How to get to Iguazú Falls – from both sides

Iguazú Falls is an enormous waterfall that lies on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Unlike many places in Argentina or Brazil, the name isn’t Spanish or Portuguese. The word iguazú actually derives from the Tupi or Guarani languages, meaning ‘big water’ – which is fitting, considering the falls’ sheer scale. Iguazú Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, with a multi-story cascade that stretches over 1.7 miles. If you break it down, Iguazú Falls actually comprises 275 separate waterfalls, with heights varying from 200 feet to 269 feet. In this article, we explain how to get to Iguazú Falls from both Brazil and Argentina.

How to get to Iguazú Falls from Argentina

About 80% of Iguazú Falls is on the Argentine side of the border. Therefore, most people stay in Argentina on a trip to visit this incredible landmark. The nearest town is Puerto Iguazú, which is about 16 miles from the waterfall itself. To get to Puerto Iguazú from Buenos Aires, you can fly to Cataratas del Iguazú International airport. This airport is served by domestic carriers LATAM and Aerolineas Argentinas, costing between $250 and $500 depending on the season. However, if you’re looking to save, there are overnight buses to Iguazú from most major cities. From Buenos Aires, it takes between 16 and 18 hours.   

Once you’ve made it to Puerto Iguazú it’s possible to find accommodation inside the national park, but it comes at a premium. As a result, most visitors opt for the most economical option of staying in the town. From here, you can catch a bus from the main terminal to Iguazú Falls. The journey takes around 20 minutes, leaving at 20-minute intervals and costs about $6 USD per person. On the Argentinian side, you can hike through the rainforest and experience the power of the current from the base of the waterfall. It’s a full day’s activity, so we recommend allowing six hours or more to fully explore.

How to get to Iguazú Falls from Brazil

The nearest town to Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu. This town is located about 5 miles north of Puerto Iguazú, so it’s a little further from the national park. However, Foz do Iguaçu is larger than Puerto Iguazú, so there are more options for accommodation and entertainment if you’re staying a few days. The nearest airport to the town is Foz do Iguaçu International airport, which is also served by LATAM and GOL Linhas Aéreas. Both of these airlines run routes from major Brazilian cities, so there’s plenty of choice. In terms of how to get to Iguazú Falls from the town, you need to catch the bus. The service runs every 22 minutes from the main bus station and takes 40 minutes. What’s more, tickets are only $1.

Bonus information – how to get to the Brazilian side from Argentina

Although the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls is less substantial, it’s certainly not to be missed. From this vantage point, visitors can see an incredible panoramic view of the waterfall, making it a pretty unmissable experience. Therefore, many people opt to stay a few days and see the spectacle from both sides. So, if you choose to stay in Argentina, here’s how to get to Iguazú Falls in Brazil from Puerto Iguazú – and thankfully, it’s pretty easy. All you need to do is hop on a bus run by either Crucero del Norte or Rio Uruguay at the main terminal. In total, the journey takes between 45 minutes and an hour – just don’t forget to bring your passport!