Iguazu means “Great Waters,” which perfectly describe this natural wonder. Iguazu Falls, also called Foz do Iguaco or Salto Iguassu, are positioned on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Taller than the Niagara Falls and twice as wide, these impressive falls are comprised of 275 cascades arranged in a horseshoe shape. Traveling Iguazu falls is composed of a two-mile stretch of the Iguazu River between Argentina and Brazil.
The Iguazu Falls are a result of volcanic explosions that occurred over 135 million years ago, leaving large crevasses’ in the earth. The Falls divide the Iguazu River into upper and lower rivers. Iguazu travel is experienced by thousands of visitors each year, from both the Brazilian side and Argentina side.
The Geography of Traveling Iguazu Falls
Most of the 275 falls are on average 64-meter (210-feet) tall, although some of the falls reach an impressive 82 meters (269 feet). The Devils Throat or Garganta de Diablo, is a U-shaped cliff marking the border between Argentina and Brazil. The majority of traveling Iguazu falls is located on the Argentine side. The lower Iguazu River collects into a canyon provides traveling Iguazu falls a great time for outdoor enthusiast making Iguazu travel an experience of a lifetime. There are ample cliffs for rock climbing and calm waters for water sports.
Accessing the Iguazu Falls
Iguazu travelers can access the falls from two towns; Foz do Iguacu located on the Brazilian side, and Puerto Iguazu located on the Argentine side. From the Argentine access, Iguazu travelers can explore the falls by using the Rainforest Ecological Train, a small train that ferries Iguazu travelers around the park to three different train stations. From the Waterfalls Station, the train brings Iguazu travelers to various walkways allowing full access to travel Iguazu falls. One such walkway is the 1 km Paseo Garganta de Diablo, which takes Iguazu travelers directly over the area of the Devils Throat. Here Iguazu travelers can also take advantage of traveling Iguazu falls around the lower region and enjoy rock climbing and various water sports activities. A boat ferry is also available bringing Iguazu travelers to the island of San Martin.
The Legends of Traveling Iguazu Falls
Before the Spanish came to the Iguazu Falls, the area was inhabited by the Guarani Indians. Each year the Guarani would sacrifice a beautiful young virgin to appease the Serpent God, M’Boi, who lived in the waters of the Iguazu River. These young girls were born to be human sacrifices. The beautiful Naipi was not born to be condemned to the Serpent God. She was to marry a young warrior named Taruba, from a neighboring tribe.
However, one day as Naipi walked along the riverbanks, M’Boi saw her reflection and was infatuated with her beauty. He demanded that the Guarani give her to him. Hearing of her fate, Taruba came to her rescue the day she was to be condemned to live an eternity with the Serpent God. The attempt angered M’Boi, and as a result he cracked opened the earth preventing the young lovers from escaping. As a way to enact his revenge, M’Boi turned Naipi into a large rock and Taruba into a palm tree – allowing the lovers to see, but never touch each other. Still, Naipi and Taruba found a way to create a rainbow that connects the Naipi rock to the Iguazu Palm Tree; despite M’Boi, the two can touch, and sometimes Iguazu travelers can see the rainbow today. You experience traveling Iguazu falls will definitely be a memorable one.