Iguazu Falls is one of those places that is worth the hype. And it’s worth being surrounded by crowds of tourists to see.
That being said, is 2 days enough in Iguazu Falls?
Definitely. A full 2 day Iguazu Falls itinerary allows you to see Iguazu Falls from the Argentinian side and the Brazilian side. It also provides enough time for a few additional activities in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. Things to do other than visit Iguazu Falls include learning how to drink mate like the locals at Yerba Mate Club, spotting wildlife at Parque Das Avas or Guira Oga, and enjoying a tango dinner show at El Quincho del Tio Querido.
If you're also planning on visiting Jujuy and Tilcara on your trip to Argentina with kids, make sure you check out my Jujuy travel guide here!
I’ve outlined how I think you should prioritize your two days in Iguazu Falls, Argentina. I’ve based the Iguazu Falls itinerary from Argentina, so if you’re staying on the Brazilian side, your activities outside of the falls will look different, but my tips and tricks for visiting Iguazu Falls will remain the same.
Important Note: American citizens now need a visa to enter Brazil!!
Getting the visa is quite the process (especially if you have kids) and is almost necessary to do ahead of time. You’ll need to upload documents like passports, passport style photos, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. If both parents are not traveling with your kids, you will also need a notarized document signed by the other parent.
Two Day Iguazu Falls Itinerary
The best Iguazu Falls itinerary for families includes a visit to both sides of the falls as well as a few activities in the town of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina.
I provide a lot of tips and tricks for visiting Iguazu Falls in the following sections, so be sure to check them out! I also provide plenty of alternative activity options for Puerto Iguazu. So if something isn't of interest to you, I've got you covered!
Day 1 of Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary:
- Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
- Learn how to drink Mate at Yerba Mate Club
- Enjoy an easy buffet dinner at El Arbol Real
Day 2 of Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary:
- Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
- Get up close with tropical birds at El Parque das Aves
- Enjoy a tango dinner show at El Quincho del Tio Querido
Day 1 of Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary:
- Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
- Mate Tea tasting at Yerba Mate Club
- Easy Dinner (Ideas in post) in Puerto Iguazu
Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
Buy your tickets ahead of time if you can.
If you can, buy your tickets ahead of time to avoid the lines when you arrive. When we were there in the winter, the lines weren’t too bad. But I was still glad not to have that one extra step to do when we arrived.
Before our trip, I had some difficulty buying tickets online ahead of time. I kept trying, and eventually it worked.
I think it had something to do with the credit card payment wanting me to input my “cardholder document”. I tried my passport number, but I have a new passport that starts with a letter. I think eventually I placed a “0” in its place or something, or it just decided to work.
My point is that if buying tickets online doesn’t work at first, keep trying. Or try it again but a little differently.
How to get to the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls.
You can buy tickets from the bus terminal and take a bus to the falls. This is certainly the most economical way to get to the falls.
If you’re renting your own car, it’s an easy drive to the falls. I discuss later that renting your own car may not be worth the money in Iguazu. I paid less hiring a private driver every day than I would have to rent my own car.
I discuss later in the article that we chose to hire a private driver. Especially when we had multiple early mornings in a row, having him pick us up and not bothering with buying tickets and timing the buses just right was worth the extra cost for me.
I highlight our driver and the reasons we continuously hired him below, but if you want his contact information, please email me! (thebeckhamsabroad @gmail.com)
If you aren’t traveling with young kids, taking the bus could definitely be a good option for your family! Especially on the Argentinian side when you aren’t having to deal with immigration lines.
What to bring to the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls.
I talk about what to bring when visiting the Iguazu Falls below. But as a quick recap, you’re going to want ponchos, umbrellas, bugspray, layers of clothing, waterproof shoes, your passport, waterproof pouches, changes of clothes for kids, snacks, and waters.
We were there for 6 hours and walked about 6 miles during our visit to the Argentinian side of the falls. So pack food and clothing accordingly.
Arrive early.
To avoid the crowds, the earlier the better. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to take breaks when kids need them, and to not feel like you need to hurry everyone along. We spent 6 hours at the park without taking too many breaks.
