Puerto Iguazú

Iguaçu Falls near Puerto Iguazú

Puerto Iguazú is a tourist city in the northeast of Argentina at the Triborder with Paraguay and Brazil. It mainly serves the needs of the tourists visiting the Iguaçu Falls close-by.

Get in

By train

The train is not operating.

By plane

• 1 Aeropuerto International Cataratas del Iguazu (Mayor Carlos Eduardo Krause Airport IGR  ^IATA) (close to the waterfalls and to the city of Puerto Iguazu). There are several flights a day from Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart. If you're coming from Europe, Air Europa flies from Madrid and Asuncion. (updated Sep 2024)

Go from the airport to town:

• Bus. Turn left getting out of the terminal, look for a bus stop with a “transporte publico” sign. One way ticket to the city bus terminal is around 2 USD in November 2023 (2000 pesos). The ride takes approximately 30 minutes from the airport to the final stop of the city bus terminal.
• Taxi. In the arrivals hall there is a desk for a transfer (remis) to any hotel in Puerto Iguazú.
• Minibus. Inside the terminal you can buy a ticket and catch the bus in the front of the airport to the bus terminal. If you are staying near the city center, the bus will drop you off at your hotel.

Go from bus terminal to the airport:

• taxi: You can ask the taxi desk at the terminal to call a taxi for you.
• minibus: You can book via the WhatsApp number provided on the Minibus ticket on the way in. Alternatively your hostel can reserve it in advance.
• bus: You can take the bus from the bus terminal. It leaves every hour (Dec 2022).

Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (Brazil) (IGU ^IATA) is another way in but from Brazil. Some people travel to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport but stay on Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). There is an immigration point between Argentina and Brazil, so keep all the documents they give you at the airport and at immigration. The cost of going by taxi from Foz do Iguaçu International Airport in Brazil to Puerto Iguazu is around US$40. You can ask for a taxi inside the airport and pay cash or on credit card. Taxi drivers know the immigration regulations so they will walk you by the customs to enter Argentina. By taxi the drive is no more than half an hour, but sometimes there will be lots of people on the immigration point and at peak hour you can expect 45 minutes or an hour waiting lines.

By bus

Direct buses to Buenos Aires, Retiro (many companies)(18 hours), Salta (Andesmar/Flecha Bus), Mendoza, Cordoba (Mercobus, Cruzero del Norte), Posadas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and other places.

Access Puerto Iguazu from Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil and other parts of Argentina by bus passes offered by the Green Toad Bus. They also offer bus tickets online from Buenos Aires, Salta, São Paulo, Florianopolis, and Rio de Janeiro to Puerto Iguazu. Long distance and local buses arrive to the Terminal de Autobuses on Av. Cordoba.

By ferry

From Paraguay

There is a ferry (balsa) between Puerto Iguazú and Presidente Franco, Paraguay (just outside Ciudad del Este). You can get there from Ciudad del Este by bus for PYG2,500 (as of October 2016): take the red Matiauda which says "3 Fronteras" and ask the driver to let you know when get out. It's about half an hour in bus, and then you have a 500-m walk downhill. The ferry costs PYG10,000 per person if you're on foot.

Get around

• A bus leaves every 20 minutes on the quarter hour from the bus terminal to the entrance on the Argentine side of the falls. Most hotels have the timetable. Tell the bus driver if you want to stop along the way.
• Frequent buses cross the border to Foz do Iguaçu where you can change to a bus to the Brazilian side of the falls
• There is an hourly bus to the Brazilian side of the falls operated by Rio Uruguay at the bus terminal.
• Some buses cross to Ciudad del Este without stopping in Brazil (hence, no need for Brazilian border control)
• There is a ferry crossing directly to Paraguay (look for the sign on the corner Av. Missiones and Brasil). About hourly during daylight. As of October 2023, the ferry is operating. On the Paraguayan side walk up to the main street and take any bus going to the right (don't believe "Taxi" drivers telling you there is no bus, they are just up to overcharging you). You can pay the ride in pesos. When you arrive at the roundabout about half an hour later you are in the centre of Ciudad del Este, for the bus terminal you have to get off earlier.
• Taxis operate with fixed prices which makes the distance to both parks from your hotel irrelevant. Round trips are advertised as double but most taxi drivers will do the trip for a discount if asked. Do not be amazed if the very same driver waits for you for hours. Taxi drivers will store your luggage in their taxi while waiting.

See

Confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná Rivers, with the Triple Frontier in the background

• Three Frontiers Landmark (walk down Av. Tres Fronteras). Have a look at Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay all at a glimpse, while cargo freighters slowly make their way along the water. Free. 
• Iguazú National Park (Google Maps), info@iguazuargentina.com. Ticket booth 8AM-4:15PM. See main Iguaçu Falls article. To the north of the province of Misiones, on the border with Brazil, are the majestic Iguazú Falls: one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and, undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular places in Latin America. Both its location in the middle of the jungle and its enormous volume of water and numerous waterfalls make them an unforgettable place and a must-see on any trip to Argentina. The National Park was created in 1934 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. It also received the mention of Area of ​​Importance for the Protection of Birds (AICA). AS$5,500. (updated Jan 2023)
• Güira Oga. 09:00-16:45 (winter); 08:30-18:30 (summer). Visit a refugee of animals such as the toucan, a caiman and more rescued animals. Visit is with a tour that last nearly 1:30-1:45 hours. They try to nurse them back to nature but since penalties are still almost non-existent, the trade in wildlife in Argentina continues undisturbed. The same bus to the waterfalls can stop there. (updated Feb 2020)

