My flight from Cusco to Iguazu was MISERABLE. I had a Bloody Mary with ice the day before and the ice really got me. I was sick all night and was worried about flying. I booked a 2-day tour with Iguassu Falls Tour. The package included airport transportation, both sides of the falls, the landmark of the three frontiers, a horseback ride in Argentina and an English speaking tour guide, which BTW looked exactly like Liam Neeson. He picked me up and took me to my lodging at Concept Design Hostel & Suites where I booked a private room.
The Iguazu River is the border between Brazil and Argentina. Although 70% of the falls are on the Argentinean side, most of them face Brazil. There is much debate on which side of the falls is the best experience. My advice is to visit both. They were very disparate in many ways and both offered entirely different views. Crossing between Brazil and Argentina was not difficult but remember that Brazil requires a visa. It also helps that my guide was a local. There are 275 waterfalls within a 1.6 mile span making Iguazu the largest waterfall system in the world!
Devil’s Throat
Liam (just go with it) suggested stopping at Devil’s Throat to avoid the crowds later in the day. Smart man. This portion of the falls can be reached via walking or the ecological train. As you near Devils Throat, you’re blasted with mist from the loud, massive waterfalls creating this narrow portion of Iguazu. Don’t forget your raincoat; you’re gonna get wet!
While waiting for the shuttle, we encountered a pack of coati (a member of the raccoon family.) Cute little fellas but dangerous, devious thieves! They kept stealing lunch bags from bystanders waiting on the train. There are signs all over the park asking not to interact with them.
The Lower Circuit
TLC in my opinion had the best views. I was able to see two rainbows that formed in the mist. The pathway puts you right next to the falls. Literally as close as you can get! UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL! Okay, you get the point.
Liam guided me towards the boat tour that takes you along the Iguazu River and into the falls. Yes, INTO the falls. Despite getting drenched, it was a lot of fun. For the life of me I cannot remember if I had to pay extra for this.
The Upper Circuit
The Upper Circuit was really cool because the pathway puts you directly above the falls.
The Argentinean side of the falls took all day to explore. I was exhausted and had an easy night to prepare for the Brazilian side tomorrow.
The Brazilian Side
Like I mentioned earlier, most of the falls face the Brazilian border so this side provides a beautiful panoramic view of the falls.
The trail runs along the Iguazu River. Most of the trail is far from the falls but towards the end you find yourself back at the mouth of Devil’s Throat. Between the mist and the rain, I was happy to have my raincoat.
The Brazilian side didn’t take nearly as long as the Argentinean. My tour package also included a horse back ride in Argentina and a stop at the three borders. Liam said, “are you sure you want to go horse back riding? You could get a helicopter ride over the falls instead.” Being that I grew up riding horses, having the opportunity to ride them in Argentina seemed like a dream come true so I told him I was very adamant on doing it. MY BAD ALAN. I should have taken that as my first hint because it was an awful experience. The farm was a mess and the horses were fairly skinny.
It was too late to change my mind because the horse was saddled and ready for me. We (Liam, farm guide and myself) were going to be riding through the jungle to the villages of the indigenous people. Of all the years I’ve ridden horses this has never happened to me but my horse decided to lay down at the start of our ride. Originally I felt awful and thought maybe he was too weak. But after getting a good look at this guy, he was indeed just being an ass. He also spooked a lot on the ride which made me very uncomfortable.
I purchased a bracelet for $2 at the small bodega where the local people ply their handcrafted wares. To show their gratitude, the children danced and sang me a song. It was such a sweet gesture and quite the eye opener to see how other cultures manage to survive without electricity and running water. I witnessed one of the mothers bathing her child in a nearby lake.
As we rode back to the farm, the guide told Liam and me to keep an eye out for jaguars. UMM HELLO, what the f*** would I do if I saw one? LOL Maybe thats why my horse was so jumpy! I honestly couldn’t trust him anymore so I dismounted and walked him back to the farm.
We also went to the landmark of the three frontiers where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.
Landmark of the three Frontiers 
Argentinean/Brazilian bridge border 
That concludes my trip to Iguazu Falls! Next stop- Rio!