Iguazu Falls Argentine Side: Ultimate 2 Days 1 Night Travel Itinerary
Offering a general concept for your travel inspiration.
Ideal for: Travelers with a moderate budget who prefer to avoid the typical check-in style tourism, dislike the rush and long queues, and savor a more relaxed and leisurely vacation experience.
Overview of Iguazu Falls attractions: Iguazu Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder, divided into the Argentine side and the Brazilian side. The Argentine side offers an up-close and personal experience, while the Brazilian side provides stunning panoramic views. The park on the Argentine side features upper and lower circuit walkways, the iconic Devil’s Throat, and the thrilling boat ride that takes you right under the falls.
Accommodation: For a truly immersive and convenient stay, consider booking a room at the Gran Melia Iguazu hotel, located within the Argentine side of the park (even the most basic room will suffice). Here’s why:
1. The nearest town, Puerto Iguazu, primarily serves as a base for accommodation and dining.
Apart from the tri-border landmark, there isn’t much else to explore. Staying in Puerto Iguazu means a 25-minute taxi ride to the park, which can be pricey, or even longer by public transport. Even the better hotels in Puerto Iguazu cost over $1000 per night. In terms of cost, you might save at most around $2000.
2. Inside the Iguazu Falls Park, a small train connects three main stops: Central Station (the entrance), Falls Station (near the hotel and the start of the upper and lower circuits), and Devil’s Throat Station. If you stay in Puerto Iguazu, you’ll need to lug your luggage to the park, then back to the town after closing, and repeat the next day.
This involves queuing for a free ticket at the Central Station, then waiting again for the train to Falls Station. It’s exhausting and time-consuming. However, staying at the Gran Melia places you near the second stop, Falls Station. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast around 8:30 am and stroll to the start of the Falls Station walkway.
If you plan to do the boat ride, you can catch the first one. Over these two days, you only need to queue once for the train from Falls Station to Devil’s Throat Station, making your stay incredibly comfortable.
Preparations:
1. Book your hotel.
2. Arrange for airport pickup. After booking the hotel, reach out via email to arrange for airport pickup, or consider taking a taxi from the airport.
3. Purchase tickets for Iguazu Falls National Park. We recommend buying your tickets online in advance, so you can head straight to the hotel upon arrival.
If you don’t buy them beforehand, you may need to purchase them at the park’s ticket office before going to the hotel. Buying them online in advance saves time and hassle.
Specific arrangements: Over the course of these two days, you can explore a variety of exciting activities. Start with the upper circuit, which takes about 2 hours, and then venture into the lower circuit, also a 2-hour experience. A visit to the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat, which lasts around 3 hours, is a must.
For a thrilling adventure, take a 2-hour boat ride that will get your adrenaline pumping. The rest of your time can be spent unwinding at the hotel’s rooftop bar, taking a refreshing dip in the infinity pool, or spending half a day exploring the Brazilian side of the falls (the hotel provides a convenient round-trip service with a driver).
Since the walkways and Devil’s Throat are designed in loops, there’s no set order, and you can always return to the hotel for a break. Feel free to mix and match your activities based on the weather. If you plan to take the boat ride, it’s recommended to book the 9 am trip on the second day. This way, you can catch the first train from the Falls Station to the Central Station, avoiding the crowds as it picks up visitors just entering the park.
