Iguazu Falls Where To Stay: Hotels At Iguazu Falls, Which Side Is Better & More
Iguazu Falls where to stay: Will you be visiting Iguazu Falls and are looking for somewhere to stay? Luckily, there are no shortages of hotels at Iguazu Falls, including inside the national parks!
I recently visited both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of Iguazu Falls. And I explored a number of accommodation options on each side, so I know what to look for when it comes to choosing a hotel.
To help you plan your trip, here is everything you need to know about where to stay at Iguazu Falls.
Visiting Iguazu Falls
When traveling to South America, one place you MUST visit is Iguazu Falls. Located in Iguazú National Park in Argentina and Iguaçu National Park in Brazil (on the border of the two countries), Iguazu Falls is a place of awe-inspiring natural beauty.
With 275 cascading waterfalls spanning 2.7 km (1.6 mi), Iguazu Falls has even been named one of the world’s Seven Wonders of Nature!
Another thing that makes visiting Iguazu Falls such a bucket-list item is that it is completely accessible. Both the Argentina and Brazil sides have infrastructure in place which makes it possible for everyone to get a close-up view of these magnificent falls. Plus, the trails leading to various lookout points are all short and easy to do.
This is one of those places where you don’t have to be an expert hiker or go off the beaten path to see it. On top of this, there are various tours and activities to experience the falls from different vantage points. Plus, there are even hotels at Iguazu Falls, to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the national parks. (More on this below)
Iguazu Falls Argentina or Brazil: Which Side is Better?
When visiting iguazu falls, a question everyone has is which side is better? This really comes down to what you plan to do.
If you want to do lots of activities during your trip, then the Brazil side is better. Whereas, if you prefer to explore the national park on foot, then the Argentina side is better. On the Argentina side there are several trails to do and lots of lookouts to see the falls from different vantage points.
READ MORE: The complete guide to Iguazu Falls Argentina vs Brazil
From my experience, if you have the time I highly recommend visiting both sides, as this really is the best way to experience Iguazu Falls.
Although it is possible to visit both sides in one day, you will likely run out of time to see and do everything you want to. Therefore, I recommend spending one full day on each side.
The easiest way to do this is to base yourself on the side you want to see more of, and do a day trip across the border to visit the other side. Crossing the border for just one day might sound daunting, but at Iguazu Falls it is actually very easy and is something most visitors do. Just make sure you come prepared with your passport and visa (if you need one).
Tip: For the best views of the falls book a panoramic helicopter ride (available only on the Brazil side), or the Macuco Safari Boat Road. The views and experiences of both are spectacular and are each very different experiences. if you have time, I highly recommend doing both!
Iguazu Falls: Where to Stay
When planning your trip to Iguazu Falls, where to stay is a question which will quickly come up. As a popular tourist destination, there are luckily plenty of accommodation options on both sides of the falls (including two hotels inside the national parks)!
➡️ Browse hotels on both sides of Iguazu Falls
To narrow down your options, the first thing you will need to decide is whether you want to stay on the Iguazu Falls Argentina side, or on the Brazil side.
Should You Stay on The Argentina or Brazil side?
When deciding between Argentina and Brazil for where to stay, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, where are you coming from and going to next?
Although you might be tempted to stay at your destination or arrival, personally I find it better to stay in the country where you’re departing from at the end of your trip. This is because you don’t want to risk missing your bus or plane if you get stuck at the border crossing on your day of departure. (Although this won’t matter if you’re traveling by car).
Are you able to enter both Brazil and Argentina? (Do you have a visa?)
Although you will likely want to visit both Brazil and Argentina when visiting Iguazu Falls, this may not be possible if you don’t have the right immigration papers. As such, you should always look into this BEFORE booking your accommodation.
In case you get stuck being unable to travel to one of the two countries, you don’t want to also end up with a non-refundable hotel booking. Therefore, make sure you have a visa (if you need one) or are eligible to enter the country before making reservations.
Note – some countries are visa exempt for Argentina and/or Brazil. However, you should still check that you meet all the entry requirements.
