Stunning Iguazu Waterfalls in Argentina

Since I had checked in my flight and booked the luggage already online (for half the price than at the counter!), the procedure at Cuiabá airport was quite easy and even the stopover in Sao Paolo with a little delay gave me the opportunity for late lunch. As I arrived at Foz do Iguaçu Brazilian side, I asked if there were busses to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, where my hostel was. They said that it would take very long and I had to change twice. Since I hadn’t informed myself if crossing the boarder by bus was easy or not, I decided for a taxi that was not the cheapest with 120 Reais, but the simplest way. Even the driver said that it might take an hour because of traffic jam at the boarders. Well it took 45 minutes and I got to my hostel in Argentina!

Cute place with even pool and big terrace. I was shown my bed in the 4 beds air conditioned room, which was important because of the heat that we had that day. Arriving at my bed, I already started talking to an Austrian girl who was sleeping beneath me. We talked quite well, but she didn’t seem very warm hearted. She told me where I could get food and some cash to pay the hostel, of course in Argentinean Pesos, which I had to first get. So I walked down the street and found some nice shops, even a supermarket to get some water. One of the main streets Guarani has everything you need and many tourists walking around since there very also many hostels around. When I got back, several travellers were sitting either together or by themselves, so I sat by the pool to eat my food I had brought with me and tried to figure out tours for the next days. I had booked an easy transfer/tour for Argentina falls, but wasn’t quite sure if a) they would pick me up or b) I even wanted to join a tourist group. Somehow there must be more information on this? WiFi in the hostel wasn’t the best, so I wanted to talk to someone....when I saw a girl with a German travel guide, I just went up to her. You can’t wait or even expect people to come up to you, when you’re alone. Especially since I don’t look German, could be South American but also Brazilian...how should they know how to speak to me. Anyway, you can always do something to change the situation and be proactive...just mentioning this by the way!

With this girl was a young couple, that obviously also spoke German. I asked how they were organizing the visit to the falls and quickly they offered to join them next morning to take the public bus from the main station, just one block away! I immediately agreed and just forgot about this tourist tour, wasn’t expensive though. We ended up talking a lot more to each other and sat the whole evening together playing cards and drinking beers. The girl was traveling since three months in South America, 7 more to come, and the couple from Stuttgart spending their 4 weeks holiday within Argentina. Glad to have met them...

We started taking the free train to the first station and walk the rest of the path along the rails to the platform of Garganta

Diablo (devils throat), not even 20 minute walk! Of course many tourists squeezing towards the platform and the attraction.

What a power these waterfalls have with millions of litres water splashing down several falls. You surely get soaking wet from the water being blown up towards the platform.

Making our way back, a floating boat was waiting for us, which we booked before entering the platform path took us back down close to the train station, but along the Iguazú river. Also had we booked in combination with the floating boat the speed boat for next morning because it was fully booked for this day.

So we spent the afternoon to walk along different paths through the jungle, many times accompanied by the nose bears, that walk around everywhere in the park. The park was surprisingly kept very natural even though so many tourists visit every day. Best proof of the well kept nature were the various beautiful animal you met on the way...

From different platforms you get various views to the many falls along the rivers, for me the even more beautiful view than the over crowded Garganta Diablo. You can simply sit and enjoy one of the wonders of the world...

To some waterfalls you can even get really close, having a permanent rainbow beneath you...

Being always close to many people at some point started to annoy me and the others too. So as it was the end of the day anyway around 4 pm, we headed back being tired from all the walking. The hostel welcomed us with the refreshing pool and beers, we had bought in a supermarket before a little cheaper than the hostel offered.
We had spoken to other travellers in the return bus, that recommended a really good steak restaurant 5 minute walk from our hostel, so being hungry shortly after pool and beers we went to one of the best restaurants! 3 courses with wine, beer and the delicious steak prepared to perfection and the best conclusion of a perfect day!

Next morning we were to meet at 8 o’clock for breakfast, ok for a hostel with croissant and some bread, coffee and juice. We had our speed boat tour at 10.30 am, so wanted to be in time by taking the bus at 9 am. I had already taken my luggage with me to leave it in one of the lockers at the park...I wanted to use most of my left time in the park and leave at 3 pm directly by taxi to the airport for my next flight. Lockers are not cheap, but for my schedule the best option. 200 Pesos (~8€) and I could leave my luggage in a locked room with separate key to my locker. Before getting to the departure point we went to the local medical service for the girl Jette, that had a bad insect bite from the day before that had infected over night. Didn’t look good, but she was fine for the tour. So we got on an open jeep that took us through the jungle down to the boat platform.

Life jackets on, worthy things in a waterproof bag and off we went right in the middle of the falls, twice!! Simply watch the video how we got a special splashing shower!!

We were lucky because we partly had sunshine and after the poring rain started. Even the last path we wanted to walk along after the boat ride could have been more fun in the rain, but we made the best out of it, so we only had some lunch and exited the park around 3 pm.

Jette left by bus, the couple still thinking about walking the path and I approached a taxi. I had totally mixed up the time difference of one hour and thought leaving at 3 pm about 2 hours 45 minutes before departure were enough....it was already 4 pm Brazilian time and my departure not even two hours to go, I started being kind of nervous thinking about my arrival and the time the taxi took to get to the city with the waiting time at the border. Luckily going back was quiet and the borders nearly empty, how lucky was I?! I just made it on time and even had time for a coffee before boarding ;)!