Is there anything more majestic than the sight of a roaring waterfall? I would argue that of all the natural attractions on earth, a tumbling waterfall is one of the most amazing and imposing. This is surely what makes Iguazú Falls, Argentina, one of the most visited places in the country, as well as a cherished treasure to all of the world.

In the Guarani (indigenous South American) language, the term “Iguazú” means “great waters.” The beautiful falls were discovered in 1541 by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, and in 1984 established as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The falls stretch along a two-mile rim of land shared by the countries of Argentina and Brazil. About 2/3 of the falls are located within Argentina.

Rather than just one large waterfall, as you may be imagining, Iguazú Falls is actually a series of more than 270 falls scattered throughout a region of cliffs and islets in a half moon shape. Some of the individual falls reach up to 269 feet in height.

The falls that may be visited include: Salto Floriano, Salto Deodoro, Salto Benjamín Constant, Salto Unión, Salto Escondido, Salto Mitre, Salto Belgrano, Salto Rivadavia, Salto Tres Mosqueteros, Salto Dos Mosqueteros, Salto San Martín, Salto Adán y Eva, Salto Bozzetti, Salto Ramirez, Salto Chico, Salto Dos Hermanos and Salto Alvar Nuñez.

On the Argentinean side of the falls, you’ll find a nice Visitor’s Center along with two primary pathways that will lead you on a picturesque journey through the falls. The lower pathway brings you close enough to many of the falls to be moistened by their spray, or to take a daring boat ride to Isla San Martín. This way offers a very cool bottom-up view of the waterfalls.

The lower path is the more physically vigorous of the two, since it involves a lot of stair climbing. It can be done, however, as long as you take breaks to catch your breath.

For an easier walk, I would recommend the upper pathway. The upper pathway leads you along a footbridge where you will have amazing panoramic views of the falls.

Many people are simply overwhelmed by the sight of Devil’s Throat, the largest of the waterfalls. You can stand nearby on a footbridge while listening to the thunderous, even nearly deafening, roar of falling water into the Iguazú gorge. Devil’s Throat is the world’s mightiest single water fall (in terms of water-flow volume.)

Apart from the waterfalls themselves, you can also enjoy the local flora and fauna of the area, which flourishes due to the subtropical climate. The region is home to over 500 different types of butterflies, as well as many species of birds and other animals. You may even spot a beautiful and exotic toucan.

Reportedly, when first lady Eleanor Roosevelt witnessed Iguazú Falls she exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!” It is said that the only other waterfall in the entire world that rivals it is Victoria Falls in Africa. Iguazú ranks #9 among the world’s top natural wonders.

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