What are you looking to do during your stay?
If you’re planning to do lots of activities while visiting the falls, I would suggest staying on the Brazil side. There are more activities and tours you can do here than on the Argentina side.
Whereas if you want to explore the town and do some shopping, then the Argentina side will be a better place for you to stay. There are plenty of Argentinian ‘Parrilla’ (grill) restaurants to choose from here and a dedicated duty free shop near the border.
Are you looking to stay at one of the hotels at Iguazu Falls?
If you are looking to stay at the falls, you should consider which of the two hotels inside the national parks suits you more, and which national park you want to have more access to.
Both hotels are 5-star and offer first-class amenities and services, but they don’t come cheap! It’s worth considering which one appeals to you more and checking prices before deciding which side to stay on. (More on this below).
➡️ View the hotels inside the National Parks.
Finally, in deciding which side to stay on, you should consider which country you want to explore more.
We chose to stay on the Brazil side of the falls, since we were arriving and departing from there, and had already spent a lot of time in Argentina on this trip. I was a little worried about missing out on the Argentina side, as I had heard good things, but we had a great time in Brazil and don’t regret staying there.
Hotels in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina)
The closest town to the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls is Puerto Iguazú, located 19 km (11.8 mi) from Iguazú National Park. This is a typical tourist town with lots of hotels, restaurants and shops geared towards visitors to the falls. But the town has a certain charm to it and is a great place to enjoy some fantastic Argentinian steak and wine.
The drive between the town and the entry to Iguazú National Park takes between 25-45 minutes depending on traffic. There is also an airport nearby – Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR) – which is 20 km (12.4 mi) from Puerto Iguazú and 9 km (5.6 mi) from the park.
➡️ Find the best deals on flights to Puerto Iguazú
Recommended Hotels – Puerto Iguazú
Most of the hotels in Puerto Iguazú are located in the town centre. This is a great place to stay to be close to shops, bars and restaurants.
Although we ended up staying on the Brazil side, when I was researching where to stay, I came across a number of highly rated options in Puerto Iguazú.
From my research, these are the hotels I would recommend in Puerto Iguazú:
✅ Hotel Jardin De Iguazu – This is a more budget friendly option but still offers lots of luxuries like a beautiful garden and pool area, a hydromassage tub, and breakfast included. The hotel is also in one of the best locations, right in the town centre.
✅ Iguazu Jungle Lodge – This is a beautiful lodge style hotel only a 10 minute walk to the town centre and surrounded by nature. They have a big outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and large rooms with balconies to enjoy the view from. Breakfast is also included in your stay here.
✅ Eco Hostel Iguazu – If a hostel is more your vibe, the Eco hostel looks like a great option close to the centre of town. It has both private and dorm room options, an onsite bar, garden, small swimming pool, and barbecue, kitchen and lounge facilities.
Hotels in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
The closest town to Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu. This is where you will find most of the hotels. Located 18 km (11.1 mi) from the entrance to Iguaçu National Park, the drive to the park from Foz do Iguaçu takes about 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
There is also an airport on the Brazil side – Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) – which is only 3 km (1.8) from the park entrance and 18 km (11.1 mi) from Foz do Iguaçu town.
➡️ Find the best deals on flights to Foz do Iguaçu
Where you stay in Foz do Iguaçu won’t matter too much as most of the activities you do will require you to travel by car or bus anyway. And if you book activities or tours in advance, most of them include hotel transfers.
Staying within walking distance to the downtown area is nice for the proximity to restaurants. But most hotels also have their own onsite restaurants, and if you attend shows or cultural activities in the evenings, you will likely have to commute by car, bus or transfer anyway.
Although, if you are staying further out and do want to head into town, I found Ubers and taxis to be very cheap.
Tip: For some amazing Italian food, try Bona Trattoria – Gastronomia Italiana in Foz do Iguaçu. We had the Salmon Tartar and Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Pistachio and Hazelnut Pesto Fettuccini. Both were delicious, but be warned, the portion sizes are huge!
