Iguassu Falls
Iguassu Falls is made up of 275 waterfalls situated in a horseshoe shape between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil border. It runs down 1.7 miles down the Iguassu River. It is comparatively taller and three times wider than the Niagara Fall. From the Guarani word for “great water,” Iguassu Falls is known as a World Heritage Area. The appointed UNESCO gave the falls this title in 1986. There is an astounding amount of water (an average of 553 cubic feet per second) that runs down into the 269 foot gorge. Visitors can hear the roaring and the thunder of the water plunging down miles away.
Iguassu Falls is a result of a volcano eruption that left a deep slit in the Earth’s crust. The legend of the falls refers to a God who planned to wed a beautiful indigenous woman who was in love with a mortal. The mortal couple tries to escape together in canoe, but the furious God decides to cut the river to create waterfalls, pushing the couple to an eternal fall.
About two thirds of Iguassu Falls is found in Argentina where visitors can trek on several catwalks to experience and view the waterfalls up close. Argentina National Park has more opportunities to see Iguassu Falls up close due to these catwalks. Both Brazil and Argentina developed a national park surrounding the jungle to preserve the falls. A very popular cataract to view in Brazil is the Devil’s Throat. This waterfall drops down 350 feet with such a large force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of mist overhead. This results in a rainbow that visitors love to see. People claim the Devil’s Throat is the best choice to see the intricacy of the falls due to the scenic panoramic view of Iguassu Falls.
There isn’t a best time to see the Iguassu Falls, because it depends on your travel preferences and values. Most travelers consider March through November as the best times to see Iguassu Falls, because it is the rainy months and the water levels are high. On the other hand, January and February is when most Brazilians and Argentineans are on holiday break and it is peak of the summer. The skies are usually blue and clear and the vegetation surrounding the falls is in bloom. However, the humidity and heat are at its highest and the rates at the nearby hotels are also high.
There is an assortment of plants that are seen around Iguassu Falls such as pines, bamboos, orchids, moss, and palm trees. The mists from the falls not only water the plants, but also produce a stunning sight of rainbows when the sun is out creating a beautiful view.
From boat tours to riverrafting, there are Puerto Iguazu tours and activities that give you the opportunity to see the waterfalls up close from boat tours to helicopter flights. Iguassu Falls is a must-see for anyone traveling to Brazil or Argentina. It is a natural wonder of the world for tourists to witness.