In the summer months, the earlier the better. Avoid that afternoon heat. Explore the falls in the morning and early afternoon, and enjoy the pool at Hotel Saint George in the afternoon heat.
Get your train ticket to Garganta del Diablo.
Train Ticket with Assigned Departure and Return Times
Garganta del Diablo is where you go to feel like you're standing at the edge of the falls. It’s powerful. It’s intense. It’s loud. It’s misty. And it feels like an adventure.
This is where you’re going to need your poncho. And where you’ll need to fight the crowds the most.
To get to Garganta del Diablo, unless you want to walk a lot more, you’ll want to get your family a train ticket. Tickets are free, but you’ll be assigned a designated time slot (for going and returning) that they take pretty seriously. Just head to the main train station and follow the signs (and the people) to get tickets.
Once on the train, it takes about 25 minutes to reach the Garganta del Diablo train station. It’s the second stop - so don’t get off at the first stop!
Visiting Garganta del Diablo
Once you get off the train, you’ll have about a 1km walk on a boardwalk to get to the main viewing platform. Between the walk there and back, and some time at the viewing platform, we spent between 45 minutes to an hour at Garganta del Diablo.
The problem was that your return train ticket is set for 2hours after your departure. And they take this time slot seriously. So we had about 45 minutes to kill, and we weren’t alone. There were a lot of people just sitting around waiting for their train time.
There are bathrooms by the train station, and some tables and chairs outside of a shop. We decided to go to the bathroom and have a snack. Well we weren’t the only ones. And the coaties knew it.
The coaties around the Garganta del Diablo train station are intense. They have no fear and will check out anything remotely resembling food. After some scares with the coaties, we packed up our snacks and waited to eat on the train.
Explore the upper and lower loops.
Once you’re on the train and leaving Garganta del Diablo, you’ll want to get off at the first stop (the “Estacion Cataratas”) to explore the “inferior” and “superior” loops.
The “inferior” or lower loop provides vast views of the falls from further down the cliffsides. These panoramic views were probably some of my favorites of the whole park. The lower loop is about 1.4km, but you’ll also need to factor in a bit of time to walk to the start of the loop.
The “superior” or upper falls loop provides more powerful overlooks from the tops of the falls. The superior loop is about 1.5km from start to finish.
In between the two loops, there is a small food shop. Outside of this store, there is a caged area where you can eat safely away from any coaties. You do need to buy something at the shop, so my girls each enjoyed a popsicle.
That being said, the crowds weren’t really there. So neither were the coaties. We probably would have been safe from the coaties at that point. But it was a good excuse to sit down and relax between loops.
Eating a popsicle in the cage to protect ourselves from the coaties
Don’t forget to look for wildlife.
In addition to coaties, we spotted a number of butterflies, a capybara and even some monkeys swinging through the trees! Oh, and a wild passionfruit plant. Not exactly wildlife, but I’m not sure if I had ever seen one growing in the wild before!
Bathrooms and Souvenir Shops
Bathrooms are plentiful at Iguazu Falls, so it isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. So are the food shops along the route. So if you forget water, or someone needs a pick me up, you’ll be fine.
And especially toward the entrance, there are a number of souvenir shops to choose from. We perused the shops and bought a magnet while we waited for our driver to arrive. That being said, I was much more impressed and tempted with what was available at the souvenir shop on the Brazil side of the falls. So if you plan on visiting Brazil, maybe wait on souvenirs for now.
Important Note: Don't forget to get yourself set up with an eSIM (my favorite is Holafly because they offer unlimited data), so you have a way to contact your driver to pick you up when you've finished at the falls!
Yerba Mate Club
After you return to town and everyone has changed out of their wet and sweaty falls clothes, if your group is anything like mine, they’re going to be a little beat from a long day of exploring. It’s the perfect opportunity to sit down before dinner and soak in some of the ever-prevalent mate culture of Argentina.
Head to Yerba Mate Club to experience a tutorial about the history of mate, the different varieties, and how to properly prepare and drink mate. This was one of my favorite experiences, because without it, I wouldn’t have felt confident to prepare mate myself.
