Which Side of Iguazú Falls Is Better: Argentina, Brazil or Both?
4 min read
If you have one day, take a tour that covers both sides; if you have two, give the Argentine side a full day and the Brazilian side half a day. The falls straddle the border, and the two sides are two different experiences, not two copies of the same one.
What the Argentine side gives you
The park on the Argentine side is a network of walkways. According to the park’s own pages, the Upper Circuit is 3,700 metres there and back and takes about 90 minutes, and the Lower Circuit is 2,900 metres and also takes about 90 minutes. The Upper Circuit is listed as fully wheelchair accessible; the Lower Circuit as about 70 percent, with steep stairs on some stretches and an adapted alternative route; confirm with the park before you travel. The train to the Devil’s Throat station is included in the park ticket. The Devil’s Throat circuit itself is the catch: the park marks it as closed as a precaution because of high river flow, so check its status before you book (Garganta del Diablo, park page). Our Devil’s Throat guide explains what that means for your day.
What the Brazilian side gives you
The park’s page describes the Cataratas Trail as about 1.5 kilometres long, with panoramic views of the whole falls system and a walkway at the end with a view of the Devil’s Throat (Cataratas do Iguaçu, official site). It is shorter and a good fit for half a day. Buses from the visitor centre take you to the start of the trail.
The day trips compared
Both-sides tours take 9 to 10 hours on their pages. The full-day tour of Brazil and Argentina costs €38.77 and is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 2,352 reviews. It picks you up in Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú and takes about 10 hours. The Brazil and Argentina day tour is also 10 hours and costs €34.55. The one-day tour of both sides takes 9 hours and costs €46.11; its page offers private and small-group options.
If you only want Argentina, the Argentine side full-day tour from Puerto Iguazú lasts 12 hours and costs €22.28, in a shared group of up to 48 people. The Argentine falls tour from Foz do Iguaçu is 8 hours and costs €31.20. For Brazil only, the Brazilian side with ticket takes 4 to 5 hours and costs €65.07, with groups of up to 15 people.
| Tour | Side | Duration | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day tour, both sides | Both | 10 hours | Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú |
| Brazil/Argentina day tour | Both | 10 hours | Foz do Iguaçu |
| One-day tour, both sides | Both | 9 hours | Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú |
| Argentine side from Puerto Iguazú | Argentina | 12 hours | Puerto Iguazú |
| Brazilian side with ticket | Brazil | 4 to 5 hours | Foz do Iguaçu |
What to check before you pay
Park entry fees for both countries are listed with amounts on several of these pages, and some ask for payment in cash or by card on the day. Argentina’s tourist tax is mentioned on three of them. Read how each page treats entry before you compare prices. Wheelchair access is described differently: the page of the Argentine side tour from Puerto Iguazú lists wheelchair users under “not suitable for”, while the Brazil/Argentina day tour is labelled wheelchair accessible. Ask the operator about your case before you book any of them.
Bring your passport, because you cross the border. The pages say visas are your own responsibility.
Our recommendation
For most visitors with one day, the full-day tour of both sides is the simplest way to see both. With more time, book a separate day for each side; see all options under both sides tours, Argentine side tours and Brazilian side tours.