Recommended Hotels – Foz do Iguaçu
We stayed at Selina Foz, which was a great experience. If you aren’t familiar with Selina, it’s actually an upmarket hostel chain which often feels more like a hotel but has the amenities of a hostel. This really suited us since we were working remotely during our trip and Selina always has excellent Wi-Fi and comfortable spaces to work.
Although, before visiting Iguazu Falls, I came across a number of great options for hotels in Foz do Iguaçu, including some options for those looking for a more luxurious stay.
Here are the hotels I would recommend in Foz do Iguaçu:
✅ JL Hotel by Bourbon – This is an affordable and highly rated option, which doesn’t compromise on luxury. The JL Hotel has modern rooms, a sleek pool area, a fitness centre and onsite bar. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk into the centre of town, but there are also plenty of restaurants next to the hotel to choose from.
✅ Sanma Hotel By Nobile – Although on the pricier side, this 5-star hotel has everything needed to completely indulge. It has a huge swimming pool surrounded by beautiful gardens, an onsite spa, sport facilities including tennis courts, soccer and volleyball, and its own ecological hiking trail. The Sanma Hotel is also conveniently located just 400 m from the Iguaçu National Park entrance.
✅ Selina Foz – This is where we stayed and is where I recommend if you prefer hostels. Selina has a fun vibe, hotel-like rooms, and is located very close to the centre of Foz. They also had a lovely restaurant/bar area where we had breakfast each morning and a huge pool to relax in. Plus, the hostel was walking distance to some amazing restaurants where we ate way too much!
Hotels at Iguazu Falls – Staying Inside The National Park
If you’re looking to have the ultimate Iguazu Falls experience, then you can stay at a hotel inside one of the national parks!
On the Argentina side, the Gran Melia Hotel Iguazu is in Iguazú National Park, and on the Brazil side, Hotel das Catarates is in Iguaçu National Park. Both these hotels offer unforgettable 5-star experiences, but they don’t come cheap.
Are The Hotels at Iguazu Falls Worth It?
Staying at one of these hotels allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the falls and the surrounding jungle. You also get access to the national park before and after the crowds arrive, allowing you to see it from a different perspective, peaceful and quiet. This is ideal if you want to try spotting wildlife and connect with nature.
In my opinion, having this extra freedom to explore the park without the crowds justifies the price of spending a night here!
Although I didn’t stay at one of the hotels at Iguazu Falls on this visit, it’s definitely something I want to do next time. I think the unique experience it offers would be completely worth it, especially for a special occasion.
Read on to find out more about the Gran Melia Hotel Iguazu and Hotel das Catarates.
Gran Melia Hotel Iguazu (Argentina)
On the Argentina side, the 5-star Gran Melia Iguazu inside Iguazú National Park is a luxury hotel with views of Iguazu Falls. It also has plenty of onsite facilities and services to enjoy, including an infinity pool, spa facilities, 3 restaurants, 4 bars, and a buffet breakfast served daily.
The rooms all come with large private balconies, either overlooking the falls or the jungle. Rooms overlooking the falls are more expensive, but aren’t the only place to see the view. If you choose a jungle view room, you can still enjoy a view of the falls from the swimming pool, lobby and restaurant.
What Makes The Gran Melia Iguazu So Special?
The Gran Melia Iguazu is the only hotel on the Argentina side with views of Iguazu Falls. Staying here also gives you access to Iguazú National Park park before and after the crowds arrive, meaning you can find yourself alone on the trails and be the first to get to the lookouts.
This privileged access is the best way to experience Iguazu Falls in Argentina. It also means you will have some amazing photo opportunities, with no one else in the shot!
What Do The Reviews Say?
The reviews of the Gran Melia Iguazu are overwhelmingly positive. On booking.com the hotel has a rating of 9/10. Recent reviews praise the hotel for the unbeatable location, excellent resort facilities and spectacular views.
In the past there have been some reviews commenting on how the standards of the Gran Melia Iguazu aren’t quite on par with other Gran Melia’s around the world. However, it is possible the hotel has since addressed these concerns as this hasn’t been mentioned in recent reviews.
