Puerto Iguazú

This city, with almost 40 thousand inhabitants, has increased the number of hotels, casinos, restaurants, cafes and services for all kinds of tourist activities.

Due to its great infrastructure, it is the fourth most populated city of the province, with a developed network of services at an international level. Puerto Iguazú is the departing point for different trips and guided tours to the Iguazú National Park and the Iguazú Falls, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World for their natural splendor and amazing vegetation.

Its lifestyle philosophy, shared by most cities in the Litoral region, wins the heart of every tourist walking its streets, which paved and rich iron filled red soil combine progress with Nature’s millenary gift.

SIGHTS
Puerto Iguazú’s downtown, considered the historical city center and foundational pillar, boasts buildings dating from several decades ago. Some of these buildings are the Casa del Pionero, the Paseo de la Identidad and the Paseo de la Artesanía circuits, where you can shop for hand-made souvenirs.

It is not to be missed the orchidariums, located on Jangadero street, between Santa Fe and Corrientes streets. The color and shape of vegetation, and Nature’s beauty and mystery are a haven for enthusiasts.

The port area, located on a small beach, is another “must see”. There, rafts, boats and catamaran cruises take visitors along the colorful Iguazú River, to the exact spot where it merges with the majestic Paraná River.

The renowned Hito de las Tres Fronteras, the emblematic place where two rivers and three countries meet (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay), is a fantastic place to take pictures.

For those who enjoy gambling and luxury, Puerto Iguazú offers one-of-a-kind casinos and a great duty free shop, one of the best shopping circuits in Argentina.

Outside the city and near the waterfall area, the number of options and tourist places increase: mission related spots (such as the Iberá Retá botanic park, the Yriaú village, the incredible Guira Oga, the impressive Imágenes de la Selva museum and the Aripuca tourist complex) to exotic places such as the Casa de las Botellas and the Nuestra Señora del Iguazú sanctuary.

Different excursions take place daily at the Iguazú National Park. This outstanding landscape, only 17 km (10 mi) from Puerto Iguazú, has around 67,620 hectares (167,092.66 acres) and was declared World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO due to the wide biological diversity of the subtropical jungle.

The length of the Iguazú River totals 1,320 km (820 mi) to its estuary on the Paraná River, 23 km (14 mi) away behind the waterfalls. Surrounded by low coasts, the river width ranges from 500 to 1,000 meters. Inside the park, it widens to 1,500 meters and turns south before resuming a northerly direction, forming a broad “U” with an abrupt drop in its estuary, where the breathtaking waterfalls are born. A proliferation of reefs, islets and long islands on its curve break the river into several arms. Reaching the gully, each arm becomes a waterfall, therefore creating the great Iguazú Falls. In the central area of Misiones rainforest, this wonder of nature features 275 waterfalls that attract millions of tourists all over the world.

Several species such as the curupay (Anadenanthera Colubrina), the cupay (Copaifera Langsdorfi), the white laurel (Nerium Oleander), the aguay (Chrysophylum Lucumifolium), the ingá (Inga Uruguensis), and the cockspur coral tree or ceibo, whose flower was declared Argentine National Flower, grow in the banks of the Iguazú River and in the delta islands.
There are over 90 species of trees at the Iguazú National Park, such as the lapacho negro (Tabehuia ipe), which produces numerous pink flowers at the end of the winter before growing leaves, the lapacho amarillo (Tabebuia Amarillo), the ibirá pytá (Peltophorum dubium) with yellow flowers, and a wild species of ceibo, with orange red flowers.

The fall swifts (Streptoprocne semicollaris) are typical of this area. They fly across the waterfalls to rest over the rocky walls where they even have their nests. It is very common to find groups of coatis and birds such as the big toucan, one of the five species that live in the park, along the sidewalks. There is also a great variety of butterflies.

The park is a national sanctuary home to endangered species such as jaguars (yaguareté), tapirs, ocelots, anteaters, dusky-legged guanslike the yacutinga, wild eagles and alligators like the yacaré overo (Caiman latirostris) among others.

Across the sidewalks of the park, you will enjoy the local flora and fauna, go deep into the jungle on board of an ecologic train and even sail into the “Garganta del Diablo fall”.Reaching the edge of this impressive waterfall is a unique experience.

EVENT VENUES
In the heavenly Iguazú Falls, there are 77 hotels with a total capacity of 5,928 beds.The city has large 4 and 5 star hotels especially equipped for major congresses and conventions. Thanks to their excellent service and highly-trained professionals, which add to exquisite food and luxurious casinos, this beautiful scenery becomes an unforgettable place for a business trip.

Recently opened, the “Centro de Convenciones del Iguazú”, inside the Amerian Portal del Iguazú complex, offers a meeting roomfor 750 people in auditorium and 500 in banquet.

HOW TO GET THERE
PuertoIguazú International Airport is 17 km (10 mi) away from the city and 7 km (4 mi) from the Iguazú National Park.

The city is also connected with Brazil and Ciudad del Este, in Paraguay, by means of the Trancredo Neves international bridge.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Secretariat of Tourism of Misiones
Tel.: +543752 - 447539 / 447540 (Posadas)
Tel.: +543757 - 420800 (Puerto Iguazú)
E-mail: turismo@misiones.gov.ar
www.turismo.misiones.gov.ar

Iguazú Municipal Tourism Entity
Phone: +543757 – 422763/422938
E-mail: info@iguazuturismo.gov.ar
www.iguazuturismo.gov.ar