Screw the Bus…I’m flyin to Puerto Iguazu…Day 24-25

Although in previous posts I mentioned that riding the bus to destinations wasn’t that bad and almost comfortable, it still doesn’t beat the time savings of air travel!! So instead of hopping on a bus for 16hrs, we taxied to the airport and caught a 1:50 hr flight to Puerto Iguazu….we arrived in the afternoon and the weather was the best we have had since leaving Vancouver the beginning of October… 30 C and sunny!!!

Iguazu Falls is undoubtedly the most visited place in Misiones and one of the most imposing natural attractions in Argentina. In guarani language, the term “Iguazu” means “great waters”. It was discovered in 1541 by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca. Situated in Iguazu National Park, some 20 km. from Puerto Iguazu in the north of the province, these falls are shared by Brazil and Argentina. Iguazu river is born in Parana state in Brazil, and after crossing 1,200 km. on a plateau, it reaches a fault forming a crack in the layers of sandstone and basalt where the river runs. The Falls can be experienced from either Brazil or Argentina as the Falls are split by the bordering two countries…Due to visa requirements for Canadians in Brazil, we could only stay on the Argentinean side…Some have said that if you were just travelling for the day to Brazil, a visa was not needed, you could just hire a taxi or bus and take the 30 minute drive across the border with no Brazilian immigration in sight…Unfortunately, this is technically not true and the fine, if caught, can be as high as $5000 US…Although many have done this, I just didn’t think the risk was worth it and the Argentinean side looked much better anyhow!!! There are more than 270 falls in an area where cliffs and islets are scattered in a half moon. From the visitors center there are many trails to explore or, if you’re a little tired (lazy??) there is a train taking you to some of the more distant sites.

From the main bus station in Puerto Iguazu, you can catch a bus to the falls for 10 pesos or $2.50 each way ...sure beats the Taxi that wanted 150 pesos ($40)!!

Map of the Falls....as you can see, most of the stuff is on the Argentinian side...

There are two basic circuits: an upper path and a lower path. The lower path leads to the base of the falls, where with the spray, you get pretty much soaked. It is a unique experience as it brings you right up to the Falls and is definitely worth the climb back up.
From the upper path you have panoramic views from the footbridges that give you a birds eye view of going down the Falls, just like the lower path, up close and personal!!

 

Taking a train inside the park to the "Devils Throat", the largest part of the falls...and no I wasn't lazy, just wanted to experince the train....

 

Just me on the train.....happy I wasn't walking!!!

 

Foot path to "Devils Throat"....bring some rain gear!!!

Devils Throat from the top....it's hard to tell from the pic, but we are standing right over the falls!! errie feeling!!

Some of the falls from up top....

Looking down!!!! don't slip!!!

The view from one of the lower paths....luckily my camera is waterproof!!! I was soaked after this shot...

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Here we go....boarding the boat for our "wet" adventure...

The boat gives you a whole different experience of the falls, the driver takes you right to the base where the sound is deafening and there is sooo much spray you can’t even see…was kinda scary at times, but I figured the boat guy knew what he was doing…..I hoped!!

 

Views from below...in the boat coming up to th falls...

 

Hang on!!!! we're getting close.....

Coming into the falls....starting to get a little wet!!!

Now I'm drenched!!!! and we're still going further in!!!

 

Nice pic huh? we are right in the falls now!! can't see a dam thing and the sound is deafening...

 

Me all "showered" up courtesy of the falls.....

If you do plan on visiting the falls, one piece of advice, get one of those dorky looking plastic ponchos (looks stupid, but functions well) or bring some dry clothing…even though it was sunny and warm out, it still took me 2-3hrs to dry out!!! All in all, a pretty good day at the falls and well worth the trip there….

We leave the next day  back to Buenos Aires to catch a flight to Bogota, Colombia…the last destination n South America!!!

 

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