Iguazu Falls which side is better?
Planning a trip to South America and wondering which side of Iguazu Falls is better: Brazil or Argentina? Our experts have visited both sides, and here’s our honest answer, how long you need on each, and where to stay.
The short answer: the Brazilian side gives the best panoramic view of the whole falls and needs about half a day, while the Argentine side has around 80% of the falls, gets you much closer (including above the Devil’s Throat) and needs one to two days. If you can, do both, staying at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil or Awasi Iguazú in Argentina.
Written by Sam, Travel Differently founder and Brazil expert
Written by Sam, Travel Differently founder and Brazil expert
Last updated 17th October 2026
Iguazu Falls: Brazil vs Argentina at a glance:
| Brazilian side | Argentine side | |
| Share of the falls | About 20% | About 80% |
| Best for | Panoramic views of the whole falls | Getting close: boardwalks, boat trips and the Devil’s Throat from above |
| Time needed | Half a day | One to two days |
| Don’t miss | The walkway towards the Devil’s Throat and the panoramic lift | The Garganta del Diablo walkway and the upper and lower circuits |
| Best hotel | Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, inside the national park | Awasi Iguazú, about 15 minutes away |
The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls are Mother Earth at her best and most powerful: torrents of water thundering over jungle-clad cliffs, often peppered with rainbows as the sunlight catches the spray.
It’s generally agreed that you get the best overall view of the falls from the Brazilian side, as you see everything at once. Most of the falls are on the Argentine side, so their full scale can’t be appreciated from a single viewpoint (or photo) there. The best panoramic viewpoint is on the Brazilian side, and a walkway here leads out towards the foot of the Devil’s Throat, the largest and most powerful part of the falls. There’s also a glass lift from the top viewing area down to the boardwalk below, where you can wander along the edge of the falls, usually getting wet to boot. That’s all part of the experience.
Parque das Aves, a bird park right by the falls, is home to around [150] species of birds, so the Brazilian side offers extra wildlife spotting too. With around 20% of the falls, you can see the Brazilian side in about half a day, which makes it a good choice if you have less time. Include it on our popular Wildlife, Waterfalls and Beach Holiday, or stay at the Belmond on our Wild Brazil holiday. Talk to our Brazil experts about your dates, budget and wish list, and they’ll send you a tailor-made itinerary.
The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls
Around 80% of Iguazu Falls are on the Argentine side, so there’s much more to see and discover. You can easily spend two full days here and still feel there’s more to explore: from the Garganta del Diablo walkway, which takes you right above the Devil’s Throat, to the upper and lower circuits of boardwalks, where you’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the world, and the boat trips that take you right up to the falls.
The noise is everywhere, adding to the drama. Take a rain jacket, as there’s no escaping getting wet this close to the falls. The Argentine side also has more hiking trails, so bring your walking boots. Experience the falls from the Argentine side on our Authentic Argentina Hidden Highlights Holiday, 18 days from £6,638 per person
Where to stay at Iguazu Falls
Where you stay makes a big difference at Iguazu, especially if you want to see the falls without the crowds. These are our two favourites, one on each side.
Best hotel on the Brazilian side: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas
Where it’s worth upgrading a hotel, we’ll always say so, and the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is the best example. The Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is the only hotel inside the national park on the Brazilian side, and in our opinion the best all-round place to stay. Guests can walk to the falls in the early morning and evening, outside public opening hours, before the crowds arrive. It’s a magical experience: we were two of only a handful of people at the falls on our visit, one of those pinch-me travel moments.
The hotel itself is world-class, with fine-dining restaurants, elegant colonial-style rooms, a gorgeous pool and a 5* spa to ease away any aches. A stay here is a holiday within a holiday, and a perfect way to relax if Iguazu Falls comes at the end of a long trip.
Best hotel on the Argentine side: Awasi Iguazú
Treat yourself to Awasi Iguazú, a 5* Relais & Châteaux hotel that has it all. It isn’t as close to the falls as the Belmond, but it’s only around 15 minutes away, set along the riverbank. Each villa has its own private guide and 4×4, so you can explore at your own pace. There’s plenty to do, but build in time to do very little too: enjoy the spa, the bar and the incredible surroundings.
So, which side of Iguazu Falls is better?
Each side of the falls offers a unique and special experience, and the time you have may help you decide. But in true Travel Differently style, we recommend combining both. Travel for longer, travel slower and do the falls properly: see all the viewpoints, take the hikes, get photos from the boat trips and look out for the bird life. Then, at the end of each day, head back to a gorgeous hotel for good food and a well-earned glass of cold wine. Before you go, check the UK government’s entry requirements for Brazil and Argentina.
Speak to our experts about including Iguazu Falls in your tailor-made holiday, or take a look at our example holidays. How about an epic trip around Argentina, covering Mendoza, remote Salta, glaciers and horse riding, and ending with some luxury time at Iguazu Falls? Or, on a Brazil holiday, we can include Iguazu Falls before heading to the Pantanal to spot jaguars, and end in colonial Paraty and the beaches of the Green Coast.
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