What to do in Iguazu?
The falls, obviously.
Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World. They are one of the most popular destinations in Argentina.
But what else is there to do?
I’ve already written two extensive guides on how to visit the falls in both Argentina and Brazil:
So this guide won’t touch on the falls, instead it will give you even more information to round out your itinerary with activities, day trips, and dining recommendations.
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In this post:
Things to do in Iguazu Falls
First, how many days in Iguazu Falls is necessary?
A minimum of two days gives you enough time to see both sides of the falls, but you’ll never regret having an extra day or two if you have that time to play with in your itinerary.
You can spend an extra day at the falls or go on a day trip. If it’s particularly hot, spending a day lounging at one of these Iguazu Falls hotels’ pools is also not a bad way to end a trip.
Keep reading for a detailed list on Iguazu Falls activities to fill up however much time you have there.
Hito Tres Fronteras – Triple Border Monument
Iguazu lies at a triple border where Argentina meets Brazil and Paraguay.
At this monument overlooking the river you’ll see an obelisk painted in Argentina’s colors – sky blue and white. There are touristy signs for photo ops and a small market selling souvenirs.
Take a minute to take in the view of the river and spy the obelisks across the river in Paraguay (in red, white, and blue) and in Brazil (green and yellow).
There are public bathrooms here that are free to use but you should leave a small tip.
For a meal with a view you can go to lunch or dinner at Punto Ar next to it.
Details: This is a public park/viewpoint so it is open around the clock and is free of charge. Expect to spend about 30 minutes for photos and the view, more if you go for a meal nearby.
How to get to the Hito 3 Fronteras? If going during the day, you can easily walk. From downtown it will take about 20 minutes each way. Alternatively, a taxi will be easiest with a 5-10 ride. The Rio Uruguay bus company has a bus here from the Puerto Iguazu bus terminal.
Aripuca
The Aripuca is a touristic park highlighting pre-Hispanic Guarani traditions and culture.
The park itself is really beautiful and if you drink mate, this is a great spot to bring it for a lazy afternoon mate and merienda.
An aripuca is a small trap used by the Guarani tribes to hunt small animals. Here they take that shape and make it giant by re-creating an aripuca out of enormous tree trunks from naturally fallen trees.
You’ll see children singing traditional Guarani songs, be able to try out shooting a bow and arrow, or dine in the restaurants. There are souvenir shops and a market with handicrafts.
Personally, we went for the ice cream. They have a few unique flavors like yerba mate.
Details: Website, Open 7 days a week (holidays included), 9 am to 6 pm. It costs the equivalent of just a few dollars per person to enter and your tickets are valid for a whole week if you want to return. Children under 8 are free. Expect to spend about an hour here.
How to get to Aripuca? You will have to drive or take a taxi.
Jardin de los Picaflores
The Jardin de los Picaflores was a welcome surprise. This is a family project, located in the garden of their home just a short walk from downtown Puerto Iguazu.
For forty years this family has run this hummingbird paradise out of their backyard for over 40 years.
The space is filled with over 300 species of plants and feeders for them.
They take great care, cleaning each feeder daily. Sit here long enough and you’ll see hundreds of birds come in for a feed before buzzing on elsewhere.
Details: You need to reserve your place as they keep the number of visitors limited. Check their Instagram or send them a WhatsApp for available times.
They’re open Monday-Saturday, closed Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Payment is in cash and will cost around the equivalent of $5-7 US. Expect to spend about an hour here.
How to get to the Jardin de los Picaflores? You can walk, it’s short 5 minute walk from the bus terminal downtown in Puerto Iguazu or take a taxi.
Visit a Guarani Community
Within the Reserva Iryapú there are a few Guarani Communities you can visit. We visited the Comunidad Jasy Porã.
They have tables set up at the road with beautiful crafts at a great price (some things almost half what they charge for the same items in the park at the falls, for example).
You can pay for a tour of their village but you’ll need to speak Spanish or have someone to translate.
Prices change all the time in pesos but it cost us the equivalent of about $6 US per adult. Small children were free.
The walk lasted about 45 minutes and our guide showed us examples of their traditional houses and even traps they use for small animals and birds. We talked a lot with him about their traditions and how they live and interact with the modern world that is right at their door.
We felt the visit was worthwhile and all of our money went directly to them. It wasn’t a massive tourist operation with third parties in the middle.
