Same falls, different country. The Brazilian side was good for appreciating views, although I preferred the Argentine version because the trails were more extensive. Highly recommended method for crossing between the two countries.

 

 

Getting There: Border Crossing

From Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, I took a colectivo from the bus terminal straight to the entrance of Iguazu National Park in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Around $9, I remember the fare was oddly cheaper than going from Puerto Iguazu to the Argentine national park.

Around 20 minutes into the ride, we stopped, got out, got our exit stamps. Back on the bus to cross into Brazil, and here we handed the driver our passports, he got the entry stamps for all of them, and we never even had to leave the vehicle. So easy, so fast.

 

See

Day 41

I woke early because my plan was to switch countries, see the falls, eat at a Brazilian steakhouse, and catch a bus to Sao Paolo. I pulled all of that off.

The Brazilian national park took me around three hours to walk through, but it varies for everyone. I felt that I would’ve spent longer if I hadn’t seen the Argentine side already, or if I had loads of money to blow on safari type adventures not included in the $18 entry.

I hadn’t mentioned earlier, but it was freezing here. I was in layers with numb extremities until the sun warmed me at midday.

Again, I followed the crowds on the built path that ends at yet another Garganta del Diablo, where we all get mildly wet. Think walking too close to a sprinkler and getting all misted, but for half an hour straight.

An Indian American couple living in New York asked if I could photograph them. They found it alarming that I was traveling alone, but approved when they heard I plan to go to medical school. They have children in medical school.

Locals paid my dollar fare on the brief local bus to town, where I ate myself silly at Gaucho. It was rodizio, where servers simply won’t stop bringing out cuts of meat, chicken hearts, and a unique cinnamon grilled pineapple option. I went because it was $10, but would recommend spending more on a nicer restaurant for the full Brazilian steakhouse experience. At first I was too hungry and loved my plate after plate of food, but the meat was far too salty and by the time I was in a food coma, I hated my decision.

It was even worse when I realized the bus terminal I needed next was miles out of town, mid-walk. The sun was beating on me, my backpack felt heavy, and I showed up to the ticket office out of breath and just in time for the 4pm to Sao Paolo with the company Pluma, 15 hours, $76.