Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil) - exact location, places of interest, inhabitants, routes, map and photos.
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| Iguazu Falls |
The cascade of Iguazu Falls is officially recognized as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world; the hyped Niagara and Victoria undoubtedly pale in front of it. The waters of the Parana River, which separates Argentina and Brazil, washed their way in soft sediments, but the basalt barriers and islets remained unbreakable. They stretch for 3 km downstream, forming a whole network of 275 channels, rapids, waterfalls and canyons. Both countries declared the surrounding area national parks and even named them the same - "Iguazu".
Local Indians believe that a long time ago the serpent god M'Boy desired the beautiful Naipi, and she preferred the warrior Taroba to him. They fled and tried to cross the river, but the angry monster hit the bottom with a blow of its tail, separating the lovers forever. It turned the youth into a tall palm tree, and the girl into a rock on the opposite bank. Now they only touch each other with a rainbow.
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| Iguazu Falls |
What to see
The most spectacular views are from the Brazilian side, although most of the cascade is from Argentina. Many waterfalls have been given poetic names - "Adam and Eve", "Flower Leap" ("Salto Floriano"), "Two Sisters", "Ramirez", "Three Musketeers".
The most impressive sight is the famous "Devil's Throat": water rushes off a vertical cliff 82 m high into a horseshoe-shaped hollow, above which the same rainbow shines. Tourists look into the raging abyss from the overhanging cliff in a Brazilian park.
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| Iguazu Falls |
Walkways have been laid between the islands, observation platforms have been arranged, the most daring tourists on rubber boats are brought very close to the waterfalls. There is a helipad in the Brazilian park, and it costs 200 USD to admire all this splendor from a height.
In both parks, tourists are given raincoats, but they do not save them from the all-pervading spray of water. When going on an excursion, it is worth bringing a full set of dry clothes with you, packing them in a waterproof bag.
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| Iguazu Falls |
Practical Information
Location: the junction of the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. GPS coordinates: -25.689322, -54.445965.
How to get there: In Argentina - by plane of the local airline from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu airport for 2000 ARS, flight time is 2 hours. In Brazil - by plane from Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Curitiba to Foz do Iguacu airport for 63-92 USD, 2.5 hours flight. Tourist buses leave the airports for national parks every 10-15 minutes.
Opening hours: Argentinean Iguazu is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00, visitors are admitted until 16:30. Brazilian - daily from 8:00 to 17:00.
The price of a ticket for adults to the Argentine park is 600 ARS, for children from 6 to 12 years old - 150 ARS ; in Brazilian - 480 and 120 ARS, respectively.