HOME Iguacu (Iguassu) Falls
Iguacu Falls is located in South America at the point where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay come together. The Fall is shared between Argentina and Brazil, the river Iguacu being the border at this point.
It is the widest fall in the world - at about two miles. People say that it is the most beautiful of the three top contenders - other two being Niagara and Victoria. What adds to Iguacu's fascination is its remoteness - even quite recently many people had not heard of it. It was featured in the movie The Mission (Di Nero & Jeremy Irons) about 15 years ago.
Most people get their first view from the Brazilian side, the first picture here, and it is a breathtaking sight. You can then walk a short trail that provides views of more of the falls. The tour on the Argentinian side takes almost the whole day - the Argentinians have built a series of catwalks that take you up close to and over the falls at various points. To get to the Devil's Throat you walk over the river for 1.1 kilometers! However, the catwalk is closed whenever the river gets higher than a certain point. This is not uncommon.
See below for a panoramic view. Click on the thumbs for bigger pictures. (If you are traveling to Rio or Iguacu you may want to check tips for travelers.)
 This is your first view of the falls when you drive up to the Brazilian side, and it takes your breath away. |
 A closer view of part of the falls |
 This tranquil stream is a few feet from plunging into the gorge |
 View from one of the catwalks |
 Almost inside the Devil's Throat, the first and most violent fall. It takes a 1.1 kilometer walk on catwalks over the river to get here. |
 Also at the Devil's Throat, but on the opposite side. |
In 2006, with lower water conditions:
 Some of the falls are fierce, like Devil's Throat. Some are lyrical, like this one here. |
 A view from downstream of Devil's Throat. You can boat this section for about US 30. It includes a dunking under a fall (not Devil's Throat!). |
 A boat noses into a falls. It is fun, but you are going to get wet! |
Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
View of Ciudad del Este (City of the East), Paraguay, from the Friendship Bridge over the Parana River. This is the city in which, according to CNN, top level "terrorists" held a meeting late in 2002. Of more concern to others is its high crime rate - it is known as a lawless place. The place seems to be a teeming mass of roadside stalls and shops selling everything from high grade electronics to cheap hats.