Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls: How To Visit From Argentina Guide
A visit to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is an unforgettable experience. The largest waterfall system in the world boasts up to 300 waterfalls in peak season, offering a grand scale of natural beauty.
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Exploring the Iguazu National Park from both Brazil and Argentina will leave you fascinated and in awe of the majesty of nature. Taking a boat ride under the falls or a helicopter ride over them is a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experience.
Located in South America, on the border between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu falls are a majestic sight. Imagine the thunderous roar of the water echoing through the dense rainforest. If you’re lucky, you might even see a rainbow.
Whether you’re gazing at the Garganta del Diablo, the most feared part of the falls, or exploring the trails and viewpoints, every moment at Iguazu Falls is unforgettable. When Eleanor Roosevelt laid eyes on this spectacle, she uttered ‘Poor Niagara,’ an acknowledgment that next to Iguazu, even the famed falls of North America paled.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know for your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and to make the most of your time there.
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Why Visit Iguazu Falls In Brazil
Getting Close To The Devil’s Throat
The Brazilian side of the falls offers the possibility to get as close to the falls and the Devil’s Throat as possible. It is a thunderous set of 14 falls that are approximately 80 meters high.
The boardwalk is designed to provide different angles to view the falls from the base to the side. There are thrills from rainbows to a refreshing mist to the feeling of walking on a waterfall. The observation tower allows you to see the falls from above.
The Best Panoramic View
80 percent of the falls are located in Argentina, so when it comes to the best views, the viewpoints on the Brazilian side provide a better panorama.
Once you step on the walkway, you will be amazed by the stunning views. It is a photographer’s dream.
At the end of the walkway is a viewing platform that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the falls. Be prepared to take plenty of photos and videos to immortalize this unique experience. Try to keep your camera and mobile phone dry. Not an easy task, keeping in mind you’ll get wet all over.
TIP: Don’t forget to bring a raincoat.
Less Time Consuming
While the Argentinian side of iguazú Falls offers some great experiences, walking the Upper circuit or the Lower circuit is more time-consuming, even confusing with the many connecting paths.
On the other hand, the Brazilian side of the falls consists of one walkway, approximately 1500 m long. You can reach the walkway by taking the National Park tourist bus from the main gate (the bus ride is included in the park ticket).
If you plan to stay on the Brazilian side and book at Hotel das Cataratas, just cross the street.
Less Walking
If you can’t or for some reason don’t want to walk, one hour is enough time to complete the entire trail on the Brazilian side.
Keep in mind that you are in the jungle, so it will most likely be hot and wet. The entire trip can be done in an hour from one end to the other, but you will want to allow much more than that to fully appreciate the beauty of the falls.
The walkway also has several balconies that offer excellent views and you will want to stop and take pictures.
Iguazu Falls Accessibility
While there are some stairs at the beginning of the walkway, they are easily manageable. Even people who need a wheelchair or a baby stroller to get around can get to the end of the walkway and thus close to the Devil’s Throat.
From the last stop of the National Park tourist bus, there is a paved trail with elevators at the end that will take you down to the walkway at Devil’s Throat.
The Brazilian National Park also offers wheelchairs free of charge making it possible to visit the park and experience the falls for people with mobility needs. Wheelchairs can be requested at the Visitor Center.
Sunrise At The Brazil Side Of Iguazu Falls
You can watch the sunrise on the Brazil Side of Iguazu Falls.
The experience is a tour offered by Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, called Dawn at the Falls. It is available on certain days and costs R$210 in addition to the park entrance fee.
Helicopter Ride At Brazil Side Of Iguazu Falls
If you prefer a privileged aerial view over the majestic Iguazu Falls, book a helicopter ride in Iguazu Falls. It is only available on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls.
How To Get To The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls From Argentina
If you’re planning to visit the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, then it’s important to know how to get there and what to expect.
There is a regular bus service from the bus station of Puerto Iguazu to the park on the Brazilian side. The buses run every hour or so. Just go to the bus station and buy your ticket.
Make sure to clarify you are traveling to the park and not to the town of Foz. I bought a round-trip ticket, which was very cheap, and hopped on the bus, which left a couple of minutes later.
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Argentina-Brazil Border Crossing
Crossing the border between Brazil and Argentina is quick and smooth.
TIP: Check beforehand with your local authorities the visa requirements for entering Brazil.
If you are returning to Argentina on the same day, there is only a checkpoint on the Argentine side. If you are staying overnight in Brazil, then you have to get off the bus and go through passport control at the Brazilian border crossing as well.
