Visiting Iguazu Falls in two days: everything you need to know
If you’re visiting South America, especially Argentina or Brazil, then Iguazu Falls should be on your list of things to do. We spent two nights here, one night in Argentina and one night in Brazil, and it was one of the most impressive sights of our trip – which also included two weeks in Patagonia!
Most of the waterfalls at Iguazu are on the Argentinian side, but the more impressive views are on the Brazilian side. So it’s definitely worth fitting both sides into your itinerary. In this blog, I’ll explain the best ways to do that depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going to, and what to expect from a day trip to each side of Iguazu Falls.
What is Iguazu Falls?
Iguazu Falls (or Foz do Iguaçu in Portuguese) is the world’s largest system of waterfalls and one of the new 7 wonders of nature. It’s made up of 275+ cascades across 2.7 km on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
How to get to Iguazu Falls
The best way to get to Iguazu Falls is to fly into Puerto Iguazu (IGR) in Argentina or Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) in Brazil. Which side you choose depends on where you’re coming from, as both airports generally serve domestic airports.
Later in this blog I will explain the best order for one or two night stays in Iguazu, depending on where you start and where you end.
How to get to Iguazu Falls in Argentina
You can catch a public bus (Rio Uruguay) from Terminal de Buses De Puerto Iguazú. In 2026, this cost 10,000 pesos (~£5) per person each way. Buses run every 20 minutes.
You can also catch an Uber or taxi from the town and back, which cost us just under 20,000 pesos each way – so less than the bus between two people! This is more flexible and we had no issue with signal when ordering cabs.
If you are on a guided tour, most of these also provide transport to and from the park.
Once you arrive, you will get your park entrance ticket and there is a train station at the start of the park. You can catch a train from here to Cataratas for the senderos or stay on to Garganta del Diablo, or walk to Cataratas (about 15 mins easy walk) and get the train from there to Garganta del Diablo instead of waiting.
How to get to Cataratas do Iguaçu in Brazil
You can get a public bus from the Urban bus terminal in Foz do Iguaçu and take bus 120 to Iguaçu National Park. These also run approximately every 20 minutes and take about 30 minutes.
Instead, we found it quicker and easier to catch Ubers each way, which took about 25 minutes and cost about 38 Brazilian Real (~£5) each way.
Once you arrive at the park you will buy your entry ticket and join a queue for the bus into the park. This is included in the ticket price. Disembark at Path of the Falls unless you have accessibility issues in which case stay on until the final stop.
How can I get a ticket for Iguazu Falls?
On both sides of Iguazu National Park, you can buy tickets on the day when you arrive. But if you prefer, you can also book in advance to avoid queues. The ticket booths are obvious when you arrive at both sides of Iguazu, and the entrance ticket includes your transport within the park (a train in Argentina and a bus in Brazil).
We didn’t have to queue to enter in Argentina in March, and we arrived at about 9am.
But the following morning in Brazil, we arrived at about 10:30am and the queue was huge and we were assigned a 12pm entry slot, so we paid an extra £18 each for a VIP pass. This was worth it as you can also queue jump to get the bus back at the end. If we hadn’t done this, we would only just have been entering the park at our assigned time at the time we were leaving! So booking a slot would have saved us money (but not time queueing for the bus at the other end!)
You can book tickets for Argentina here: iguazuargentina.com
You can book tickets for Brazil here: www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
Where to stay in Iguazu Falls
In Argentina (Puerto Iguazu) there are a number of hotels for all budgets including those in town and those with a more remote jungle feel. We stayed at the Saint George Hotel which was perfectly located. We had restaurants and bars nearby but were a 5-10 minute walk from the loud main strip. It’s about 20-25 minutes to the national park and 30 minutes to the airport.
In Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu) we were meant to stay at the Del Rey Quality Hotel but they double-booked our room (although we had booked well in advance) and didn’t seem too bothered by the situation so I would not recommend that hotel!
Fortunately there was room at the Wyndham Golden Foz Suites, which had a rooftop pool, a very good gym, a bar, and lots of great places to eat nearby. Like Puerto Iguazú, Foz do Iguaçu is well set up for tourists so you won’t have an issue finding a hotel to suit your budget and location preference. This city is much bigger than the town on the Argentinian side and it’s safer to stay in the central area.
What I would recommend on both sides of the park is finding a hotel with a pool or other leisure space (if your budget allows) as we found we had a few hours to spare between getting back from the park and going to dinner on both days. So we really appreciated being able to relax by the pool since there’s not a lot else to do in either Puerto Iguazu or Fox do Iguaçu
How long do you need to spend in Iguazu Falls?
