Iguaçu Falls

Access to the Falls is usually done through one of the three cities in the so-called tri-border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

The city on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu - big and reasonably safe by Brazilian standards.The town on the Argentine side is called Puerto Iguazu and is small and pretty.Although the falls are between Brazil and Argentina only, Ciudad del Este, the city on the Paraguayan side, is just across the bridge from Brazil. It's a hectic but exciting centre for contraband and cheap electronic goods, and some say it's not safe there.

By plane

Both the Brazilian and Argentinean cities have nearby airports.

By bus

Buses from all major cities in the country arrive in each of the three towns see there for details.

From Puerto Iguazu there are buses to the entrance of their side of the falls every half hour currently at :10 and :40 past the hour for AR$15 return.

From Foz do Iguaçu buses run every half hour from the bus terminal to the visitor's centre at the national park entrance, passing many of the main hotels in the city along the way. The R$2.65 flat fare makes the bus a very cheap way to visit the falls and it's also easy to use. If you're starting your journey at the bus terminal you pay your fare on entering the terminal and board the bus through the rear door the bus is No. 120 to 'Parque Nacional' - the tourist information office at the terminal will point you in the right direction if you have any trouble finding it. When boarding the bus anywhere else you use the front door and pay at the turnstile onboard. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Schedules can be found at the Foz do Iguaçu city web site, (http://www.fozdoiguacu.pr...)

From Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazu: there is a bus that leaves from just outside the bus terminal, at the corner of Rua Mem de Sá and Rua Tarobá. It costs R$4 or AR$8. The bus may or may not stop at the Brazilian border checkpoint but typically will stop at the Argentine border checkpoint, where your passport will be stamped. You can also exchange foreign currency at the Argentine border checkpoint, but be aware that the bus may leave without you if you take too long, leaving you to take a taxi approx. AR$80 or wait for the next bus. This bus terminates at the Puerto Iguazu bus station where you can catch the bus to the National Park.

From Puerto Iguazu to the Brazilian Iguaçu Falls National Park: take a public bus from the terminal AR$10. The bus waits while everyone gets off at the Argentine Immigration for your exit stamp. It then drives onto the Brasilian immigration where it *wont* wait for you. No worries, get your Brasil entry stamp and then walk 150m to the main road. Heading right at the roundabout there is a bus stop to the falls, 10 minutes R$2.20/AR$7. The town is to the left, 15 mins by bus. Conveniently there are large lockers that fit backpacks at the falls entrance buy token in the shop - R$9. Which means you can see the falls and then take the bus back to town or the airport and get out. Too easy.

It is not uncommon for policemen to check passports in the Argentinian side of the falls, even during domestic journeys. It is advised to carry some documentation of citizenship. If you are coming from the Brazilian side, tell the bus driver you need to stop at the Brazilian border crossing to get your passport stamped. If you try to re-enter Brazil without having been stamped you may need to pay a substantial fine.