Argentina
Iguazu National Park
Iguazu National Park holds one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls and is the habitat of rare and endangered species.
The waterfalls on both sides of the international border span over 2700m and have a height of 80 m. The spray creates a micro-climate that is favourable for lush sub-tropical vegetation. The riverbanks support fauna such as birds, caiman and various cat species. The park also protects a remnant of the Atlantic Forest, with high species diversity and a high rate of endemism.
Community Perspective: The common opinion seems to be that the Brazilian side is the better to view the extent of the waterfalls, and the Argentine side the better to get up close to the falls. Devil's Throat is the highlight here.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Iguazu National Park (ID: 303)
- Country
- Argentina
- Status
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Inscribed 1984
Site history
History of Iguazu National Park
- 1984: Inscribed
- Inscribed
- WHS Type
- Natural
- Criteria
- vii
- x
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- parquesnacionales.gob.ar — Parque Nacional Iguazú
News Article
- Nov. 3, 2023 en.mercopress.com — Iguazú Falls closed to visitors as water levels rise above normal
Community Information
- Community Category
- Natural landscape: Rivers, Wetlands and Lakes
- Religious structure: Christian
- Archaeological site: Byzantine
Travel Information
One million visitors or more
Recent Connections
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Perfect Inscriptions
1984 -
Río de la Plata Basin
On the Iguazu which flows directly into… -
In Video Games
Civilization VII
Connections of Iguazu National Park
- Individual People
- Geography
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On National Border
On Brasil border -
Contiguous separate sites across national boundaries
Argentina vs Brazil (request for combination by AB ev) -
Canyons
a narrow 80m-wide canyon, el Garganto de Diablo (UNEP-WCMC) -
Atlantic Forest
"the largest single protected remnant of the Paranaense subtropical rainforest, which belongs to the Interior Atlantic Forest." (OUV) -
Antipodes points
Shikinaen Site, Naha City (Gusuku sites) N26 12 E127 41 versus Iguazu National Park S25 31 5 W54 7 60 -
Río de la Plata Basin
On the Iguazu which flows directly into the Parana river
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- Trivia
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In Video Games
Civilization VII -
Total Solar Eclipse since Inscription
3 November, 1994 -
Google Doodles
31 January 2012, Discovery of the Iguazu FallsSee www.google.com
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On beer cans and bottles
IguazuSee untappd.com
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Cercle events
Nicola CruzSee www.youtube.com
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One million visitors or more
On the Argentine side, meanwhile, they received 1,337,176 visits (2024) // visitation to Iguazu is now over one million a year (UNEP-WCMC)
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- History
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Guarani
the Guarani traditionally inhabited the area and regarded the waterfalls as holy
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- Ecology
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Critically endangered fauna species
Purple-winged Ground-dove - estimated to number <250 individuals -
Crocodiles
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Big Waterfalls
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Endemic Bird Species
Atlantic forest lowlands - Canebrake Groundcreeper (Clibanornis dendrocolaptoides), Spotted Bamboowren (Psilorhamphus guttatus), Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana), Temminck's Seedeater (Sporophila falcirostris), White-bearded Antshrike (Biatas nigropectus)See www.birdlife.org
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Rainforests
part of the largest protected subtropical rainforest in the world (UNEP-WCMC) -
Otters
giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis (EN), La Plata otter Lutra platensis, neotropical otter lontra longicaudis (UNEP-WCMC) -
Ratites
greater rhea -
Tapirs
Brazilian tapir -
Anteaters
giant anteater, southern tamandua -
Jaguar habitat
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Visual effects of Cloud, Fog and Mist
"The permanent spray from the cataracts forms impressive clouds..." -
Biological Corridor
The Green Corridor, which includes the Brazilian Iguacu park, Argentina's Iguazú National Park and Urugua-í Provincial Park; other forest fragments located in the Argentine province of Misiones; and Turvo State Park in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. -
Eagles
Harpy Eagle (Official description) -
Over 300 bird species
400 (crit X)
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- Damaged
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Poaching
Hunting for commercial and recreational purposes is an important threat. Hunting of predatory species (eagles, vipers and carnivores) is also lead by locals´ fears, traditions and to avoid threats to farm animals. Insects trapping (arthropods and butterflies) is carried out for sale.