There is often a man that can do the tasting with you in English. He wasn’t there when we arrived, but I managed to get the message in Spanish. And she made sure I was understanding along the way, and was happy to explain things in a different way if I wasn't understanding.
Mate is caffeinated, so I just let my daughter take a few sips. And they provided us with some cookies that the girls were happy to enjoy while I sipped my mate.
They let you keep your straw from the tasting, but of course that wasn't enough for me! I walked away with my very own mate mug, and a small bag of leaves.
Buffet dinner takeaway or eat at the hotel restaurant
After exploring the Argentinian side of the falls, we were beat. It’s a lot of walking. It’s a lot of time in the elements. We just wanted to relax. Especially because we had to prep our bags and bodies for the next day’s adventures on the Brazilian side of the falls…. With another early start.
So for dinner on night 1 of your Iguazu Falls Itinerary, I recommend taking it easy. There was a really good pay-by-weight buffet a two minute walk from Hotel Saint George. It’s called El Arbol Real, and I love that everyone could get what they wanted, the girls could eat theirs while zoned out in front of a show, and I could eat my meal and peace and organize ourselves for the following day.
If that isn’t your jam, Doña Maria is the restaurant attached to Hotel Saint George. It’s a bit on the pricey side for Argentina, but the food was good and there was plenty of variety for the whole family.
If you aren’t ready to be in for the night after dinner, your kids could spend some time at the play area at Hotel Saint George. Or you could grab some dessert at one of the gelato shops like Cremolatti Heladeria. Or you could peruse the souvenir shops in town.
In general, though, plan to take it easy on that first night. You have another day of exploring to do!
If you're also headed to Tilcara and Jujuy (Argentina's Northwest), make sure you check out my Jujuy Family Travel Guide here!
Day 2 of Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary:
Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
(Maybe) Buy Your Tickets Ahead of Time
You can buy your tickets online before your trip for the Brazilian side of the falls. That being said, the tickets for Brazil have a time slot designated to them. When planning your Iguazu Falls itinerary, you may not know exactly when you’ll want to arrive, how late everyone has been sleeping, etc.
Buying tickets online does allow you to skip the lines once again, though. When we were there in June (which is winter and the off season), there weren’t really any lines to buy tickets. But other times of the year, this could become an issue.
I bought tickets with a 9:30am time slot. With this timeslot, and to allow for time to get through immigration, our driver recommended that he pick us up at 8am. We arrived to the falls at 9am, but that was with zero lines for immigration. Later in the day, there would be more lines to cross the border and you definitely want to allow more time to arrive at the falls.
How to Get to the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls from Argentina
Especially for this trip, I highly recommend having a driver take you to the falls. Is it more expensive than a bus? Sure! But on a bus, every single person is going to have to clear immigration before you can move on to the falls.
And if you choose to drive yourself, the line of cars into Brazil can get really long. And in your rental car, you’ll need to purchase a special pass to allow you to drive the car into Brazil. But taxis and drivers have an express lane they can use.
Our driver also walked us through the entire immigration process. He knew what documents we needed and when. When entering Brazil, you park the car and walk inside. He knew which door to go through, and could translate any Portuguese for us when needed. The whole process was as quick and smooth as it could be.
If you would like the name and contact information for our driver, please email me thebeckhamsabroad @gmail.com
What to Bring to the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
In addition to the same items I listed for the Argentinian side (ponchos, umbrellas, bugspray, layers of clothing, waterproof shoes, your passport, waterproof pouches, changes of clothes for kids, snacks, and waters), do not forget your Brazilian visas!
The printed copy of your visas along with your actual passport are required for entry into Brazil.
Don't forget your eSIM
On another note, I purchased my eSIM to only cover Argentina. In hindsight, I should have added Brazil onto my plan. Once I was in Brazil, I didn’t have cell service.
Holafly is incredibly reliable and easy to use, so I know if I would have just selected Argentina AND Brazil to my plan, it wouldn’t have cost anything extra, and I would have had service on that day.
