Iguazu Falls excels as an attraction because you can visit it from two different places, in two very different ways. Forming part of the border between Argentina and Brazil, you can choose which side you want to visit or (better yet) visit both!
But which side is better? And how are they different? In this post I’ll compare both sides of the falls and weigh the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for you. Enjoy!
Iguazu Falls: Two sides
The world-famous Iguazu Falls forms one teeny tiny speck of the border between Argentina and Brazil. Fittingly, both countries have capitalized on this otherworldly natural wonder, much the same way the US and Canada have done with Niagara Falls. Similarly, the visitor experience on each side is completely unique from the other.
You now have a choice to make. Should you spend your time on the Argentinian side of the falls, or the Brazilian side? Does it matter? Actually, yeah, it kinda does. Each side has its advantages and disadvantages, so let’s weigh them.
Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (on the Argentina side).
Visit both sides if you can
You’ll hear most people say this and I’m no different: visit both sides of Iguazu Falls if you can. The Argentina and Brazil sides are very different from each other but complement each other wonderfully. What you get from one side, you don’t get from the other, and vice versa. I assure you, visiting both sides will not feel redundant.
Iguazu Falls is a major bucket list destination for many people and it’s pretty far removed from the other popular tourist destinations. (Like, you’ll have to fly here specifically to visit the falls and that’s all.) So, if you can swing it, I highly recommend making the most of this extra effort and spending a couple of days here seeing every drop of water you can and from every angle.
Here are some great tours that visit both sides if you’re interested:
Iguazu Falls: Which side is better?
Obviously, there’s no “best” side to visiting Iguazu Falls since they both have their advantages. The following opinions are just that–my personal opinions based on my own visits and experiences.
For reference, I visited Iguazu Falls at the end of February (summer here). I visited the Brazil side on a Thursday and the Argentina side on a Friday.
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Which side is better for views?
Winner: the Brazil side
I personally prefer the views on the Brazil side, but this really all depends on what you prefer to look at. Here are the differences:
Brazil views
The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is where you’ll find the best panoramic views of the falls. If you want wide, sweeping views of the waterfalls, this is where you want to go. There are several awesome viewpoints you can visit where you can see the most bang (water) for your buck.
I also love the boardwalk on the Brazilian side that brings you right up to the falls while still being able to look through the canyon. You’re surrounded on all sides by rushing water and colorful rainbows. It’s *magical*!
Here are some tours to the Brazil side you might like:
Argentina views
The views on the Argentinian side are great if you want to see it all from up above the falls. You get to go pretty close to the edge and look down into the powerful falls. You also get to check out several smaller waterfalls, but you’ll always be above them (if you stay on the high path).
There is a lower path you can take on the Argentina side, and it’s actually my favorite part of this side. You’ll get some semi-panoramic views here but they’re not quite as majestic as the ones on the Brazil side.
I did the Brazil side first and was kind of disappointed that nothing on the Argentina side slapped me with awe the same way Brazil’s views had. Don’t get me wrong, what you see on the Argentina side is still amazing, but seeing the Brazil side first kind of ruined Argentina for me.
Lower circuit or upper circuit?
As far as the best views on the Argentina side go, the lower circuit is where you’ll find the best views by far. Thing is, the lower circuit is the least popular of the walking routes here and everyone always does the upper circuit to get close to the falls. So, you’ll likely encounter fewer people here while taking in the better views. Go you!
Which side is better for visitor experience?
Winner: Argentina
By far, the Argentina side has a better tourist infrastructure than the Brazil side. Over in Argentina, you’ll find several gift shops, restaurants and food courts, a tourist train that takes you around the national park, local artisans selling souvenirs, and more. You also have several walking paths to take throughout the park so you can properly “choose your adventure.”
However, the Brazil side is what you could call “delightfully understated.” It has only the essentials: one single walking path, one small gift shop, and a couple small snack bars.
Check out these popular Argentina side tours you can join:
Which side is wetter?
Winner: Brazil
When I was first researching my trip to Iguazu Falls, everything I read said YOU ARE GOING TO GET WET. So, I packed accordingly. But what I was going to wear on each day depended on how wet I was going to get that day. So, I had to figure out which side of Iguazu Falls is “wetter.” And the internet did me dirty.
