We are planning to go to Buenos Aires in July with our friends who are from there. After, They are going to Paraguay for a wedding, but suggest that we visit Iguazu falls, flying there from BA. We may need a tour around the falls, to see the falls from both the Argentina side and Brazil. If you know a good company for this, or a guide, please let me know! Also a good place to stay! We'd love to visit Rio but not sure we have time this trip. Best airport to fly home from?
Thank you!!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
356 posts
It is easy to get around Iguazu Falls without a tour. Unless you always prefer organized tours for your travel, there is no need for a tour. Paths are well marked. I only went on the Argentine side. I don't remember the name of my hotel but there are a number of hotels that are about a 15-20 minute bus ride from the park entrance. I also had friends who stayed in the Hilton that is inside the park.
Posted by
Connecticut
620 posts
I (and two friends) visited Iguazu Falls last July. I’ve visited falls in many parts of the world. To date it is my best falls experience and echo your friend’s recommendation to visit (both from Argentina and from Brazil). We did not have a vehicle so we hired a private tour service through our hotel which was shockingly inexpensive. You absolutely do not want a bus type group tour or any type of organized group tour. The benefit of the private tour was door to door transportation, easy navigation crossing the borders (expedited lanes for tour guides), easy handling of ticketing, etc.
The guide is not needed for getting around once you’re on the grounds but certainly helpful with any questions/direction etc. It doesn’t hurt to have him or her tag along.
On the Argentina side you have three different paths to explore - lower, mid and upper. Every single one is well worth the time - the views are different at each level. Plan about four hours - skip eating there, keep moving, and experience being above, below and next to the falls. It is an immersive experience.
On the Brazil side there is essentially one path for seeing the falls. The perspective is more of a landscape viewing - great for taking photos. You’ll easily identify various location you were at when in Argentina. Toward the end of the path you will have an opportunity to immerse and drench yourself. At the very end you will come face to face with a huge billowing fall. Plan about one and one half hours.
Hope this helps.
Note: If you have your own transportation then skip hiring a guide..
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you so very much!!!
Posted by
OP
12 posts
any hotel recommendations?
Posted by
Connecticut
620 posts
We vstayed near the town of Iguazu Falls, Brazil. From there we took a day trip to the falls in Argentina. I thoroughly enjoyed the hotel - Sanma Hotel by Nobile. It was located just out side the entrance to the falls in Brazil. However, it was too far from restaurants, shops and the town unless you had a vehicle.
Posted by
4556 posts
Brazil requires a visa ($160) for US citizens. Even for a day trip to the falls. They keep postponing the requirement, however.
Posted by
Connecticut
620 posts
According to the U.S. State Department a visa for U.S. citizens to enter Brazil becomes effective about a year from now on April 10, 2025. I incurred no permit requirements when traveling between Brazil and Argentina. You do however go through passport control. Our passports were reviewed and stamped at land borders for both countries
Posted by
4556 posts
The Brazil visa requirement and price is erratic. Yes, last week there was another postponement, and the price now is halved to $80. I wonder if Bolivia will also drop their $160 visa fee?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
94 posts
We visited Iguazu falls November 2023, it was absolutely stunning. We flew to IGU from Sao Paulo and stayed on the Brazil side, its very easy to book a taxi/uber for the day to take you to both sides, which I highly recommend. The views and experience are very different. You don't need a guide, its easy to follow the well marked trails. Our flight was delayed so we had to visit both sides in one day, it was doable but we needed to start before 9 and returned about 630 so if possible try to do one side one day and the other the next day. From Iguazu, we spent a week in Rio and didn't really enjoy it at all. When we were booking flights there seemed to be more flights from IGU to Sao Paulo and then to North America so if you were in BA you could fly to IGR, visit the Argentinian side and then transfer by taxi/uber/private transfer -all easy to arrange to the Brazilian side and then fly from IGU. But the falls were definitely worth the detour.
Posted by
El Dorado Hills, CA
62 posts
I have been to both sides of the waterfall. The Argentina side is far superior in my opinion. It is like seeing Niagara Falls from the Canadian side versus the American side.
Last trip we flew into Iguazu (IGR) from Buenos Aires. We stayed at La Aldea de La Selva Hotel. It is a jungle type hotel. Loved it! We used taxis to get everywhere. In expensive and reliable. Spent a whole day at the Argentina side of the falls ( arranged for a taxi round trip through the hotel). The Devil's Throat and the lower walk are fantastic. Another activity that we did for dinner was the Argentine Experience. Learned about and made Argentine food and drinks. We still talk about how fun that evening was. We returned back to the US with a flight from Iguazu to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires offers many flights back to the USA.
https://www.laaldeadelaselva.com/
https://iguazuargentina.com/en/centrodevisitante
https://theargentineexperience.com/
As for Rio, I have been there also. You are not missing much. I found it dirty and unsafe.
Have a great trip.