There is Wi-Fi at the national park, but it wasn’t working properly when we were there. I was a little nervous that I wasn't going to be able to contact our driver to pick us up. Luckily, the Parque Das Aves had Wi-Fi that I was able to access.
Explore the Falls
Once it’s your entry time, you’ll be loaded onto a double decker bus that will take you to the entrance of the falls. Once there, you have a short walk to the main viewing platform. It’s crowded, the water is strong and powerful, it’s misty, and it’s just an intense experience.
My youngest wasn’t the biggest fan of the Brazilian side of the falls… except for the popcorn we got at the food stand after we were done exploring. But I still recommend going.
Consider a boat ride
On the Argentinian side, the minimum age for boat rides is 12 years old. But on the Brazilian side of the falls, there is no age limitation for boat rides. They offer a “dry” option that isn’t dry, but doesn’t put you directly under the falls. There will still be crazy mist, though, and you will get wet. So we opted out of the experience because my youngest would have been miserable.
If you do decide to do a boat ride, you buy tickets for the boat rides at the entrance. Our driver is able to get you a discount if needed. On the bus ride back, you’ll get off at the bus stop for the boat experience.
They say to allow 2 hours for the boat experience. It starts with a guided walk through the jungle. After that, there are lockers available to store anything you don’t want to get wet or to change clothes if needed. Then there is a 27 minute boat ride, and make sure you ask for the dry option when embarking!
On your way out of the Brazilian park, don’t forget to check out the souvenir shop. They have some more quality looking souvenirs and things you may actually not regret buying once you’re home.
Parque Das Aves
The Brazilian side of the falls is a much shorter experience than the Argentinian side. So to make the whole Brazilian visa process worth it, I’d recommend heading to Parque Das Aves after the falls. It’s right across the street from the national park, so you can walk to it easily.
Parque Das Aves is a bird park with a variety of birds like toucans, hummingbirds, owls, macaws, and even cassowaries. It’s a bit of a tourist trap, but the kids really enjoyed it.
Though not necessary, you can also buy tickets for Parque Das Aves online before your trip.
Tango Dinner Show
Since the Brazilian side of the falls requires a lot less walking, and is a bit of a shorter experience, you’re likely to have a little more energy when you return to town in the afternoon. Which means your group might be feeling up to a more exciting dinner that includes a tango show.
El Quincho del Tio Querido has dinner shows every night at 7:30 (much reasonable for kids than the folk music in Tilcara that starts at 9pm). You can make a reservation before your trip via WhatsApp to ensure they’ll have a table for your group.
What to Pack for a Day Exploring Iguazu Falls
Ponchos
Even on the clearest of days, if you choose to go to Garganta del Diablo, you will get wet! The mist coming off of the falls is intense. And don’t forget, the mist is coming up from the falls. An umbrella just won’t cut it.
I bought these disposable ponchos that come with both adult and kids sizes, and they were perfect for our needs.
Brazil Visa
Do not forget to get your Brazil visa before your trip. It’s a bit of a process, but if you’re going all the way to Iguazu Falls, you might as well do it thoroughly and just go through the hassle of getting the Brazil visa. Plus, once you have it, it’s good for 10 years. So maybe a good excuse to plan a trip to Brazil in the future?
And do not forget to bring printed copies! They recommend you bring two printed copies of everyone’s visas with you. We only needed one copy. But I guess the other is for backup. I printed ours at home, so I’m not sure if there’s even a place to print them in town.
Passports
When you purchase your Iguazu Falls tickets, they say you will need to have your passport with you when you enter the park. They didn’t ask for ours, but I would bring them anyway.
Waterproof pouches
Speaking of passports… You don’t want to end up with a soggy passport when the mist from the falls seeps into your purse or backpack. And in such a cash-based society, you don’t want your cash getting soggy and ripping, either.
I bought these waterproof pouches that are fanny-pack style. I didn’t wear it like a fanny pack, but it was nice to have the strap and they were efficient in keeping the water out.
Having a two pack was perfect. I used one for my phone, since I knew I’d be taking it in and out more. And the other was for passports, money, and credit cards.
