As Peace Corps volunteers, we visited the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls various times. Every time someone came to visit us, we went to see Iguazu Falls. We never made it to the Argentine side because in 1998-2000, it was far too expensive on our Peace Corps’ stipend. We decided to return to Iguazu Falls so that the boys could see them and so that we could validate our Brazilian visa.
It was very obvious that tourism had grown tremendously since we were Peace Corps volunteers. There were lines to pay the entrance fee for the park and we were always surrounded by people as we walked along the pathways. This experience reminded me that we should visit popular tourist destinations as soon as possible because with both population and economic growth, the crowds will only grow.
Fortunately, we remembered to bring our raincoats. It wasn’t raining. We got drenched from the spray of the falls. After we finished walking the walkway, a family took off their plastic ponchos and left them on the railing. We promptly picked them up. Our raincoats were good for the waist up but the plastic ponchos would be better for covering our legs.
After walking along the pathways to see the falls, we stopped for lunch at the fancy restaurant in the park. I was thrilled for the opportunity to eat a little fejoada and farofa. It was nice to take a relaxing break to recharge.
In the afternoon, we took a boat ride next to the falls. The boat ride is longer and better on the Argentine side but the Argentine side does not allow children younger than 12. Thus, we took the Brazilian boat ride. It was thrilling! We had seen the boats when we were Peace Corps volunteers but had never had the money for the ride. Our kids are so lucky that they get to do these things!
After seeing the falls, we got on a bus that took us through the Brazilian-Argentine border to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina where we spent the night at another hostel.