South America › Argentina › Iguazú National Park and Reserve

Iguazú National Park and Reserve

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Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest

Iguazú National Park in Argentina showcases a vast expanse of subtropical rainforest along the Iguazú River. Towering cliffs frame hundreds of waterfalls that cascade into misty pools below. Trails wind through dense foliage where wildlife like toucans and coatis can be spotted. The park spans over 60,000 hectares with clear rivers cutting through rugged terrain. Visitors experience panoramic views from observation platforms positioned above the thundering falls. The area supports diverse ecosystems adapted to humid conditions throughout the year.

National Park in Argentina
Climate zone: Humid subtropical

Humid subtropical: Warm temperate climates with hot, humid summers, mild winters and evenly distributed rainfall, common on eastern continental margins.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.6
General Safety:8
Health & medical:4
Accessibility:7
Tap water:4
Read details
Tourist English: 3/5
English is commonly spoken in hotels, tour agencies, and at main park facilities, but less so in local shops or buses. Signs and information in the park are often available in English.
Last update: 30 Oct 2026
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Iguazú National Park and Reserve Summary

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World-class for waterfall landscapes. Walk jungle trails, follow panoramic boardwalks above roaring cascades, take boat rides near the falls and watch wildlife in subtropical forest.
Place score
7.9
Best at:
Natural sites
10
Waterfalls
10
Forests
9
Birdwatching
9
Rivers
8
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
❤️ 8
Couples
Argentina – Quick facts
Power Grid: 220 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type I
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type I:
Diagram of a Type I power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS)
£1 ≈ ARS 2,048.06
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in larger cities, especially with credit and debit cards. However, cash is often preferred in smaller towns.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard. Tipping in taxis is not required, but rounding up is common.
Public drinking: Public drinking is legal but should be done responsibly. It is common in parks and beaches.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited indoors in public spaces, but allowed in outdoor areas.
Argentina Independence Day
(July)
Expect public celebrations and some business closures.
Christmas
(December)
Expect closures and holiday events.
Emergency contact: Emergency Numbers: 911 (Police), 107 (Ambulance), 100 (Fire)
Taxi apps: Cabify, Uber, BA Taxi
Other: Argentina is known for its vibrant culture, tango, and excellent cuisine, including steaks and wines.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Iguazú National Park and Reserve, Argentina
🌦️
Jan
🔥
Feb
🔥
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌦️
May
🌤️
Jun
🌤️
Jul
☀️
Aug
☀️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🌦️
Dec
High season: Jan., April, July
Shoulder season: Feb. - March, May, Aug. - Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness: 10 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Argentine and Brazilian school holidays (January, July, Easter week) bring the biggest crowds
Heavy rain can flood walkways and close the Devil's Throat access, most likely October to March

Why travel to Iguazú National Park and Reserve?

The star attraction is, of course, the Iguazú Falls: a massive system of over 250 waterfalls straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil. The Argentine side puts you up close and personal with the falls, thanks to a network of walkways and trails weaving through the jungle and right over the roaring water. The sheer scale and noise of the Devil’s Throat is unforgettable and the park’s wildlife – from monkeys to colorful birds – makes every walk an adventure. Just be prepared: the park can get crowded, especially at peak times and facilities like bathrooms sometimes struggle to keep up with demand. The subtropical climate means heat, humidity and sudden rainstorms, so bring sun protection and waterproof gear. But all of that fades away when you catch your first glimpse of the falls.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Devil's Throat
  • 2 Jungle Iguazú
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Macuco trail
  • 2 Green Trail
  • 3 Tren Ecológico de la Selva
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Devil's Throat
  • 2 Iguazu Falls
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Duty Free Shop Puerto Iguazú
🎈Events
  • Full Moon Walks
  • Birdwatching Festival
  • National Parks Day
  • Local Artisan Fairs
  • Eco-Tourism Week
  • Photography Contests
  • Wildlife Awareness Days
  • Rainforest Conservation Events
  • Cultural Performances in Puerto Iguazú
  • Guided Night Hikes

Knowledge before you go

  • Buy 2-day pass. Second day gets 50% discount.
  • Start with Upper Circuit for panoramic falls views, then train to Devil's Throat.
  • Wear ponchos or rain gear; mist soaks everything on Lower Circuit and boat tours.
  • Spot toucans, coatis, monkeys along Macuco Trail; visit early morning for fewer crowds and wildlife.

How to travel to Iguazú National Park and Reserve

Fly into Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR), just outside Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU) across the border in Brazil. From Puerto Iguazú, regular buses and taxis reach the park in about 30 minutes. Long-distance buses connect from Buenos Aires and other major cities.

Access summary

  • From Cataratas del Iguazú Airport (IGR): Taxi or shuttle, about 20–30 minutes.
  • From Puerto Iguazú town: Frequent public buses or taxis, roughly 30 minutes.
  • From Buenos Aires: Direct flights to IGR (or IGU Brazil), about 1.5–2 hours.

Where to stay in Iguazú National Park and Reserve

Puerto Iguazú offers everything from budget hostels to luxury lodges and there’s even a hotel inside the park for early access to the falls. Most visitors stay in town, where you’ll find a good range of accommodation, restaurants and tour options.

How to get around Iguazú National Park and Reserve

A network of well-maintained walkways and the Ecological Rainforest Train connect the main sights. Shuttle buses and frequent public buses run from Puerto Iguazú to the park entrance. Inside, most exploring is on foot, so comfortable shoes are a must. Expect crowds at peak times and some waiting for the train or at viewpoints.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-80 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to ARS) is 80% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Foz do Iguacu, Brazil - 32 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£24
£50
£143
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£9
£26
£75
🍝 Food per day
£12
£20
£57
🚕 Transportation per day
£3
£4
£11
Notable additional fees: Argentine side: about US$35 – 45 (£26.29 – 33.80) for non-Mercosur visitors, though the peso price is revised often. Validate your ticket on the way out and a second consecutive day is half price.
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£7
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£3.10
🍟 Fast food combo
£4.60
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£3.80
☕ Cappuccino
£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£1.30
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£6
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.85
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£3
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£38
🤧 Cold medication
£3.60
💇 Basic haircut
£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety
8
The park is generally safe, with low crime rates. Petty theft is rare but keep valuables secure. Watch your step on wet walkways and beware of coatis, which may try to steal food.
Health & Medical
4
Basic medical facilities are available at the park entrance and in Puerto Iguazú. Bring any personal medications. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are possible in summer, so hydrate and rest often.
Accessi­bility
7
Many main trails and train stations are accessible, but some walkways have stairs or uneven surfaces. Wheelchair access is possible on key circuits, but not all viewpoints are accessible.
Tap water
4
Tap water in Puerto Iguazú is generally safe, but bottled water is widely available and recommended for sensitive travelers. Inside the park, bring your own water or purchase it at cafes.

Packing recommendations for Iguazú National Park and Reserve

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