The 8 Best Iguazu Falls Tours of 2023

Tourists at Iguazu Falls, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil — R.M. Nunes / Getty Images

The Rundown:

Best Overall in Argentina: Buy Argentinean Iguassu Falls Tour Tickets with Viator "This tour stands out for its numerous near-perfect Viator reviews."

Best Overall in Brazil: Buy Brazilian Iguassu Falls Half-Day Tour Tickers with Viator "For those who want to see the falls from the Brazilian side, this half-day tour is a worthy alternative."

Best Budget Tour: Buy Iguazu Falls Argentinean Tour Tickets with Viator "You’ll be treated to fantastic views of iconic landmarks like the Carlos Bozzetti and Dos Hermanas Waterfalls."

Best Multi-Day Tour: Buy 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour Tickets with Viator "A trip to Iguazú National Park gives you the chance to take part in two out of three adventures."

Best Day Tour: Buy Argentinean and Brazilian Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tickets with Viator "Visit both sides of the falls in one day."

Best with Boat Ride: Buy Argentinean Falls Great Adventure Tickets with Viator"This tour promises 15 customers or less, so you can count on personal attention from the professional local guide."

Best Private Tour: Buy Argentinean Iguazu Falls Private Tour Tickets with Viator "You can tailor your trip to include the sights or activities that interest you the most."

Best from Buenos Aires: Buy Iguazu Falls Private Day Trip Tickets with Viator "The top of Devil’s Throat affords a wonderful view of the falls at their most powerful."

Best Overall in Argentina: Tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean Side

This tour stands out for its stellar Viator reviews, many of which praise the company’s knowledgeable, helpful guides. A full-day trip that lasts for approximately nine hours, the tour begins in the Brazilian border town of Foz do Iguaçu at around 7:30 a.m. It includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, as well as round-trip transportation to Iguazú National Park in Argentina. You’ll travel in comfort in an air-conditioned minivan, while the expert guide is on-hand to ensure that the border crossing goes smoothly. Refreshments, gratuities, and the park entrance fee all cost extra.

After arriving at the park, your guide will accompany you on a hike around the Lower Circuit (approximately 0.8 miles). Along the way, you’ll stop to admire breathtaking views of smaller falls like the Carlos Bozzetti Waterfall. Later, a tour of the park’s Upper Circuit reveals panoramic views of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls, including San Martin Island. Throughout the day, your guide will provide interesting insights about the region’s ecology, wildlife, and history. The tour is also offered in three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Best Overall in Brazil: Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

For those who want to see the falls from the Brazilian side, this half-day tour is a worthy alternative. It starts and ends in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, and lasts approximately five hours. Included in the price is an informative, professional guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and transportation. It doesn’t, however, include the national park entrance fee or gratuities. Your guide will assist with paperwork at the border so that the crossing into Brazil is both quick and hassle-free. Once you’ve cleared immigration, you’ll make your way to Iguaçu National Park.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to trek through the forest and to the base of Salto Floriano Waterfall, or ride the park elevator up to the top of the falls. The highlight is the close-up view of Devil’s Throat, the tallest and most impressive of the Iguazu cascades. At this spot, the river plunges more than 262 feet over the edge into an abyss that's constantly shrouded in mist. It makes for stunning photographs — although a waterproof case or bag for your camera is recommended. This tour is offered in English and Spanish.

Best Budget Tour: Iguazu Falls Argentinean Side Full-Day Tour with Optional Boat Ride

At $18 per person, this is one of the cheapest Iguazu Falls tours. Intended as a full-day tour, it lasts approximately six hours and takes you to Iguazú National Park on the Argentinean side. Included in the price is round-trip transportation from your Puerto Iguazú hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of a bilingual professional guide, who will tell you all about the park’s history and wildlife in either English or Spanish. The tour starts at the Nature Interpretation Center and from there, you’ll have the opportunity to explore all three walking circuits.

You’ll be treated to fantastic views of iconic landmarks like the Carlos Bozzetti and Dos Hermanas Waterfalls, and you’ll stand close enough to Devil’s Throat to bathe in its spray. Remember that you will have to pay extra for the park entrance fees, your lunch, and gratuities. If you do find yourself with a little more room in your budget, a boat ride and/or jungle truck ride can be added as optional extras.

Best Multi-Day Tour: 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour

Each side of the Iguazu World Heritage Site offers a very different experience, so it’s certainly worth visiting both if you have the time. This three-day tour allows you to see Iguazu from every angle without feeling rushed along the way. It includes two nights’ accommodation in Puerto Iguazú on the Argentinean side, daily breakfast, hotel pick-up and drop-off, transfers from Puerto Iguazú’s airport or bus station, and the services of a local guide. You’ll have to pay extra for national park entrance fees and gratuities.

