so off we go.

Did not make it all the way as a ranger met us on one of the bridges and told us (through sign language) that we had to turn back as the park was closing.

To top the trip off…

next morning as I was admiring the view from the room

I noticed big black birds flying up out of the trees.

Binocular time!

Lo and behold they are…

toucans!

Huge birds. I had imagined they would be much smaller!

So here is the spontaneous decision which led to this wonderful side trip.

Go back to Iguazu Falls. click here.

See more of South America…click here.

Visit other countries….click here.

Happy travels!