Iguazu versus Victoria Falls - A Vaessen Comparison

We are starting to really come to terms with the fact that we have been incredibly spoiled in recent years. We’ve seen Niagara Falls, we’ve hiked to Yosemite falls, we spent Christmas 2011 at Victoria falls and now we were heading to Iguazu Falls!

We realized we were spoiled when, at Salta airport, I guiltily confessed to Joep that I was not excited to go to Iguazu and he emphatically agreed with me. We have valid reasons!! Firstly, we had already seen all the falls I mentioned above so we thought we didn’t need to see more falls. Secondly, after El Calafate we were really not in the mood for another custom built Argentina tourist town.

Our fears were unfounded. Upon arrival at our somewhat reasonably priced 4* hotel (which was in the town centre to boot!) we were upgraded to a master suite meaning that it really was worth the money. On top of that the pool area was lovely and after enjoying it for a while over a few beers we had a delicious meal across the road in the town at a restaurant called Colours.

Were there lots of tourists there? Yes! Did this mean that everything felt over priced and that we were getting ripped off all the time? No. A very pleasant surprise.

Similar to the southern tip, we had only planned on staying in Iguazu for 2 days just to see the must see things. The following morning we got up and relaxed for a while before catching the bus to the falls. We spent a good 6 hours walking around the falls. At first I was not super impressed because the part leading up to the falls is really commercial. It is not as bad as Niagara but you certainly have a theme part feel. It is nothing like Victoria Falls.

That being said, when you finally get through the throngs of people on the walkways and catch your first glimpse of the falls it is pretty impressive!! Here’s the dealio, these falls are wider than Victoria Falls but Victoria Falls are taller. In fact, Vic Falls are the largest curtain of water in the world. They are over 100m tall and 1600m wide. Another interesting stat is that the mist at Iguazu over the Devils Throat rises 30m versus 300m at Vic Falls ... This is a huge difference in the experience let me tell you.

Those are just a few of the scientific statistics comparing the two falls. More importantly though, here is the J&J take on them …

1. Iguazu is prettier. The 2 tiers of falls on top of each other makes it SUPER picturesque and the rainbows are gorgeous. That being said, Victoria Falls also has rainbows. But not 2 tiers.
2. Iguazu has almost no spray - Boo! That is the most fun bit of waterfalls! Especially when it is a zillion degrees out. At Vic Falls we were soaking wet within minutes of entering the park and it was a hoot! We didn’t get wet at all at Iguazu except if you count how sweaty we were. Gross.
3. Iguazu has heaps of cool raccoons wandering around. Like heaps and heaps. They are everywhere and super cute (if you are not petrified about rabies which I have recently developed an unwarranted fear of … don’t ask). Vic Falls has monkeys and wild pigs but they don’t wander around like the ones at Iguazu.
4. Vic Falls remains relatively undeveloped (as witnessed by that poor Aussie gal whose bungee cord broke … it still gives me the heeby jeebies). You are not part of a huge gangway of tourists and can get up really close to the falls. At times you feel like you may even be too close and that perhaps a fence wouldn’t go astray. Still you really get to experience the falls. Iguazu is wonderfully laid out and developed. It makes seeing the falls from their best angles really easy but it also takes the feeling of adventure out of it.

So that is out comparison. Similar to the statistical comparison there is no obvious winner. I think it is best to say that both are incredible in their own right and our previous misgivings about coming to Iguazu were quickly over-ridden.

That being said, we didn’t feel like we needed to spend all of the following day in the town as planned (our original flight was at 9:30pm) so after another lovely evening (and an ok meal … nothing to write home about) we decided the following morning to head to the airport early and try to get on an earlier flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival at Iguazu airport we were put on a standby list and off we went to wait at the airport restaurant. At this point I became violently ill. And I mean violently. So ill that when Joep went to see if we could get the earlier flight and I was left sitting alone in a quiet spot Joep had found for me I was approached by a medic and ushered into a little emergency clinic. Blech. It was horrible but I was stoked that I was in a tourist town and medical help was readily available. These dudes were so great!

We made the earlier flight and after a hasty medical diagnosis (which I didn’t understand) and the administration of some medication (which I gratefully accepted without question) we were on our way. Its funny how when you travel you accept random medication from strangers. I would never do that at home. I had no qualms about doing it at Iguazu.

The medication was effective in getting me from Iguazu to Buenos Aires where we had a lovely apartment for the entire week meaning that I was free to be as ill as necessary.

It wasn’t the best end to the Iguazu portion of our trip but illness aside, Iguazu should definitely be on people’s bucket lists. It we had to choose between Iguazu and Victoria Falls we would choose both. Because we can. Mmmmmwahahahaha! I’m being serious. I cannot tell you which one is worth seeing more than the other. They are both awesome.