Iguazu Missions
3
Day Itinerary •
Argentina
Three days at Iguazu Falls and the Jesuit Missions of Misiones delivers the most extraordinary natural spectacle in South America alongside one of the finest UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscapes on the continent. The Iguazu Falls system is larger than Niagara and Victoria Falls combined, with 275 individual cascades thundering through extraordinary subtropical jungle at the triple border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. This focused route covers the essential Iguazu and Missions experience. The extraordinary Argentine side of the falls with its remarkable walkway directly above the Garganta del Diablo Devil's Throat, the extraordinary Brazilian panoramic viewpoint, the remarkable jungle boat ride into the falls, the UNESCO Jesuit mission ruins of San Ignacio Mini, and the extraordinary Atlantic Forest wildlife of the Iguazu National Park.
Best Time To Visit
March to November, lower water but accessible walkways
Getting There
Fly into Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR)
Getting Around
Bus and taxi to the parks, transfers to Brazilian side
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 180 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat walkways throughout the national park
DAY 1
ARGENTINE SIDE
MORNING
GARGANTA DEL DIABLO, THE DEVIL'S THROAT
The most extraordinary waterfall experience on earth, the Garganta del Diablo walkway extending 1.1km across the Iguazu River on raised metal catwalks directly above the extraordinary U-shaped chasm where 14 waterfalls pour 1,500 cubic metres of water per second into an abyss of extraordinary mist and thunder. The walkway ends at a platform overhanging the precipice. The scale, noise and extraordinary force of water is unlike any natural spectacle on earth. Entry approx 20 USD. 30 min train back
MIDDAY
UPPER CIRCUIT PANORAMIC WALKWAY
The extraordinary upper circuit of the Argentine side, a 1.7km walkway along the clifftop above the falls giving remarkable panoramic views from above over the extraordinary system of 275 cascades spread across 2.7km of jungle cliffs. The extraordinary views of the Brazilian side of the falls from the Argentine upper circuit, with the remarkable San Martin Island in the middle of the waterfall system, are the finest elevated panoramas of the entire falls. 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
LOWER CIRCUIT AND GRAN AVENTURA BOAT RIDE
The extraordinary lower circuit walkway descending to the base of the falls for the closest possible approach on foot, with remarkable views looking up at the extraordinary curtain of water from below. Then the Gran Aventura boat ride, an extraordinary inflatable zodiac that deliberately drives directly under the largest falls, soaking passengers in extraordinary warm subtropical waterfall water. Entry included in park fee. Boat approx 35 USD extra.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sendero Macuco jungle trail inside the Argentine national park, a 7km return walk through extraordinary Atlantic Forest to the remarkable Arrechea waterfall hidden in the jungle, is the finest wildlife walk at Iguazu. Toucans, coatis, capybaras and the extraordinary tapir are regularly encountered. Almost no visitors make this walk. Entry included in park fee. Bring insect repellent.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the 8am opening rush. Arrive at the park gate by 7:45am. | Lunch: La Selva restaurant, park Outstanding restaurant inside the national park with jungle views. Fresh river fish and local empanadas. | Dinner: La Rueda, Puerto Iguazu The finest parrilla grill in Puerto Iguazu. Extraordinary Argentine beef and chimichurri.
