Of course this depends on whether you’re backpacking, digital nomading or relaxing… but on average we believe 2-3 days is the right amount of time.
TripAdvisor suggests 2 days & 2 nights, Fodors suggests 1 or 2, but let’s now break down what we believe are the ideal stay lengths depending on your trip objective. We spent 5 days in Iguazú working as digital nomads and they were way too many, so hopefully we can help you with your trip planning!
Backpackers: how long to stay in Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú on the Argentinian side has not much to offer, apart from the buses that take you to the Park entrance. The Argentinian side can be visited in 1 day, however on day 2 you get 50% discount if you want to go back.
Either way, you can stay 2 days: day 1 you go to Argentina, day 2 you go to Brazil and back. The Brazilian side is way shorter, but the queue at the border is longer. Buses depart from Puerto Iguazú and go to Brazil and back in the same day.
Iguazú is pretty expensive, so get to see the falls and leave asap!
Recommended stay: 2-3 days
Trekkers: how long to stay in Iguazú
If we consider the 1-day visit on the Argentinian side of the falls like a trekking day (we walked for a good 6 hours by redoing some of the trails in the afternoon), 1 day would be enough.
On the Brazilian side, there is not much to walk.
Recommended stay: 1-2 days
Digital Nomads: how long to stay in Iguazú
Iguazú is definitely not a digital-nomad-friendly town. Internet is overall poor and there are not many cafés and places you can work from.
Honestly, go see the falls and move to other locations where you can get some work done (also, it’s very hot and humid at times in town, so not easy to spend the day at the computer).
Recommended stay: 1-2 days
Spanish Learners: how long to stay in Iguazú
You won’t have Spanish schools or events for language exchange, Iguazú is just a touristy town with not much to offer. Besides, the majority of the population on the Argentinian side speaks Brazilian Portuguese, so the accent is somewhat difficult and not ideal if you’re learning.
Just go to the falls and go to Buenos Aires if you want to keep going with learning the idioma!
Recommended stay: 2-3 days
On a budget: how long to stay in Iguazú
We found Iguazú pretty expensive, as of course is close to one of the biggest attractions of Argentina. Also, it gets a lot of Brazilian tourists, so restaurants, accommodation and supermarkets are not affordable.
As the falls are a MUST if you’re nearby, at least spend 1 day in Iguazú, so that you can get there early in the morning by night bus to save on accommodation, visit the Argentinian side (full day), and then possibly leave that same night with another bus!
Recommended stay: 1-2 days
Living like a local: how long to stay in Iguazú
As there is not much happening in town, we would not recommend to stay in Puerto Iguazú for long. AS per the above examples, just go to see the amazing falls and then move elsewhere to enjoy your relax time.
Recommended stay: 1-2 days
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