The Majesty of Iguacu Falls

After weaving your way through the rainforest in specially adapted vehicles you reach the river. The water seems calm enough. You carefully step into the semi-rigid rubber boat waiting on the banks, and the group takes off up river. At first you only notice the scenery: the colorful birds, the tropical vegetation, and the occasional long-tailed coati poking its head out from behind a tree, but quickly you start to hear a strange noise, a faint roaring, which grows more intense as the journey progresses. The water starts to churn and flow more chaotically, and a fine mist drizzles down onto your face. With anticipation building, you finally round a bend in the river to find yourself face to face with the “Garganta del Diablo” (Devil’s Throat in Spanish): a 318 ft. high monster waterfall that is the largest of the 275 waterfalls found in the Iguacu National Park.

The Iguacu Falls make Niagara Falls look tiny and maybe even boring; they have a flow capacity three times greater than their North American cousin. The falls are accessible from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, and visitors can explore the natural parks on elevated metal walkways that go over and right up next to a huge number of the falls. Optional boat trips take you close to the Devil’s Throat or under one of smaller falls for a wet and wild adventure.

The Falls were discovered in 1549 by the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca; the name comes from the native Guarani Indians. Almost since their discovery, the Iguacu Falls have become one of the most important and beautiful tourist attractions in all of South America, and one that surely cannot be missed in your journey. Taking Spanish classes with one of our ViaSpanish partner schools in South America and then going to Iguacu Falls may just be the adventure you’ve always been looking for!

The Iguacu International Airport makes it easy to reach the falls from our ViaSpanish destinations in Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; and Quito, Ecuador. If you decide to take your Spanish classes at our school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can take advantage of the frequently organized weekend trips by bus. Departing early on Thursday evenings and returning late Sunday nights, these tours give you plenty of time to explore the majestic falls in depth. In Buenos Aires, friendships form easily during the week in our group Spanish classes, which are offered in six levels according to the education framework provided by the Cervantes Institute, and also during the breaks. Then students celebrate and practice new Spanish skills with their new friends during a long, relaxing weekend at some of the world’s most amazing places, among which Iguacu Falls is definitely a favorite!