Iguazu Falls Itinerary: The Best Things To Do At Iguazu Falls
Are you looking for the best things to do at Iguazu Falls? How about needing an Iguazu Falls itinerary? Well, you’re in the right place. From the Upper Circuit and Lower Circuit to boat rides, where to find some of the best views of Iguazu Falls, and what to do in Puerto Iguazu and beyond, we have a great little itinerary lined up so you know the best things to do when visiting Iguazu Falls.
It’s no secret that Iguazu Falls is staggering in size.
Taller than Niagara Falls in the United States and wider than Victoria Falls in Africa, the 275-foot Iguazu Falls thunder along the border of Argentina and Brazil.
This Igzuau Falls itinerary will allow you to experience not only its immense size and beauty but also the best things to do at Iguauz Falls!
Honestly, this 2-day itinerary will make you wonder why you haven’t visited sooner. So, let’s get to it, shall we?
Iguazu Falls 2-Day Itinerary
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How Many Days Do I Need For Iguazu Falls?
For this Iguazu Falls itinerary, we suggest two full days. Two days allow you to visit both sides of Iguazu Falls at a nice, relaxed pace.
Now, you can totally visit Iguazu Falls in less time, but we advise against it if you can avoid it.
However, if you can’t and you are on a mission to see Iguazu Falls, no matter what time you have, by all means, don’t let us tell you any different!
There are one-day tours to Iguazu Falls that allow visitors to see both sides of the falls. Sure, it’ll be a jam-packed day, but the option is there for those who want it!
PLANNING TIP: From ticket prices to how to get to Iguazu Falls, what to wear, and how to get around, don’t miss our ultimate travel guide to visiting Iguazu Falls!
When we visited Iguazu Falls, we arrived Thursday late afternoon from Cafayate and flew back to Buenos Aires on Sunday morning. Two full days allowed us to explore both sides of Iguazu Falls, spend nights out in Puerto Iguazu, and relax poolside in the jungle for a little R&R.
It was the perfect amount of time for us.
What Is The Best Month To Visit Iguazu Falls?
The best months to visit Iguazú Falls are April and May or September and October, which are the shoulder seasons.
If you visit during these months, the heat will be less intense, and rainfall is less likely during your visit.
Regardless of which month you visit Iguazu Falls, you should plan to spend at least 6 hours on either side of the falls.
Ideally, you’ll have one day on each side, which is why we have this 2-day Iguazu Falls itinerary for ya 🙂
Do I Need To See Both Sides of Iguazu Falls?
Needs and shoulds are two very different things.
Do you need to visit both sides? No. Should you? 100% yes.
The Argentina and Brazil sides of Iguazu Falls offer completely different vantage points and views from one another.
So, no, you don’t need to visit both sides of Iguazu Falls to see The Falls, but if you want to experience the best of Iguazu Falls, you absolutely should plan to visit both sides.
About This Iguazu Falls Itinerary
Understand that this Iguazu Falls itinerary assumes you will have two full days to visit Iguazu Falls. This means you’ll arrive the day before your first day (day 0) and depart the day after day 2 (day 3).
If you have less time, say only one full day, you can for sure visit both sides of the falls if you wish. Tours like this take visitors on a busy and packed day of sightseeing the Argentina and Brazil sides of the falls.
PRO TIP: When booking your accommodation, we recommend booking and staying on one side of the falls vs. changing accommodations. We stayed in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, and from Puerto Iguazu, we did a day trip to the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls.
Iguazu Falls Itinerary Day One: Argentina Side
For your first day at Iguazu Falls, you’ll be heading to the Argentina side! If you’re staying at an accommodation in Puerto Iguazu that offers breakfast, plan to eat there.
If not, you can head into Puerto Iguazu for breakfast at Lilium, Excelso Coffee Co., or La Croissanterie.
Plan to eat breakfast as early as possible! We recommend getting to the park as soon as it opens, which is 8 AM.
PRO TIP: Wondering how to get to Iguazu Falls? Read our Iguazu Falls travel guide!
Walk The Green Trail (Sendero Verde)
The first stop on your itinerary starts right when you enter!
