Puerto Iguazú.
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Overview

Puerto Iguazú is a tourist town in the northeast of Argentina at the Triborder with Paraguay and Brazil. It mainly serves the needs of the tourists visiting the Iguaçu Falls close-by.

In stark contrast to the bland small city of Foz do Iguaço on the Brazilian side of the border, Argentina's Puerto Iguazú has a strong "small tourist town in the jungle" vibe, similar to Monteverde or perhaps Palenque.

Get in

By train The train is not operating.

Go from the airport to town: Bus. Turn left getting out of the terminal, look for a bus stop with a “transporte publico” sign. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes from the airport to the final stop of the city bus terminal. Cash only. Taxi. In the arrivals hall there is a desk for a transfer (remis) to any hotel in Puerto Iguazú. Minibus. Inside the terminal you can buy a ticket and catch the bus in the front of the airport to the bus terminal. If you are staying near the city center, the bus will drop you off at your hotel.

Go from bus terminal to the airport: taxi: You can ask the taxi desk at the terminal to call a taxi for you. minibus: You can book via the WhatsApp number provided on the Minibus ticket on the way in. Alternatively your hostel can reserve it in advance. bus: You can take the bus from the bus terminal. It leaves every hour (Dec 2022).

Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (Brazil) is another way in but from Brazil. Some people travel to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport but stay on Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). There is an immigration point between Argentina and Brazil, so keep all the documents they give you at the airport and at immigration. You can ask for a taxi inside the airport and pay cash or on credit card. Taxi drivers know the immigration regulations so they will walk you by the customs to enter Argentina. By taxi the drive is no more than half an hour, but sometimes there will be lots of people on the immigration point and at peak hour you can expect 45 minutes or an hour waiting lines.

By bus Direct buses to Buenos Aires, Retiro (many companies)(18 hours), Salta (Andesmar/Flecha Bus), Mendoza, Cordoba (Mercobus, Cruzero del Norte), Posadas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and other places.

Access Puerto Iguazu from Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil and other parts of Argentina by bus passes offered by the Green Toad Bus. They also offer bus tickets online from Buenos Aires, Salta, São Paulo, Florianopolis, and Rio de Janeiro to Puerto Iguazu. Long distance and local buses arrive to the Terminal de Autobuses on Av. Cordoba.

By ferry From Paraguay There is a ferry (balsa) between Puerto Iguazú and Presidente Franco, Paraguay (just outside Ciudad del Este). You can get there from Ciudad del Este by bus for PYG2,500 (as of October 2016): take the red Matiauda which says "3 Fronteras" and ask the driver to let you know when get out. It's about half an hour in bus, and then you have a 500-m walk downhill.

Get around

A bus leaves every 20 minutes on the quarter hour from the bus terminal to the entrance on the Argentine side of the falls. Most hotels have the timetable. Tell the bus driver if you want to stop along the way. Frequent buses cross the border to Foz do Iguaçu where you can change to a bus to the Brazilian side of the falls There is an hourly bus to the Brazilian side of the falls operated by Rio Uruguay at the bus terminal. Some buses cross to Ciudad del Este without stopping in Brazil (hence, no need for Brazilian border control) There is a ferry crossing directly to Paraguay (look for the sign on the corner Av. Missiones and Brasil). About hourly during daylight. As of October 2023, the ferry is operating. On the Paraguayan side walk up to the main street and take any bus going to the right (don't believe "Taxi" drivers telling you there is no bus, they are just up to overcharging you). You can pay the ride in pesos. When you arrive at the roundabout about half an hour later you are in the centre of Ciudad del Este, for the bus terminal you have to get off earlier. Taxis operate with fixed prices which makes the distance to both parks from your hotel irrelevant. Round trips are advertised as double but most taxi drivers will do the trip for a discount if asked. Do not be amazed if the very same driver waits for you for hours. Taxi drivers will store your luggage in their taxi while waiting.

See

Three Borders Monument. Have a look at Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay all at a glimpse from this very scenic viewpoint, while cargo freighters slowly make their way along the water. Brazil and Paraguay have their own markers (you can see each one from the others if you have binoculars), but Argentina's is debatably the best one to visit, since entry is free (unlike Brazil's), it's on higher ground than the other two, and you can get the Brazil-Paraguay suspension bridge in the same picture.

