When Is The Best Time To Visit Iguazu Falls?

Argentina’s Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world! The falls resemble an elongated horseshoe that extends for 1.7 miles and comprises 275 individual waterfalls. The tallest waterfall, the Devil’s Throat, plunges nearly 262 into the rushing water below. Considering these statistics, it means that Iguazu Falls is nearly three times as wide and nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls in North America. No wonder tours to Iguazu Falls are so popular with visitors to Argentina!

But when is the best time to visit Iguazu Falls? The short answer is that it is best to visit from April to May, and from September to October. During these four months, the weather is comfortable and the rains are minimal. It’s also important to note that the park is not too crowded with tourists during these times. However, Iguazu Falls is a destination you can visit all year round. It just depends on how much heat and humidity you can tolerate.

Things To Know Before You Go

Before you jet off on one of the best Iguazu Falls Tours in Argentina, here are a few fun facts to get you excited about your trip!

• The word “Iguazu” comes from two native words that mean “Big Waters.”
• 80 percent of Iguazu Falls are falling on the Argentinian side, while only 20 percent are found on the Brazilian side.
• Iguazu Falls is split into 275 distinct waterfalls.
• Not only are the falls located within two countries, they are located within two national parks – each of which has been designated a UNESCO heritage site.
• When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Iguazu Falls, the sheer magnificence of this natural wonder caused her to exclaim “Poor Niagara!”

How Do I Get To Iguazu Falls?

Most of the tours to Iguazu Falls include other activities for travelers, like a tour of Buenos Aires. If your vacation to Argentina started in Buenos Aires, getting to Iguazu Falls is easy. The falls are a quick 90-minute flight from the country’s capital city. From Buenos Aires you’ll fly to Puerto Iguazu, the gateway city to Iguazu National Park and Iguazu Falls. If you are traveling with a tour group, they will handle your flight reservations and other accommodations. But if you are traveling solo, book your flight to Iguazu Falls well in advance! The park is a tourist hotspot, especially during peak travel season.

Top 5 Things To Do At Iguazu Falls

Once you arrive at Iguazu Falls National Park, you can begin exploring. The best Iguazu Falls tours will include a variety of activities for you to enjoy, but if you are traveling to the falls alone, here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go hiking – the park’s two main trails offer breathtaking views of the falls. The Lower Circuit 1.25 system of walkways and staircases puts you at eye level with the falls, while the Upper Circuit offers panoramic views of the falls from a higher vantage point. Besides the Lower and Upper Circuit, however, there are a variety of other hiking trails around the park. The Macuco Trail and Arrechea Falls trail is a two-hour return hike through the jungle to Arrechea Waterfall, where you can swim and enjoy a picnic. Or, hike the Green Trail and the Rainforest Trail to spot Cai monkeys and other wildlife.
• Take a helicopter ride – yes, some of the best tours to Iguazu Falls include a helicopter ride! This popular option offers tourists an incredible aerial perspective of the falls.
• Visit the Devil’s Throat – known as La Garganta del Diablo, this monstrous waterfall is the main highlight of Iguazu Falls National Park! From the entrance, take the Jungle Train to the Devil’s Throat station, then walk along a catwalk to a viewing station that offers a stunning vantage point of this spectacular natural wonder.
• Take a day trip to the Brazilian side of the falls – although two-thirds of Iguazu Falls are on the Argentina side, the Brazil side of the falls offers panoramic views that are worth a day trip!
• Visit San Martin Island – take a ferry from the Lower Circuit to San Martin Island, where you can see the magnificent San Martin waterfall. The ferry will drop you off on a sandy beach, where you will find a trail that circumnavigates the falls. The trail can be a little daunting, with 170 stairs, but you will be rewarded with views of the San Martin waterfalls, as well as a ring of other waterfalls including the famed Devil’s Throat and the Brazilian Falls.

Planning Your Visit To Iguazu Falls

When planning your visit to this Argentinian hotspot, keep in mind two things – the weather and the month you want to visit. Tours to Iguazu Falls are very popular with visitors and locals alike, so the park can become very crowded, very quickly! A reputable tour operator can advise you when the best time to visit is, both in terms of weather and other tourists.

There are certain times of the year, however, that you definitely want to avoid visiting Iguazu Falls. Iguazu Falls is a popular spot for locals to visit, especially during holidays. For that reason, you should try to avoid trips around Easter, the winter holidays (which are the second half of July for the Southern Hemisphere), and the summer holidays (which run from December through March). By keeping just a few simple tips in mind, you’ll be able to plan one of the best Iguazu Falls tours possible and create a lifetime of memories along the way.