After you scan your ticket and enter Iguazú National Park, you’ll be on The Green Trail. The Green Trail takes visitors to one of two places:
- Ecological Train Boarding (we’ll discuss this next)
- Entrances to Upper and Lower Circuits
For those who walk The Green Trail (what we did!), you’ll walk 0.4 miles on The Green Trail, which leads you through the jungle until you eventually reach the Upper Circut and Lower Circuit trailheads.
The walk is short, flat, and paved making it an easy and enjoyable walk.
ALT Option: Ride The Ecological Train
For those who want to skip the 0.4-mile walk on The Green Trail, you can board the Ecological Train and take a lovely, slow, and short ride through the Park.
The Ecological Train is an open-air train included in the price of your park entrance ticket. It will take visitors near the entrances to the Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit, or Garganta Del Diablo.
When riding the Ecological Train, understand that it only removes the Green Trail from your walk.
The Ecological Train does not take you directly to The Falls. To reach Iguazu Falls, you’ll need to disembark the train and walk the Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit, or Garganta Del Diablo.
The Ecological Train is great for kids or those who need assistance walking. Plus, it’s included in your park ticket, so why not?!
Upper Circuit (Paseo Superior)
Regardless if you walk The Green Trail or take The Ecological Train, there are two trails you should not miss. One of those trails is the Upper Circuit!
The Upper Circuit is a 1.08-mile (1,750-meter) loop path that will take you above the falls. This trail is 100% accessible to those who need it!
The trail winds through the jungle and takes you along the top of Iguazu Falls, offering dramatic views of the thundering falls below.
Oh, and be prepared to get a little wet! The spray from The Falls is unavoidable.
Looking for tips on what to wear to Iguazu Falls? Get our tips here.
Lower Circuit (Paseo Inferior)
The second of the two must-do trails is Lower Circuit. This 0.9 mile (1,400 meters) trail takes visitors along the falls vs. above as the Upper Circuit trail did.
By going along the falls, you have different views than you saw on the Upper circuit. The Lower Circuit offers a panoramic view of Iguazu Falls and allows you to see over into the Brazil side.
PRO TIP: For those who plan to walk the Green Trail, Upper Circuit, and Lower Circuit, you’ll walk a little less than 2.4 miles.
Stop For a Snack & See How Many Coati’s You Can Spot
After a morning of walking, you may be hungry. There are a handful of restaurants within Iguazu Falls National Park, but Kiosco Estación Cataratas is a nice little grab-n-go cafe, making it a great place to buy a quick snack or water.
If you get a snack from here, be aware of the Coatis! They’re everywhere around this cafe. So much so that outdoor tables are located within cages to keep the Coati’s aware from eating guests.
While Coatis are super cute, you’ll see signs all over the Park warning you to leave them alone, as they do bite! Enjoy the Coatis from a distance, and like all wildlife you encounter at Igauz Falls, don’t feed or pet them.
Garganta Del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)
Unfortunately, Garganta Del Diablo was closed during our visit to Iguazu Falls.
For those who are able to visit Garganta Del Diablo, you’re in for a treat!
Visitors will walk 0.6 miles (1.1 km) on a walkway over Río Iguazú, and at the end, you’ll come face to face with Garganta Del Diablo, or the Devil’s Throat.
The Devil’s Throat is a convergence of powerful waters that cascade and plummet into the torrent of water below. The sound of the water is deafening, and rightfully so.
After all, the water that falls over The Devil’s Thread falls more than 269 feet (82 meters), right in the middle of the horseshoe-shaped portion of the falls.
And like Upper Circuit, this trail is also 100% accessbile!
Optional: Macuco Trail to Arrechea Falls
By now, you’ve done a lot of walking, so if you still feel up to doing some more, there is one more trail on the Argentina side of Iguazu National Park that you can do.
Fair warning: this trail takes you away from Iguauz Falls and brings you to one waterfall, Salto Arrechea.
If it still interests you, the Macuco Trail (Sendero Macuco) is a 2.17-mile (3,500-meter) walk through the jungle ending at Salto Arrechea.
Oh, and you must be actively walking on this trail before 3 p.m. if you want to participate in this hike. Why? Due to its length, the trail closes at 3 p.m. to allow visitors plenty of time to finish before the park closes.
Dinner In Puerto Iguazu
After one amazing day on the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls, plan to head back to your accommodation and relax until dinner.