Iguazú National Park. See main Iguaçu Falls article. To the north of the province of Misiones, on the border with Brazil, are the majestic Iguazú Falls: one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and, undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular places in Latin America. Both its location in the middle of the jungle and its enormous volume of water and numerous waterfalls make them an unforgettable place and a must-see on any trip to Argentina. The National Park was created in 1934 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. It also received the mention of Area of ​​Importance for the Protection of Birds (AICA).

Güira Oga. Visit a refuge of animals such as the toucan, a caiman and more rescued animals. Visit is with a tour that last nearly 1:30-1:45 hours. They try to nurse them back to nature but since penalties are still almost non-existent, the trade in wildlife in Argentina continues undisturbed. The same bus to the waterfalls can stop there.

Indigenous villages. On the jungly area just east of town, intermingled with nice hotels (but not easily visible from the road) are a few native communities with official status as indigenous reserves that offer tourist activities such as cultural tours, hiking, and horseback riding. Names of the communities include Jasy Porã, Ita Poty, and Yryapú.

Do

Jardin de los Picaflores (The Garden of Hummingbirds). Be sure to stop by this beautiful, peaceful little garden which is full of hummingbirds. The owner has been placing feeders for wild birds for 40 years. None are in a cage. Great photo opportunities abound. There are other birds, as well, but the different types of hummingbirds that come to feed, perch and just fly around is amazing. It is a great place to sit and watch and reflect. (There are no other services inside, and advance reservations are preferred.)

Buy

Souvenirs are sold in the street and in many shops There are two money changers on Av. V. Aguirre (downtown)

Eat

The town is fully of tourist restaurants.

La Rueda. Excellent food, and probably the best restaurant in Puerto Iguazú esthetically. The Pollo al Diablo (Chicken Devil's Style) is delicious. English spoken. Accepts credit cards.

Tatu Carreta. Formerly La Vitrina, this Churrasco steakhouse is a place where you might try asado prepared on the big outdoor barbecue. They have good salads, pasta, empanadas, etc. Also consider bife de chorizo and asado de tira for a real taste of Pampas tastes.

Aqva. Excellent food, many options of dishes with local river fish and Argentinian beef, of course. Extensive wine list. Reservations recommended on weekends. Opens everyday for lunch and dinner. Accepts major credit cards.

Drink

La Barranca Uniq, DSR, Hipólito Yrigoyen 490, nice place near both rivers and the Three Frontiers Landmark (Marco das três fronteira), nice people and live music at weekends.

At the feria up from Av. Brasil there are many stalls to have a cheap drink.

Feirinha. A rather Brazilian market (expect a lot of Portuguese signs and menus and Brazilian food) of delicatessens that puts out tables around 16:00 and sells cheap beers and picadas (snack plates like salami, cheese, olives), with a few serving steaks, Brazilian grills, empanadas and similar. A cheap and cheerful way to watch the local nightlife.

Sleep

Budget Beware that the hostels in Puerto Iguazú seem to be experiencing something of a bedbug epidemic. Check reviews on the web carefully before booking.

Poramba Hostel. Small, friendly and relaxed hostel, offering both shared and private rooms. In a very nice, tranquil and green part of town, only 300 m. from the bus terminal. Good kitchen. Swimming pool.

Iguazu Falls Hostel. Hostel with complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool and a sunny vibe.

Tangoinn Downtown Iguazú. 20 m from the bus terminal and 2 blocks from the Commerce center of Puerto Iguazu.

Garden Stone Hostel. Quite nice, peaceful, clean. There is a little garden and a kitchen. Includes Wi-Fi, large lockers in rooms, and breakfast.

Hospedaje Jose Gorgues, Fray Luis Beltrán 169. They try hard and the hotel apartment-like rooms are big and clean.

Complejo Americano. Hotel and camping. There are also bungalows and normal rooms. You can get there by taking the bus that goes to the falls (leaving from the terminal). There are pools, a restaurant, convenience store and soccer fields, which are all very well maintained. Many fire pits for barbecues and other niceties. Bugs galore so bring plenty of repellent.

Hostería Los Helechos. Lots of facilities including swimming pool.

Hotel Tierra Colorada, El Urú 28. 03757-420649. Pleasant and friendly small hotel, comfortable rooms.

Hotel Jasy. Very good hotel. Gives you the feeling of staying in the middle of a tropical rain forest. There is a nice pool, continental buffet breakfast and the "cabañas" have air conditioning, digital television and a balcony.