A weekend in Iguazu Falls.

The itinerary day-by-day

Day 1 – Flying to Iguazu

Fly into Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR). The most common route is from Buenos Aires, but there are also direct flights from other destinations such as Salta.

The most reliable airline with the largest number of flights is Aerolíneas Argentinas, though low-cost carriers like JetSmart are an alternative.

The region is hot and very humid year-round, so most hotels have excellent pools. Depending on your arrival time, you can either relax by the pool or, if you arrive early, head to the Brazilian side for a first glimpse of the waterfalls (see Day 3).

Evening in Puerto Iguazu. For dinner, head into town and try some of the local river fish specialties such as dorado and pacú, a must-try if you like grilled fish).

👉 Recommended: Aqva Restaurant, one of the most popular spots in town and one of our favorites.

Day 2 – Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls

Spend the day exploring the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park, where you can truly immerse yourself in the waterfalls. Several trails and walkways bring you right up to the cascades, prepare to get wet!

💡 Tip: Bring a light rain jacket or poncho or just a swimsuit and embrace the water!

Exploring all the circuits (Upper Trail, Lower Trail, and the Garganta del Diablo walkway) will take most of the day. Pace yourself and be patient at the busiest viewpoints. Visiting the Iguazu Falls from the argentina side is an unique experience, you are walking above them and sometimes it feels as if you were inside!

You can buy the tickets at the national park, bt we recommend buying online in advance to skip the lines in the official website.

Extra: On full-moon nights, the park organizes special night walks to experience the waterfalls under the moonlight. Worth checking if your visit aligns!

End your day with a traditional meal at La Rueda 1975, another lovely restaurant to try local dishes.

Day 3 – Brazilian Side & Departure

Cross the border to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. While shorter and less extensive than the Argentine side, the views are just as spectacular, offering sweeping panoramas of the cascades.

About half a day is enough to walk the main trail and enjoy the viewpoints. A ticket is also required to access the park in brasil, and we recommend buying tickets online to save time when you get there. You can buy them here.

While in Argentina you feel a part of this huge waterfalls, in Brasil you get a chance to see it from a different perspective – but as beautiful.

We really recommend visiting both sides – it is very worth it. However, if you would only have time for one we would stick with Argentina.

If you would like to stay longer, there are some additional activities like cycling or even a sunset experience. You can read more about this here. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions and to plan your trip in that region.

Otherwise, we’d recommend starting early so you can catch your flight back to Buenos Aires (or your next destination). This way, you save the cost of an extra hotel night.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is Puerto Iguazu town, where you’ll find plenty of hotels ranging from mid-range to upscale, as well as easy access to restaurants, shops, and transport to the falls.

For a quieter experience, you can also stay in the surrounding jungle lodges, which offer a more immersive stay surrounded by nature. These cabins or b&b in nature, tend to also have a lovely pool to refresh after a warm day visiting the waterfalls.

Getting around Iguazu

The easiest and most flexible way to move around is by taxi or remis (local taxi service). Your hotel can easily arrange for trips to the airport, the park entrances, or the city center. Or even put you in contact with a driver straight to coordinate drop-off and pick-up locations & times. This is how we moved around, as our hotel was not in the center, so we were quite far from the terminal.

A more budget-friendly option is the local buses, mainly operated by Rio Uruguay. From the main terminal in Puerto Iguazu, buses run every 20 minutes to the Argentine park entrance, with the same frequency for returns. To reach the Brazilian side, you can also take the cross-border bus from the terminal. Keep in mind that you’ll need your passport or ID for the border check, after which another bus continues the journey (about 45 minutes in total). Tickets can be purchased at the terminal counter or directly from the driver, usually in cash.