Backpacking in Brazil: “Down The Waterfall…”, Foz Do Iguaçu

In December 2010 I made it across the border into Brazil. I went from Argentina to Brazil on a bus across the bridge between Puerto Iguazu and Foz Do Iguacu. There were two border points, one for exiting Argentina and for for entering Brazil. We had to drive between the two. I was off chasing waterfalls again – this time to the Brazilian side of the Foz Do Iguazu. This is a rather obvious yet amazing tourist destination in South America.

Argentina colours part of bridge.

Brazil colours part of bridge.

Me at the Brazil border point.

I went to Foz Do Iguacu to view the enormous and famous Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, having already seen it from the Argentine side.

On the way in, I was pleasantly surprised to see my country appear on my entry ticket (in Portuguese!). I told the lady I was from Northern Ireland, I told her Irlanda Do Norte in Portuguese.

Me by the entrance with my Northern Ireland flag.

A bus is included in the ticket price and takes you round the circuit of waterfalls. The ticket cost 93 Pesos (I paid in Argentinian money) which worked out a wee bit dearer than the entrance fee for the Argentinian side. The bus takes you to 2 different Cataratas walks – I got out at the second bus stop, walked alongside the falls as far as the commercial part (the third bus stop). Later on got a bus back to the main entrance from the third bus stop.

We’re also on the border with Paraguay here, so I got a few photos of the many Paraguayans in town. The Paraguayans girls loved it, very pretty nation that. I also visited the three countries border – a very peaceful and relaxing journey to Tres Fronteras where you can simultaneously see Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. But that was so inspiring I covered it here: Tres Fronteras . The next country I would visit was Paraguay as well!

Me by one of the many waterfalls with my Northern Ireland flag.

And the Northern Ireland shirt on the walk along the falls. Now for some excellent photos.

And the glorious Foz Do Iguaçu, one of the most fantastic waterfalls in the world. Just marvellous. It was also nice to be in Brazil for the first time. I had Recife and Sao Paulo to see later on, on a trip which saw me “circle” South America and the south part of the Caribbean/Central America.

I met Marcus from Sweden on the border bus and we shared the walk round Iguazu together. We got a photo taken together at the windy, wet top part of Iguacu. I also have to say that my border buses in South American were normally only full of locals. This border bus was slightly different. Due to the proximity of the waterfalls, almost everyone was a tourist!! It was certainly an odd border crossing, and as I later done the Foz Do Iguacu to Ciudad del Este, I found myself, expectedly as the only foreigner on board. Both experiences were enjoyable. Nice to have a fellow traveller to hang around with, but also nice to be alone and aware of the unique and daunting nature of country hopping as a complete foreigner and stranger.

You can stare across the water and see the Argentina flag. I love these types of borders.

At Foz Do Iguacu I decided to use Reals for the first time and I ordered a beer there. I had actually crossed the border with only Argentinian Pesos and US Dollars, but I paid my Foz Do Iguacu National Park entry fee in Pesos (as its on a 3 country border – they accept 3 currencies there) and they always give you Brazilian Reals for change. So I used them to buy the beer! A “Chope” beer. Very refreshing in the tropical heat of Iguacu.

I was so used to speaking Spanish I said “gracias” to the bar girl, when clearly “obrigado” was the word to use here. Within a few miles you have to swap your Spanish for Portuguese! The beer garden above overlooks the Iguacu River, which becomes the Falls a few hundred metres down…

I haven’t yet reported on my visit to Puerto Iguazu (above picture ONLY), the Argentinian side of the same set of waterfalls. Will get that up in due course as it was just incredible. For now it was “Syawe Jay” (“Cheers” in Portuguese). You won’t see many better waterfalls…

Where – Foz Do Iguacu, Brasil

Transport Used – Border Bus from Argentina – Brazil (boarded it at Puerto Iguazu, Argentina), Iguazu Falls Bus

Nationalities Met – Brazilian, Argentinian, Paraguayan, French, Swedish, English, US

Countries Visited – Argentina, Brazil

Strange Currencies – Argentinian Pesos and Brazilian Reals

Beer Tried – Chope!

Bar Visited – Canoa Port, Foz Do Iguacu

KEY SONGS:

ROBBIE WILLIAMS – ANGELS “Down the waterfall…”:

TLC – WATERFALLS:

MY VIDEOS FROM BRAZIL SIDE OF IGUACU:

BORDER BUS FROM ARGENTINA TO BRAZIL:


ARRIVAL IN BRAZIL (FOR THE FIRST TIME):


FOZ DO IGUACU, BRAZIL PART 1:


FOZ DO IGUACU, BRAZIL PART 2:


FOZ DO IGUACU, BRAZIL PART 3: