Iguazu Falls Tips (24 Useful Things to Know)

Iguazu Falls is by some definitions the largest waterfall in the world. Regardless of who gets the title (hey – chill out Victoria Falls!), it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and definitely worthy of a visit!

To help you plan your trip like a pro – and avoid some major mistakes I personally made – I put together this list of 24 tips for visiting Iguazu Falls like a pro.

Oh, but first let’s play a game:

Anyone want to take bets on how many tips I can write before succumbing to the urge to incorporate a TLC reference? 🙂

24 Tips for Visiting Iguazu Falls

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Tip #1 – Plan to Visit Both Sides – But Check Your Visas!

If you’re going all the way to the falls, ideally, you’ll see all of Iguazu Falls. That means visiting both the Argentinian side and the Brazilian side (Iguaçu Falls).  

However, make sure you have the right visa formalities to cross the border.

As of 2025, Brazil now requires an eVisa for Americans, Canadians, and Australians. You can apply for the eVisa on the official site. 

I recently went through the Brazil eVisa process and I found the system to be very frustrating and time consuming. After successfully submitting my information, it still took almost a week to get my eVisa. So don’t put it off until the last minute!

👉 Need help planning out your trip? Just check out my pre-planned 3 Day Iguazu Falls Itinerary!

Tip #2 – But If You Have to Choose a Side, Pick Argentina

If you’re really on a budget, super-pressed for time, or just too lazy to bother with a border crossing, I’d suggest picking the Argentina side.

Sorry, Brazil!

Yes, Brazil has the single best viewpoint to see the falls, but there is a LOT more to do and explore on the Argentinian side (plus Puerto Iguazu is much more affordable!). Plus, it might save you the hassle of Brazil’s annoying eVisa system.

Tip #3 – You Only Need 2-3 Days For Your Trip

Iguazu Falls is a world class attraction, but it only takes one day to see each side’s park and, apart from the Itaipu Dam, the truth is that there just really aren’t a ton of “secondary” attractions that truly warrant much time on your Iguazu Falls visit.

Don’t go chasing waterfalls for too long!

(sorry folks, couldn’t hold it in anymore ….)

Tip #4 – Go As Early in the Morning as Possible

I don’t care if you’re not a morning person (hey, I’m not) – but this one really isn’t optional in my book. You need to get up early!

Why?

Well, Iguazu Falls gets HOT AS H*** later in the afternoon, the morning light is much better for photos, and by 10 am the parks are swamped with tourists.

Bottom line: Get up early and be in line for when the park opens. Since the Argentinian side opens at 8 am and the Brazilian side sometimes 30-60 minutes later, I suggest starting in Argentina.

Tip #5 – And Immediately Book it to the End of Each Park

Guess what?

Everyone else probably followed the previous tip too – so you’re not gonna be alone in line when the park opens.

But when the gates to the parks open, the hordes flood in and start crowding the gangways near every conceivable photo shot.

But you can somewhat avoid the crowds, at least for a few precious minutes, by going against the trend and immediately moving to the back of the park.

On the Argentina side, I suggest being there when the park opens, taking the first train to Devil’s Throat, and then hustling down the gangway for a few precious moments of bliss before the platform is mobbed by tourists.

Same thing on the Brazil side: get in, take the first bus and get off where the elevators are (not the footpath stop immediately prior), then immediately whip yourself down to the main viewing platform for the best chance of an unobstructed selfie.

Tip #6 – The Jet Boat Safari is Awesome

The single coolest thing I did was take the Macuco Jet Boat Safari – which literally takes you UNDER one of the smaller falls.

It’s only a 12 minute boat ride, but the experience is sooooo cool.

You can also have a similar experience on the Argentinian side under the name “Gran Adventura.”

You can pre-book jet boat tickets in Brazil here. The Argentinian version doesn’t have a good website, unfortunately, but you can buy a ticket in the park. Since prices and exchange rates vary wildly in this part of the world, you may want to compare which is cheaper during your visit. 

Tip #7 – The Argentina Side is No Longer Cheaper

When I originally wrote this article, everything was much cheaper on the Argentina side in Puerto Iguazú. But, as of 2025, prices in Argentina are skyrocketing in dollar terms. So, while some websites might still say everything is cheaper in Argentina, the reality is you may find things cheaper on the Brazil side in Foz do Iguaçu.

Tip #8 – But Don’t Trust the Internet for Accurate Prices on Anything

Yep, don’t even trust this blog post.

Why?

Prices and exchange rates are SUPER volatile in both countries, especially in Argentina, so what costs 10,000 pesos today might cost 30,000 or 3,000 tomorrow.

Tip #9 – Argentina’s Blue Dollar Market is Mostly Gone (But Double Check!)

Argentina doesn’t have just one exchange rate, it has several: an official rate, a bank rate, and an “informal” rate (that you can get by exchanging crisp hundred dollar bills). 

These days the rates are pretty close to each other – so much so that, after years of an all-cash tourism economy, it’s now once again sensible to consider paying with credit cards. 

But the situation can change quickly, so be sure to check the current spread at this website. And check with your card issuer to make sure you’re getting a fair rate!

Tip #10 – If You Can Afford to Splurge, Stay Inside the Park

The best way to beat the crowds at Iguazu Falls?

Stay at one of the two hotels inside the parks, so you can get up and have the falls virtually to yourself before the national park opens! Given the national parks’ opening hours, this is also the only way to see sunrise and sunset over the falls.

On the Argentinean side, half the rooms at the gorgeous Gran Melia Hotel even have views of the falls!

On the Brazilian side, the Belmond Hotel doesn’t have direct views but is just steps away from the viewing platform for the falls.