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- World Heritage Process
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WHC locations
Buenos Aires (1984) -
Recommended for combination by AB
"Brazil's Iguazu National Park is ciearly an integral part of the area and has been included on the tentative list submitted by Brazil. The Committee should request the Brazilian authorities to nominate their contiguous portion of the area and thereby establish an international World Heritage property. " -
Perfect Inscriptions
1984
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- WHS on Other Lists
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Plant WHS not in a CPD
"the largest single protected remnant of the Paranaense subtropical rainforest, which belongs to the Interior Atlantic Forest. The rich biodiversity includes over 2000 species of plants" (OUV) -
New 7 Wonders of Nature
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IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Iguazú / Iguaçu waterfalls -
World Heritage Forest Programme
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- Timeline
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Early Pleistocene
formed on the rim of the basaltic Paraní Plateau, Serra Geral Formation. This volcanic plateau formed in Lower Cretaceous period some 132 million years ago.. (The lava) "covered a former desert that was present in the region, and there were several stages to the lava flow (creating interlayered basalt with sandstone layers which has been subjected to various faults and tectonic movements.."Although no absolute ages exist on the evolution of the fluvial system, it has been suggested that the falls have been continuously wandering upstream to its present position by progressive headwater erosion at a rate of 1.4-2.1 cm/year in the last 1.5-2.0 million years
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- Visiting conditions
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Foreigner prices
1,000 peso for Argentinians from the province, 2,500 for nationals, and 20,000 for foreigners.
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- 18
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Marvel Cinematic Universe
Black Panther; filming took place at Igauzu Falls, filling in for the overview of Warrior Falls in Wakanda, where Black Panther's coronation ceremony takes place -
James Bond in Movies
Moonraker (1979) -
Location for a classic movie
The Mission (1986, won the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or) -
Indiana Jones movie
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
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News
- en.mercopress.com 11/03/2023
- Iguazú Falls closed to visitors as…
Recent Visitors
Visitors of Iguazu National Park
- Alberto Rodriguez Gutierrez
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Community Reviews
Show full reviews
Today I have visited Parque Nacional de Iguazù in Northern Argentinia. Even though sun wasn´t shining until the afternoon, it was still very hot and especially very humid. Like Els wrote in 2004 the park also appeared to me like a theme park - a map with action activities, bus arrivals, restaurants etc. proof me to be right. In a first step I took the inferior circuit, which is the track walking to the bottom of some of the many waterfalls. This was very impressive especially the first view on the Iguazú falls out of the rainforest with the roaring in the back and also standing below one of the waterfalls. The superior track takes you tot he top of many of the falls and is not so spectacular. It shows you the Río Iguazù flowing towards the falls in a quite calm way. Also you see the edge where it all falls down. But from below it´s more spectacular. The Macoco trail was nice to watch animals. The highlight were 4 toucans but I have also seen many spiders, some saurians, many coatis, other birds and butterflies. The highlight of the visit however is the walk to Garganta del Diablo. This is really like a devil´s throat were vast amounts of water fall down. Astonishingly many butterflies also make their way into the throat and came back up again. Humans would surely not survive a jump into this tremendously big and deep pool.
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I think I prefer the Brazilian side. The Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls is nothing short of breathtaking, don’t get me wrong. About 80 per cent of the waterfalls are on the Argentinian side and the paths for visitors take you up close to the action. In fact, you can even take a boat underneath some of the waterfalls which is about as close as you could get (and as wet as you could get too, I can attest!). Standing metres from the cascades lets you experience the power of the water – you can feel the energy coming from it. And nowhere is this more the case than at the very top of Devil’s Throat where a wall of water, larger than you could have imagined, seems to come alive as the torrents plummet down from the river above.
