Two days in Iguazu Falls
 

Hello,

I'm wondering if some of you can offer advice on how to best plan for two (or really, under two) days in Iguazu Falls in a few weeks:
- Day 1: Arriving at 8:45AM into IGU
- Day 2: Departing at 8:15PM out of IGU

I would like to see the falls in both Argentina and Brazil.

Any suggestions on how best to plan this? A bit worried about timing. Is it possible to visit the Argentina side on the first day given the 8:45AM arrival?

Also if any mid-range hotel suggestions, would greatly appreciate as well.

Hi,

We did it over two days, but only visited it from Brazilian side on day one which took several hours although we didn’t rush it.

Unfortunately we didn’t do it on the Argentinian side so unsure how long that takes.

I would look into the Parque Das Aves which is a bird sanctuary as another potential stop.

We stayed at Del Rey Quality Hotel.

I hope all this is of some help.

Enjoy your trip.

Iguazu Falls is amazing, you're gonna love it! As for your itinerary, I'd suggest hitting the ground running and heading straight to the Argentina side of the falls on Day 1. Since you're arriving at 8:45AM, you should have enough time to get to the park and start exploring the trails. Just make sure you plan your route and prioritize the spots you really want to see.

On Day 2, you can head over to the Brazil side of the falls. It's a bit quicker to explore, so you should have plenty of time to take it all in before your flight at 8:15PM.

As for hotels, I stayed at the Hotel Saint George and it was pretty decent. Not super fancy, but clean and comfortable with a good location. You might also want to check out the Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru or the Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel for some mid-range options.

Here just now.

Definitely start in the Argentina side if you can. Ask the hotel to organise a transfer, will make it as easy as possible. There are huge domestic queues from Brazil into Argentina, but there are express lanes for authorised tourism drivers, so arrange through hotel once you get somewhere to stay.

If doing the water cruise, do it in Argentina. You will need a dry set of clothes. Book in advance. Book your arg park access in advance also.

Argentina you will need 5 hours too explore all trails. Star with low trail, upper then devils throat, before the short green walk. Last train back from devils throat is 530pm.

Allow an hour for a good hotel organised border transfer from one park to the other.

Brazil side has the best photographic views, gets packed with day trips. We stayed in the park at the Belmond, unlikely to fit your budget but have a look, as you can enter the trails as the sun comes up well before the rush. It's awesome. Don't need a guide.

Take walking boots and buy a rain cape for Brazil

That's the best summary I have read for some time!

Thanks for all the posts here!

As it turns out, I got quite sick on day 1. As a result, I only had one full day which I spent on Brazilian side, including the boat ride.

The falls are amazing -- a highlight of my trip to Brazil. I would like to visit Buenos Aires in the next while and will include the Argentinian side of the falls when I get to planning that trip for sure.

When you visit BA make sure you take a day trip over to Colonia del Sacramento - probably the highlight of BA for me (unfortunately!). I would go as far as suggesting staying there for at least a night. It's a small place but very laid back, a cool coffee shop or two, ample nice hotels and restaurants.

is that just for the Falls or the weather in general?
Am off to Rio for 10 days in mid November, but with 2 night excursion to the Belmond in the middle

General good advice
 

We went and it rained/misted a little, but the paths were wet and messy. Good Goretex waterproof hikers is what I wear. All over South America.

There is a train on the Argentina side, but you can walk the path beside the train tracks. Thats what we did. And a good rainproof light jacket. Its HOT no matter when you go.

Just for exploring the falls. I gues you'll get one for a couple of £2 in plenty of places. We went on the private sunrise falls walk when staying at the Belmond - its was brilliant being the only people in the falls. Wasnt that expensive either. They will provide a rain cape as part of that, which you can keep.

Thanks. Was planning on doing that experience from their catalogue.. as well as the Macuco Safari boat ride (with waterproof camera!)

I would suggest doing the boat ride from the Argentina side, if you also have accomodation over there. It is a similar trip of course, probably less than half the cost. The boat trip on Argentina side is about 100m walk from the front door of the Gran Meliá Iguazú.

No, staying at the Belmond this time

But IMHO the BR side is so much better then the AR side, that what you save on the boat ride, you will blow with the entrance fee and getting there. When we go again we plan 2 days on the BR side and not any on the AR side

Yeh, only go for the boat ride on the Argentina side if you are going to Argentina... The Brazil side certainly has more spectacular views, but not on the boat ride as its all equal down there.