Iguazú Falls

New 7 Wonders of Nature

Iguazú Falls is not one waterfall but a sweeping series of cascades, around 275 drops by common counts, strung along a precipice nearly three kilometres wide where the Iguazú River plunges from the Paraná plateau. The name comes from the Guaraní words for big water. The most famous section is the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped chasm into which a huge volume of water thunders and sends up clouds of spray, often with rainbows. Most of the individual falls lie on the Argentine side, where walkways bring you close to the edge and the base, while the Brazilian side offers the broad panorama. Both countries protect the surrounding Atlantic Forest in national parks, and both parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The forest teems with life: butterflies, toucans, coatis and, with luck, caimans and giant otters. The flow changes with rainfall; after heavy rains the falls turn brown and enormous, while in drier times individual cascades are more visible, and walkways can occasionally close because of high water. A typical visit spends one day on each side, reaching Argentina’s upper and lower circuits and the Devil’s Throat walkway, and Brazil’s walkway and viewpoint. Boat rides to the base of the falls are exhilarating and wet. Bring waterproofs, insect repellent and patience for crowds, and consider early or late visits.