Explore Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires: Ultimate Day Trip Guide
For those planning a day trip from Buenos Aires to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, here’s a travel guide based on my research. Please note that I haven’t personally experienced this journey, so consider this information as a helpful reference.
1. To make the most of your day, it’s essential to choose a reliable airline for your round trip. Aerolineas Argentinas is highly recommended, as Flybondi tends to have more frequent delays and cancellations. The arrival time in Iguazu can vary, but generally, it takes about 20 minutes by taxi to reach the park from the airport.
Opt for the earliest or second-earliest flight to maximize your time at the falls.
If you’re eager to experience the thrilling boat ride under the falls, an early flight is crucial. You’ll also need to factor in time to queue for park tickets. The first boat ride departs at 9:00 AM, with the next one at 10:15 AM.
Booking online in advance is strongly advised. The first session is often very busy and lasts around two hours, ending at approximately 11:30 AM. Missing this first session could significantly impact your itinerary, so plan accordingly.
2. Upon arriving at the park, purchase your entry tickets. The park is home to several must-see attractions, including two scenic trails (the upper and lower circuits) and the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat, along with the optional boat ride. There are three train stations within the park: Central Station (at the park entrance), Falls Station (the starting point for both circuits), and Devil’s Throat Station (offering a stunning view of the Devil’s Throat).
The walk from the Central Station to the Falls Station is quite long, so after entering the park, you should grab a free train ticket and join the queue to catch the train to the Falls Station. If you opt for the boat ride, you can board at the park entrance, and after the adventure, they will drop you off at the Falls Station.
3. The itinerary varies based on whether you include the boat ride:
1. If you opt out of the boat ride, upon reaching the park, hop aboard the charming little train to Falls Station. Here, you can decide to explore either the upper or lower circuit. Both are looped paths, so you’ll end up back where you started, making the order of your exploration entirely up to you.
Each trail typically takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Next, catch the train to Devil’s Throat Station, where you should allocate around 3 hours for queuing, walking to the viewing platform, snapping photos, and heading back. Alternatively, you can head straight to Devil’s Throat Station after arriving at Falls Station, then return to Falls Station to tackle the trails.
Without the boat ride, you can easily fit all three activities into a single, leisurely day.
2. If you choose the exhilarating boat ride (Gran Aventura, visit their website at www.iguazujungle.com, and don’t forget to bring a change of clothes as you will get drenched—raincoats aren’t very effective), I highly recommend booking the first boat ride at 9:00 AM.
Ensure your flight arrives at Iguazu Airport before 8:00 AM to make the most of your day. After the thrilling boat ride, you’ll be dropped off at Falls Station around 11:30 AM. From there, queue up for the train to Devil’s Throat. If you start with the two trails, you might find yourself short on time for Devil’s Throat.
After visiting Devil’s Throat, take the train back to Falls Station and use the remaining time to explore the upper and lower circuits. Even if time is tight, you can still manage to walk each trail in about an hour.
4. Return to Buenos Aires: Conclude your perfect day with a flight back to Buenos Aires, ideally around 8:00 PM.
