Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls spans both Brazil and Argentina, leaving people to wonder which side of these spectacular waterfalls to visit. We think the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is the most compelling for 7 reasons, which we will explain here. Of course, if you can plan to visit both sides, that’s even better. With a 3-day stay, that is easy to do.

Facts and figures

Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it is little wonder it attracts some 1.6 million visitors each year. The largest waterfall system in the world stretches 1.7 miles (2.7 km) and is comprised of 275 falls! Those statistics dwarf famous locations, such as Niagara or Victoria Falls. Eighty percent of the falls are in Argentina, but more on that later.

Even though it sits in a remote national park (a jungle, really), Iguazu Falls is actually quite accessible. We reach the airport (IGU) on a quick, 1.5-hour flight from Sao Paulo. And the small airport is just 10 minutes by taxi to the park entrance. Our travel day still allows plenty of time to view the falls before a late lunch! That is thanks to our hotel’s perfect location (see below).

Much has been written about the best time to visit the falls. The dry season (May-August) is a little cooler, but may have lower water flows. The wet season (October-March) includes Brazil’s summer, and it is hotter and rainier. While there is no perfect time to go, most agree the time to avoid is January-February. This is the peak holiday season, when children are off from school. We visit over a weekend in late May and find both the weather and crowds to be manageable.

What’s in a name?

The falls go by several names, all of which are correct. They are created by the Iguazu River, which divides Brazil and Argentina. So, in Argentina, where they speak Spanish, the name is Cataratas del Iguazú. In Brazil, where they speak Portuguese, the name is Cataratas do Iguaçu. But wait, for many years the English-speaking countries decided the name would be spelled Iguassu Falls. You will see it all three ways. The name originates from the Guarani words “y” (water) and “uasu” (big). And that name comes from nearby Paraguay!

Regardless of how you spell it, we recommend you stay on the Brazilian side for the following 7 reasons:

1. Best panoramic view

The fact that 80% of the falls are in Argentina actually means the best views of Iguazu Falls are from Brazil! From the start of the walkway, you are treated to an extensive panorama with amazing views around every curve of the path. At the end is an amazing viewing platform. Be prepared to take plenty of photos and videos!

2. More straightforward

While the Argentina side offers some great experiences, it is trickier and more time-consuming to navigate, involving multiple paths and trains that connect them. The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls consists of a single walkway. They can be reached from the main gate by the national park tourist bus or by walking across the street, if you stay at Hotel das Cataratas.

3. Less time walking

The Brazilian side has been designed to maximize your walking, with a single 1,500-meter paved walkway. There are some stairs to navigate the terrain, but they are manageable. Every step of the way is a photographer’s dream, aided by several balconies to improve views of the scenery. The entire trip can be made in an hour from one end to the other, but you will want to allow much more than that.

4. Very close to Devil’s Throat

The crown jewel at the end of the walkway is a thunderous set of 14 falls, called Devil’s Throat. They are about 260 feet (80 m) high, falling 2,000 cubic meters per second. The walkway is designed for you to view the falls from various angles from the base to the side. There are thrills from rainbows to a refreshing mist to a feeling of walking on a waterfall. An observation tower, with its creaky elevator, completes the experience. It is from here that Eleanor Roosevelt supposedly lamented, “My poor Niagara…”

5. Stay in luxury

Only on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls can you stay in a 5-star luxury resort, with the bonus that it is right across the street from the beginning of the walkway. The Hotel das Cataratas is the only hotel actually located within the National Park. We cover all the details of this luxury stay in another article. Check it out for a dozen property photos, as well. Each picture is worth a thousand words, you know.

6. Have the falls to yourself

This may be the most compelling reason. The National Park opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. As a result, regular visitors are unable to see a spectacular sunrise or sunset. But you, as a guest of Hotel das Cataratas, have unbridled access to the falls from early morning until night. The sunset photo at the beginning of this article is taken after the park is closed to the public. We are the only morning visitors to the misty Devil’s Throat (above) on a walkway you will see jammed with tourists in other people’s pictures. We visit the falls several times a day, as unlimited admission to the park is included with our hotel room.

7. Visit Parque das Aves (Bird Park)

We recommend 3 days for Iguazu Falls, which allows enough time to spend the third day in Argentina or for more adventure in Brazil. That can include a helicopter ride and the Macuco Safari speedboat tour.

Even if you only have two days, we recommend a quick visit to Parque das Aves (Bird Park). It is conveniently located just 100 meters from the National Park entrance where the hotel shuttles convene.

This 12-acre sanctuary features 160 species of local birds, including wondrous toucans, flamingos, and more. It enables an up-close-and-personal, educational experience that is not to be missed. We are generally not fans of zoos or butterfly atriums, but there is something special about this place.

We marvel at the parrots swooshing overhead and just have to take some slow-motion video to capture them in flight. The park is a great way to spend an hour or two.

For the best views and the top overall experience, we recommend the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Do you have your own opinion or suggestions to help others? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.