Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
National Parks
The Brazilian and Argentine sides of the falls are both national parks: Parque Nacional
do Iguaçu and Parque Nacional Iguazú, respectively. High temperatures, humidity and
rainfall encourage a diverse habitat: the parks' rainforest contains more than 2000 identi-
fied plant species, countless insects, 400 species of bird, and many mammals and rep-
tiles.
Resembling Amazonian rainforest, the Iguazú-area forests consist of multiple levels,
the highest a closed 30m canopy. Beneath it are several additional levels of trees, plus a
dense ground-level growth of shrubs and herbaceous plants. One of the most interesting
is the guapoy (strangler fig), an epiphyte that uses a large tree for support until it finally
asphyxiates its host.
Mammals and other wildlife are present but not easily seen, because many are either
nocturnal or avoid humans - which is not difficult in the dense undergrowth. This is the
case, for instance, with large cats such as the puma and jaguar. The largest mammal is the
tapir, but most common is the coati, a relative of the raccoon. It is not unusual to see
iguanas; and watch out for snakes.
Tropical bird species add a dash of color, with toucans and various species of parrot
easily seen. The best time to see birds is in the early morning along the forest trails.
Despite regular official denials, the heavy impact of so many visitors to the area has
clearly driven much of the wildlife further into the parks, so the more you explore the re-
gion away from the falls themselves the more you'll see.
Dangers & Annoyances
The river currents are strong and swift; tourists have been swept downriver and drowned.
Of course, don't get too close to the falls proper.
The heat and humidity are often intense and there's plenty of hungry insect life, so
pack sunscreen and repellent.
On both sides, you're almost certain to encounter coatis. Don't feed them; though
these clownish omnivores seem tame, they become aggressive around food and will bite
and scratch. Both parks have a medical point in case of coati attack.
You are likely to get soaked, or at least very damp, from the spray at the falls, so keep
your documents and camera protected in plastic bags. You can buy plastic ponchos at the
visitor centers on both sides.
Readers have noted that the stamps on sale at the Argentine side of the park can only
be posted in the park itself or large cities.