If you're headed to Argentina's northwest, you likely won't need waterproof pouches and ponchos! But for a list of everything you will need in Jujuy and Tilcara, head over to this article.
Baby Carrier
My “baby” was 3 when we visited Iguazu Falls, and I was so happy I brought the carrier. In total that day we walked nearly 10 miles. I’m impressed my 8 year old did it with minimal complaining. I don’t think my arms would have survived carrying my 3 year old every time she didn’t feel like walking.
I did see some couples with a stroller, but there are often small sets of steps along the paths surrounding the falls. There may be ways around, but if you can, a carrier is definitely the more efficient way to go.
Snacks and Water
There are snacks and water available for purchase in the parks, but if you want to save a bit of money and have more flexibility, it’s best to pack a few things.
Beware of the coaties! Especially in the area after Garganta del Diablo in Argentina, when everyone is waiting for their turn on the train and has nothing to do but eat, the coaties are a bit aggressive for my liking. They will jump up on your table, climb on your backpack, and in general have zero fear in their search for food.
In other portions of the park, you can purchase something at the store and eat in a cage, safe from the coaties. The coaties also weren’t as plentiful or aggressive in other parts of the park.
Cash
Like all places in Argentina, you don’t want to be walking around with zero cash. You likely won’t need a lot of it when visiting the falls, but you’ll at least need it to pay or tip your driver.
Waterproof Shoes
If you don’t like walking around all day with wet feet, try to wear waterproof or water resistant shoes. Even on a clear day, that mist is thick.
I like these because they're lightweight, have a decent grip, and are waterproof. Plus, I just love all things Xero Shoes!
Kids’ Change of Clothes
If your kids complain about wet clothes as much as mine do, you’ll want to bring along a change of clothes for them. And layers are always a good option as well. Even when it’s cooler, you’re doing a lot of walking and may want to remove some layers.
I made sure to bring some gallon-sized Ziploc bags for both packing the spare clothes, and for a place to put wet items other than straight into the backpack.
Umbrellas
If it is raining when you’re there, and you’re away from the mist, you may want to consider bringing umbrellas. Ponchos can get hot when you aren't right next to the falls. And with all that walking, umbrellas could be the better option for exploring the upper and lower falls loops.
Before my trip, I bought this umbrella because it's lightweight, sturdy, and fit nicely into my suitcase. I liked it so much, I now have it set aside in my "travel" box so it doesn't get used between trips!
Bugspray
When we visited in winter (June), there was no need for bugspray. But you are in the jungle. Especially if you’re visiting in the rainy season (October to March), make sure you bring bugspray with you.
Additional Activities for Families in Iguazu, Argentina
If you have extra time, or want to substitute one of the above activities from the above Iguazu Falls Itinerary, here are a few additional activities your family may enjoy in Iguazu, Argentina.
Guira Oga Animal Sanctuary
Guira Oga is an animal sanctuary that helps to save animals like birds, monkeys, pumas, coaties, and turtles. All the animals have stories of how they came to arrive at the sanctuary, and they make efforts to show you that they really have pure intentions… rather than just trying to get tourist’s money.
When you go to Guira Oga, you first go on a truck tour through the sanctuary. It seems like it’s a bit of crap shoot whether or not your guide will speak English. It could be worth messaging them ahead of time if English is necessary for your family. After the truck tour, you’ll end with a short walk (less than 1km) to see some more animals.
Gelato
I mean, you can’t really go wrong with gelato after getting some serious miles in while exploring the falls. There are a few gelato shops in town, and we enjoyed some gelato at Cremolatti Heladeria because I know they always have at least one dairy free option.
You don't exactly need to add gelato to your Igauzu Falls Itinerary, but just know that it's definitely an option and should definitely be considered!
Souvenir Shopping
You won’t have difficulty finding a souvenir shop in town. And if you go into a few, it’ll start to feel like deja vu. But it can be fun to look around and let the kids pick something out. We found a magnet for our fridge back home, and both of my girls picked out a Capybara souvenir.
You're bound to find yourself in a souvenir shop, whether or not you officially add it to your Iguazu Falls itinerary.
