Where Is Iguazu Falls? A Complete Guide to Its Exact Location
Iguazu Falls is in South America, on the border between Brazil and Argentina. It is the largest waterfall system in the world, with about 275 individual falls spread across 2.7 km of the Iguazu River. This guide shows you exactly where it is, how the Triple Frontier works, and how to get there.
Where Is Iguazu Falls Located?
Iguazu Falls is located in South America, between Brazil and Argentina. The Brazilian side is in the state of Paraná, and the Argentine side is in the province of Misiones.
The two closest cities are:
- Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil — the base for the Brazilian side of the falls
- Puerto Iguazú, Argentina — the base for the Argentine side of the falls
Both cities have their own international airport, so which one you fly into often depends on which side of the border your trip already runs through. We cover that choice below.
Iguazu Falls Coordinates and Exact Position
To be precise, the falls sit on the border between the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu and the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú, on the river that separates the two countries.
GPS Coordinates
To find the falls on a map or GPS, use -25.695370, -54.436625 (25°41′43″S, 54°26′12″W).
The Argentina–Brazil–Paraguay Triple Frontier
Iguazu Falls is close to one of the best-known borders in South America: the Triple Frontier (Triple Frontera / Tríplice Fronteira), where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet. It sits where the Iguazu River flows into the Paraná River, roughly 20 km downstream of the falls.
Three countries meet there, but only two of them own the falls. Brazil and Argentina each protect their side inside a national park. Paraguay has no access to the falls, although Ciudad del Este is close enough that some travelers add it as a short stop for shopping.
The Marco das Três Fronteiras: Three Countries in One View
The Marco das Três Fronteiras (Triple Frontier Landmark) marks the exact point where the Iguazu and Paraná rivers meet. Both river names come from the Guarani language: Iguazu means “big water,” and Paraná means “as big as the sea.” From the viewpoint you can see Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina at the same time.
The one we recommend is the Argentine landmark (Hito Tres Fronteras) in Puerto Iguazú. It is free and easy to reach, and it is a good short stop between visits to the falls.
What Is Iguazu Falls? Quick Facts
Before going further into the geography, here is what you are looking at on the map.
- Number of individual waterfalls: around 275, depending on water levels
- Total width: roughly 2.7 km (1.7 miles) across the full system
- Height: up to 82 meters (269 feet) at the tallest point
- Average water flow: around 1,750 cubic meters per second
- Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of Nature
The most famous section is the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo in Spanish, Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese), a U-shaped chasm where the largest volume of water plunges down, and where the border between Argentina and Brazil technically runs.
Are the Iguazu Falls in Brazil or Argentina?
This is the question that trips up most first-time visitors, and the honest answer is: both, but not equally.
The Brazilian Side
The Brazilian side, reached from Foz do Iguaçu in the state of Paraná, holds a smaller share of the falls but offers the best panoramic views. A single main walkway lets visitors see almost the entire curtain of waterfalls from a distance, making it the side most people choose if they only have a few hours.
The Argentine Side
The Argentine side, reached from Puerto Iguazú in Misiones province, holds most of the falls and offers a far more immersive experience. An extensive network of trails and catwalks brings visitors right up to, and in some cases over, the edge of individual cascades, including a walkway that leads directly to the Devil’s Throat.
How Much of the Falls Is in Each Country
Roughly 80% of Iguazu Falls lies within Argentina, and the remaining 20% is in Brazil. That is why travelers who want an up-close experience tend to favor the Argentine side, while those who want the best photos and the widest overview tend to favor the Brazilian side.
So which one is better? The two sides complement each other, and many visitors see both, spread across two separate days. For a full breakdown, read our comparison: Brazilian side vs. Argentine side: which is better?
How to Get to Iguazu Falls
Now that you know where it is, the next question is how to get there. You fly into one of two airports:
- Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
- Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Either airport works for seeing both sides of the falls. Which one is easier depends mostly on where you are flying from.
Which Airport Should You Choose?
If your trip already runs through Argentina, choose IGR. If it runs through Brazil, choose IGU. If you are flying from the United States and your goal is to see both sides of the falls, we recommend IGU. The main reason is connectivity:
- IGU has far more flight options. It connects mainly to São Paulo (GRU and CGH), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Brasília, Curitiba, and other Brazilian cities.
- IGR depends heavily on Buenos Aires. The great majority of its flights come from AEP and EZE.
- From the U.S. you will connect somewhere in South America anyway. U.S. → São Paulo → IGU is a very natural route.
- U.S. → Buenos Aires → IGR also works well, but it ties you more closely to the Argentine flight network.
Crossing the Border Between the Two Sides
To visit both sides of the falls you have to cross the border between Argentina and Brazil, so bring your passport. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa. Brazil and Argentina have separate rules, so check both before you travel: the Brazilian visa requirements and the Argentine visa requirements.
In high season, the car queue at the border can reach two or three hours. A private Iguazu Falls tour avoids most of that: we use the lane dedicated to tour operators, and in extreme cases we arrange transport on the other side and cross immigration on foot, which saves one to two hours of waiting. Most days it is not a problem, because we know the quietest crossing times for each specific day.
For a full breakdown of routes, bus options, and border-crossing tips from each major city, see our complete guide: How to Get to Iguazu Falls.
Already planning where to base yourself? See our guide on where to stay near Iguazu Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two: Argentina and Brazil share Iguazu Falls. The Argentine side is in the province of Misiones, and the Brazilian side is in the state of Paraná.
No. Paraguay is part of the surrounding Triple Frontier, but it has no entrance to the falls. Only Argentina and Brazil have access. You can, however, see Paraguay from the Triple Frontier viewpoints.
Choose IGR (Puerto Iguazú, Argentina) if your trip runs through Argentina, and IGU (Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil) if it runs through Brazil. If you are flying from the United States, we recommend IGU, because it has many more connections through São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other Brazilian cities.
You need your passport to cross the border between the two sides. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa for Brazil, Argentina, or both, since each country has its own rules. Check the official visa pages linked in the border section above before you travel.
Yes, in width and height. Iguazu Falls spans close to 2.7 km compared to Niagara’s roughly 1.2 km, drops up to 82 meters compared to Niagara’s roughly 50 meters, and consists of hundreds of individual falls rather than three main drops.