The South - The Rough Guide to Brazil - page 570

(from the Guarani and the Jesuits to nineteenth-century colonists), with English
labelling. It's here that you'll see the extremely shy, and mainly nocturnal, forest
animals - though they're all stuffed. From the centre you transfer to the grandly named
Tren de la Selva , a miniature railway that winds its way through the forest between the
park's entrance and the falls. The first stop is the Estación Cataratas for the Sheraton
Hotel and the Circuito Inferior and Circuito Superior trails; the second and final stop
is the Estación Garganta del Diablo.

9

The Circuito Inferior and Superior
he Circuito Inferior involves an easy 1.6km walk that, with a few interruptions to
admire the scenery, is likely to take a couple of hours. Despite not being as dramatic as
the falls upriver, few parts of the park are more beautiful and the path passes by gentler
waterfalls and dense vegetation. At the river shore, boats (9.30am-3.30pm; free) cross
to the Isla San Martín , whose beaches are unfortunately marred by the streams of sand
flies and mosquitoes. One of the many enchanting spots on the island is La Ventana , a
rock formation that's framed, as its name suggests, like a window. From here you can
continue around the marked circuit, but, if you are at all agile, haul yourself instead
across the rocks in front and behind La Ventana where, hidden from view, is a deep
natural pool fed by a small waterfall, allowing some relaxing swimming.
In stark contrast, the Circuito Superior (accessed off the Circuito Inferior) runs
straight along the top of the falls for 650m, offering a series of dramatic viewpoints
en route, as well as the chance to get up close to the churning waters.

Garganta del Diablo
The Argentine falls embrace a huge area, but the most spectacular spot is the
Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) at Puerto Canoas, the final tren stop opposite
its counterpoint in Brazil (see p.570). Catwalks lead 1.1km into the middle of the
river to a central viewing platform, from where it's easy to feel that you will be
swallowed by the tumbling waters: be prepared to get drenched by the spray,
mist and rain. From Puerto Canoas the train will take you back to the park's
entrance complex.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION PARQUE NACIONAL DE IGUAZÚ ARGENTINA
By bus Río Uruguay buses depart from the Terminal de
Ómnibus on Av Córdoba and Av Misiones ( T +54 03757
423006) in Puerto Iguazú every 20-30min (daily
7.20am-7.20pm, return 7.50am-8pm; A$30; buy tickets
at the terminal booth). They take around 30min to reach
the park entrance.
By taxi Taxis charge A$120 (US$15) to get to the park from

Puerto Iguazú (you might be able to negotiate a lower rate;
taxis in Foz do Iguaçu will charge around R$100 or R$190
return; heading back to Foz, one-way taxis should charge
A$280 or R$115.
Money and exchange Try to get pesos in Foz before you
come; there's an ATM near the bus station in Puerto Iguazú
if you get stuck.

TOURS
Iguazú Jungle Located at the Circuito Inferior
T [phone], W iguazujungle.com. Runs
guided tours (daily 8.45am-3.45pm, every 30min) into
the forest. A typical trip lasts one and a half hours (A$350;
$43), and involves being driven in the back of a truck
along a rough 8km road through the forest, a walk down

a narrow trail to the river, and a wild 6km boat ride down
some rapids towards the Garganta del Diablo. Don't
expect to see a lot of wildlife (much of which is
nocturnal), but guides may point out some of the flora.
You can also just opt for the jet-boat ride (A$170; US$21),
which is similar to those on the Brazilian side (see p.571).

ACCOMMODATION
Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa Parque Nacional
Iguazú T [phone], W starwoodhotels
.com; map p.565. Located within the Argentine Parque
Nacional, this disappointingly ugly-looking concrete

structure offers serious pampering, excellent food,
luxurious rooms with balconies and outstandin g views
of the for est or, for a bit more cash, the falls. A$2241
(US$280)