Iguazu Falls -- Las Cataratas del Iguazu

Hiking, Birdwatching, Adventure Tour, National Park

By Christopher Minster

Approximately two hundred and forty thousand gallons of water passes over Iguazú falls every minute, passing through more than 250 separate waterfalls before falling 170 to 350 feet and crashing to the rocks below. The deafening roar can be heard for miles.

To the Guarani, the falls area was a spiritual place, and they named it Iguazú, or “Great Water.” As it falls and pounds the rocks, some of the water turns into a fine spray that rises in a cool plume over the falls area, dampening the miles of inconspicuous trails that line both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the falls. Birds and insects flitter around a very special ecosystem where Iguazú launches constant mist into the surrounding vegetation. The souvenir vendors who hawk t-shirts and post cards keep a respectful difference, and the nearest Big Mac is in Buenos Aires. Small motorboats take visitors right to the roaring base of the falls, where they joyously shout to each other and come back as soaked as if they’d fallen in the river.

The most inspiring section of the falls is “The Devil’s Throat”, which is comprised of fourteen different falls that drop 350 feet to the rocks below, sending a plume of spray one hundred feet into the air. Between January to March is the rainy season and the falls becomes even more impressive. There are five star hotels on both the Argentine and Brazilian sides near the falls. These are convenient, but there are cheaper options nearby. There are small towns which service the area.

On both sides of the falls there are walking paths that lead you around and over the many small cascades that make up the falls. Exploring the paths on either side at a leisurely, pleasant pace will take several hours, but it’s time well spent.

The falls area was formed ages ago when successive volcanic flows over the region formed. These volcanic layers erode at different rates, and the falls was formed where the water flows from a slowly eroding layer into one that erodes more easily. The falls are inching backwards as the water slowly erodes the upper layer of rock. Don’t worry: it’ll be a few more millennia before the river runs out of rock to erode.

Once you’ve finished gawking at the falls (which may take a while), you can visit the parks themselves, which are home to a number of animal and bird species. Iguazú National Park, in Argentina, was established in 1934 and covers 67,620 hectares. On the Brazilian side, the government has set aside 170,000 hectares as protected land. These parks have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984 due to their beauty and biodiversity. There are many mammals, including five species of giant cat. There are also more than 450 species of birds in the area, including parrots, toucans and the rare great dusky swift.

Iguazú is considered one of the four most spectacular waterfalls in the world, along with Niagara Falls (United States of America), Angel Falls (Venezuela) and Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe). Collect all four!

Traveler Reviews of Iguazu Falls -- Las Cataratas del Iguazu

Don't Hold Your Breath!

Rating: 50%

Returned from a visit to S. America, one week ago. Visited the Igassu Falls, and they were DRY!. We were told that this had been the driest winter for 78 years. Three querters of the falls are completely dry, and have been for some time judging from all the well established plants that are growing where the water used to be. Locals were not hoping for much more rain, as the dry season is starting in September!

By V!VA User from Britain, Sep 01, 2006

exllecent

Rating: 100%

it's pretty!!!!

By V!VA User, Apr 12, 2007

Amazing!

Rating: 100%

The went in June and the falls were amazing. You definitely need to see these falls and do the "great adventure." It was one of the greatest trips I have ever been on.

By V!VA User, Sep 11, 2008