SOUTHERN BRAZIL - Brazil - page 337

Exploring the
Argentinian Side
The Argentinian side of
Iguaçu has a larger share of
the waterfalls, and offers an
intimate experience with a
greater variety of perspec-
tives. The quiet little town of
Puerto Iguazú is a good place
to make a base.

O Parque Nacional Iguazú
Tel [phone]. # Dec-
Mar: 7:30am-6:30pm daily, Apr-Jul:
8am-6pm daily. & 8 7
www .iguazuargentina.com
Whereas the Brazilian park's
great attractions are the
spectacular panoramic views
of the falls, the Argentinian
park has an extensive net-
work of forest and waterside
trails with close-up views
of the smaller falls. As well
as the Passeio Garganta do
Diablo, there are trails to
the Passeio Inferiores and
the Passeio Superiores.
From the park's excellent
visitors' center, a miniature
railroad takes visitors to the
Estación Central where the
Passeio Inferiores and Passeio
Superiores circuits begin.
From the Passeio Superiores,
visitors can look down onto
and across dozens of
cataracts. This circuit has
concrete catwalks going
behind the falls, which used
to lead to the Garganta do
Diablo until the floods swept
them away.

A rainbow arcs above the Rio Iguazú, Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentina

The Passeio Inferiores is a
short circuit offering even
more spectacular views of the
falls from below. This circuit
takes a little over an hour and
involves climbing up and
down stairs. Especially remark-
able are the parts of the trail
across catwalks allowing
amazing views over cascading
water. At the lowest point,
boats make the short crossing
to the Isla San Martín , an
island located in the heart
of the falls. Walking on the
island also requires a high
level of fitness, as it involves
clambering up steep slopes
and across some jagged rock
formations. The Passeio
Garganta do Diablo catwalk
begins at a quiet point
upstream, passing several
small islands before reaching
its final, majestic destination.

Puerto Iguazú
6 miles (10 km) S of Foz do Iguaçu.
~ @ n Av Victoria Aguirre 369,
(037) 574 20800.
www .iguazuturismo.gov.ar
Traveling between Foz
and the Argentinian park
by public transport involves
changing buses in the
Argentinian town of Puerto
Iguazú. Although Puerto
Iguazú boasts few sights, its
quiet, tree-lined streets make
for attractive wandering, with
wooden, rather than concrete,
buildings predominating.
A short walk along Puerto
Iguazú's main artery, Avenida
Victoria Aguirre, leads to the
Hito Tres Fronteras (Triple
Borders Landmark). From
here there are superb views
of the Rio Iguaçu and Rio
Paraná rivers and across the
rivers to Brazil and Paraguay.

WILDLIFE IN THE IGUAÇU REGION
The extent of native flora and fauna that the parks offer
is varied. Over 2,000 species of flora have been identified,
including ferns, bromeliads, orchids, and many large species
of trees that serve as support for an equally large variety
of climbing plants. In turn, this serves as a habitat for a
similarly varied range of wildlife, lured by fruit, nesting
spots, and dens. Although there are 450 varieties of bird
amid this forested area, by far the most likely place to spot
many of these is the Parque das Aves. With a practiced eye,
birds can also be spotted within the forests and clearings of
the national parks; the best time for bird-watching is early
in the morning and at dusk when toucans, parrots, and
hummingbirds abound. Some 80 kinds of mammals, with
five varieties of feline, including jaguars and pumas, also
rove the forest. Early morning and evening are the best time
to see animals, with monkeys sometimes seen drinking
from pools in the Argentinian park, or swinging overhead
through the forest's canopy. The most commonly sighted
mammal is the coati. One of the great joys of Iguaçu during
the warm summer months is the immense quantity and
variety of colorful butterflies that flutter about.

Capucin monkey, Parque Nacional
Iguazú

Coati, one of the most commonly
spotted mammals in the park

A breathtaking view of the Garganta do Diabo (Devil's Throat), Foz do Iguaçu