Jungle Fly
Jungle Fly offers zip lining through the jungle as well as tree climbing and rappelling. My kids weren’t old enough to participate, so I didn’t try it out for myself. And reviews online are very mixed. It sounds like in general it could be a fun experience, but it isn’t a must-do activity, and that management and organization are a bit lacking.
Guarani Tribe Visit
Don’t get me wrong, I love learning about indigenous cultures, and cultures that are different from my own in general. But the visit to the Guarani Village seems pretty contrived and just set up as a show for the tourists. That being said, you will learn about ways of life of the Guarani Tribe.
They offer half day tours both in the morning and in the afternoon. And tours are available with English translation, but you’ll need to request the English option and it may come with an additional fee.
Igauzu River Miradores
Along the river on the north end of town are some overlooks that are a nice destination for a walk. One of them, Mirador Alvar Nunez, has a few play structures for the kids. It’s the only hint of a playground I found in town. So if your kids are missing their climbing equipment, it could be worth the walk over there.
The Bottle House
The Bottle House is a house made entirely of recycled plastic bottles and their caps.
I mean, is it unique? Yes. Is it fun to look at and see how it was constructed? Sure. Do I think it needs to be a top priority for your family trip to Argentina? Not really. But if you’re looking for a way to pass some time in Iguazu, it could be a fun destination. And it’s close to Guira Oga, so you could tie the two destinations together for an afternoon.
What to Skip on Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary
Jardin de los Picaflores
This hummingbird garden was continuously listed as an activity to do in Iguazu. But to be honest, for the price, it just isn’t worth it. I had to convince my kids to stay for 30 minutes before allowing us to leave.
The hummingbirds are pretty, but it’s a small area. You need to be quiet. And there’s just not a lot to do. And the gate was locked when we first arrived, and you supposedly had to make a reservation. But how to do so (or that you even need to do so) isn’t posted anywhere.
Plus, if you’re planning to go to Parque das Aves in Brazil after visiting the falls, they have a whole hummingbird section included that is much larger than Jardin de los Picaflores. And when we went in June 2025, the price for the bird park in Brazil was about $15 per person (ages 8+), and the Jardin in Argentina was about $10 per person.
Biocenter
The Biocenter is supposedly a place to see native flora and fauna in Igauzu, Argentina. But the reviews on all platforms are pretty horrific, saying that the animals aren’t well cared for and the facilities are run down. I’m not even sure why this place keeps showing up on lists of things to do in the area.
If you want to see local flora and fauna, head to the animal sanctuary, Guira Oga instead.
How to Get Around Iguazu, Argentina
Hire a Driver
Taking taxis or hiring drivers is the best way to get around Iguazu as a family. We arranged transport from the airport with our hotel (Hotel Saint George), and I liked the driver so much that I ended up using him to get us around the entire time we were there.
The benefits of hiring a driver include him knowing where to go and how long to allow for you to get there. Drivers and taxis can go in an express lane when entering Brazil (don’t forget your visa!). And he was even able to get us a discount sometimes with some sort of tour guide number.
If you want his contact information, please email me! (thebeckhamsabroad @gmail.com)
He was reliable, friendly, patient with kids, informative with timing, and helpful with translating and the whole process of immigration when entering and exiting Brazil.
He only speaks Spanish, but he definitely knows how to speak Spanish to foreigners! He was very easy to understand. If you want to pay him with credit card, you can but it will be for an additional fee.
If you want a reliable driver, please email me! I’ll pass along his WhatsApp number.
Take the Buses
A lot of people take the buses, and the whole process seems like a well-oiled machine. Buses are reliable and affordable, and a great option if you’re looking to spend a little less money.
I chose not to take the buses because I wanted more flexibility with timing. And with two kids in tow, I frankly didn’t want just one more thing to figure out. And when entering Brazil, you’re definitely going to have a longer stop at immigration. That being said, make sure you get on a bus that will stop at immigration if you aren’t from Brazil or Argentina!
