Iguazu Falls: Brazil or Argentina Side? (A Birdwatcher’s Pick)
Should I go to the Iguazu Falls on the Argentina side or the Brazilian side?
Iguazu Falls are officially known as Parque Nacional Iguazú on the Argentinian side (in Spanish) and Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (in Protugese). If I only had one day, I’d spend it on the Brazilian side. I got to visit Iguazu twice this year, once in June and once in October, and Brazil won both times. That said, Argentina has a few things going for it, below are some descriptions to help you decide what YOU will love.
Is the Iguazu zodiac boat tour worth it?
Yes!!! Every person in our group of 7 did the zodiac ride on the Brazilian side, including two women who are 70 and 73, and they loved it. The boat takes you to the base of a few falls, so bring a full change of clothes. Here’s my mantra, “No matter how much rain gear you bring, you’re going to get soaked to the bone.” I think next time I will go like the teenagers I saw on our boat, just shorts and a T-shirt, not even bothering to try to protect from the water.
Some people in our group bought the plastic pockets to protect their phones. One man took his phone out of the pocket during the boat ride to get photos, and barely got it back inside before getting soaked. Me? I just brought a Ziploc bag and tucked it under my shirt when we got into the “wet zone”. The funniest thing is, you think you’ve escaped without getting too wet, then you raise your arm to shout, “Woohoo!” and water streams from your sleeve down your arm to your back. Oops!
One last tip…wear water shoes or flip-flops for the boat ride. Back at the hotel, you're going to want to give your clothes and shoes a quick wash in the sink with soap before you hang them to dry. The minerals in the water leave your clothes stinky if you just leave them to air-dry.
Another thing you can’t miss? The helicopter ride over Foz do Iguacu!
Let’s be honest: if you’re already spending around $1,000 on flights just to get to this part of the world, do not skip the helicopter tour. It costs around $140 for a 10-minute flight, and it is worth every single penny. Show up around 9:00 AM right when they open in case it gets crowded, because it’s first come, first serve. Seeing the entire waterfall system from above changed everything for me, and I had been to the falls 5 times before!
Best time to visit Iguazu Falls: June or October?
I went in both months this year, and October was my favorite. I wore short sleeves, and on the second day it was warm enough that I wished I’d put on my shorts. June was better for lower crowds, and it’s not nearly as cold as being in Buenos Aires in June, so still GO. If you can choose, aim for October.
Parque das Aves and the toucan I wasn’t expecting
Parque das Aves is a must if you love birds, and I do. You won’t believe how beautiful the Scarlet Ibises are. You’ll also get to see the majestic Harpy Eagle. This bird lives deep in Latin American jungles and is severely threatened. I love its beautiful headdress!
Going to the aviary was a gift to me on the October trip because it prepared me for a surprise moment at the end of the day in the park. On our drive out of Foz, our guide spotted a Red-breasted Toucan sitting in a tree not far from the road. I’m a birdwatcher, but I don’t know every toucan by sight. This one I recognized because I had seen that species in the bird sanctuary! It was a big highlight moment for me.
The Argentine side: good, but not my favorite.
The Argentine side of the falls isn’t my top pick, but it has real perks. In June, I saw all three kingfisher species that live there, the Green, Amazon, and Ringed. That’s a big day for a birder who is not on a bird-focused outing. The entrance to the park also has a decent lunch buffet, which makes it an easy choice for anyone with food sensitivities. Also, the views give you a bit of an adrenaline rush because the walkways go right over the water in some places. But…in October, it happened that the water levels were so high that some of them, like the path to “Devil’s Throat” were closed.
So which side should you pick?
If you only have time for one, go to Brazil for the views, the zodiac ride, and the birds. If you have two days, add Argentina, especially if you’re a birder or traveling with someone who needs reliable food options.
FAQ
How many days do you need at Iguazu Falls? 2-3 days. More if you want to have a day or two to enjoy your hotel resort.
Is the zodiac ride okay for older travelers? Our two oldest travelers, 70 and 73, did it and loved it. But if you’re getting over a bruised rib or feel like you have brittle bones, skip it.