Do

• 1 Jardin de los Picaflores (The Garden of Hummingbirds), Fray Luis Beltran 150. 09:00 - 18:00. Be sure to stop by this beautiful, peaceful little garden which is full of hummingbirds. The owner has been placing feeders for wild birds for 40 years. None are in a cage. Great photo opportunities abound. There are other birds, as well, but the different types of hummingbirds that come to feed, perch and just fly around is amazing. It is a great place to sit and watch and reflect. (updated Feb 2020)

Buy

• Souvenirs are sold in the street and in many shops
• There are two money changers on Av. V. Aguirre (downtown)

Eat

• La Rueda, Av. Cordoba. Excellent food, and probably the best restaurant in Puerto Iguazú esthetically. The Pollo al Diablo (Chicken Devil's Style) is delicious. English spoken. Accepts credit cards. 
• Tatu Carreta, Av. Victoria Aguirre 773, ☏ +54 3757 42-5748. Formerly La Vitrina, this Churrasco steakhouse is a place where you might try asado prepared on the big outdoor barbecue. They have good salads, pasta, empanadas, etc. Also consider bife de chorizo and asado de tira for a real taste of Pampas tastes. 
• Aqva, Av. Córdoba y Carlos Thays, ☏ +54 3757 422064. Excellent food, many options of dishes with local river fish and Argentinian beef, of course. Extensive wine list. Reservations recommended on weekends. Opens everyday for lunch and dinner. Accepts major credit cards. 

Drink

• La Barranca Uniq, DSR, Hipólito Yrigoyen 490, nice place near both rivers and the Three Frontiers Landmark (Marco das três fronteira), nice people and live music at weekends.

At the feria up from Av. Brasil there are many stalls to have a cheap drink.

• 1 Feirinha (La Feria), Av. Brasil. 16:00-late. A rather Brazilian market (expect a lot of Portuguese signs and menus and Brazilian food) of delicatessens that puts out tables around 16:00 and sells cheap beers and picadas (snack plates like salami, cheese, olives), with a few serving steaks, Brazilian grills, empanadas and similar. A cheap and cheerful way to watch the local nightlife. (updated Mar 2018)

Sleep

Budget

Beware that the hostels in Puerto Iguazú seem to be experiencing something of a bedbug epidemic. Check reviews on the web carefully before booking.

• 1 Poramba Hostel (El Urú 120, Puerto Iguazú,), ☏ +54 3757 423041, info@porambahostel.com. Small, friendly and relaxed hostel, offering both shared and private rooms. In a very nice, tranquil and green part of town, only 300 m. from the bus terminal. Good kitchen. Swimming pool. 
• Iguazu Falls Hostel, Av. Guaraní 70, ☏ +54 3757 42-1295. Hostel with complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool and a sunny vibe. $17. 
• Tangoinn Downtown Iguazú, Av. Cordoba 158, ☏ +54 9 3757 43-8113. 20 m from the bus terminal and 2 blocks from the Commerce center of Puerto Iguazu. Internet access, kitchen, breakfast included from US$11 (dorms) and $15 (private). 
• Garden Stone Hostel, Av. Córdoba Nº 441 (Three blocks north from the bus terminal along Av. Córdoba), ☏ +54 3757 420425. Check-out: 10:00. Quite nice, peaceful, clean. There is a little garden and a kitchen. Includes Wi-Fi, large lockers in rooms, and breakfast. Dorms from US$9. 
• Hospedaje Jose Gorgues, Fray Luis Beltrán 169. They try hard and the hotel apartment-like rooms are big and clean. $20.

Mid-range

• Complejo Americano (used to be called El Viejo Americano), Ruta 12 Km 5, ☏ +54 3757 420 190, +54 3757 421 575, +54 3757 422 758. Hotel and camping. There are also bungalows and normal rooms. You can get there by taking the bus that goes to the falls (leaving from the terminal). There are pools, a restaurant, convenience store and soccer fields, which are all very well maintained. Many fire pits for barbecues and other niceties. Bugs galore so bring plenty of repellent. 
• Hostería Los Helechos, Paulino Amarante 76 (two blocks from the bus station), ☏ +54 3757-420338. Lots of facilities including swimming pool. 
• Hotel Tierra Colorada, El Urú 28. 03757-420649. Pleasant and friendly small hotel, comfortable rooms.
• Hotel Jasy (formerly Hotel Los Troncos), San Lorenzo 154 (on the edge of the city), ☏ +54 3757-424337. Very good hotel. Gives you the feeling of staying in the middle of a tropical rain forest. There is a nice pool, continental buffet breakfast and the "cabañas" have air conditioning, digital television and a balcony. Ask the staff for a trip to the Brazilian side of the falls: they have contacts with drivers who take you there, wait for you and bring you back to the hotel again (fixed price, no price per person). (updated Nov 2021)

Cope

Consulate

• Vice Consulate of Brazil (Vice-Consulado em Puerto Iguazú), Av. Cordoba 264 C 3370, ☏ +54 3757 420-192, fax: +54 3757 422-494, conbrasil@iguazu.net.com. Brazilian visas can be obtained here. As of Jan 2012, you need a bank statement, proof of entry (flight/bus ticket) and exit (from the North/South American continent is OK, i.e. a flight out of New York is OK), printed online form and a photo. Processing in one day, 90-day multiple entry given. New Zealanders pay slightly less. (updated Sep 2017)

Go next

• You can visit the Itaipu Dam - one of the largest dams and the biggest hydroelectric powerplant in the world on either the Paraguayan side (Ciudad del Este) or the Brazilian side (Foz do Iguaçu).
• On the way to Posadas or Buenos Aires the red sandstone ruins of the Jesuit mission of San Ignacio Miní are well worth a visit.