How Much Does The Gran Melia Iguazu Cost?
Prices for the Gran Melia Iguazu vary by room type and time of year. From my search, I can see prices starting from $379 USD for a Deluxe king room with jungle view. However, prices can be much higher than this (in the 1-2k range!), particularly during peak season.
Tip: The Gran Melia Iguazu is best booked closer to your arrival date, rather than in advance. Prices for rooms within 6 months of arrival appear to be MUCH cheaper than booking further out. (As of April 2023, prices for the next 2 months are currently 5x cheaper than at the same time next year!)
Hotel das Catarates (Brazil)
In Iguaçu National Park on the Brazil side of Iguazu falls, you can stay at Hotel das Catarates. This 5-star hotel offers beautifully decorated Portuguese styled rooms, and some even have views of the falls. The hotel also has a range of amenities available including a swimming pool, tennis court, wellness centre, a restaurant serving international and Brazilian cuisine, and an onsite bar where you can enjoy live music.
What Makes Hotel das Catarates So Special?
Hotel das Catarates is the only hotel other than the Gran Melia Iguazu (and only hotel on the Brazil side) with direct views of Iguazu Falls. Plus, the views on the Brazil side are also more panoramic than on the Argentinian side.
In addition to the spectacular views, Hotel das Catarates actually also has something that sets it apart from its Argentinian counterpart. When you stay inside Iguaçu National Park in Brazil, you actually get after-hours access to the park. (Whereas on the Argentina side there are areas you cannot visit before and after hours).
This extra access to the park when staying at Hotel das Catarates means you can truly take advantage of your stay and explore the park on your own schedule and without anyone else there!
Finally, in my opinion, the decor and style of Hotel das Catarates also makes it extra special. The Portuguese influence and beautifully decorated rooms really gives this hotel some extra charm and makes it stand out.
What Do The Reviews Say?
Hotel das Catarates is rated even more highly than Gran Melia Iguazu, with a 9.6/10 on booking.com. Recent reviews rave about the hotel’s unique beauty, access to the park, exceptional service and, of course, the location.
How Much Does Hotel das Catarates cost?
Hotel das Catarates doesn’t vary in price as much as Gran Melia Iguazu. Instead it has a relatively flat price per night all year, increasing only slightly in the peak season. For a Superior double room you should expect to pay between $571 to $595 USD per night.
Yacutinga Lodge: An Alternative To Staying Inside the Parks
When researching accommodation options for Iguazu Falls, I stumbled across an incredible alternative – Yacutinga Lodge. This is the perfect option for those looking to immerse themselves in the rainforest and get away from other tourists.
Although please note, a stay at Yacutinga Lodge is something to do BEFORE or AFTER your visit to Iguazu Falls, as the location does not make it an easy place to access the falls from.
Yacutinga Lodge is located about 2 hours away from Iguazu Falls, deep in the Misiones Jungle in Argentina. Here you can experience the most bio-diverse eco-system in Argentina and explore the jungle in complete harmony with the environment.
You can stay at Yacutinga Lodge for a 2-night experience which comprises an eco-tour with various activities, all meals and lodging. During your stay you will get to learn about the rainforest, explore 10 miles of trails and kayak on the waters of the Yacutinga Reserve.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay at Iguazu Falls
When visiting Iguazu Falls, there are plenty of options for where to stay to suit different budgets and experiences.
If you’re looking for the complete package, staying at one of the hotels at Iguazu Falls will offer an unparalleled experience. However if this is not on the cards for you this visit, you will still have an amazing time staying in Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu.
With so many great hotels to choose from, and the spectacular experience you will have visiting the parks, your trip to Iguazu Falls will be unforgettable no matter where you stay!
READ MORE
Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour: Review & Everything You Need To Know
Which Side Of Iguazu Falls Is Better? The Complete Guide
Macuco Safari Review: The Ultimate Boat Ride At Iguazu Falls
What is the Biggest Waterfall in the World?
Hiking Iguazu Falls: Everything You Need To Know For The Best Views
