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I recently had the opportunity to visit Iguazu Falls for the first time. It had been at the top of my travel bucket list for years, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I stayed in Puerto Iguazu, on the Argentinian side of the falls. In case you didn’t know, the falls span the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you can visit on either side. Many people visit both sides, in order to see the falls from every angle. However, all of my research indicated that the Argentinian side has a better view. I was very pressed for time- I only had one day to spend at the falls. I chose to spend it on the Argentinian side, and I was not disappointed!
If you are trying to see the falls in one day as well, then read on how to see my tips for how to see Iguazu Falls in one day!
The most important thing you can do when planning your day at Iguazu Falls is to get there early! Ideally, you will arrive a bit before the park opens. It gets VERY busy, and if you arrive much later than opening, it might already be getting crowded. Your best chance of getting good pictures, and unobstructed views is to beat the crowds. It is easy to get to the park from Puerto Iguazu. I took a taxi each way, which cost about $15USD each way. But there are also public buses that run through the town to the park.
Once you arrive at the park, there are 3 main attractions that you must se- the Devil’s Throat lookout, the upper circuit trail and the lower circuit trail. There is a train that moves visitors throughout the park, which you can take between these attractions. Although you could walk, I definitely recommend taking the train, as you will save lots of time and energy, and trust me, you will end up doing lots of walking anyway! The train is free, but you do need to get a ticket, which will let you know what time you can get on the train. The ticket counter is within the park, shortly after the front gates, before the train station- you won’t be able to miss it (this cannot be pre-booked).
The best strategy is to head straight to the Devil’s Throat first. This the closest view of the falls, and gets very very busy later in the day. To do this, you will take the train straight to Garganta Station. When you arrive at the station, there is a short walk on the board walk to the Devil’s Throat.
After visiting Devil’s Throat, head back to Garganta station, and get on the train heading back towards the park entrance. This time, get off at Cataratas Station. This station will give you access to both the upper and lower circuit, as well as some restaurants. I would recommend starting with the upper circuit- the trailhead is nearest to the train station. This trail offers some incredible views and will likely take you between 90 minutes to an hour to complete.
After the upper circuit, you will probably be getting hungry. There are a few restaurants near the end of the upper circuit trail, so this is a great time to stop for lunch. You might also want to rest, and use the washroom.
After lunch, the only thing remaining is the lower circuit trail. It is accessible from the same area- no need to get back on the train. The lower circuit is similar in length to the upper circuit, and you can expect to take about 2 hours to complete it.
After you complete the lower circuit, you can get back on the train to Central Station- your day is complete!
In summary, the best strategy to see Iguazu Falls in one day is to:
- Get to the park early
- Head to Devil’s Throat first
- Head to Cataratas Station and complete the upper circuit
- Take a break and eat lunch
- Complete the lower circuit
- Take the train back to the park entrance
I hope you found this guide informative, and that it helps you plan the perfect trip to see Iguazu Falls in one day! Happy travelling!
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