We were greeted in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina (after a 20 hour bus ride) by dark clouds, cool weather, and pouring rain. It continued to rain all afternoon Friday and into Saturday morning. When the alarm went off at 7 am on Saturday morning I jumped out of bed excited to get to the Falls, but it was still overcast. We had decided that if it was raining we would stay a few more days in order to experience Iguazu Falls at its finest, so we went back to sleep.

By the time we got up a little while later the sky was clearing, so we took our chances and went to the falls. It turned out to be one of two magnificent days at Iguazu Falls National Park (Parque Nacional Iguazu).

Iguazu Falls (Cataratas del Iguazu)

Iguazu Falls consists of over 275 seperate waterfalls on the Iguazu River. One side of the river and waterfalls is Brazil and on the other side is Argentina. Many people see the falls from both sides, but unfortunately Americans are required to get a $150 visa to go into Brazil so we only visited the Argentine side (reported to be better overall, but with fewer panoramic views).

We visited Iguazu Falls National Park on two days — hiking the on and off the beaten track trails and taking in the grandeur of the falls.

Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)

Garganta del Diablo is the largest of Iguazu’s falls at nearly 500 feet wide. To get to these falls there are a series of catwalks nearly a mile long over the river until you get to the falls themselves.

Arriving at the end of the catwalks overlooking Devil’s Throat my initial instinct was to grab hold of the innermost railing and inch back closer to land — the waterfall is literally under your feet.

Once my survival instinct subsided I was astounded by the sight and sound of the falls. The roar of the water rushing over the falls in one I’ll never forget.

The Devil’s Throat waterfall itself is massive and immediately to it’s left (from the Argentine catwalks) are the Union and Floriano Waterfalls making for an seemingly unending series of falls.

Salto San Martin, Mbigua, Mendez and Bossetti

While not nearly as massive as Devil’s Throat, the San Martin, Mbigua, Bernabe Mendez, and Bossetti waterfalls are just as breathtaking. There is a series of upper catwalks which allow visitors to experience the falls looking down over them, and a longer lower circuit of trails that provides panoramic views.

With the sun shining, rainbows appeared when we visited.

Isla San Martin

We got to San Martin Island, on the Argentine side of the falls, via a short boat ride. From the island there is an impressive front-and-center view of the San Martin Falls. The spray coming off of the falls was so intense on the island that some people wore rain ponchos.

The side of the island facing away from the falls gives little indication of the tumultuous waterfalls that these waters flow through.

Sendero Macuco / Macuco Hiking Trail

On our second day visiting Iguazu Falls National Park we decided to get off the tourist path and hike the Macuco Nature Trail through the jungle.

Although we saw thousands of people while visiting the main park, we only ran into about a dozen during our three hours hiking this trail. It was peaceful with only the sound of bird calls and a few nature sightings.

The Macuco Trail leads about 2.5 miles through the jungle to the Arrechea Stream Waterfall.

If you ever get the chance, don’t miss a trip to Iguazu Falls and the natural wonders within.