Page 5 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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Iguaçu Falls NATURAL WONDERS

vs Niagara Falls

With an amazing 275 cascades in an unspoiled tropical rain forest setting, Iguaçu Falls is a
breathtaking alternative to its famous North American rival, Niagara

While Niagara reaches a modest height of 174 ft
NEED TO KNOW
(53 m), many of Iguaçu’s falls exceed 197 ft (60 m),
LOCATION Iguaçu Falls sits on the with the highest cascade of all standing at a lofty
Brazil–Argentina border and is
660 miles (1,070 km) north of # 3";*- 269 ft (82 m). And the sheer volume of water
Buenos Aires and 730 miles 1"3"(6":
3JP EF +BOFJSP tumbling over the precipice at Iguaçu is usually
(1,180 km) southwest of Rio "TDVODJØO
*(6"±6 4BP 1BVMP about three times that of its North American rival.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT
$VSJUJCB
269 ft (82 m) 1PTBEBT But it’s not just the size of the cataracts at Iguaçu
"3(&/5*/"
DAYTIME that is compelling. The sheer number of cascades
TEMPERATURES "UMBOUJD means that a trip to the falls offers constantly
Jan: 79°F (26°C); Apr: 72°F (22°C); 636(6": 0DFBO
Jul: 61°F (16°C); Oct: 72°F (22°C) #VFOPT varying vistas and dramatic perspectives on the
"JSFT
great torrents of water. Nowhere is this more
apparent than around the celebrated Garganta
“Poor Niagara!” exclaimed First Lady Eleanor del Diablo, a staggering U-shaped formation
Roosevelt on first seeing Iguaçu Falls, and few measuring 765 yards (700 m) long and 492 ft
subsequent visitors to one of South America’s most (150 m) wide. Standing beside this monumental ABOVE Ring-tailed coatis balancing on branches in the rain forest
stunning natural marvels have found any reason to cascade, the spectator is surrounded by roaring surrounding Iguaçu Falls
disagree with her. Niagara is impressive, but Iguaçu cataracts throwing plumes of spray up to almost
is unforgettable. Widely considered to be the twice the height of the waterfall, while boat them. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Parque
planet’s finest set of waterfalls, Iguaçu comprises a trips to the lovely Isla San Martín, in the middle Nacional Iguazú in Argentina and Parque Nacional
complex system of no less than 275 cascades of the river, offer more majestic views. do Iguaçu in Brazil provide refuge for a wealth of
spanning a 2-mile (3-km) stretch of the Iguaçu The experience of the falls is immeasurably fauna, from woodpeckers, toucans, and caciques to
River, on the border between Brazil and Argentina. enhanced by the tropical rain forest that envelops capuchin monkeys and coatis, as well as more than
2,000 species of flora – it’s all a far cry from the
high-rise hotels and casinos of Niagara.
FORGET NIAGARA?
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
THE BUILD-UP Ask someone to name a famous
waterfall and nine times out of ten the answer will be Getting There and Around excellent cheap meat dishes
Niagara. As one of America’s most celebrated natural The main town in the area is the under the direction of its
Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu, charismatic gaucho owner.
wonders, Niagara has lodged firmly in the popular
which has regular air connections
imagination. People have dived into the falls, ridden Where to Stay
with Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
over them in barrels and walked tightropes across There are many hotels on both
Puerto Iguazú, on the Argentinian
them, and they have appeared in countless television sides of the border. The most
side, has air connections with appealing option is the old-
programs and Hollywood films. Each year the falls ABOVE Hordes of tourists packed onto a viewing deck at the Buenos Aires. Both towns are also
attract astonishing numbers of tourists. Horseshoe Falls, Niagara served by bus from Rio de Janeiro fashioned Hotel das Cataratas
(www.hoteldascataratas.com), in
and Buenos Aires. Local buses Brazil’s Parque Nacional do Iguaçu.
THE LETDOWN Niagara might be spectacular, but it is far from being the world’s largest – or most memorable make the 12-mile (20-km) trip
When to Go
– waterfall. Although the falls are impressively wide, there are at least a dozen broader and more powerful from the two towns to the falls, Visit from March to November,
cataracts elsewhere in America and Africa. What’s more, for those looking to commune with nature, Niagara is and there are plenty of local when temperatures are cooler
not the place to be. The recent rash of development has created such huge changes to the flow of air that many tours available. and skies clearer.
of the viewing areas are now obscured by mist. Where to Eat
The best restaurants are found Budget per Day for Two
on the Brazilian side. Try the US$200 including travel,
GOING ANYWAY? Although you can’t escape the crowds at Niagara, you are at least guaranteed spectacular
Recanto Gaúcho (www. accommodations, and food.
views by taking the famous “Maid of the Mist” boat trip to the base of the falls, which brings you as close to the
recantogaucho.com), near the Website
cataracts as possible, short of actually diving over them. Just don’t forget to bring your raingear.
park entrance, which serves up www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br

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