Bucket list experience:
Foz de Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
There’s edgier white-water rafting in Latin America, but you won’t find a more spectacular setting than Iguaçu. And it’s not just the falls – where the rafting excursion begins. River descents run through the heart of the protected rainforest – so you’ll see parrots and toucans all around, and if you’re very lucky a jaguar, healthy populations of which live in the jungles around the river.
Depending on the water flow, the rapids vary from 1.5 (easy) to 3.5 level (intermediate). They can go up to level IV or even V after very heavy rains in December and January, but tour operators seldom run trips under these conditions.
Numerous agencies in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) and Foz de Iguacu offer white-water rafting. Macuco are the longest established – with their own transport and an experienced team. Rafting packages include a safari in the rainforest and getting close to the falls on a boat prior to the descent (be prepared to get wet!).
Rafting trips run all year round, seven days a week, except during periods of exceptional high (and dangerous) river levels). The water is fastest between October and March.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Iguazu National Park, Missiones Province, Argentina
Recently voted one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, these magnificent 3km-wide falls see 46 million litres of water cascade over an 80m drop every second. Experience them by walkway, bike, boat and helicopter.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
There are countless rivers with rapids out there that you can ‘raft’, but there are some stand-outs – for the size of their rapids and/or for their exceptional setting. Here are our recommendations.
