Private Iguazu Falls Brazilian & Argentinian Sides Full-Day Tour

Iguazú National Park, Argentina: the Upper Circuit

Most of the waterfalls of Iguazu lie on the Argentine side, inside Iguazú National Park, listed by UNESCO in 1984. Here the Iguazu River spreads across a wide basalt plateau and breaks into hundreds of separate falls along almost three kilometres of cliff. The Upper Circuit is a network of metal walkways that run along the top of the falls, so you look straight down as the water slides over the edge, with rainbows forming in the spray on sunny days.

On this Iguazu Falls tour your private guide chooses the circuits that are open and least crowded at the time you arrive, and explains the geology, the subtropical forest and its wildlife: coatis, toucans and clouds of butterflies are common sights. Plan on about three hours on the Argentine side. Iguazú National Park tickets are bought separately; we recommend buying Argentine tickets in advance, and the tourism eco-tax is paid in cash.

The Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)

The Devil's Throat is the most powerful part of Iguazu Falls: a horseshoe-shaped chasm about 80 metres deep where a huge share of the river plunges at once. A small ecological train runs through the forest to the start of a long walkway that crosses the wide, calm upper river on footbridges and islands. At the end, a platform stands right on the edge, with the roar and the mist rising so high that you will feel the spray.

When it is operational, your guide includes the train and the Devil's Throat walkway in the day. It is the highlight for most visitors, so early in the visit is usually best. The rain ponchos we provide are useful here. Is the Devil's Throat worth visiting if you only have one day? Absolutely: it is the single most dramatic viewpoint at Iguazu and a natural focus of the Argentine side.

Iguaçu National Park, Brazil: the panoramic trail

Across the river, Brazil's Iguaçu National Park (a UNESCO site since 1986) offers the wide view. Because most of the falls face Brazil, the Brazilian side shows the whole curtain of water at once, from the long line of cascades on the Argentine bank to the Devil's Throat. A paved panoramic trail of a little over a kilometre follows the canyon, with viewpoints at each bend and a final walkway that leads out over the lower river near the base of the falls.

Our accredited vehicle drives inside the park, so you skip the park's shared shuttle buses and spend more time on the trail. Allow about two to three hours. The Brazilian park tickets are bought on the day with your guide's help. The late afternoon light on this side is often beautiful, and the spray at the last walkway can soak you, so keep the poncho handy.

Crossing the border between Argentina and Brazil

Visiting both sides of Iguazu Falls in one day means crossing an international border, and this is where a private tour saves time. Your guide assists with the formalities and uses the priority tourist lane at Argentine immigration that is available to authorised tourism operations. The drive between the two parks takes about an hour, including the border, and your lunch stop at a local restaurant is fitted in where it suits the flow of the day.

Bring your original valid passport or the travel ID accepted for your nationality, and check visa rules for both Brazil and Argentina before travelling. Carry a credit card and some cash for park tickets, the Argentine eco-tax and lunch. How to get to Iguazu Falls from Puerto Iguazu on your own is simple for one side, but combining both sides independently is much slower than with a private vehicle.

Optional boat ride and helicopter flight

For more adventure, two optional experiences can be added on the day. On the Brazilian side, a boat ride takes you through the lower river and right under the spray of the falls for an exhilarating soaking. Also on the Brazilian side, a short scenic helicopter flight shows the full horseshoe of the falls and the forest stretching to the horizon, a view impossible from the ground.

Both are paid separately and depend on availability, weather, river levels and the time left in your itinerary, so tell your guide in the morning if you are interested. If you take the boat, pack a change of clothes and a dry bag for your phone. The best time to visit Iguazu Falls for big water is after the rainy months, while the drier season brings clearer skies for photos and flights.