Four times wider than Niagara Falls, Iguazu Falls are billed as one of the highlights of any South American journey. You get to take a boat under the falls, which we didn’t get to do. You can rappel down the falls, which we didn’t get to do. You can walk out to the Devil’s Throat, which we didn’t get to do. And I’m sure there’s something else…but really, not so important because we didn’t get to do it…
So what did we do? We were victims (although only in the tourist sense) of the awesome power of nature. We’d been told of all the neat and cool adventure activities that could be done inside the park but all were closed because the water level was too high. Usually our water sport attempts are thwarted by low water, oh the irony.
Inside what feels like a lush rain forest, the falls themselves are magnificent and impressive. Nearly 20 waterfalls splashed tons of water on the rocks below, creating a 30 meter high cloud of mist. Or at least it was 30 meters on the first day.
The next morning was another story. Jumping on the tram to get to the upper part of the falls, called Devil’s Gorge, the conductor told us that the upper section of the park was closed. Unable to get a straight answer as to when it would reopen, and having not seen the falls yet that morning, we assumed it was only temporarily closed. And technically yes, it was temporarily closed, for probably the next week. The river level went up about 10% overnight, which granted may not sound like a lot, but 10% of hundreds of thousands of gallons of water is significant, trust me. That meant that a number of the observation decks were closed (hence we didn’t get to go to the Devil’s Throat) as well as the fun “get soaked under the falls” boat and rappelling.. Boo…
With our options limited, we revisited the previously dry observation decks from the day before, which now seemed to be in the middle of a category 4 hurricane. Soaked by the “spray” (can you call it spray when its coming at you at 40 mph?), we took the requisite photos and headed back to dry land. Fortunately nature provides enough entertainment at Iguazu and between almost walking into a snake, watching the monkeys cross a high bridge over the road (monkey bars!), stepping over iguanas sunning themselves, watching Tucan’s fly around the mist and laughing as Coati’s (cousin of the raccoon) stole other people’s food, we more than made up for the lack of water adventure.
With a few hours left before catching our first overnight bus since Brazil (more than a week… that might be a record!), we cheered with some locals as Argentina [finally] qualified for the World Cup.
Blakesjourney says
Wow! What a killer experience. I love the parts about the mist. I can only imagine how the experience is 100% different when you’re actually there, as opposed to viewing pics while at work. The crashing tons of water! Incredible. Log back on and keep writing… he he.
Blakesjourney / tBD
Michael Figueiredo says
I loved Iguazu Falls too! Everyone should see it in his/her life! 馃檪
Jillian says
Agreed! The water, the animals, the lush jungle, it was like paradise!
Lauren says
OK, that’s it, we’re going! It feels out of the way as we’re not going to Brazil on this trip, but Iguazu isn’t THAT far from Rosario in the grand scheme of things. Too many people have told me I shouldn’t miss out so now I don’t want to skip it!
Danny says
We skipped the Brazillian side which wasn’t a big deal at all. You’ll be in Argentina long enough and you’re right, it’s basically around the corner….