We spent two nights in Iguazu Falls. We landed in Puerto Iguazu, on the Argentinian side, and went to the Argentinian side of the park the following morning. That afternoon, we travelled over to Brazil and spent the night in Foz do Iguaçu, before exploring the Brazilian side of the park the following day. That night, we left for Rio de Janeiro rather than staying an extra night.
Three nights would make the trip more comfortable and there would be no need to rush, and one night would be rushed but is possible with good planning. More than three nights would be too much, unless you’re planning to just relax by your hotel pool.
Is it possible to stay one night and still see both sides of Iguazu Falls?
Yes, you could get an early flight to Iguazu, drop bags at your hotel or use the lockers at the park entrance, see one side of the park and then transfer to the opposite side that afternoon or evening. Then, you could spend one night in either Puerto Iguazu or Foz do Iguaçu, see the opposite side the next morning, and leave that night.
What is the best way to see Iguazu Falls in one or two nights?
There is no ‘best’ way to see Iguazu Falls, but how you plan your trip depends on where you’re coming from, where you intend to leave from, and how long you want to stay.
Flying to Iguazu Falls from Argentina and travelling into Argentina from Iguazu Falls
If you’re staying one night:
Land at Puerto Iguazu (IGR) and get a taxi straight to the park, leaving bags in the on-site lockers
Explore the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
Stay at a hotel in Puerto Iguazu OR transfer to Brazil and stay in Foz do Iguaçu
The following morning, visit the Brazilian side of the park
Drive back to the Argentinian side (Puerto Iguazu)
That night, either fly out of Puerto Iguazu (IGR) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
If you’re staying two nights:
Land at Puerto Iguazu (IGR) and get a taxi into a hotel in town
Spend the night in Puerto Iguazu
Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls the following morning, arriving before 10am if possible
That night, transfer to Brazil and spend the evening in Foz do Iguaçu
The following morning, visit the Brazilian side of the park
Drive back to the Argentinian side (Puerto Iguazu)
That night, either fly out of Puerto Iguazu (IGR) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
Flying to Iguazu Falls from Argentina and travelling into Brazil from Iguazu Falls
If you’re staying one night:
Land at Puerto Iguazu (IGR) and get a taxi straight to the park, leaving bags in the on-site lockers
Explore the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
Transfer to Brazil and stay in Foz do Iguaçu
The following morning, visit the Brazilian side of the park
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
If you’re staying two nights:
Land at Puerto Iguazu (IGR) and get a taxi into a hotel in town
Spend the night in Puerto Iguazu
Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls the following morning, arriving before 10am if possible (you could visit the same day you land if you’re on a very early flight, but visiting in the morning is quieter and not as hot)
That night, transfer to Brazil and spend the evening in Foz do Iguaçu
The following morning, visit the Brazilian side of the park
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
This is what we did, flying in from Mendoza via Buenos Aires, and then flying out to Rio de Janeiro.
Flying to Iguazu Falls from Brazil and travelling into Brazil from Iguazu Falls
If you’re staying one night:
Land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and either get a taxi straight to the park, leaving bags in the on-site lockers, or check into your hotel first if you have time (and are staying in Brazil)
Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Stay at a hotel in Foz do Iguaçu OR transfer to Argentina and stay in Puerto Iguazu
The following morning, visit the Argentinian side of the park
Drive back to the Brazilian side
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
If you’re staying two nights:
Land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and get a taxi into a hotel in town
Spend the night in Foz do Iguaçu
Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu falls the following morning, arriving before 10am if possible
That night, transfer to Argentina and spend the evening in Puerto Iguazú
The following morning, visit the Argentinian side of the park
Drive back to the Brazilian side
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
OR
Land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and get a taxi into a hotel in town
Spend the night in Foz do Iguaçu (only visit the park this day if you have time not to rush and the weather isn’t too hot)
Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu falls the following morning, arriving before 10am if possible
Spend the night in Foz do Iguaçu
The following morning, visit the Argentinian side of the park
Drive back to the Brazilian side
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
Flying to Iguazu Falls from Brazil and travelling into Argentina from Iguazu Falls
If you’re staying one night:
Land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and get a taxi straight to the park, leaving bags in the on-site lockers
Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Transfer to Argentina and stay in Puerto Iguazú
The following morning, visit the Argentinian side of the park
That night, either fly out of Foz do Iguaçu (IGR) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
If you’re staying two nights:
Land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and get a taxi into a hotel in town
Spend the night in Foz do Iguaçu
Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu falls the following morning, arriving before 10am if possible (you could visit the same day you land if you’re on a very early flight, but visiting in the morning is quieter and not as hot)
That night, transfer to Argentina and spend the evening in Puerto Iguazu
The following morning, visit the Argentinian side of the park
That night, either fly out of Puerto Iguazú (IGR) or spend another night in the town if you prefer
Note: If you are flying in and out of different countries (not Argentina or Brazil) then you can base your plans around which flights into the local airports work best for you. Both airports generally serve domestic flights, with some limited exceptions. So you’ll probably need to fly into Brazil or Argentina and then connect, either way.
