Cataratas del Iguazu, a crescent of waterfalls on the border

At Cataratas del Iguazu near Foz do Iguacu, the Iguazu River breaks into hundreds of waterfalls along a basalt plateau on the Brazil–Argentina border, inviting exploration from both sides.

Cataratas del Iguazu are a vast arc of waterfalls where the Iguazu River drops off a basalt plateau on the border between northern Argentina and southern Brazil. The main waterfall system stretches for about 2.7 km (1.7 miles) along the edge of the plateau, with individual drops reaching heights of up to around 82 m (269 ft) at Garganta del Diablo, the sector known in English as Devil’s Throat.maximum height of 82 m The falls lie near Foz do Iguacu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, and together the surrounding national parks form a shared UNESCO World Heritage landscape first recognised in the mid-1980s.World Heritage recognition in 1984

A basaltic crescent of water and forest

The core of Cataratas del Iguazu forms a semicircular front of waterfalls cut into basaltic rock, creating a crescent of water where the river tumbles from the plateau into a narrow canyon below.semicircular basaltic formation Across this arc the Iguazu River, broken by islands along the rim, divides into a multitude of separate cataracts that together span roughly 2,700 m (8,860 ft).waterfall system extending over some 2,700 m In plan, the waterfalls form a horseshoe-like curve, with the deepest indentation at Devil’s Throat, where the water converges into a chasm flanked by sheer rock walls.

Across the system there are hundreds of individual waterfalls and cascades, divided by rocky and wooded islands along the escarpment.about 275 separate waterfalls Heights along the line vary, with many drops between roughly 60 m and 82 m (197–269 ft), creating multiple tiers of falling water that descend into the canyon in plumes and broad curtains.falls ranging between 60 and 82 m The surrounding slopes and plateau carry dense subtropical forest, so the visual impression is of bright water framed by deep green vegetation and dark volcanic rock.

Two national parks sharing one waterfall system

Cataratas del Iguazu sit within Iguazú National Park on the Argentine side and Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side, two protected areas that together cover large tracts of Atlantic Forest around the river.falls protected within both national parks Iguazú National Park in Misiones Province was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984, recognising the combination of dramatic waterfalls and rich biodiversity.inscription in 1984 under natural criteria Two years later, Iguaçu National Park in Paraná State received the same status, so the waterfall corridor now forms a continuous transboundary World Heritage site.Brazilian park inscribed in 1986

The combined protected area preserves not only the waterfalls themselves but also extensive tracts of humid subtropical forest and riverine habitats. The parks lie near where the Iguazu River meets the Paraná River and the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge, giving the region a distinctive tri-border character.location near the Iguazu–Paraná confluence Trails and viewpoints on both sides follow the plateau rim and canyon edge, bringing visitors close to different sectors of the falls and offering contrasting perspectives on the same river system.

Garganta del Diablo and the river at the brink

Within Cataratas del Iguazu, Garganta del Diablo marks the most dramatic concentration of water, where a section of the river drops around 82 m into a deep gorge cut into the basalt.Garganta del Diablo maximum drop height Here the canyon narrows and the vertical walls rise sharply from the turbulent water, so that several major waterfalls converge into a single sector that dominates many views of the site.central cataract reaching about 82 m Along the upstream edge, the Iguazu River at this point is wide and broken by islands, so that the water approaches the brink in many channels before dropping into the canyon in separate streams.

Elsewhere along the crescent, the waterfalls are split into numerous subsidiary cataracts and rapids that step down the basalt in stages. The overall width of the system, nearly three kilometres, becomes clear from panoramic viewpoints where the line of falling water runs across the horizon.semicircular front of about 2,700 m At closer range, individual falls can be seen dropping in narrow columns, broader sheets or angled cascades, giving the system its characteristic complexity and making Cataratas del Iguazu a place where the structure of a large river can be observed as it breaks apart along the escarpment.

Visiting Cataratas del Iguazu: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Cataratas del Iguazu are reached from the neighbouring towns of Foz do Iguacu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, both linked to the falls by local roads and park transport.
• The main viewpoints on each side stand on elevated walkways and paths above and along the canyon, with sections involving stairs and steel footbridges close to the river.
• The waterfall corridor lies in a humid subtropical region near the confluence of the Iguazu and Paraná rivers, where dense forest and river cliffs define the terrain around the falls.
• The official languages are Portuguese in Brazil and Spanish in Argentina, and the currencies are the Brazilian real and the Argentine peso.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Cataratas del Iguazu

Where are Cataratas del Iguazu located?

Cataratas del Iguazu lie on the Iguazu River at the border between Misiones Province in Argentina and Paraná State in Brazil, near the towns of Puerto Iguazu and Foz do Iguacu.

What should visitors expect on a visit?

Visitors encounter a long crescent of waterfalls dropping from a basalt plateau into a canyon, with viewpoints, walkways and forest trails on both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.

What makes Cataratas del Iguazu distinctive?

The falls combine a semicircular waterfall front about 2,700 m wide, individual drops reaching around 82 m at Garganta del Diablo and a surrounding subtropical forest protected in two national parks.