The Roar of Nature: Iguazu Falls, the Largest Waterfalls by Volume in the Americas

Every hour, a thundering curtain of water releases a staggering 18,000 Olympic swimming pools' worth of liquid energy.

📍 Iguazu Falls, Brazil & Argentina

Iguazu Falls, the mightiest waterfalls in the Americas, is a spectacle of unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Shaped like a colossal horseshoe, these 275 falls plummet a staggering 80 meters into a narrow chasm aptly named the Devil's Throat. The falls extend over a breathtaking 3 kilometers, wider than Africa's famous Victoria Falls, and dwarfing the iconic Niagara Falls in the United States and Canada.

📢 Sound on! Argentine side of the falls

Iguazu is more than just a natural wonder; wedged between Brazil and Argentina, with Paraguay just miles away, the falls are a gateway to a fascinating tri-border region. Locals take full advantage of each country’s relative benefits, with a border-hopping lifestyle in which gas is purchased in Argentina, electronics in Paraguay, and groceries in Brazil. Paraguay, despite lacking direct access to the falls, boasts a Free Trade Zone that makes purchasing high-value goods and services without import, export, or custom taxes particularly cheap.

The rivers that flow towards Iguazu have notably benefited neighboring countries, with Paraguay being a prime example. The colossal Itaipu Dam, situated on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, stands as the most productive hydropower plant globally and the second-largest in terms of installed capacity, trailing only China's Three Gorges Dam. The electricity Paraguay receives from the dam is enough to supply three-fourths of the country's entire electricity needs, making the the country one of the most environmentally friendly in the world. A marvel of modern engineering, the dam contains enough steel to build 380 replicas of the Eiffel Tower.

📢 Sound on! Brazilian side of the falls

Visiting Iguazu is a captivating experience that immerses visitors in nature's raw power. Every hour, this thundering curtain of water releases a staggering 18,000 Olympic swimming pools' worth of liquid energy. The might of the falls can especially be felt atop the Devil's Throat and close-up encounters by boat. You'll be enveloped by the falls' roar, humbled by their power, and inspired by the rainbows they create.

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🕹️ Travel Tips: To witness the raw power of the falls atop the Devil's Throat, head to the Argentine side. For a breathtaking panoramic view of the sheer breadth and expanse of the falls, venture to the Brazilian side. The intrepid should prepare for thrilling smacks of water by approaching the falls on boat, available on either side. Purchase your tickets online in advance to skip long lines for both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. The Brazilian side can be visited in a morning or afternoon and on your own. The Argentine side is complex enough to warrant a guide (our recommendation: Iguazu Private Tours) to navigate border crossing logistics and booking the boat to the precipice of the waterfalls (advanced booking required).