Trip #2
If there is one trip you must absolutly do during your time on this incredible continent, it is Iguazu. Argentine & Brasilian sides are both beyond belief.
Our trip started in San Ignacio, approximatively 3 hours drive from Puerto Iguazu (the city, not the Falls). It is a historical site in Las Misiones. About it: This is one of several Jesuit Missions in the district abandoned when the Jesuits were expelled in 1767. It is pretty amazing to walk through the ruins covered by mosses, trees and strangler figs. A guided tour is a good idea but I recommend you to read about it before, carry your own little guide and walk on your own for a couple of hours to discover the site.
At the end of the day we arrived in our Hostel in Puerto Iguazu. A little bath in the pool after the long bus trip is definitly needed. A few drinks with the other students and then party party for the bravest of us and bed for those who really want to enjoy the Falls without a hangover.
7h30: Waking up, breakfast at the Hostel and departure for the Waterfalls ! Count approximatively 1h by bus from the city to the Park.
For those who visited the Niagara Falls, and liked it, you will forget about it the second you'll see the first out of hundreds of falls in the splendid Argentine jungle. For those who didn't like the Niagara Falls that much, trust me when I tell you that : your dreams will come true and you will finally be fully satisfied. At least mine did. The first time I heard about Iguazu was when I was around 10 years old, in one of those great books my dad once gave me. It took only 5 minutes to make it my new explorer's dream. Ten years later, here we are, at the jungle's doors in front of one of the most fascinating spectacle the Nature offers us to see. Nothing else than your eyes and your heart are required to appreciated this Beauty:
Thousands of Butterflies, funny looking Monkeys, magestic Toucans, families of Caimans and wild little Coatis will follow you around for your discovery of the Waterfalls. The Natural Park doesn't only shelter on the World Wonders, it is also the habitat of thousands of animal species, plants of all sizes and shapes, flowers even more colored than a rainbow and the imposing sound of Silence.
My trip was plan with BAIS (Buenos Aires International Students). The overall framework of the trip was taking care by the organism and on the way to the different points of interest we paid the entries and activities to the organizators. I was worried to do such an important trip with a big group, but I enjoyed it and I definitly made the best out of it ! The fact that I did the trip at the begining of the semester was a wonderful way to meet people and build great relationships with new travel buddies. For the details, here is the itenary with the schedule, the prices and all the activities (careful, price may be subject to changes).
To do:
#3 take the pack with la Gran Aventura, you'll do a boat trip to enjoy the waterfalls from under
#4 spend hours to walk around and absorb the general splendor by getting closer and closer to the falls #5 visit the Brazilian side #6 this time you'll enjoy the panoramic view over the waterfall #7 eat at Rafain, Av. das Cataratas, 1759 a brazilian all you can eat with Asado (the south american version of a BBQ)
Recommendations: Visit Iguazu until April ! Not after because you'll have higher chances to have rain and the weather will not be that warm. Doing it at the end of March was perfect because it was really sunny but not unbearable with the heat. Remember that in South America when the sun is out (quite often) it is HOT. Bring at least 1,5L of water per person, sandwiches and snacks. If you plan on feeding the Coatis, be careful with your hands ! Behind their friendly airs, they are wild animals and won't hesitate to attack if they feel threatened. Respect the wild life and their diet, give them fruits or unsweetened popcorn rather than chips.