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Pictures can't do justice to Iguazu Falls -- you have to visit to fully experience the sound, the mist, the utter immensity of these waterfalls. After my visit in March of this year, I am in agreement with most visitors who deem the Brazilian side as the better to view the extent of the waterfalls, and the Argentine side as the better to get up close to the falls. Iguazú National Park in Argentina offers many opportunities to approach the cascades -- whether by trail or by boat. For sheer power, the Devil's Throat waterfalls at the south end of the park should not be missed. From the viewing platforms along the boardwalk visitors can peer right over the edge into the misty abyss separating Argentina and Brazil. Other trails in the middle of the park allow visitors to view waterfalls from above and below, as well as the opportunity to see wildlife such as the ubiquitous coati (do not feed!). The park also offers a boat tour under the falls, which I thoroughly enjoyed; be prepared to get soaked. Iguazu Falls is an incredible natural wonder, and a memorable World Heritage Site (or two -- ask UNESCO why; it makes no sense to me).
Logistics: Iguazú National Park can be reached by frequent buses or by private car from the town of Puerto Iguazú. Even with the border crossing, both sides of the falls can be seen in one day, but it is far better to schedule two days …
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We visited Iguazu Falls last year and I have to say it was one of the most impressive natural sights I have ever seen: far, far more spectacular than Niagara Falls. Most people seemed to prefer the Brazil side (great photos here: www.realworldholidays.co.uk/multi/guide/iguazufalls.aspx) but for me the Argentina side where you get right up close to the Falls was the real highlight. Have to say, unlike with most waterfalls and such like, I would happily re-visit it.
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Visited Iguasu Falls both Brazil and Argentina sides in Feb 2011 to compare both. I think both has their own highlights so since you're already there, you should visit both sides to get perspectives of this magnificant falls.
Argentina side takes a longer time to reach starting with a long bus ride to reach the entrance, then take the small train into the few stops and then walk almost a km to reach the Devil's Throat which is definitely the highlight. Then u trek back same distance to the train station n continue back to the Upper and Lower Falls area whr you will see countless falls and on a good day numerous rainbows.
There's an island in the middle that was supposed to be able to visit but it's closed due to high tides and strong currents (hmm, when is it never?)
Anyway personally I would prefer Argentina side due to it's varieties of falls (you name it, you see it) and the upper n lower gives you both perspectives of the falls plus the mother of all falls which is the Devil's Throat.
Word of advice: Wear your swimwear and anything waterproof. It's great to run towards a waterfall just above you! After visiting Iguazu Falls, no other waterfalls interest me anymore.
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I am a japanese and nearly 20 years ago,I lived in Sao Paulo
with my family on business for 4 years,while we often vitited Foz do Iguazu on a pleasure trip.I was so much impressed with the sizable fine view of waterfalls flowing from Argentine to Brazil.Honestly speaking,I could not find a most suitable word to express such a landscape which I had never seen before.Every time when I visited Iguazu,I enjoyed both sides ,namely Argentina and Brazilian sides.
I myself would like to visit there on the occasion of Rio de
Janeiro's OlympicGames in 2016.That's my dream!
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I recently fulfilled a lifelong dream to see Iguazu and captured the once-in-a-lifetime visit with tons of photos, including several panoramas. Perhaps they may be of interest to you -- please see my Iguazu Photos and Pictures at Geoff's Travel Page. Iguazu ranks up there as one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Many thanks! -- Geoff Peters
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As most of the falls are in Argentina, you get to see then up close, so that you are often showered with spray. There are several walking tracks, and a free train service that links the trailheads to the park entrance.
From the Cataras station there are the Upper and Lower trails that lead you along the top of the falls, and around the base to reach the (free) boat service to San Martin Island.
From the Devil's Throat station you walk out along a causeway to a big horsehoe shaped section of the falls, where the noise of the water is deafening, and clouds of spray come drifting upwards to soak you.
This has to be an experience not to be missed. But to complete it you need another half day to cross over to the Brazilian side and see the full panorama from over there.
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From Foz do Iguacu, I took a public bus to its Argentinian counterpart Puerto Iguazu. From there, another bus brought me to the falls.
This side also has some theme park-feeling. I did give in this time, and joined the Great Adventure. That's when you cross the forest by giant car and then jump into a speedboat. The boat takes you up close to the falls, and somewhat underneath. I got terribly wet and didn't dry until I got back to my hotel in the afternoon and could change clothes.
Somehow the falls look smaller from the Argentinian side. However, strolling through the surrounding forest is very worthwhile here.
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