Luxury Travel Blog

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March 22, 2022

Must Visit: Iguazu Falls in Argentina & Brazil

Iguazu Falls is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world and a must-see for visitors to South America. Located on the border of Argentina and Brazil, the spectacular falls are made up of hundreds of cascades where the Iguazu River flows over rocky cliffs and drops more than 200 feet in a thundering display of whitewater and mist.

Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of this national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, including private transfers and privately guided experiences on the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the waterfall.

The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls has 80 percent of the cascades and offers the greatest variety of things to see. Highlights include walking on the Upper and Lower Circuits, a series of suspended metal catwalks with incredible close-up views of the cascades…

…riding a miniature train with open carriages through the rainforest; and seeing the breathtaking Garganta del Diablo (“Devil’s Throat”), the largest and most awe-inspiring section of the falls.

Though the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls has only 20 percent of the cascades, its catwalks and viewpoints offer magnificent panoramas that reveal the breadth (1.7 miles or 2.7 km) and power of the surging waterfall.

We also arrange thrilling private boat cruises on the Iguazu River that go right up to and even into the spray at the base of the waterfalls for adventurous travelers who want to get even closer to Iguazu Falls (and don’t mind getting wet!).

Our preferred accommodation on the Argentine side is Awasi Iguazu, an exclusive luxury lodge immersed in the lush foliage of the subtropical Atlantic Rainforest.

With stand-alone villas, private plunge pools and superb food and wine, it’s an ideal and luxurious base for visiting the falls and the surrounding region.

On the Brazilian side, our favorite option is Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls. The atmospheric historical property is inside Iguassu National Park and within walking distance of the waterfall.

Hotel guests have exclusive early morning and evening access outside the park’s opening hours.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities around Iguazu Falls, including learning about the region’s unique flora and fauna during walks with an expert naturalist guide, kayaking or boating on the Parana River to a hidden waterfall, meeting members of the local Guarani tribe to learn about their traditional crafts and visiting the evocative 17th- and 18th-century ruins of the Jesuit Missions of the Guarani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Atlantic Rainforest is also very popular for birding. Birders can search the skies, canopies and waterways for hundreds of species of birds, including toco toucans, red-rumped caciques, great dusky swifts and white-bearded manakins, as well as flocks of raucous and colorful parrots and parakeets.

We recommend combining a visit to Iguazu Falls with private touring in other top destinations in Argentina, including the cultural highlights of Buenos Aires, the exquisite wine of Mendoza, and the magnificent landscapes of northern and southern Patagonia. Contact Artisans of Leisure to plan a private Argentina tour that features Iguazu Falls.

Destinations:  Argentina, Brazil, South America

Tags:  active touring, Argentina, Argentina tours, artisan crafts, Awasi Iguazu, birding, birdwatching, boat rides, Brazil, Brazil tours, culinary travel, hiking, Hotel das Cateratas, Iguassu Falls, Iguazu Falls, jungle, kayaking, nature tours, private birding trips, private boat tours, soft adventure, UNESCO World Heritage Site, waterfalls