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Boat rides under the Iguazu Falls

  • Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina

  • Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 28 April, 2024

These tours begin with a ride along a forest trail in an open-topped electric bus, followed by a half-kilometre walk through the jungle to the river bank. Visitors then climb into a large inflatable boat and ride right under the San Martin drop, close to the most intense part of the Iguazu Falls – the Devil’s Throat.

With regular troops of vehicles on the paths, the safari offers little chance of seeing wildlife. But getting this close to the waterfall is thrilling.

Logistics

Price from: £50
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around
Duration: 90-120 mins

Getting there & doing it

Two companies offer the trip – Macuco on the Brazilian side and Iguazu Jungle on the Argentinean side. Macuco offer more time in the forest, Iguazu more time on the river, including white-water rafting some rapids. Rafting with Macuco is possible only on a longer, pricier tour, using paddle rather than motor boats. Prices are almost identical.

Iguazu Jungle do not take children under 12. Macuco have no age restrictions for their standard boat trip, though no children under-14 are permitted on their rafting add-on.

Be sure to bring sealable dry bags. The waterproof bags given by the companies are not substantial enough to protect electronic equipment.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, seven days a week. The falls are at their most spectacular when the river is high (usually April and May), though boat tours can be cancelled if the river floods heavily.

Avoid the busy Christmas and Carnival (Mardi Gras) periods when there is heavy tourism and tours get booked up.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Iguazu Falls Tour, Boat Ride, Train, Safari Truck

  • Puerto Iguazu

Iguazu Falls Tour, Boat Ride, Train, Safari Truck

Viator

Connect with nature while wandering through the tranquil pathways of the world-famous Iguazú Falls. Plus, embark on a boat ride towards the waterfalls area itself, a thrilling water adventure you can't miss! Accompanied by the narration of an expert guide along the way, you will explore the park' circuits, ride on an ecological train and admire the mesmerizing power of the 'Devil's Throat', an experience that will take you out of this world! As icing on the cake, set off in an open-air truck through the lush tropical forest for an adventurous boat ride that will take you directly to the falls. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Price $148

Min age 13

Rating 4.64 / 5 [194 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Iguazu Falls: Argentinian Side with Boat Ride, Jungle-truck and Train

  • Puerto Iguazu

Iguazu Falls: Argentinian Side with Boat Ride, Jungle-truck and Train

Viator

Visit the Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfalls system in the world, in this unique full day tour. You will tour the Argentinian Side of the Falls which conteins an 80% of the total jumps of the falls. This amazing place was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7th Wonders of Nature. Travel with an expert guide to the Iguazu National Park, and immerse yourself in the jungle with the Train that will give you access to the waterfalls. Inside the park, you will be able to know the forest and the falls closer than anyone! A natural spectacle that paralyzes our voice and opens our soul. Don´t miss it!

Price $178

Min age 0

Rating 4.43 / 5 [87 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Iguassu Falls Combo Tour: Visit to the Brazilian side and Waterfall Boat Ride

  • Foz do Iguacu

Iguassu Falls Combo Tour: Visit to the Brazilian side and Waterfall Boat Ride

Viator

Experience Iguassu Falls in an open-top Jeep, on an electric wagon, on foot through the jungle and in a boat under the falls themselves. With a local guide, this 4-hour tour (approximately 2 hours roundtrip transportation to and from the National Park and an approximately 2 hours tour inside the park) allows outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies to experience the falls in multiple ways. Keep an eye out for local flora and fauna during your jungle experience, and prepare to get wet when you view the falls from the boat. Round-trip transportation from Foz do Iguaçu hotels is included in this tour.

Price $200

Min age 0

Rating 4.04 / 5 [47 ratings]

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

  • Iguazu Falls, Brazil

viewing platforms next to Iguazu Falls

Destination guide

Two National Parks – one in Brazil, one in Argentina – created to protect an astonishing 3km-wide waterfalls in a vast area of protected rainforest. One of the world’s great natural wonders.