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Where It's At
Straddling two countries, Argentina and Brazil, and in sight
of a third, Paraguay, the waterfalls of Iguazu are
one of the most spectacular in all of South America. Located
on the border of Argentina's Misiones province and
Brazil's Parana province, this is the place where the
film The Mission was made and where scenes from the
007 film Moonraker were filmed.
Feat of Nature
The place means the 'Big Waters' in Guarani, a local
Indian dialect. The thundering water crashes down in hundreds
of cateracts between lush jungles while swallows make
their nests underneath the roaring waterfalls zipping through
the mists to catch insects for their young. Up to 250ft tall,
these cateracts change colour according to the weather; heavy
rain turns the water chocolate brown while fine weather leaves
the falls white as cotton as they plunge into the river bed
below.
The geological explanation for the formation of the falls
is simple: as the river approached the softer volcanic rocks
it easily eroded them away to create the 'table' effect of
Iguazu. It is said that when viewing the falls from the Brazilian
side, it is like viewing a stage as if in the audience; when
viewing them from the Argentinian side its like being on the
stage. For the full Iguazu experience it is imperative to
see the falls from both the Argentinian and Brazillian sides
as each view is unique: the Argentinian side is more panoramic
and grandiose while on the Brazillian side you are right in
the action traversing catwalks and walkways that get right
next to the rushing, thundering water. From either side expect
to get wet from the mist and spray and its refreshing in the
intense heat that for most of the year blankets this area.
Staring down into the Devils Throat is one of the
highlights of visiting the Iguazu falls and can be arranged
from the Brazillian side where the catwalks have been washed
away in recent years and a boat takes you out to the fall's
edge. Lots of butterflies and exotic birds make
their home here so keep your eyes open for macaws and
other rainforest creatures.
Other Things to See and Do
Theres not a whole lot to do around the falls although hiking
in the large rainforest preserve is a possibility. Jesuit
ruins can be visited a few hours south of here in Misiones,
Argentina, and duty free shopping is an attraction in nearby
Cuidad Del Este in Paraguay.
Travel & Practical Info
When staying at Iguazu travellers can chose between the quiet
and green town on the Argentinian side or the larger bustling
Brazillian city on the other. From either place shuttle buses
operate to the falls. Travellers should be aware of the most
current visa situations as some nationalities require visas
when entering Brazil, even for the day.
Both countries have built impressive tourist centres at either
side of the falls where expensive hotels and convention facilities
exist. However, as close as the countries meet over water,
the actual border crossing ais much further away. A whole
day should be set aside for the buses and shuttles needed
to get between passport control, allowing for at least 3 hours
on each country's side of the falls. Renting a taxi can be
about $20 for several hours and for those on a quick stay
or in a group, are a good way to shave time off the journey.
For overland travel Iguazu is a convenient point to enter
or leave Argentina or Brazil, and flights operate out of both
sides to domestic destinations in each country (and is a good
stopover point on an air Mercosur Pass) Travellers
should pay careful attention to actually where their flight
is leaving from as both airports are called Iguazu. |