DAY 2
BRAZILIAN SIDE
MORNING
BRAZILIAN SIDE PANORAMIC WALKWAY
The most extraordinary panoramic view of the Iguazu Falls, the remarkable 1.2km elevated walkway on the Brazilian side that gives the finest full-length view of the entire falls system from across the river. The extraordinary sight of the Argentine upper circuit, the Garganta del Diablo, San Martin Island and the full 2.7km arc of falls visible simultaneously from the Brazilian walkway is the finest single view of Iguazu. Entry to Brazilian park approx 25 USD. 30 min transfer
MIDDAY
PARQUE DAS AVES, THE BIRD PARK
The extraordinary Parque das Aves adjacent to the Brazilian park entrance, one of the finest bird sanctuaries in South America with over 1,500 birds representing 150 species in walk-through aviaries within extraordinary Atlantic Forest. The remarkable toucans, extraordinary macaws, scarlet ibis and the magnificent harpy eagle are all extraordinary. Entry approx 30 USD. The finest up-close bird experience at Iguazu. 30 min transfer back
AFTERNOON
FOZ DO IGUACU AND THREE BORDERS LANDMARK
The extraordinary Marco das Tres Fronteiras, the Three Borders Landmark at the confluence of the Iguazu and Parana rivers where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet at three remarkable obelisks visible across the water from each country simultaneously. The extraordinary view from the Argentine side over the broad brown Parana River to Paraguay and Brazil across the water is one of the finest geographical curiosities in South America.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary moonlight tours at the Argentine side of Iguazu, offered on full moon nights from November to March, allow visitors to walk the Garganta del Diablo catwalks at night when the falls are illuminated by extraordinary full moon light and the thundering darkness is entirely different from the daytime experience. Book directly with the Argentine national park. Entirely extraordinary and the finest hidden experience at Iguazu.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early breakfast before the transfer to the Brazilian border crossing. | Lunch: Porto Canoas, Brazilian park Outstanding restaurant at the end of the Brazilian walkway with extraordinary falls views. | Dinner: Zeppelin, Puerto Iguazu Outstanding Argentine restaurant. Extraordinary grilled surubi river fish and local wines.
DAY 3
SAN IGNACIO MINI
MORNING
SAN IGNACIO MINI, UNESCO JESUIT MISSION RUINS
The most extraordinary Jesuit mission ruin in South America, a UNESCO World Heritage site 260km south of Iguazu where the remarkable red sandstone ruins of a 17th-century Guarani mission city cover 9 hectares of extraordinary jungle clearings. The extraordinary church facade, the remarkable cloister columns and the remarkable Guarani-Baroque stone carvings combine indigenous and European artistic traditions in a way found nowhere else. Entry approx 1,500 ARS. The
MIDDAY
SANTA ANA AND LORETO HIDDEN MISSIONS
The extraordinary smaller Jesuit mission ruins of Santa Ana and Loreto in the deep Misiones jungle, far less visited than San Ignacio and in remarkable states of partial reclamation by the subtropical forest. The extraordinary sight of the jungle growing through and over the red sandstone walls of the 17th-century churches and residences is remarkable. Entry approx 800 ARS each. The remarkable atmosphere of abandonment is unlike the more restored San Ignacio. 3 hours bus back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO PUERTO IGUAZU
The extraordinary bus journey back north through the remarkable Misiones province, the narrow finger of Argentina between Brazil and Paraguay covered in extraordinary Atlantic Forest and mate tea plantations. The remarkable red earth roads and the extraordinary subtropical landscape of Misiones give a final sense of the extraordinary biodiversity of this corner of Argentina before arrival back in Puerto Iguazu.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Saltos del Mocona on the Uruguay River in southern Misiones, a remarkable set of longitudinal waterfalls that run parallel to the river bank for 3km rather than across it, is one of the rarest waterfall formations on earth and the finest hidden natural attraction in Misiones province. Visibility depends on river levels. Arrange a visit from San Ignacio or Posadas with a local tour operator.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the early bus south to San Ignacio Mini. | Lunch: Restaurant in San Ignacio town Simple local Argentine lunch in the mission town. Extraordinary empanadas and fresh chipas. | Dinner: El Quincho del Tio Querido The most celebrated parrilla in Puerto Iguazu. Extraordinary Argentine beef and Misiones river fish.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Puerto Iguazu, All Nights Belterra Hotel or Loi Suites Iguazu. Jungle garden settings. Approx 80 to 250 USD per night. Luxury Option Hotel Cataratas within the national park. Wake up before the crowds. Approx 300 to 500 USD per night. Budget Option Hostel Peter Pan or La Aldea de la Selva Lodge. Approx 20 to 80 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at the Argentine park at opening (8am). The Garganta del Diablo walkway fills up by 10am.
2. Do the Argentine side before the Brazilian side. The Argentine experience is far more immersive.
3. The Gran Aventura boat ride is extraordinary. Expect to get completely soaked. Bring a dry bag.
4. Book park entry online before arriving. Queues at the gate can be 45 minutes in peak season.
5. The coatis inside the park are bold and will steal food. Keep bags closed and food out of sight.
6. Do the San Ignacio Mini ruins in the late afternoon light. The red sandstone glows extraordinary.
Total Budget
65 to 380 USD/day