I finally got around to visiting the most famous place in “almost Paraguay”, the insanely impressive Iguazu Falls. The falls are located over Paraguay’s eastern border and situated between Argentina and Brazil. The land used to all be part of Paraguay, until it was lost in the Triple Alliance War in the late 1800s.
My friend Jamie from the States, two fellow Peace Corps volunteers, Marilu and Richard, and I met up on the Argentinian side of the falls in the town of Puerto Iguazu (the northernmost town in eastern Argentina). There we stayed at an amazing hotel, called Jasy, which means “moon” in Guarani, the indigenous language (though sadly, the staff doesn’t know how to pronounce the name of their hotel, as they only speak Spanish). We relaxed at the hotel for the evening, before heading to Iguazu Falls National Park the next day.
The sign for the lovely Jasy Hotel, or as Ginsey likes to call it the “Jazzy”
The view from our balcony
Our free welcome drink. Yes please.
Iguazu is also a name coming from Guarani, meaning “big water”. The falls certainly deliver on their name. We spent a whole day exploring the various trails and gaping at these amazing waterfalls.
Big water indeed
When you enter the park, you pass the visitor center on your way to the train, your main source of transport between the different sections of the park. You can take the train up to the main level or to the top of the line, where the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Yhroat) awaits.
Paraguay, F yeah. Flashing my Paraguayan ID just got me a sweet discount!
The visitor center
Riding the train
We decided to start at the top and work our way down. The walk out to the Devil’s Throat is oddly peaceful. You walk on an elevated trail along a seemingly calm and expansive river. It’s not until you see mist clouds in the distance that you have any idea what’s ahead. The trail ends over the top of the horseshoe section of falls. Your mouth agape, you just stand in awe of the size, sound and wonder. Niagara has nothing on this. From the Devil’s Throat overlook you can glance across the falls to get a nice view of Brazil.
Jamie walking the Devil’s Throat trail
There were lots of birds along the trail, including this plush-crested jay.
Approaching the Devil’s Throat, it becomes clear that things are about to get interesting.
View out from the Devil’s Throat
The main section at the Devil’s Throat
My first look at Brazil. Hi there.
After gaping at the Devil’s Throat, we took the train down to the main level, where there are 2 waterfall hikes, the upper falls trail and lower falls trail. The upper trail, as its name suggests, takes you to the tops of some of the other falls in the park. The views continue to impress.
Entrance to the Upper Trail
More cool birds: black vulture
Waterfalls as far as the eye can see
Gape away
We took a little break after the upper falls to grab some lunch. When we first got to the lunch area we saw these cute coati wandering around and thought they were charming. They became incredibly less charming the second we had food on our trays, at which point we were overrun by these sharp-clawed animals as we tried to eat. It was a rough lunch.
Look how cute and innocent I am.
Wait, you have food?
Did I mention I have sharp claws and teeth and I’ll cut you for that tasty lunch?
After lunch we headed to the lower trail, where you get a little wet as you view the falls from below. The sheer number of falls that this park has really becomes clear as you see them from this trail.
Richard on a bridge on the lower trail
Looking down at another freaking waterfall
These amazing great dusky swifts were hanging out (literally) in the middle of this waterfall.
Marilu, Jamie and me on top of this particular waterfall
Even more waterfalls
Richard getting wet in front of one of the falls
From here, you can walk down to the boat dock and take the nautical boat tour. This 15-minute boat ride goes up to the falls in two different places, providing an impressive and mildly terrifying perspective. Richard, true to form, didn’t bring any rain gear and got pretty darn wet.
Jamie, Marilu and Richard getting ready for the boat ride. Don’t worry prior to that recent accident, they haven’t had any deaths in 10 years.
Two of my favorite people, ready to get wet!
I’m on a boat!
I was pretty sure when we got close to this one that we were going to flip over and die.
As you can see from this photo, Richard wasn’t actually there, we just sprayed him indiscriminately with water, then Photoshopped him onto the trip.
On cue upon disembarking the boat, the sun came out and rainbows appeared in front of our eyes. Iguazu for the win.
Rainbows, proving a great day can, amazingly, get better.
Last view of the main falls area…pretty satisfying
We finished the day exploring the two other trails at the park, the green trail and the Macuco nature trail, which were a nice way to wind down after the shock and awe of the waterfall hikes.
More birds! Southern lapwing
The park was beautiful, I had great company, and the falls were breathtaking. It was an incredible visit.
Peace Corps Paraguay volunteers in front of a giant mate guampa. All is right in the world.
Plus, there were toucans (my FIRST wild toucan sighting).
You know, no big deal, just the first time I’ve ever seen toucans in the wild! I may have just randomly yelled “TOUCANS!” and run off from the snack area/my friends when I saw these guys.
Check out all of my Iguazu pictures on Flickr.