The vast majority of accounts I read beforehand said you’re going to get wetter on the Argentina side, but my experience was seriously the opposite. Some of this could be due to the day’s weather conditions, wind, etc., but, the way the falls are laid out, it definitely seems more plausible that you’d get soaked on the Brazil side.
The Argentina side was definitely “mistier” at the top of the Devil’s Throat, but none of that really reached us on the boardwalk. Minus the sweat from the full sun 90°F, we were completely dry all day. Meanwhile, on the catwalk over the falls on the Brazil side, everyone here, myself included, was soaked to the bone. Over in the sweltering heat in Argentina, we were begging to get wet!
Which side is more crowded?
Winner (or should I say Loser?): Argentina
Even though I’ve seen some seriously terrifying videos of the crowds on the Brazil side, what I experienced was nothing like that at all. (I think the brutal crowds are mostly during the holiday season.)
On the Brazil side, we experienced only a small number of visitors the whole time. The paths were clear and we could walk as fast or as slow as we wanted. We never had to crowd onto the catwalks or fight to get photos, etc.
However, over on the Argentina side, the walking paths (mostly the upper path) were packed all day. Trying to get a photo over the Devil’s Throat was nightmarish. The trains to the falls and back were always solidly packed. (Like, your sweaty legs pressed up against the sweaty legs of people you don’t know packed.) I’d say it was just uncomfortably crowded overall.
Which side is better overall?
Winner: Brazil
Again, this is just my personal opinion and most people say they prefer the Argentina side. I personally prefer the Brazil side because I think the views are better and the catwalk over the falls is SO FUN and the views here are insane!
It feels less crowded and touristy on this side and there’s just less of all the annoying stuff like train schedules, ways to get lost, overpriced stuff to buy, etc. I also really love the nearby bird park and I highly recommend you check it out if you can.
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Parque das Aves
On the Brazil side, you’ll also be able to visit Parque das Aves, a huge animal sanctuary and bird park. As a self-proclaimed bird nerd, I was so excited about this and spent a good couple of hours here after my visit to the falls.
Parque das Aves is a socially responsible (and wonderfully transparent) animal sanctuary and conservation center dedicated to the rescue and care of Atlantic Forest species. They have so many beautiful bird species here and we even saw some wild capuchin monkeys that just happened to be hanging out here.
Here are some Iguazu Falls tours that include visits to the bird park:
Pro tip: Always make extra sure the wildlife facility you’re planning to visit is a socially responsible one. Here’s what you need to know about wildlife tourism before you go.
Pros and cons of the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
Here’s a breakdown of the above criteria in terms of pros and cons for visiting the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls:
Argentina side PROS:
Argentina side CONS:
Pros and cons of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
And here’s what to expect from the Brazil side:
Brazil side PROS:
Brazil side CONS:
Which side to stay on?
I personally recommend staying on the Brazil side, specifically in Foz do Iguaçu. There are tons of places to eat here, a large shopping mall for everything else you need, and more. I personally stayed at the JL Hotel by Bourbon and it was fantastic. Big rooms, huge breakfast buffet, and right across the street from the shopping mall.
A few more Iguazu Falls hotel options:
- Hotel das Cataratas – THE Iguazu Falls Brazil hotel. Right next to the falls, absolutely gorgeous property, 5-star treatment.
- Las Hotel Boutique – An incredible hotel worth a few extra days in itself. Exceptional reviews, beautiful “jungle luxury” vibe, two swimming pools.
- Hotel Rafain Centro – Excellent location and reviews, great value for the money, and a free airport shuttle.
See all the beautiful Iguazu Falls (Brazil) hotel options here.
Empório Com Arte
One restaurant I highly recommend in Foz do Iguaçu is Empório com Arte. The owner (Luis) is such a gem of a human being and he’ll make your visit unforgettable. The place is part restaurant and part art gallery and—fair warning—you can buy anything you see. (Which I did.)
The food and drinks are amazing–best pão de queijo (cheese bread) I had in all of Brazil. Delightful entertainment, fun atmosphere, and an all-around incredible evening with friends.
More info for your trip to Iguazu Falls
Like this post? Have questions about visiting Iguazu Falls? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun in the jungle!
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