If your accommodation (like the one we stayed at) has a pool, take a dip and beat the jungle heat before heading into Puerto Iguazu for dinner.
Oh, and in case you didn’t know, Argentinians eat late. If you arrive for dinner before 8 PM, you may find yourself the only one in the restaurant.
There is no shortage of restaurants for dinner. Here are a few places we dined at during our stay!
Also, Av. Brasil (where one of Patagonia Brewery’s locations is) is a VERY lively street for those looking for some nightlife in Puerto Iguazu. Just don’t get too crazy, remember you’re going to the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls tomorrow 🙂
ALT Option: Full Moon Walk at Iguazu Falls
For those not ready to be done with the Argentina side of the park, there is one more activity you can opt for!
A tour offered directly through the National Park is a Full Moon Walk of Iguazu Falls. Available 5 nights a month and taking 2.5 hours, the Full Moon tour takes visitors across the Garganta del Diablo footbridge to experience Garganta del Diablo in the light of the full moon.
The Full Moon Walk requires tickets/reservations, and these can be made directly on the National Park website.
Iguazu Falls Itinerary Day Two: Brazil Side
After an amazing day 1 of your Iguazu Falls itinerary, it’s time to cross the border into Brazil to experience the Falls from the Brazil side.
Now, if you’re wondering how to get across the border from Argentina into Brazil (or vice versa!), we have you covered! You can read about your options here.
Once you’re in Iguazu Falls National Park (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu) on the Brazil side, understand all visitors are required to hop on The Park bus.
The bus runs every 20-30 minutes and is included in your Park Entrance fee. Once on the bus, you’ll be escorted to each of the below stops.
Cataratas Trail (Path of The Falls Trail)
The main and only walking path to Iguazu Falls on the Brazil side is the Cataratas Trail. This one-mile (1,500-meter) circuit is paved, but it can be a little steep and has steps in some sections.
The trail is spectacular! You start away from the falls, and as you wind down to get closer, you’ll have wonderful views of the falls from a distance. You’ll see dozens of waterfalls and the spray from the water rising above the jungle.
Then, once you reach the bottom, wading out over a flat, large portion of Iguazu Falls is a boardwalk. For those who don’t mind getting utterly drenched by the thundering falls, we highly recommend venturing out!
On the boardwalk, you’ll be almost surrounded by Iguazu Falls! It was honestly the highlight of our trip, and we loved it so much!
Cataratas Viewing Platform
The next stop is a couple hundred feet away from the entrance to the boardwalk. Convenient, right?
As you exit the boardwalk, you’ll notice a building to your right. The multi-level building has a souvenir shop and a little concession stand selling snacks and drinks.
Keep following the railing, past the concession stand, and you’ll come insanely close to one of the colossal falls of Iguazu Falls!
Nothing to do at this stop but take in the power of the falls and snap a few photos 🙂
Devil’s Throat Lifts
The name you’ll find it referred to on Google Maps, and it’s well worth the stop!
In the same building as the concession stand, make your way to the top level—and we mean the top, top level!
There is elevator access, but the stairs are much quicker.
At the top, you are greeted with unbelievable views of the Iguazu Falls below. In fact, it’s probably the best view of Iguazu Falls on the Brazil Side. So yeah, you can’t miss it!
Boat Ride To Iguzau Falls with Macuco Safari
Now, this next stop is completely optional! We will be the first to say it’s a little pricey, but if it’s within your budget, 100000000% book a ticket because a boat ride to reach the base of Iguazu Falls was honestly nothing short of incredible.
You can reserve a ticket with Macuco Safari as you enter the Park.
If you choose to partake, we recommend making this the last thing you do in the park. Why? Well, by the time you’re done with this boat ride, there will not be a dry part on your body.
The boat ride takes you down the river until you reach Iguazu Falls! Once at The Falls, safely, the driver will take you into the spray and thunder of Iguazu Falls. You’ll literally have the water of Iguazu Falls pouring on top of you.
Honestly, we’re iffy about doing this boat tour, but we are so happy we did!
Oh, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a family of Capybaras on the river bank along the way.
