Two towns serve as a base for the Iguazú Falls, and they face each other across a river and a border. Puerto Iguazú, in Argentina, is small and easy to walk. Foz do Iguaçu, in Brazil, is a spread-out city with far more hotels. Either works. Which one suits you comes down to the airport you fly into, the side you plan to spend more time on and whether your passport lets you cross back and forth without extra formalities.
Puerto Iguazú at a glance
- A small town in Misiones province with a compact centre.
- Restaurants within walking distance of central hotels, so evenings need no car.
- Places to stay in the centre, in lodges set in the forest along the road to the falls, and in one hotel inside the national park.
- Close to the Argentine park, the one that takes longer to visit.
- The Hito Tres Fronteras viewpoint, over the meeting of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers, is in town.
Foz do Iguaçu at a glance
- A much larger city in the state of Paraná.
- A wider choice of hotels, including large resort-style properties on the avenue that runs to the Brazilian park, and one hotel inside the park.
- More to see on its own side: the bird park by the park entrance, the Itaipu dam and the Friendship Bridge to Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.
- Longer distances; you need a vehicle for almost everything.
How to choose
Start with your flights. Each town has its own airport, and landing on one side while sleeping on the other adds a border crossing with luggage on arrival day.
Then look at entry rules. What each country asks of you depends on your nationality, and a visitor who needs a visa or other formality for one of the two countries will find it simpler to sleep in the other. Check with the migration authority or consulate of both countries before you book rooms.
Next, think about where the hours will go. If walking the Argentine trails is the heart of the trip, Puerto Iguazú saves you crossings. If you also want Itaipu, the bird park or shopping in Paraguay, Foz puts you nearer.
Last comes taste: a small town with life in the evening, or a city hotel with a pool and more services.
Splitting your nights
With several days, some travellers stay part of the time in each town. You gain a short ride to each park and lose half a day to moving and queueing. On a short stay one base usually works out better.
Getting between the two
Going to the other town always means crossing the border, and the queue varies by day. Local buses, taxis and private transfers all make the trip. With us, whether the crossing is available and on what conditions is confirmed when you book. For the parks themselves, see Argentine or Brazilian side.