Overall, it’s lush hiking trails, luxury hotels and those amazing falls that span 3 countries—simply breathtaking!
Where I Stayed:
During my visit, I stayed at the Hotel Das Cataratas, which is owned by the Belmond group. It’s known for its beautiful interiors, exotic plants and impeccable service. It is also the only hotel located inside the national park on the Brazilian side, which gives guests 24-hour access to stunning sunrises and sunsets over the falls—without the crowds of tourists. If you happen to be staying on the Argentinian side, the Hotel Emilia offers similar amenities.
The Hotel Das Cataratas is also known as the “Pink Palace”, and they take the name seriously. From pink interiors, pink amenities, pink exterior decor and even pink macarons at check-out, it lives up to its moniker.
When I visited during the Christmas season, it was an explosion of pink holiday decor—all pink trees and wreaths along with its well-known pink VW bus and its iconic pink tower. The perfect backgrounds for social media posts.
The hotel also features a luxurious pool for tanning and swimming that is open 24/7, with attentive cabana staff and bartenders.
And if you don’t want to eat poolside, there is an adjacent restaurant that serves nightly buffets with delicious Brazilian fare. And don’t forget the spa or concierge service.
The hotel can book any activity and even cater a front lawn picnic with a waterfall view. The hotel left no detail unnoticed. They gifted me with fragrant linen spray and free Havianas flip flops – the Brazilian flip flop brand that I also received in Rio de Janeiro! Each night, my electronic power cords were thoughtfully tied up with pink ribbon, and I received a souvenir bottle of Iguazu water from the falls upon check-out. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Iguazú Falls, there’s no better place!
What I Did:
The hotel is a quick ride from the airport, and I recommend finding a guide through the hotel. Upon arrival at the local airport, a driver was waiting to transfer me straight to my first activity: a helicopter tour. Something that’s been on my bucket list forever! This one is definitely a must-do activity because it features unforgettable views of the falls and the hotel, and it’s a very quick trip from the airport.
For the helicopter ride, I booked a 10-miute group tour, but there are longer and private tour available. The small helicopter accommodated me, the pilot and 3 other guests. The views were beautiful—what an amazing way to kick off the trip! It was easy to book and a great way to see the layout of the falls below.
I stayed at Iguazu Falls for two days, and it was the perfect length of time for the visit. It was an incredibly relaxing, with waterfalls a minute away and plenty of exotic plants and animals to enjoy. I spent much of my time poolside with a drink or exploring the trails next to the waterfalls. Anywhere you go, it’s a great photo-op!
Since I visited the Falls during the 2022 World Cup, I made sure to travel to the Argentinian side – where 80% of the waterfalls are located. I booked another guide through my hotel who drove me to across the border and we walked around 4 miles to different trails in the park.
It provided countless stunning views, plenty of sunshine and exercise and amazing backdrops for photos! I definitely recommend hiring a private guide for this activity so you can choose your walking pace and ask as many questions as you want!
There are also plenty of places to stop and purchase a snack or water during your hike. The tropical weather, especially during the summer, can be very warm.
Make sure to pack your sunscreen and bug spray, you’ll definitely want it! Another shoutout to Hotel Das Cataratas. The hotel plenty of free water bottles and organic bug spray—tied with pink ribbons, of course!
Another must-do activity in Iguazú is a speed-boating excursion under the falls. The hotel provides vans and buses to these nearby activities because there’s usually more tourist participants, and the place is less than 10 minutes away.
The hotel thoughtfully gifted us with drawstring bags for boating, which included ponchos, bug spray, water, and towels.
The company offers personal lockers to protect your items from getting wet, but I took my phone in a plastic bag. The boat transported us directly under the falls, and beforehand, the crew encouraged the group to “enjoy the shower!” So… be prepared to get soaked.
Wear something you don’t mind getting wet, however you’ll quickly dry off from the hot Brazilian sun and the wind through your hair on the remainder of the boat tour.
With the once-in-a-lifetime views, a 5-star hotel right beside the National Park, and active excursions to experience, Iguazu Falls is an amazing destination. The best time of year to go is during the shoulder seasons of April/May and September/October.
Iguazu is a lesser-known destination in Brazil, but there are larger crowds during their summer season, which begins in mid-December and continues through Carnival, because it’s an easy 2ish-hour flight from Rio.
What I Wore:
I packed mostly flowy dresses and skirts, and lots of swimsuits for this trip. Many of the activities – like the boat tour and walking through the trails near the falls require clothes that easily dry. The weather is also tropical so during the summer months it can get really hot, so I would stick to looser and lighter clothing. And don’t forget to add your pops of color!
The waterfalls and sunsets make for amazing pics, but the vibrant nature contrasts extremely well with brighter colors and accessories. Don’t forget your sunglasses, and long skirts or dresses.
Pro-Tip: You can find very affordable and colorful skirts online for statement photos and leave the clothing in the country. Many outfits make for stunning photos, and once you get the photo, you can leave with one less item in your bag! For this trip, I mixed high-end Brazilian designers like Farm Rio, with some inexpensive beach essentials from Amazon and a local tourist kiosk.
What I Ate/Drank:
At the hotel, I dined on lots of local fish and beef dishes such as moqueqa, farofa, and feijoada. Brazilian barbecue is not to be missed. And make sure to wash it down with a cold Petra beer or a passionfruit caipirinha. Cheers!
Although it requires a little planning, a trip to Iguazu Falls is not to be missed. If you’re planning to visit both Brazil and Argentina, this is a must-see stop on your journey!
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