The only option to go directly from the airport to the national park is by taxi, even though the park is actually midway between the airport and the town, it cost a lot more to go to the national park by taxi. They said it is a “fixed” rate, no metered taxi available. I asked around, and didn’t think I had other choice, so I just paid the AR$160 for the cab. The Iguazu National Park entrance fee was AR$170. There was a free train to bring you to different trail start in the park once you are in the Park. There are 4 major trails: Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), Circuito Superior (Upper Trail), Circuito Inferior (Lower Trail) and Isla San Martin. The last one was closed because of the river level and wave condition. I first asked the man in the welcome center, he suggested to go the sequence Devil’s Throat, then Upper and if I still have time, then Lower. That is actually a very good advice. I think I have seen the Fall from pretty much all angles.
The temperature was actually lower than I expected, it said 50-70F, but with the humidity (over 70-100%), it felt like 80-90F after you walked a little. I can imagine how hot this place would be during the summer. I first went to the Devil’s Throat, there was 1.1km trail to walk before you get to the grand waterfall of the whole Iguazu Falls. I liked that, to start off with a bang! You walked on the wired platform above the rivers, you could actually see through it, see the running water underneath, it was not my thing, I didn’t like to see through what I was walking on. Nonetheless, I kept going. There were lots of butterflies along the way, many different colors (mainly purple and orange). There was one type with a bright baby blue, I wanted to take of that, but I couldn’t catch it. Soon, you would notice more animals, many colorful birds and toucan (the big mouth bird in the Amazon), I mean WOW! And then there was crocodile, turtles in the water; coati walking next to you, a lot of them, in fact, I was leaning against the rail for a few seconds, and suddenly one of them walked right next to me on the rail. He literally scared the shit out of me, and I jumped off. You would take great pictures at the Devil’s Throat, but do bring a poncho or umbrella, since it did get some mist and waterfall shower from time to time.
Took the train to Cataratas Station where both the Upper and Lower trails begin. The lighthouse is where divides the trails. I walked the Upper Trail (0.6 km) first. This trail had some nice panoramic views of the Iguazu Falls, you would stay dry on this trail mostly. The Lower trail was the longest, 1.4 km with a lot more steps to go up and down, it covered both the farthest point and also the closest point to the Falls interestingly, at the farthest point, you would get another full panoramic view from lower angle, while at the closest point, literally, you almost felt like the waterfall was hitting right at you. At that viewpoint, for sure you would get wet, definitely bring a poncho. I did the Tony Leung standing at the bottom looking up close at the waterfall and smile look. Asked a girl to take a picture of me standing there. Then that was it. It has completed my Argentina trip.
Took a bus to the Puerto Iguazu City, it’s like a different country here. The town is very undeveloped, and there are lots of kids sitting on the ground, playing with no shoes and dirty clothes, it seems like the tourist money never gets to these people. Their parents sell handcraft stuff on the floor as well. People here looks more mixed too, not as European looking as the lower part of Argentina. After I had dinner and walked back to the B&B, I looked up, I saw a lot of stars probably because there are no light pollution here, so many forest area. It was beautiful. Too bad, I cannot tell the difference between the star constellation in the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres. I did look for that Iguazu rotating lamp in Happy Together, I would get it if I see one. But no unfortunately. I think it was only in the movie.
Other photos from today:
