The Spectacular Iguassu Falls!

Imagine yourself awakening to the warmth of sunshine slanting through your balcony window and hearing the sound of gently crashing waves from the best waterfalls on the American Continent. Further imagine yourself drinking freshly brewed (almost locally grown) Brazilian coffee while out on your balcony terrace. You are in Argentina, overlooking Iguassu Falls!


Fortunately for me, putting myself in this idyllic scene didn't have to break my piggy bank. I had previously saved up 18,000 Starwood points so we had a free night stay at the famous Iguassu Falls Sheraton Resort and Spa in Argentina. This hotel is the only hotel in the Argentinean National Park, and was the perfect place to celebrate my husband Ken's 58th year young birthday. It was a day to remember for a long time!


Iguassu Falls is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life. Not only because of the powerful waterfalls, which are impressive in themselves being almost three times the width of Niagra Falls ( 0.7miles or 1km wide and 173ft high or 53m ) , but also because of it's location in the tropical rain forest and great bird watching. Iguassu Falls drop an average 75 meters (269 feet) and a spread nearly 3 km (1.7 miles) along the border of Brazil and Argentina. During the rainy season (November – March) it flows at rates of as much as 12,750 cubic meters (450,000 cubic feet) per second!


Most of the waterfalls are found on the Argentinean side where I had the chance to see them close up from the various walkways that I hiked. Many people asked which side is the best to view the falls from, but since I got to see both sides, Brazil and in Argentina , I would say you have to see both, as each has something different to offer. In Argentina , you can view the falls from the front, the top, and from the bottom; however, the best panoramic views of the waterfalls are from the Brazilian side.


How did we get there? My husband and I took a taxi from the downtown city of Iguassu on the Brazilian side to Puerto Iguazu on the Argentina side (province of Misiones). Make sure you have your passport. The cost was 50 BRL (or about $30 US) each way for a 30 minute ride. The park entrance fee cost 60 Pesos ARS (or $15 US) per person and must be paid in Pesos.


Once we arrived at Iguazu National Park (around 8:30am), we immediately took the train to the top of the falls. As the train runs every 30 minutes, and the cost of the train is included in the entrance fee. The train was really convenient.



We then walked the 2 km (1.2 miles) about 30 minutes to get to “the most important stop”, which is technically the second stop. Here you get to a catwalk that leads you to see the Devil's Throat. This is the famous U-shaped fall of Iguassu Falls, were the water falls 82 meters (269 feet) in a U-shaped waterfall that measures 150 meters (490 feet) wide at the mouth by 700 meters (2300 feet) wide if measured along the “U” of the fall. The view here at the end of the trail is the most impressive that I've ever experienced in my life. There is so much water dropping over the cliff and with such strength and power. As you stand there in the rising mist you get completely soaked!


We then took the train back and got out at the “first stop” where you can do the “Upper Trail.” Here you see the various Argentine and Brazilian waterfalls viewed from the top of the Argentine falls. The Lower trail is where you see the waterfalls from a low river view of the bottom of the falls.






After all this walking, my husband and I decided to take the Macuco Safari Boat Tour(120 pesos pp about U.S.$30.00). This tour takes you around both the Argentina and Brazilian sides of the falls. The boat also goes underneath the waterfalls! It is an exciting once-in-a-lifetime ride.


Click on this link to see the video of the Macuco Safari Boat Tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3L0m6YNJNk

Doing it all, the hikes, the boat, and train rides, takes an entire day. By the time we walked back to the Sheraton at about 5 PM, it was time to relax on our balcony viewing the picturesque falls with a delicious complimentary fruit plate from the hotel.

But all too soon it was time to “work,” to do a property inspection, but what enjoyable work! We met Francisco Mendieta, the Division Manager, for the hotel. He has worked there for over 20 years and practically grew up on this property. He showed us around the Sheraton and we were very impressed with all the rooms facing the waterfalls. 

The garden rooms were also unique as there were wild monkeys sitting on the balconies. Hmmm............if you stay there you better make sure to keep the sliding doors closed or else the monkeys might go into your room and play with all your belongings. When you walk along the grounds of the hotel, you will see animals that remind me of raccoons. These animals are called Caparivas, and like raccoons, they scrounge around for food. Don't feed them as they are wild with very sharp claws.

Sheraton Iguassu Falls also has a unique water spa, with 6 different stations with different types of water massages. As you enjoy the first station, it will eventually stop automatically, which signals you continue to the next station for your next water massage. Ken and I had the privilege to take a 60 minute water massage. What a great way to relax after a full day of touring and walking!



Later that night we celebrated my husbands birthday dinner at the Sheraton Hotel restaurant, Garganta Del Diablo, with a great big very tender Argentina Steak. He even got a complimentary desert for his birthday! Totally yummy! Life can't get any better than this!! We were totally spoiled.


If you are planning to see the Iguassu Falls, you must stay in Sheraton Iguassu Falls to experience this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Actually, it is the only hotel on the Argentina side of the park, so it is an absolute must. What an awesome experience located at a spectacular water fall!


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Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net