Tip #11 – Otherwise, At Least Get a Hotel with a Pool!

Whatever you do, make sure you stay in a hotel with a pool!

Trust me: you’ll thank yourself when you get back to your hotel hot and exhausted from exploring the falls all morning.

If you can’t afford the Gran Melia or Belmond hotels, no worries – neither could I (hey, blogging doesn’t pay that much folks!).

That’s why I personally chose to stay at the super modern O2 Hotel in Puerto Iguazú, which has an amazing rooftop pool!

I highly recommend checking out the O2 – it was one of my favorite hotels in years of travel.

Tip #12 – You WILL Get Wet, So Prepare Yourself

Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid the rain on the day of your visit, you’re probably gonna get wet at some point.

So bring a poncho, a good travel umbrella, and a change of clothes!

Tip #13 – Also Bring a GoPro or Waterproof Camera

What’s the trouble with so much water?

Well, it’s likely to ruin your cameras unless they are waterproof. I mean, I know the latest models claim they are water resistant – but do you really want to test it under the world’s biggest waterfall?

That’s why a good GoPro Hero Camera comes in handy at Iguazu Falls (I used mine to snap many of the pics you see on this post!).

Tip #14 – Your Bags Will Get Drenched at Devil’s Throat

One last thing to consider on the whole “getting wet” front:

At Devil’s Throat on the Argentina side, the main platform gets totally SOAKED in water from the falls.

It’s too wet even for water-resistant bags, so you’ll either need to have a travel companion watch your stuff and take turns or have a plan for completely water-proofing your bag if you’re solo.

Tip #15 – But There are Lockers Outside the National Park for a Fee

Both the Brazilian and Argentina Iguazu Falls parks have lockers outside in case you need to store your bags.

Or if you’re hiring a taxi for the day, most drivers will be happy to keep your stuff in their trunks.

Tip #16 – The Best Iguazu Falls Photo Spots are on the Lower Circuit (Argentina Side)

When I visit a place like Iguazu Falls, I care a LOT about getting the right photos.

The problem?

All the main platforms on both sides are packed with tourists, so it can be difficult to comfortably snap that ‘gram.

But I personally found that there were so many great photo spots, with relatively few people, all along the Lower Circuit on the Argentinian side of the falls. In fact, that’s where probably half the photos in this list of Iguazu Falls tips come from!

Tip #17 – Bring Insect Repellent

Dengue Fever really, really, realllllly stinks.

How do I know?

Well, I contracted it last year in Thailand, so I’m speaking from personal experience sadly.

Since Iguazu Falls is in a dengue risk area, be especially sure to pack some quality insect repellent to keep your family safe while visiting Iguazu Falls.

Tip #18 – Remember Your Passport for the Border Crossing

I mean, this should be obvious right?

But also an easy thing to forget for a day trip, so hence why I included it on this list of tips for visiting Iguazu Falls.

(And, again, don’t forget that eVisa if you’re American, Canadian, or Australian!)

Tip #19 – Skip the Iguazu Falls Ticket Lines

The lines to buy tickets at both parks weren’t terribly long when I visited (maybe only 15 minutes), but you can still save some time by purchasing tickets online ahead of time.

Alternatively, on the Brazilian side you can use the automated ticket machines just to the left as you approach the park entrance.

Tip #20 – Seriously People, Don’t Feed the Animals

While you probably won’t see a jaguar inside the parks (though there are quite a few!), it’s VERY likely you’ll see plenty of monkeys and this adorable little creature called a “Coati.”

They are sooo cute.

But don’t be a fool, folks – please don’t feed or approach the animals.

They DO bite.

Going to the hospital to get rabies treatment isn’t fun!

Tip #21 – The Last Tour to Itaipu Dam is at 3 pm

The one major attraction in the Iguazu area other than the falls is the enormous Itaipu Dam (which, by some measures, is the largest in the world). [Source]

The Itaipu Dam makes for a great thing to do in Iguazu Falls in the afternoon after visiting the Brazilian side falls in the morning.

That’s exactly what I planned to do!

Except I didn’t know that the last tour leaves at 3 PM, and I lingered in the falls too long and got shut out of the dam!

Hot dam!

(sorry, couldn’t resist again)

Learn from my mistakes and plan accordingly people!

Tip #22 – Remember to Validate Your Ticket on the Argentina Side for 50% Off a Second Day

While you can cover each side of Iguazu Falls in one day in my opinion, if you want a second day to explore the Argentina side remember to validate your ticket on the way out for 50% off the next day’s admission!

Tip #23 – No Drones Allowed in Iguazu Falls!

Wouldn’t my awesome photos of Iguazu be even cooler from a drone?!

Totally!

But, sadly, both the Argentina and Brazil national parks clearly ban the use of drones in Iguazu Falls without a prior permit.

As much as I always hate leaving the Flying Lemming at home, given the overtourism problem at Iguazu Falls, it’s probably the best policy for everyone concerned.

Tip #24 – Book your Flight from Buenos Aires Via AEP Airport (Not EZE)

Buenos Aires has multiple airports offering flights to Iguazu Falls.

But, unless you plan on connecting somewhere, you’ll find it much easier to fly out of the smaller Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport (code: AEP) versus the larger Ministro Pistarini International Airport (code: EZE).

Whereas EZE can easily take over an hour to reach, AEP is just a 10 minute cab ride from Palermo and Recoleta (heck, you technically actually walk it).

And, if you already read my guide to where to stay in Buenos Aires, you know those are two of the most popular areas to stay in! 

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That’s it for this guide to visiting Iguazu Falls! Scroll down and leave me a comment and let me know which tip was most helpful to you!