Back To Puerto Iguazu For Dinner
After an incredible day on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls, it’s time to head back to Puerto Iguazu, or Foz de Iguazu if you’re staying on the Brazil side.
Like last night, plan to get a bite to eat and reminisce about your past two days exploring Iguazu Falls.
Or, if you’d like to have a different experience, there is an immersive dinner and wine pairing in Iguazú that you can reserve for your last night in town! The four-course menu showcases homemade local delicacies from across Argentina.
Where To Stay Near Iguazu Falls
If you want to stay inside the park, be ready to pay a luxury price! The Gran Meliá Iguazú is a luxury stay inside Iguazu Falls National Park! You’ll have clear views of The Falls from your hotel room or from their massive on-site pool. Walk past the pool to access the path that will take you directly to Iguazu Falls’ Upper and Lower Circuits.
As much as we would have loved to stay at The Gran Melia, it was just out of our price range. So, instead, we stayed at Hotel Tré Iguazú, and we loved it!
For other accomodation options in Puerto Iguazu, check out some top-rated stays below!
- Budget-Friendly Stays + Hostels: For those looking to stay in more budget-friendly accommodation, you’ll find a handful of amazing places to call home for a few days! Accommodations such as Scenario Yguazu, Bungalow Hostel, Hostel Iguazu Falls, and Casa 24 Puerto Iguazu offer guests quaint stays and are some of the top-rated budget-friendly accommodations in the area.
- Luxury Stays: Places like Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Rincón Escondido B&B, Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel, and Overo Lodge & Selva offer guests an elevated stay complete with a pool, while Secret Garden Iguazu allows guests to relax in extremely peaceful surroundings.
- Mid-Range Stays: Places like Ingá Apart & Suites, Z Hotel Boutique, and Arapy Bed and Dream offer comfortable, clean accommodations (with pools!) for guests to unwind in after a day of exploring Iguazu Falls. The staff is helpful in coordinating transportation or providing recommendations on where to eat!
Have More Days on Your Iguazu Fall Itinerary?
For those of you who have a few more days or only want to see one side of Iguazu Falls, there are a handful of things to do outside of the falls.
Three Frontier Landmark (Hito Tres Fronteras)
Honestly, depending on what time you leave the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls, you can add this stop to the end of your day.
The Three Frontier Landmark is just that—a landmark that represents the convergence of three countries’ natural borders: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
On the Argentina side, a blue and white obelisk stands, and across the river, you can see Brazil’s green-and-yellow equivalent as well as Paraguay’s red, white, and blue obelisk.
La Aripuca and Guira Oga
Often visited on the same tour as they’re almost next door to one another, La Aripuca and Guira Oga are located about 15 minutes outside of the city center of Puerto Iguazu.
La Aripuca is a park where visitors can learn about the Guarani tribe, the area’s native inhabitants. Whereas, Guira Oga is a conservation and rehabilitation center for injured wildlife with the goal of releasing these animals back into the surrounding jungle.
San Ignacio Mini Ruins & Wanda Mines
Like La Aripuca and Guira Oga, San Ignacio Mini Ruins and Wanda Mines are often combined into one tour. This is a full-day tour as the further sight is located 136+ miles (220+ km) away from Puerto Iguazu.
San Ignacio Mini Ruins is a UNESCO site that houses Argentina’s best-preserved 17th-century Jesuit mission, which helped spread Christianity among the local tribes.
The Wanda Mines was founded by Polish immigrants in the 1930s. On this tour, you’ll see a series of caves, which you can enter to see the various gems within.
Bird’s Park (Parque das Aves)
The Bird Park is located in Foz de Iguazu, just outside the entrance to Iguazu Falls National Park. Park visitors can walk through 12 acres (4.8 hectares) of this bird sanctuary, which is home to bird species like macaws, golden parakeets, harpy eagles, and toucans.
Want More Information on Argentina!?
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Iguazu Falls
How To Visit Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
How to Spend 2 Weeks in Argentina
15 Things To Know Before Visiting Argentina
How To Spend 3 Days In Mendoza
An Itinerary For Three Days in Buenos Aires
Your Guide to Driving Scenic Quebrada De Las Conchas
16 Things To Do in Humahuaca: The Best Town in Jujuy, Argentina
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Happy Travels,
– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stu’s)
