From Patagonia to Buenos Aires where we spend one night again. Then from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls International Airport in Puerto Iguazú. After arriving in Puerto Iguazúon, as I remember correctly, we took a shuttle bus to the hostel which we were staying in, Hostel Inn Iguazu. This hostel is a great spot to meet other travelers eager awaiting the inspiring sights of the waterfalls. It has a huge swimming pool which is great to wash away the waterfall spray after a long hike! I loved staying in this hostel, as they arrange shuttle bus services to and from the National park, both on the Argenina side as well as on the Brazilian side.
Iguazu Falls was a highlight in our trip. It was spectacular. Nature at its best. Declared a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the most impressive natural wonders I've seen. The most spectacular (and scary) waterfall is Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat). Mist rises between 30 metres and 150 m from Iguazu's Devil's Throat. It's surely to be one of natures most attractive display of both beauty and force. The park's exotic subtropical 2,000 plant species - gigantic trees, different bird and animal species, some are: the spotted jaguars, butterflies, raccoons, monkeys, coral snakes, toucans and parrots, which all complete this amazing site. There are boat trips to the base of the falls where your heart will beat under the enormous force of the waterfall and you'll get soaked off course! In Guaraní language, the term "Iguazú" means "great waters". And great it was indeed!
Iguazu consists out of about 275 separate waterfalls and cataracts, varying between 60 metres and 82 metres high. The falls are protected by two National Parks (Argentina´s and Brazil´s) and it serves as the border between the two countries. At one point a person can stand and be surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfalls. And the cool spray is a comfort in the heat.
On the Brazilian side there is a beautiful walkway along the canyon with an extension to the lower base of the Devil's Throat. Helicopter rides offering views from above of the falls and the jungle are available and amazing, but only on the Brazilian side; Argentina has prohibited such tours.
Interesting facts (for me) about Iguazu:
Iguazu Falls was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.
The falls have been featured in several movies, including, The Mission.
Iguazu is also often compared with Southern Africa's Victoria Falls which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe, although Iguazu is wider.
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| First, a boat trip on the river - a rough but thrilling ride indeed! |
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This gets your adrenalin rushing - as close as you can go - they slowly drifted our boat underneath a waterfall. The power of it all was overwhelming and a feeling of succumbing takes hold of you - knowing how extremely small you are. |
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| Devil's throat |
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| Devil's throat |
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| A helicopter ride |
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| Views from above |
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| Hostel Inn Iguazu |
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| Hostel Inn Iguazu - a party |
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| Hostel Inn Iguazu |
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