Iguazu Falls Boat Trip: Get drenched in a natural wonder

Iguazu Falls Boat Trip: Get drenched in a natural wonder

The boat ride at Iguazu Falls was hectic and absolutely exhilarating! Getting under the roaring cascades was like nothing I've ever experienced

Atlas & Boots recently co-hosted Lonely Planet's #LPChat natural wonders vs. man-made landmarks debate on Twitter. We were both firmly in the natural wonders camp, with the Mt Yasur volcano in Vanuatu and the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina being among our best travel experiences ever.

We also loved Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland when we visited a few years ago. We were therefore very excited about crossing to Brazil and visiting one of South America's most popular attractions.

Boat trip to Iguazú Falls: On the water

Before we take a look at exactly how amazing Iguazu Falls are, let's watch a silly video of the best (and most ridiculous) part of the day.

At first we weren't sure whether we should take the boat trip to Iguazu Falls. We were nearing the end of our South American odyssey and were woefully short of money. The extra $35 for the Great Adventure Safari and boat excursion seemed like a luxury we couldn't really afford at this point in our trip.

In the end we decided it was worth the price of a takeaway and decided to go for it. In hindsight we are glad we spent the money.

The boat ride to Iguazu Falls was hectic and absolutely exciting. Visiting a waterfall (or series of waterfalls) the size of Iguazu was incredible enough, but actually getting to the water level beneath the roaring cascades was like nothing I've ever experienced.

When large amounts of water fall over long distances, enormous forces take effect. Considering that a liter of water weighs a kilogram, standing under such an amount of water falling from such a height is quite intimidating!

In terms of noise and scale, I can only compare it to being near an active volcano or... well, like I said, it was like nothing I've ever experienced.

POOR NIAGARA

Iguazu is not the largest waterfall in the world, be it width (Khone Phapheng Falls in Laos), height (Victoria in Zimbabwe and Zambia), or flow rate (Boyoma Falls in Congo).

However, its cross-border location between the transport hubs of Brazil and Argentina and excellent sidewalks make it one of the most accessible in the world.

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When it comes to waterfalls, only Niagara Falls in the United States receives more visitors per year than Iguazu. During a visit to Iguazu, the then US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have shouted “Poor Niagara!” have exclaimed. At just 50 meters (165 feet), Niagara is a third shorter than Iguazu.

THE THROAT OF THE DEVIL

In fact, depending on the season and water level, the falls consist of 150 to 300 individual waterfalls. This is partly what gives the park such a magical, fantastical feel. Everywhere you look there are cascading water cascades amid lush rainforest, intense fog and arching rainbows.

Nowhere is this more evident than at the Devil’s Throat abyss, into which about half the river falls (Garganta del Diablo in Spanish or Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese).

At 82 meters (269 feet) high, 150 meters (492 feet) wide, and 700 meters (2,297 feet) long, this U-shaped chasm is by far the most violent and captivating area of ​​Iguazu Falls National Park.

The Devil's Throat is also the border between Argentina and Brazil and divides the waterfalls between the two countries. The Argentine side offers the best access to Devil’s Throat as well as many other parts of the park. Approximately 80% of the waterfalls are in Argentina and the remaining 20% ​​are in Brazil.

Overall, the Argentine side offers the best opportunities to experience the falls up close - particularly the Devil's Throat sections - while the Brazilian side offers wider panoramic views of the cascades.

It may not be the widest, tallest, or most violent waterfall in the world, but Iguazu Falls is still a stunning natural wonder.

Boat trip to Iguazú Falls: THE ESSENTIALS

What: Boat trip to Iguazú Falls and visit the infamous waterfalls on the Argentina-Brazilian border.

Where: We stayed at the Del Rey Hotel in the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu, 29 km (18 miles) from the Brazilian park entrance. The friendly staff speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish. The hotel is centrally located in a safe area of ​​the city with many restaurants, cafes and bars nearby.

The rooms are modern, clean and comfortable with excellent WiFi and a rooftop swimming pool. There is a large Lebanese community in Foz, which means there are some excellent Middle Eastern restaurants. We ate at Sahara Culinária Árabe twice and highly recommend it!

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When: We were there in June and the weather seemed ideal. It was warm and sunny and not too humid and the waterfalls were free flowing. However, the winter months from June to August can often be cloudy and rainy - not ideal for photographers.

December to March is the hottest and wettest time to visit, as monsoon rains further upriver make flow rates dangerously high and walkways close. Generally, the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to November are the most pleasant and reliable time to visit. Whenever you go, try to avoid the busy weekends when Argentinians and Brazilians come to visit, meaning crowds and queues are likely.

How: We booked a day tour to both sides of the falls through Iguassu Falls Tour, who organized everything for us (contact Edson directly at iguassufallstour@gmail.com).

Since the falls span two countries, some planning may be required, especially if you need a visa for Brazil or Argentina. Entrance fees are $20 on either the Argentine or Brazilian side. The optional but highly recommended boat ride costs $55.

Foz do Iguaçu is part of a tri-border city with its Argentine and Paraguayan counterparts on the other side of the border. All three are well connected by bus within their countries.

Foz do Iguaçu is well connected to other major Brazilian cities. Use either the Plan Your Trip section on the Iguassu Falls Tour or buscaonibus.com to book tickets.

From Buenos Aires in Argentina there are overnight buses to Puerto Iguazu on the Argentine side of the border from AR$1100 (US$120). We took a bus from Asuncion in Paraguay. Both countries are well served by Crucero del Norte or Omnilineas.

There are international airports on both sides of the Argentina-Brazilian border. The Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) is in Argentina, the Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) is on the Brazilian side. Book via skyscanner.net.

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The Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil are all covered in detail in Lonely Planet's South America in one shoestring.
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