We walked past the entrance to another community, Comunidad Yriapu, and saw signs advertising hiking trails but I can’t speak to how it would be. I’d imagine they’d send a local guide with you for a small fee, but again, we didn’t do this.
How to get to Comunidad Jasy Porã: If you’re coming from downtown, taking a taxi will be the easiest option. We were staying down the road at the Aldea de la Selva lodge and walked. It took us 15 minutes and other jungle lodges are also extremely close. The Bus Turistico also makes a stop here.
Güira Oga
Güira Oga is an animal sanctuary focused on rescuing native species from animal trafficking, road accidents, or those injured by hunters.
They work to release as many animals back into the wild as possible. Those that wouldn’t survive in the wild remain here in the sanctuary and serve to educate the public.
Details: Visits are guided and last 90 minutes, more information here. Open from 9 am to 6 pm, first guided visit leaves at 10 and the final tour starts at 4:30. The visit is outdoors and requires a bit of walking, dress comfortably.
How to get to Güira Oga: Take a taxi or drive. It’s outside of town in the direction of the falls. It is close to the Aripuca and the Casa de las Botellas if you want to combine these activities.
La Casa de las Botellas
La Casa de las Botellas is just as the name suggests, a self-sustaining home built completely out of recycled materials.
The family who built it lives here and is proud to show off their eco-friendly house.
The walls are constructed out of 1,200 1.5 liter soda bottles, the roof is made of tetra-pack. Even the doors are made from CD cases. Everything can and should be given new life, that’s the motto here.
Details: The bottle house is open from 10 am to 5 pm
How to get to the Casa de las Botellas? This is a fun stop for families and it doesn’t take much time. It is located conveniently near Güira Oga and the Aripuca, you can have your taxi stop for a brief visit on your to or from the other parks.
Ice Bar Iguazu
Is there anything more kitschy than an ice bar? But also, sometimes it’s fun to drink a gin tonic out of ice and take goofy pictures next to crocodiles carved out of ice, why not?
They offer hour long reservations in the ice bar with warm parkas included.
The first hour reservation starts at 2:20 in the afternoon and it’s actually a very family friendly activity. Backpackers might prefer the night shift but note that the final reservation is at 11:30 pm.
You can stay longer for a meal or more drinks in their “warm bar” that seems to fit in a bit more naturally in the jungle surroundings.
The Bus Turistico
There is a hop on hop off bus with a limited number of departures each day in Puerto Iguazu.
It hits up the main highlights, many included in this blog post.
If you have more time to dedicate to exploring Puerto Iguazu and don’t want to take taxis, this is an alternative for you.
But if you have limited time and just want to see one or two things after your day at the falls, I’d take taxis to the specific attractions you want to see.
Things to do in Iguazu Falls – Day Trips
I know most tourists come to Iguazu with just enough time to see the falls.
One day for each side then they’re gone, I get it.
There is a LOT to see in Argentina and you have to see Iguazu efficiently if you want to also see Patagonia, drink wine in Mendoza, and dance tango in Buenos Aires.
But if you end up with an extra day or two in Iguazu, here are some excellent full day excursions to consider.
Wanda Mines & San Ignacio Mini Ruins
This excursion is the most popular day trip from Iguazu Falls and it will be a long day. Expect to be out for about 12 hours.
There are two stops: the semi-precious stone mines at Wanda and the Jesuit ruins in San Ignacio.
For me, the highlight would be the Jesuit ruins because they played a vital role in the history of this region (I mean, have you even seen The Mission?).
This day trip is great for history lovers that want to see another side to Misiones beyond Iguazu Falls.
Book your Wanda Mines & San Ignacio Ruins Tour Now.
Ciudad del Este & Saltos del Monday, Paraguay
Being a triple border, a lot of travelers want to take advantage of being near three borders to get another stamp in their passport.
Spending a morning or full day in Paraguay is a popular choice but experiences can vary.
The most popular option given in tours is to go shopping in Ciudad del Este.
Cheaper prices on electronics and clothes attracts a lot of Argentines and Brazilians to these shopping centers that are literally just a block from the border crossing.
But for foreign travelers, this is less enticing or necessary (most items are cheaper in the US or Europe, it isn’t worth it).
Instead, I recommend visiting Monday Falls, another stunning waterfall just 15 minutes from Ciudad del Este.