The first day is for arriving at Puerto Iguazú and settling into your hotel. On the second day, you’ll embark on a full-day tour of Iguazú National Park on the Argentinean side, including hikes along the Upper and Lower Circuits, and an eco-friendly train ride through the jungle. You’ll have the opportunity to stand so close to Devil’s Throat that you’ll get drenched in spray. Plus, keep an eye out for indigenous jungle flora and fauna. The third day is reserved for a half-day tour of Brazilian Iguaçu National Park, where panoramic views of the falls await.

Looking for accommodations in the area? Take a look at the top places to stay at Iguazu Falls.

Best Day Tour: Sightseeing Tour of the Argentinean and Brazilian Sides of Iguassu Falls

If you’re pushed for time, it's possible to visit both sides of the falls in one day. This full-day tour lasts around 10 hours and starts and finishes in Puerto Iguazú. Your adventure begins on the Argentinean side, where a trip to Iguazú National Park gives you the chance to take part in two out of three adventures. You can hike the Lower Circuit, enjoy impressive views of the falls on the Upper Circuit, or marvel at Devil’s Throat from a catwalk built near the top of the waterfall.

If you skip Devil’s Throat on the Argentinean side, you’ll get fantastic views from the Brazilian side after crossing over into Iguaçu National Park. You can also hike to the bottom of Salto Floriano Waterfall, ride the elevator to the top of the falls, or even hike out to see Salto Union Waterfall. Time is limited on this tour, so it’s recommended to bring lunch with you. The price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation, and a local guide. Park fees and gratuities are excluded.

Best with Boat Ride: Argentinean Falls Great Adventure with Boat Ride from Foz do Iguaçu

While several Iguazu Falls tours have the option of adding a boat ride, this tour includes one in the price. A full-day tour, it starts at around 8 a.m. and lasts approximately eight hours. Although the itinerary focuses on the Argentinean side of the falls, hotel pick-up and drop-off is available in either Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu. From there, you’ll travel to Iguazú National Park where you’ll spend the day exploring the Lower and Upper Circuits before finishing the tour with the highlight — an exhilarating speedboat ride beneath the falls themselves.

Travelers must be 12 years or older to take part in the boat ride, which allows you to experience the drama of Iguazu up close. You will get soaked, so make sure to bring a spare change of clothes for the ride back to your hotel. This tour promises a group size of 15 customers or less, so you can count on personal attention from the professional local guide. The multilingual guide, the boat ride, and transportation to and from your hotel are all included. Just bring money for your lunch, drinks, and gratuities.

Best Private Tour: Iguazu Falls Private Tour Argentinean Side with Navigation Option

Although most of the tours on this list are small group tours, there’s nothing quite like the personalized experience offered by a private tour. Instead of sharing your time at Iguazu with strangers, you’ll be in the company of your own friends and/or family, with the added benefit of a professional, private tour guide. You can tailor your trip to include the sights or activities that interest you most, and you can travel at your own pace (a bonus for groups with small children or older family members).

This is a full-day tour that lasts around 8 hours, and includes pick-up and drop-off from your Puerto Iguazú hotel. Transportation to Iguazú National Park and a guided tour of its hiking trails, bridges, and waterfall viewpoints are also covered. You’ll see Devil’s Throat from several different perspectives, and can spend as long as you like at each one. The tour is available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese and excludes refreshments and gratuities.

Best from Buenos Aires: Iguazu Falls Private Day Trip from Buenos Aires with Airfare

If you’re planning a trip to Buenos Aires and have a day to spare, this tour lets you spend it at Iguazu. It includes domestic flights from the Argentinean capital to Puerto Iguazú, where a professional guide will be waiting to take you to Iguazú National Park. Your tickets to the park are reserved in advance, so you won’t have to wait in line once you get there. Unusually, they're also included in the price along with your transportation, guide, and hotel pick-up/drop-off in the capital. The only additional expenses are your lunch and any gratuities.

Because this tour is also private (with a maximum of four people), you can adjust the itinerary to your specific interests or requirements. Usually, however, it starts with a visit to the park’s Nature Interpretation Center, where you’ll learn about its foundation and the flora and fauna that live there. Then, you’ll ride on the park train and explore its many trails and waterfall viewpoints. The highlight is a visit to the catwalk near the top of Devil’s Throat, which affords a wonderful view of the falls at their most powerful.

Still in need of inspiration? Check out more ways to enjoy Iguazu falls.