The grandeur of the Foz do Iguaçu falls, the tremendous amount of water (an average of 553 cubic feet per second) thundering down 269 feet, the tropical location and the sheer beauty that 'led Eleanor Roosevelt to say "Poor Niagara". Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguaçu River, Iguaçu Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left a large crack in the earth. The Iguaçu Falls are divided by various islands into separate waterfalls.

During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second. Iguaçu Falls, called Foz do Iguaçu in Brazilian, and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish, lie on the Argentina - Brazil border and are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The falls are part of a singular practically virgin jungle ecosystem protected by Argentine and Brazilian national parks on either side of the cascades. Two thirds of the falls are on the Argentinian side of the river. Plan a full day in the park to fully enjoy the wildlife flora and fauna.

It is possible to see the falls and surrounding area in a lightning trip but it is better to plan at least two days. The view from the Brazilian side is the most panoramic and there are helicopter rides out over the falls from Foz do Iguaçu. You may also take boat rides out to the falls, to get a "feel" of the falls in a very adventurous way. The light is best in the morning for photographs.

Best seen from the Brazilian side is the spectacular Devil's Throat, "Garganta del Diablo", where fourteen falls drop 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead. Watch for the rainbow! From the Argentine side you can take a series of catwalks over the water rushing into Devil's Gorge.

The best times to see Iguaçu Falls are in the spring and fall. Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is considerably lower. Downstream from the falls where the Parana and Iguaçu rivers meet, so do the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. There is a so-called point of the tree lands, where you find yourself on the border of these 3 coutries.

The name of the falls comes from the Guaran' word for "great water." The first Spanish explorer to see the falls (did you see the film The Mission?) was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541 but the vast power of the falls was not fully utilized until the construction of the huge Itaipu hydroelectric power plant built jointly by Paraguay and Brazil. Completed in 1991 the dam is open to tours and provides 12,600,000 KW of power satisfying almost 40% of Brazil and Argentine power needs. The dam, one of the largest in the world, is touted by both countries as a masterpiece of technology.

Another point worth visiting is the birdpark where all different types and colors of tropical and exotic birds fly around freely around your head(!) as you walk trough huge bird cages. Don't miss the Rafain show and delicious typical dinner at night. There are plenty of extras to do for the adventurous. Try the adventurous percours trough the treetops (arborismo) or go for a canoeing of rafting tour on the falls. Try absailing (rapelling) down along the waterfalls of go for a flight on a motorised delta.