Iguassu Falls

Iguassu Falls are one of the world’s natural wonders and a highlight of any trip to South America!

The mighty Iguassu Falls straddle the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay at the confluence of the Iguassu and Paraná Rivers and are one of South America’s most spectacular sites.Taking its name from the Guarani word “big water”, the falls are made up of a series of over 280 separate cataracts, ranging from 60 to 80 metres high, which plummet off a 3km wide natural gorge blanketed with dense temperate rainforest. The most famous of the individual falls is the “garganta del diablo” or Devil’s throat, a dramatic 150m wide section through which flows over half of Iguazú’s estimated 350,000-400,000 gallons of water per second.

On the Brazilian side of the falls, the Iguassu National Park sits on the far side of the chasm and offers magnificent panoramic views of the cataracts. Trails lead off to wonderful viewpoints and even out across the river towards the Devil’s Throat. The surrounding rainforest brims with wildlife and offers a host of eco-adventures. For a different view of the falls, why not take a helicopter ride over the gorge or even the thrilling Macuco boat-trip right under the water itself. There is a good mix of hotels and resorts lining the highway towards the bustling hub of Foz do Iguaçu which links the falls to the outside world and even provides international connections across into Peru.