Aptly named Devil’s Throat of Iguazu Falls. It will take your breath away…
Iguazu Falls – it may not be the biggest, the tallest, or the most powerful – but it is the most impressive waterfall I’ve seen. And I’m someone who isn’t particularly thrilled by waterfalls – and I have no idea why. They just don’t thrill me like a mountain does or a vast open landscape or desert. So when my father and I decided to take a very quick pre-Antarctica trip up to Iguazu to see the famous falls I was doing so more for my dad than for me. I looked at it as a challenge – I wondered if these famous falls could possibly change my attitude about waterfalls.
Challenge On
As the plane was landing in what seemed to be the middle of jungle for as far as one could see, you could see a little puff of mist coming from a section of the jungle. I tried to send telepathic messages to the pilot to get him to just turn a bit to the right and do a fly over – but it didn’t work. The mist was only a teaser, and I would get to actually see what the fuss was all about until the next day. We went with a small tour group to the Argentinian side of the falls and brought lots of sunscreen, plastic bags for cameras, and a pashmina to try to dry things if they got wet.
The falls are in a national park and an entry ticket (130 pesos) is required to get in. Made up of 275 cascades spanning a distance of 2 mi/3 km and rising up to 300 ft/90 m high, it’s said to be one of the most impressive sights in the world. The park is well maintained and it’s train, catwalks, and trails are what is touted in the big Brazil vs. Argentina ‘which side is better debate’. There are 5 trails – and we did 3 of them.
- Circuito Superior – is a short walk to some nice viewpoints along the upper rim of the waterfalls
- Circuito Inferior – is a longer walk on the bottom end of the falls with the main attraction being the lookout to watch Salto Bossetti and Dos Hermanas. This pathway leads also to the free ferry service to Isla San Martin (that may or not be closed), and the tour operators.
- Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) – The main attraction of the Argentine side. There is a free train running up to a 1 km-long walkway across the river to stand just back from the main horseshoe of falls where the roar and spray are most tremendous (bring a plastic bag to protect your camera!).
I LOVED this – a total rush to go through the falls!
I was also made aware of the chance to take a speed boat into the falls – there were two options – a short ride for 10 minutes or a longer ride with more waterfall dousing for about 30 minutes (plus a lame ride through the jungle) which costs 310 Pesos or about $65. I chose the longer ride to see what it was all about – and it ended up being a highlight of my day there ad a greatly needed cool-down in the stifling jungle heat.
After a day at the park experiencing the falls from the top, the bottom, and in between – I was sold – waterfalls are cool. Specifically this waterfall. I was in awe of the size and power of the Iguazu Falls and could have sat around staring at it and listening to the roar all day. Instead – I had to take a lot of photos to remember it by as we had a short time before heading to Antarctica!
See All Iguazu Falls Photography
I took a three of cameras with me and tried my best to keep them dry. Luckily I had a waterproof casing for the GoPro – but for my SLR and my Galaxy SII phone – I had a plastic bag and towel that I used to try to protect it while still trying to get some great shots.
Cascading falls go on as far as the eye can see
The catwalk over Devil’s Throat
Cascading falls seen from the high trail. People can also view the falls from very close (and wet) vantage points.
A boat takes an adventure ride into the falls – scary and exhilarating!
The ‘mouth’ of Devil’s Throat
Salto Bossetti lookout
People view the falls from above and below in Argentina
The misty Devil’s Throat
The walkway to Devil’s Throat looks calm at first
Visitors view the powerful falls from Isla San Martin
Capturing just one waterfall is hard at Iguazu!
Do you have a favorite shot? Please let me know!
See All Iguazu Falls Photography
By Mark H December 15, 2012 - 3:07 pm
I do love waterfalls and Iguazu is the finest I’ve seen by some distance (including Victoria, Niagara and those of Norway and Iceland). I love the variety from gossamer fine falls to thunderous Devil’s Throat like falls that Iguazu has across its area.
By Alexa Hart December 16, 2012 - 8:40 pm
The first picture is my favorite in this series. I went to Iguazu Falls a few years ago on both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, and it was so incredible. Such a powerful and beautiful force of nature. There were rainbows everywhere, too!
By Darlene Foster December 17, 2012 - 12:01 am
Amazing photographs. Love them all!!!
By Jessica December 17, 2012 - 5:17 am
I particularly love the mouth of Devil’s Throat photo – something about the perspective really accents the huge drop.
By Sherry December 22, 2012 - 7:30 am
It’s so hard to get a shot there with the spray on the lens and the proximity to the falls! But all I can say is that in person the drop and force is even greater than what you can feel from the picture!
By Omar Sherif December 17, 2012 - 12:01 pm
Beautiful pictures!!. I love those waterfalls, it reminds me of my trip to the Niagara Falls in Canada last year.
By brandy bell December 23, 2012 - 9:53 am
27 years on the planet, and I’ve never seen the waterfall train! What an outstanding experience, count me jealously planning.
Great shots, love your whole article.
By The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) December 24, 2012 - 1:43 am
Stunning images. I really hope to make it there one day. Thanks for sharing!
By Britany December 26, 2012 - 11:08 pm
looks AMAZING. I’ll be in South America this year and really hope to make it to Argentina and check this out!
By Vera January 2, 2013 - 12:48 am
Wow, these are a lot of pretty amazing pictures for someone who isn’t interested in waterfalls:)!! But like you indicate, maybe it’s the beginning of a life-long love affair… Anyway, this looks like a place that belongs on the bucket-list – can’t wait to go there… one day…:)
By Maria @Acceleratedstall January 2, 2013 - 6:52 am
I agree with Mark’s comment – the variety is impressive. I imagine the sound must be amazing as well.
By Fida January 2, 2013 - 12:35 pm
I’ve never seen such stunning photos of Iguazu Falls… I definitely have to invest in a better camera. I photographed our Rhine Fall near Schaffhausen this year but almost all photos are for the garbage bin… or maybe I am just a lousy photographer 🙂 To answer your question: I love waterfalls and we’ve got plenty of them but of course non of it is a spectacular as the Iguazu Falls.
By Tina January 3, 2013 - 11:28 pm
Those pictures are stunning, Hope to visit Argentina this year and check this out. Thanks for sharing…
By Stephanie - The Travel Chica January 6, 2013 - 6:39 pm
This is one of my favorite travel memories! Such a powerful natural wonder.
By A Montrealer Abroad (@amontrealer) January 23, 2013 - 6:05 am
If there was ever a time to say larger than life, I think this would be it! Wow, just wow.
By peruvian colca trails January 27, 2013 - 9:52 am
Yes, it fascinating that place, thank you very much for remind me that place. I would like to live near of the place.
By Turtle February 22, 2013 - 11:41 am
One of my favourite places in South America and one of the most astounding natural wonders in the world!
You’ve captured them beautifully too!!
By Edgardo April 9, 2013 - 9:51 am
A very amazing view. Thanks for sharing this photos. It’s super fabuluos, very rare.
By OCDemon September 22, 2013 - 10:52 pm
I like the feeling of being in places like that and the mist is all over. It’s a weirdly nice sensation.
By Chemie Lernvideos January 27, 2014 - 9:56 pm
Ҭhanks for finally writing aƄoսt >Pictures of Waterfalls Iguazu Argentina <Liked it!