Read my guide on how to visit Monday Falls on your own or with a driver, or book this guided excursion.
Mocona Falls
Mocona Falls are Misiones other epic waterfalls, but compared to big brother Iguazu they don’t get much attention from foreign visitors.
These falls are unique in that they run parallel to the river due to a fault line lying below.
Read my guide on how to visit Mocona Falls on your own. It’s a bit far and the day trip, while possible, would be very long.
The nature preserve it’s in is also stunning, you’d be grateful for a couple of days there and it makes for a good Misiones road trip.
If you are short on time and want to go on a day trip, bus companies in the terminal, like Crucero del Norte, advertise day trips there, as well as other travel agencies in town.
Important: How impressive Mocona Falls is will depend on the river’s water levels. You want the river to be LOW otherwise you won’t see much of the falls at all. If you go for the day, inquire on the water level before you make the effort to go. It doesn’t only depend on rain but on Brazil and their dams up river.
Where to Stay in Iguazu Falls
Having a hard time choosing where to stay? Then read my detailed guide to the best hotels in Iguazu.
Or just select from my favorite hotels in this quick and easy list:
- Best Overall | Gran Melia Iguazu | Luxury hotel inside the national park
- My Favorite Jungle Lodge | La Aldea de la Selva
- Best Luxury Jungle Lodge | Loi Suites (big) or Overo Lodge (boutique)
- Best City Hotel IN Puerto Iguazu | Hotel Saint George
- Best hostel | The Host
Where to eat in Puerto Iguazu
🍕 We didn’t eat out a lot, to be honest, but we did order delivery from Imperio at our hotel’s recommendation and it didn’t disappoint. Prices, quality and quantity were great. If you want delivery to your hotel, it’s a good option.
🍝 Our favorite lunch was fresh pasta at La Mamma. It’s a pasta shop and restaurant, so you can either purchase pasta and sauce to heat up at your Airbnb or dine in.
🥩🍷 If you want a traditional Argentine Experience, then book (wait for it) The Argentine Experience Iguazu. I went to their Buenos Aires location and it’s a lot of fun. You’ll try a lot of local dishes and learn about them as you go while getting to know the people at your table. It’s great if you want to have a more social night out.
🍴 A few places that were recommended to me multiple times but we didn’t have time to go: Restaurante La Rueda 1975 looks incredible and is open early at 6 pm for those American tourists who want an early dinner. For regional cuisine, try Acqua.
🥟 For empanadas, try El Local Iguazu or La Misionera.
Read more about Iguazu Falls
- Guide to Argentina’s Iguazu Falls
- Guide to Brazil’s Iguazu Falls
- Where to stay in Iguazu Falls
- How to get to Iguazu from Buenos Aires
- A Misiones Road Trip Itinerary
- 9 Things to Know Before Going to Misiones, Argentina
- 10 Days in Argentina: 7 Sample Itineraries
Argentina Travel Resources
- TRAVEL INSURANCE | It is always a good idea to travel insured. It protects you in so many cases, like lost luggage and trip cancellations, medical emergencies and evacuations. It’s very affordable with the potential to save you thousands in the case of an emergency. I recommend SafetyWing.
- PHONE PLAN | These days, traveling with data is essential. Especially in Argentina where everything is managed on Instagram and WhatsApp. I recommend this E-SIM card. It’s hassle-free and affordable, for more read how to get an Argentina sim card.
- ACCOMMODATION IN ARGENTINA | booking.com is the most common hotel site used in Argentina and it’s where you’ll find the most options.
- RENTAL CARS | I love to travel Argentina via road trip, I’ve always used rentalcars.com, now they are operating under the umbrella of Booking.com’s car rental system.
- BUS TICKETS | Check Busbud for long distance bus routes and tickets.
- VPN | If you’ll be using a public WiFi connection and want to secure your data, I highly recommend using a VPN, I personally use and have had a good experience with ExpressVPN. I also use it to access Hulu and American Netflix from Argentina.
- FLIGHTS | Always check Google Flights and Skyscanner for flights to and within Argentina. Aerolineas Argentina is the local airline with the most routes. FlyBondi and Jetsmart are two budget airlines with dirt-cheap prices (but expect to pay for every add-on like luggage).
- BOOK A CONSULTATION | I offer one-on-one travel consultations to help you plan your trip to Argentina. Pick my brain to get a local’s insight. Click here for more information.