Rent a Car
You could rent a car in Iguazu, but it doesn’t always seem necessary. After you factor in the cost of the car, gas, insurance, and an exit permit to Brazil, you’re going to pay way more than if you just hire a private driver.
Plus, you can’t go in the express lane to enter Brazil. I saw it, and that line can get really long!! Like, waiting for hours long.
Everything in the town of Puerto Iguazu is walkable. And if you’re going slightly out of town to places like Guira Oga, there are plenty of regular taxis in town.
Where to Stay in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
You’ll want to stay in town, especially if you’re not going to be renting a car. Everything in town is walkable, but I did look at a few places that were located out of the main town. That would have required a taxi any time we wanted to leave hotel premises.
You may also want to consider staying somewhere with breakfast included. To avoid crowds at the falls, and in hotter months to avoid afternoon heat, you’re likely going to be getting an early start during your visit to Iguazu. Having a breakfast buffet available right on hotel property is the easiest, most efficient way to fuel up before a long day of exploring.
If you're wondering where to stay when visiting Jujuy and Tilcara, Argentina, check out my tips and recommendations in this article: How to Best Visit Jujuy, Argentina: A Family Travel Guide to the Tilcara Region
Hotel Saint George
We stayed at Hotel Saint George and I 10/10 recommend doing the same! This is not a sponsored blog or stay or anything. I think I just really chose the best spot for our family. And I think Hotel Saint George is the perfect hotel in Iguazu for all families.
Right out of the gate, they hooked me up with an incredible driver from the airport. If you missed it above, I ended up using him to get us to both sides of the falls and back to the airport on our final day. If you want his contact information, email me and I’ll send it along.
They have a large breakfast buffet, so everyone can find something they like. And it’s enough to fuel your bodies before a lot of walking around the falls.
There is a small kids play room that was perfect for after a day of exploring. Before dinner, when I needed to do some research, message people (like our driver!), or catch up on emails, my kids were happily entertained playing (and not in front of a screen).
In the warmer months, there is a gorgeous pool area, complete with a kids splash area. When we were there in June, even though the air was 70 degrees, the water was freezing. But my daughter going for a quick doggie paddle was a fun adventure for her, at least!
There is an onsite restaurant called Doña Maria. It’s a bit expensive. But the food was good, and they had a large enough variety to please everyone.
The hotel is also a 2 minute walk to El Arbol Real, where there is a “pay by weight” buffet that you can take back to your hotel room with you. The variety of food was incredible, the price was fair, and some nights it was the best way to enjoy a meal in the room after a long day exploring.
Final Thoughts: 2 Day Iguazu Falls Itinerary for Families
Two days is plenty of time to fully experience Iguazu Falls as a family.
On the first day, spend almost your entire day at the Argentinian national park. After a day of a lot of walking, you’re going to want to relax more in the evening. Have a tasting experience at Yerba Mate Club and then plan an easy takeaway dinner or eat at the hotel restaurant.
On the second day, make the journey to Brazil to see the other side of Iguazu Falls. It’s a shorter experience, so afterwards you can head to Parque Das Aves. After returning to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, you’ll likely have more energy than the first night. Head out to a tango dinner show at El Quincho del Tio Querido.
If you’re looking for additional activities in Puerto Iguazu, you can eat some gelato, visit the animal sanctuary at Guira Oga, tour the Guarani Village, or go ziplining at Jungle Fly.
The best way to get around Iguazu Falls is with a private driver. Other options include buses and renting a car.
If you want a centrally located hotel made for families and kids, you’ll want to stay at Hotel Saint George. Plus, they have breakfast available, making getting out the door early in mornings easier for everyone.
Resources to Help You Plan Your Iguazu Falls Itinerary:
HolaFly for your eSIM. Why? Because of their unlimited data options.
Welcome Pickups for airport transfers in Buenos Aires. Why? Because they are reliable, speak English, and introduced me to my favorite driver in the city.
Surfshark for a VPN. Why? Their plans include unlimited devices. Perfect for a whole family.
Hotel Saint George for a place to stay. Why? They are centrally located, have large clean rooms, are family friendly (including a play area for kids), and have a large buffet breakfast.