Puerto Iguazu

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster within a few blocks of the bus terminal, along and just off Avenida Victoria Aguirre, the town's main commercial strip. Staying in this central pocket puts restaurants, small markets, and the bus to the falls all within a short walk.

Getting around

• Take El Práctico bus from the Puerto Iguazú bus terminal to the national park entrance. It costs a fraction of what a taxi charges and runs frequently enough that you can catch an early departure to beat the crowds at Garganta del Diablo.
• The Argentine side of the falls lets you walk directly alongside the water on the catwalks. The Brazilian side, which requires a separate day trip and its own entry fee, gives you the wide panoramic view. Budget time and money for both if you can.
• Foreign visitors pay park entry in USD equivalent, so check the official Parque Nacional Iguazú website before you arrive to know what you owe. Rates change and the price at the gate can catch you off guard if you haven't planned for it.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest in May and September, well outside Argentine school holiday periods. They fill up fast in January, July, and around Semana Santa, when prices jump and availability tightens quickly.