Can you see both sides of Iguazu Falls in one day?
Yes, but it’s a busy day. For context, we arrived at 9am and left at 1pm on a fairly quiet day with no traffic, and if we hadn’t spent so long over lunch I still don’t think we would have made it into Brazil until 3pm earliest. The park closes at 6pm on the Brazilian side so, while it’s doable, it’s a lot to cram in – and if you want to fit in a boat trip it becomes untenable.
If this is the only way to make your Iguazu Falls itinerary work, I’d recommend booking a tour with an agency that specialised in making this timeline work. Otherwise, split the two sides over two days even if you only have a couple of hours on your second morning.
What happens once you’re in Iguazu National Park?
This is a quick breakdown of how each of our days went in Iguazu, on the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.
Day 1 - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
8:30am - Uber from hotel to National Park
9am - Arrived at the park, bought our entry ticket, and walked to Cataratas station
9:30am - Caught the train from Cataratas to Garganta del Diablo station
9:50am - Followed the walkway our to Garganta del Diablo
10:15am - Arrived at lookout, spent time at the falls, and walked back to station
11:20am - Arrived back at Cataratas station and began the Superior sendero
12:10pm - Completed the loop and began the Inferior sendero
1pm - Uber back to Puerto Iguazú for lunch and collecting luggage
3pm - Took a taxi to Brazil, with access to faster lanes for border crossings (we were lucky and there were no queues)
4pm - Check-in at hotel in Foz do Iguaçu
Day 2 - Foz do Iguaçu
10am - Uber from hotel to National Park
10:30 - Bought tickets, assigned for 12pm but upgraded to VIP to queue-jump
11am - Bus arrived at Path of the Falls bus stop outside the Belmond hotel
11:35 - Arrived at the bridge lookout with a view of Garganta del Diablo
11:50 - Headed back for the exit and return bus
12:10 - Caught the bus back to the park entrance
12:40 - Left the National Park
1pm - Arrived back in Foz do Iguaçu for lunch and to collect luggage
For a more detailed explanation of what you need to know about a day in Iguazu Falls, read my two-day Iguazu Falls itinerary here.
Is Iguazu Falls worth it?
Yes! Even if you don’t think waterfalls are that interesting (not me! But I know it’s a thing…) I think you’ll be impressed by Iguazú. The sheer size and number of cascades, the beautiful park, and the mesmerising impact of the water all make it obvious why this has been named a modern natural wonder of the world. For an extra impressive view of the falls you can take helicopter and boat rides too.
Is it expensive to visit Iguazu Falls?
Despite being a huge tourist attraction, it isn’t particularly expensive to visit Iguazu Falls – beyond the initial cost of getting to South America in the first place! We found that there were plenty of flights in and out of both IGU and IGR airports for under £100 from major cities in Argentina and Buenos Aires.
Then, there are hotels on each side that cost anywhere from £30 and up per night, depending on the time of year you visit and what your budget allows for. We opted for hotels with pools so we had somewhere nice to relax in the afternoons after our trips into the national park, and were able to find rooms in hotels with pools for under £100 per night.
Entry to the park costs 45,000 pesos (about £22) on the Argentinian side and 131 Brazilian Real (about £19) on the Brazilian side for non-residents. These prices are as of March 2026.
We also found food in Puerto Iguazu and Foz do Iguaçu to be cheaper than expected, and definitely cheaper than in major cities. Food in the park is limited and expensive, as to be expected, so you can keep costs down there by either bringing your own lunch in, or heading back out into town for lunch after your visit (which is what we did).
How much does it cost to enter Iguazu Falls National Park?
Entry to the park costs 45,000 pesos (about £22) on the Argentinian side for non-residents.
It costs 131 Brazilian Real (about £19) on the Brazilian side for non-residents.
These prices are as of March 2026.
You can add extras like boat rides and VIP passes (find out more about this in my two day Iguazu Falls itinerary). But the base price of tickets is fairly affordable.
What to pack for Iguazu Falls
Iguazú is in the jungle which means it gets hot. And the chances are you’ll also get wet. You should wear/pack:
Loose and light clothing that you can walk easily in
Comfy shoes with good grip in wet conditions
A sun hat
Sunglasses
Sun cream
Bug repellent
A phone case with a strap
A bottle of water
Find out more about how we spent three weeks in Argentina here.