Getting to the Argentinian Side
Make your way to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. Fly into the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR) if you're not already in the country. Make sure you have the appropriate visa, if applicable. Then, take a bus or taxi or drive yourself the 16 mi (26 km) to the town of Puerto Iguazu. If you're already in Argentina, you can fly (into the IGR airport), take a bus, or drive to Puerto Iguazu. The trip is long and the bus is the most popular option. If you're coming from Buenos Aires, depart from the bus terminal in the Retiro district. Purchase a bus ticket at the terminal or online through Omnilineas (https://www.omnilineas.com/) or Plataforma10 (https://www.plataforma10.com.ar/). The bus ride from Buenos Aires lasts about 18 hours and is generally an overnight trip. Buses in Argentina have 2 classes of seats: semi-cama, a semi-reclining bed seat, and cama, a fully-reclining bed seat. The price of the bus ticket for semi-cama seating is cheaper than for cama seating.
Take a bus to the falls for an inexpensive choice. Catch a bus at the main terminal in downtown Puerto Iguazu. The buses to the Argentinian side of the falls run every 20 minutes. The bus ride takes 20-25 minutes to get to the falls. You can buy your bus ticket at the bus terminal. It will cost about $6 USD for a one-way trip to the falls (as of January 2019). Admission to the park costs about $18 USD on the Argentinian side and they only accept cash (as of January 2019).
Take a taxi to the falls from downtown or the airport if you want private transport. Arrange for a taxi to drop you off and pick you up at the park entrance. Negotiate the price ahead of time and try to pay around $15-$20 USD from the airport, or $35-$50 USD from the town. The ride to the falls from the airport takes about 20 minutes. The ride from town to the falls takes about 40 minutes.
Going to the Brazilian Side
Travel to Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. Fly into the Foz do Iguacu International Airport (IGU) if you're visiting from another country. Check online before you travel to find out the visa and vaccination requirements. If you're already in Brazil, you can drive or ride a bus from any major Brazilian city to Foz do Iguacu. You can take a bus to Foz do Iguacu from Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, or Curitiba. Buy your bus ticket online or at the bus terminal in any of these cities in person. The bus ride from Rio de Janeiro takes 21-23 hours. From Sao Paolo or Florianopolis, the bus ride takes 15-17 hours. Curitiba is the closest city to Iguazu Falls and has 15 buses leaving daily to get to Foz do Iguacu. The bus ride takes 9 hours. Book your bus ticket through Pluma (https://www.pluma.com.br/) or Catarinense. Alternatively, take a direct flight from any major city in Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo, if you are already in Brazil.
Catch a bus to the falls once you arrive for a budget-friendly option. The buses run from the terminal every 22 minutes. Buy a bus ticket at the turnstile for approximately $1 USD. The trip to the Brazilian side of the falls from the Foz do Iguacu bus terminal takes about 40 minutes. You can also take a bus directly from the airport to the falls without going into town. Admission to the park costs around $12 USD on the Brazilian side. You can pay the fee with cash or a credit card.
Take a taxi or van to the falls from the airport or town if you want personal transport. Arrange for a taxi or private shuttle to drop you off and wait for you at the park entrance. Taxis are available at the airport or downtown, and private vans are available to reserve through tour groups. Taxis can take you to both sides of the falls. Negotiate the price beforehand and expect to pay about $10 to get to the Brazilian side, and up to $40 USD if you want them to take you to the Argentinian side as well.
Making the Most of Your Trip
Visit during September or October for the best prices and smaller crowds. During January and February, the falls are the busiest because many Brazilians and Argentinians go on holiday and visit this attraction. If you want to visit when the falls aren't as crowded, go in September or October. These months have the most moderate temperatures as well. June to August are the rainiest months at the falls. Visit during these months if you want to see the highest water levels and strongest flow of the falls.
Stay at least 2 nights and visit both sides of the falls for the full experience. Each side of the falls has something unique to offer. The Brazilian side provides views of the entire falls but is smaller and could be explored in under 2 hours, while the Argentinian side has many walking trails through the rainforest and you could easily spend 6 hours exploring it. Cruzero del Norte and Rio Uruguay are 2 bus companies that offer a direct route both ways across the border. Catch the bus at the main terminal in either town to get to the falls on the other side. Border crossings are usually relaxed around Iguazu Falls. You probably won't need a visa to get to the park on the other side. Admission to the park costs about $18 USD on the Argentinian side and they only accept cash payments. The entrance fee costs approximately $12 USD on the Brazilian side. The Brazilian side also takes cash and credit cards for payment.
Book a hostel in Puerto Iguazu if you're staying in Argentina and on a budget. There are several hostels to choose from in downtown Puerto Iguazu and along Route 12 that offer easy access to the falls and relaxed atmospheres. Use an online booking service to make a reservation if you are visiting during the high season. If you aren't on a budget, then Melia Iguazu inside the park on the Argentinian side has beautiful panoramic views of the park and costs about $250 USD a night. There is not much to do in the town of Puerto Iguazu itself since most people are just passing through and visiting the falls. There are restaurant options but not a big nightlife scene, so expect to spend time at your hostel or hotel rather than hitting the town.
Arrange accommodations in downtown Foz do Iguacu if you are staying in Brazil. Use an online booking service to find a hotel that suits your tastes and that is within your budget. Foz do Iguacu is a fairly large town and there are lots of accommodation options ranging from budget hostels to 5-star hotels. Hotel das Cataratas is a high-end hotel inside the Iguazu Falls park on the Brazilian side. The cost per night is about $300 USD and upwards.
Go on a boat tour on the Argentinian side to get up close to the falls. Book a boat tour a day in advance during high season. Expect to get wet, and put your belongings in the waterproof bag that they give you to keep them safe. The Nautical Adventure boat tour with the company Iguazu Jungle costs about $23 USD and will take you as close as you can get to the falls.
Visit the Devil's Throat on either side of the park. The Devil's throat is a long narrow chasm through which about half of the water from the river flows. Take the free train to the Devil's Throat station on the Argentinian side, or walk out over the Devil's throat on the Brazilian side. Visit the attraction during the afternoon for the best views. Make sure to put your valuables in a plastic bag to keep them from getting wet from all the mist. Wear a plastic poncho or waterproof jacket if you want to keep your clothes dry underneath.
Take a helicopter ride from the Brazilian side if you can afford it. Book a ride through a tour agency that offers round trip transportation from your hotel in Foz do Iguacu. The rides last 10-15 minutes and offer stunning bird's-eye and panoramic views of the falls. A helicopter tour will set you back about $240 USD with roundtrip transportation from town and the helicopter ride included.
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