Take all your belongings with you as the bus will not wait for you. You will continue your journey on the next bus.
TIP: If you want to get from the town of Puerto Iguazu to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport, get on the same bus. Tell the driver you are going to the airport and he will stop the bus on its way to the National Park and leave you just 1 km away from the airport.
Parque Das Aves (Bird Park)
The next stop of the bus is at Parque das Aves (Bird Park). It is 100 m away from Iguaçu Falls Brazil visitor center.
If you plan to visit the Bird Park, where you can experience the beauty and diversity of over 150 species of birds, you’d better get off the bus here. You can walk to the National Park entrance after visiting the Bird Park.
Buying The Entry Tickets
The last bus stop is at the Visitor Centre. You can buy tickets in advance online or at the Visitor Centre.
When I tried to buy a ticket online, I was asked to select the date and TIME I wanted to enter the park. It seemed very confusing as I couldn’t predict the exact time I would arrive at the park.
I planned to visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls on the same day I flew into Puerto Iguazu from Buenos Aires. I had booked an early morning domestic flight. Upon landing, I had to get from the airport to the bus station to catch the bus and I didn’t know the timetable.
I had no idea how long it would take to cross the border. So I decided not to buy my ticket online and just go to the park and buy it there.
At the visitor center, tickets are bought from vending machines. Only card payment is accepted.
You are again asked to select a DATE and TIME. You’ll be asked to choose the time you want to board the National Park Tourist Bus.
The intervals are every 15 minutes and are, in my opinion, a mere formality. The buses run at different intervals depending on how busy the park is. Nobody looks at the time on the ticket. When the seats are full, the bus leaves and the next one takes its place.
National Park Tourist Bus Stops
Macuco Stop
The first stop of the National Park Tourist Bus is Macuco. This is where you will get off if you want to take a longer walk through the jungle or for the various water attractions – boat rides, rafting, etc.
Belmond Hotel Stop
The second stop is opposite the Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas.
TIP: If you’re looking for a luxurious stay on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls, Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond Hotel is the place to be.
It is a 5-star luxury resort located within the National Park, offering you easy access to the falls. You can reach the walkway by simply walking across the street from the hotel. Staying at Hotel das Cataratas, you can have the Iguazu Falls all to yourself.
The National Park closes at 17:00 h, which means regular visitors are unable to see the spectacular sunset at the falls.
However, guests of Hotel das Cataratas have access to the falls from early morning until night, so they can enjoy the falls when there are no crowds. As a guest, you can visit the falls as many times a day as you wish, as unlimited admission to the park is included in your hotel room price.
To check prices and book your stay at Hotel das Cataratas click ➡️ HERE
This is where the walk to the falls begins. Right from the bus I was speechless, but it got better and better. Until I reached the end of the walkway, where the highlight was – the Devil’s Throat.
I can’t find the words to describe how it felt. I was dumbfounded, staring at one point, and could not believe that such power and grandeur could exist. And that I was lucky enough to see it with my own eyes.
The last stop
The last stop of the National Park Tourist Bus (and the first on the way back) is suitable for people with mobility issues. The path is paved and there are lifts at the end to take you down to the falls. The last stop also has a gift shop, toilets, a restaurant, and several self-service food and drink stands.
The Best Time To Visit Iguazu Falls
You can visit Iguazu Falls all year round. The high season is from December to January and the second half of July.
During this time, it can get crowded and there may be less availability of accommodation, especially on weekends.
The weather at this time of year is usually rainy and humid, and the water levels are high, which may lead to some trails being closed. Due to the higher water levels, the falls will be even more impressive and powerful.
However, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and to have a more peaceful experience, it might be better to plan your trip outside of the high season.
How Many Days In Iguazu Falls
If you are planning a trip to Iguazu Falls and wondering how many days you should spend there, plan for at least two to three full days to visit both sides.
Although it is not impossible to travel from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu and back in one day, it’s not advisable to do so. Iguazu Falls is a place that deserves to be experienced at a leisurely pace.
Which Side Of Iguazu Falls Is Better
The best views of Iguazu Falls are actually from Brazil, even though 80% of the falls are located in Argentina.
The panoramic view from the beginning of the walkway on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls is truly breathtaking, with amazing views around every curve of the path. You can explore the walkway and reach the incredible viewing platform at the end, which provides an even more stunning view of the falls.
To wrap it up, a trip to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls is an experience like no other. Every moment spent there is precious and every sight makes a new memory. It’s important to plan your trip well in advance so that you can enjoy your adventure and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the falls.
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