Updated: May 2026
Without a doubt, visiting the Iguazu Falls was the highlight of my trip to Argentina and Brazil in October 2022.
Walking along the viewing platform at the top of the Falls was an experience I will never forget. The sheer power and thunderous noise of the cascading waterfalls will stay with me forever.
At times, it felt exhilarating. At other moments, slightly frightening.
I had never been so close to something so powerful in nature before.
The water rushed over the edges with unbelievable force right beneath my feet, and I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by the scale of it all.
I truly understood why Iguazu Falls is considered one of the world’s great natural wonders.
Combining Argentina and Brazil in One Trip
Originally, I had planned to visit only Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. But while researching the trip, I discovered that I could also visit Iguazu Falls so I decided to combine both experiences into one journey.
The Iguazu Falls were voted one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2011 and are located within Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I travelled solo through Argentina and Brazil but joined an excursion group to visit the Falls. I stayed in the nearby town of Foz do Iguaçu and flew there from Buenos Aires, which was far quicker than travelling by road.
My First Glimpse of Iguazu Falls
My first sight of Iguazu Falls filled me with awe.
We were literally standing above the waterfalls, watching enormous volumes of water thunder over the edge at tremendous speed directly beneath us.
It was jaw-dropping.
The sound alone was extraordinary — loud, constant, and incredibly powerful.
Our guide told us we were fortunate because heavy rain the previous day meant the Falls were especially full. And he was right. There was water everywhere — rushing, crashing, spraying, and roaring around us.
I found the entire experience both thrilling and slightly intimidating.
Walking Above the Falls — Argentina Side
The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls gave the most immersive experience of all.
There are several viewing levels connected by long walkways stretching across the top of the Falls. Some sections are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though personally I found parts of the walkway slightly unnerving.
The platform itself seemed to go on forever.
At times, I could hardly believe how close we were to the water. The walkway was made of metal mesh, allowing you to see and hear the water flowing beneath your feet before it plunged over the edge.
Iguazu Falls stretches for almost 3 kilometres across Argentina and Brazil and consists of hundreds of individual waterfalls.
Every turn revealed another astonishing view.
Despite feeling nervous about dropping my phone or camera into the water below, I simply could not stop taking photographs.
Seeing the Falls this way was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
Argentina vs Brazil — Two Completely Different Experiences
What surprised me most was how different the two sides of Iguazu Falls felt.
The Argentine side placed me right on top of the Falls — close enough to feel their force beneath my feet.
The Brazilian side offered something completely different: panoramic views of the waterfalls stretching across the landscape.
Both were spectacular in their own way.
The Brazilian Side — Mist, Rainbows and Thunderous Views
The following day, I crossed the border into Brazil to see the Falls from the opposite side.
Crossing between the two countries involved immigration and customs checks, along with showing proof of Covid vaccinations at the time.
The Brazilian side follows a long concrete pathway opposite the waterfalls, gradually descending deeper into the mist and spray.
The views were magnificent.
Our guide advised us to walk slowly, take our time, and avoid taking photographs while moving along the wet pathways — sensible advice that not everyone followed!
The closer we walked towards the Falls, the wetter we became.
I had ignored the recommendation to bring a raincoat or umbrella and quickly regretted it. At one point I was desperately holding onto my hat to stop it blowing away in the wind and spray.
One of the loveliest surprises was seeing rainbows forming through the mist.
I had heard people talk about them before, but somehow I never truly expected to see one myself.
The Final Viewing Platform
As the pathway descended further, we eventually reached the final viewing platform near the exit lift.
Oh my word.
This was another unforgettable moment.
The water thundered down beside us with such force that it genuinely felt as though nature was exploding around us.
The noise was immense.
The mist swirled everywhere.
And standing there so close to the waterfalls felt both exhilarating and slightly surreal.
I still remember the feeling now.
Why Iguazu Falls Stayed With Me
I have visited many beautiful places around the world, but Iguazu Falls was different.
It wasn’t just the scenery.
It was the sheer force of nature — the sound, the movement, the mist, and the overwhelming feeling of standing so close to something so powerful.
Even years later, I can still hear the thunder of the water.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit Iguazu Falls, whether from the Argentine or Brazilian side, I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
It was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
- This short clip gives a sense of the sheer force of the water.
- The noise was even louder than it appears here.
For similar unique experiences, read my posts on
Wadi Rum — The Day I Felt Like I’d Landed on Another Planet
or
From Fear to Wonder — My First Snorkelling Experience in the Red Sea
This is so amazing countries to visit, lots of attractives places to see.your holiday is wonderful
Thank you Ebrima. I loved my visit to the Iguazu Falls- once in a life time experience!
Looks great!
Thanks Jim.I am glad you liked it. More to come from Brazil and Argentina!
Great write up! The falls look enormous, and you had some amazing photos!
Thanks Tom. Yes the Falls were enormous and magnified by the fact that we experienced it at very close proximities which was a little scary at times and at the same time thrilling!
Very scary..
Amazing though.. I wondering where all the fall coming from.. God is great
Yeah Ras, it was scary at times because of the sheer volume of water and the thunderous sound! It was fun though!
Very fluid and lucid write up. Makes you feel that you were there. The videos made it all come alive and very exciting. Makes me want to visit. 😁
Thanks Tolu. I’m glad that my blog has inspired you to visit. I am sorry that all the videos don’t quite work well. And I’m glad that you managed to view them ok. I am working on improving them – work in progress!