Iguazú Falls trip: Argentina, Brazil and park entry

Base yourself in Puerto Iguazú and give the Argentine park a full day for its three main walks. Want the Brazilian panorama too? Set aside another day. General admission for visiting Australians is ARS 60,000 (about AUD 56) under Argentina’s June 2026 tariff; Brazil sells a separate ticket.

Argentine side or Brazilian side: which should you choose?

Argentina has three main walks plus the longer Sendero Macuco. On the Brazilian side, take the park's panoramic buses to the roughly 1.5 km Trilha das Cataratas. Its final walkway faces the Devil's Throat. If time permits only one park, choose Argentina for the longer, varied walking day; add Brazil for the view back over those same falls. The border crossing takes you into another country, so carry your passport and arrange whatever Brazilian entry permission applies to you before travelling.

Which trails should you walk in Argentina?

Take the train towards Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) first, then tackle the two waterfall circuits. The Upper Walk runs 1,850 m along step-free walkways overlooking the start of the falls. The Lower Walk is 1,750 m, with stairs and close-up views that can leave you pleasantly soaked. The 1,100 m walkway to Garganta del Diablo also has no stairs. The park's ecological train runs between Central, Cataratas and Garganta stations; follow the signs at the station for the final walk.

Got more time and keen on a forest walk? Sendero Macuco is a rougher, pedestrian-only 7 km return route, not another waterfall boardwalk. Ask at the visitors' centre about current trail conditions before setting off. River levels and maintenance can affect what is open; use the park's visitor information for the day's access.

The park is open 8 am–6 pm, with entry until 4 pm and the last train towards Garganta at 3.30 pm. Arrive in the afternoon and you'll run out of time for all three walks. The park asks visitors to respect the admission time selected on their ticket.

What does Iguazú park entry cost?

The following are Argentine-side national park prices effective 1 June 2026. As a visiting Australian, you'll normally need general admission; an Australian student card alone does not establish eligibility for the Argentine student category. Bring a passport or Argentine identity document to establish your category under the official tariff.

The AUD figures are estimates, not Australian-currency ticket prices. They use Banco de la Nación Argentina's ARS 1,545 per US dollar selling rate on 28 September 2026 and the Reserve Bank of Australia's US$0.6987 per AUD on 29 September 2026. Your card may convert at a different rate. The second-day offer is an Argentine national-parks discount; it does not pay for Brazil's park. Buy the Argentine ticket through the national parks tariff and booking page, selecting your actual entry time. The Brazilian operator sells its own tickets.

How do you get there from Buenos Aires?

Fly from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú airport, then take a taxi, transfer or public transport to the park or town. There are flights from Buenos Aires and local onward transport. Puerto Iguazú town and its bus terminal are 18 km from the park; you can also arrive in town by long-distance bus and continue to the falls. Short on days? Fly to protect your time at the park. A long-distance bus eats into both ends of a short break; read our Argentina backpacking route before combining Iguazú with the rest of the country.

Stay in Puerto Iguazú for the Argentine park and leave the morning free for the 18 km trip to its entrance. Do not confuse Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, with Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil: the two parks use different entrances. A Brazilian-side day means crossing the border and travelling to the park in Foz do Iguaçu. Book both parks as separate visits, rather than assuming one ticket or shuttle covers both.

How many days do you need, and when should you go?

Two nights give most travellers one unhurried Argentine park day between arrival and departure. Make it three nights if you want the Brazilian side without gambling on a same-day flight or border delay. Add time if you want Sendero Macuco or a return visit under the Argentine second-day discount. Pack water, sun protection, insect repellent and walking shoes, as the Argentine park operator recommends. Stay on open paths and don't feed wildlife.

The falls can be visited throughout the year, but heat, rain and river conditions change the experience. For an Argentina-wide month-by-month comparison, see when to visit Argentina. If you're planning several parks, add Iguazú admission to your backpacker budget before you leave Buenos Aires.