Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Garganta del Diablo
£ 8
arranged at park entrance.
7
The biggest and most jaw-
dropping of all the falls, the
Garganta del Diablo waterfall is
reachable only by taking the
eco-train to its final destination,
Estación Garganta del Diablo
.
From the station, a 1.4-mile
(2.2-km) walkway cuts across
the Upper Río Iguazú and jungle
river islands before approaching
almost to the lip of the 260-ft-
(80-m-) high horseshoe-shaped
cataract. The walk takes about
2 hours and it is advisable to
wear waterproof clothing and
bring plastic bags to protect
cameras from the vapor that
rises from the waterfall.
An awe-inspiring view of the spectacular Garganta del Diablo
Boat Excursions
Te l
(03757) 491-469.
8
arranged at
Area de Recepción.
There are several options for
boat excursions within the
park.
Aventura Naútica
is a
12-minute powerboat trip
along the Lower Iguazú River
to the base of the 230-ft- (70-
m-) high Salto San Martín
waterfall. The hour-long
Gran
Aventura
leads to the same
destination, after an open-truck
drive via the Sendero Yacaratia
jungle track, and a 4-mile
(6-km) powerboat ride, which
includes a mile (2 km) of rapids.
Departing from the Estación
Garganta del Diablo, the
Paseo
Ecológico
is a gentle boat
journey that glides alongside
the gallery forests of the Upper
Iguazú River. Tour operator
Jungle Explorer
runs each of
these excursions.
Sendero Macuco
8
arranged at park entrance.
Compared to the busy Circuito
Superior and Circuito Inferior
trails, Sendero Macuco
(Macuco Trail) is a quieter, less
trodden track. It leads away
from the waterfalls into the
surrounding jungle of tall
lapacho
and
palo rosa
trees,
where several species of fauna,
including myriad birds and
butterflies, coatimundis and
capuchin monkeys can be
observed. The 3-hour-long
trail ends at a small rock pool
located at the base of the
beautiful
Salto Arrechea
waterfall. The pool is a good
place for swimming.
Brazilian Side
Open
Dec-Mar: 9am-6pm daily;
Apr-Nov: 9am-5pm daily.
&
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∑
cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
Offering panoramic vistas of
the Garganta del Diablo, the
Brazilian side of the falls is a short
distance away. A trip can include
a visit to Parque dos Aves Foz
Tropicana, which has rare bird
species. For a longer stay on the
Brazilian side, the city of
Foz do
Iguaçu
has numerous hotel
options. Brazilian immigration
rules require some nationalities,
including citizens of the US,
Canada, Japan, and Australia,
to obtain a visa prior to travel.
The Wildlife of Parque Nacional Iguazú
A haven for some 430 bird and over 70 mammal species,
Parque Nacional Iguazú boasts extraordinary biodiversity.
Though much of its fauna, including the giant anteater,
the piglike tapir, and the powerful jaguar, is reclusive, a
diverse range of wildlife can be spotted along the trails.
Most visible are coatimundis, raccoon-like creatures that
approach visitors for food. The jungle canopy is home to
chattering capuchin monkeys, which descend to the forest
floor to forage and can be observed from the Macuco Trail.
Kaleidoscopically colored butterflies abound: the beautiful
heliconius, its jet-black wings emblazoned with yellow
and red flashes, is ubiquitous. Reptiles include caiman and
the often-sighted iguana. Birdlife is also abundant. Great
dusky swifts nest on rock faces behind the falls and dart
in and out of the vapor kicked up by the tumbling water.
Predatory kites can be seen gliding high in the sky and
jungle trails are enlivened by exotically plumaged toucans
(best observed early in the morning), parrots, trogons,
caciques, and other tropical birds. Wading birds fish in
streams and at the top of the falls.
Capuchin monkey, usually found in the canopy
of the park's forests
Coatimundi, one of the most commonly spotted
mammals in the park
For hotels and restaurants see pp278-83 and pp288-99
