GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE AREA
This National Park was created in 1934, with the objective of conserving one of the greatest natural beauties of Argentina: the Iguazú River's Rainfalls, among the spectacular subtropical jungle landscape that surrounds them.
PN Iguazú (Iguazú National Park) is located in the North region of Misiones province, in Iguazu department, and has a 67.000 hectare surface. In the north of the park -separated by the Iguazu River, which stands for international limit- there is its Brazilian pair. In the year 1984 both sides were declared as “Humanity Worldwide Heritage Place" by the UNESCO.
In the protected area there are some species in danger of extinction: the “jaguar”, the “tapir”, the “ocelote”, the “tiricas”, the “ anteater ”, the “pavas de monte” , the “jungle eagle ” and the “yacaré overo”.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Landscape. Flora and fauna
The Iguazu River has a 1320 km length up to its end in the Parana River, 23 km behind the rainfalls.
Surrounded by low coasts, this river has in most part of its way a width that varies from 500 to 1000 ms. Inside the National Park it becomes wider up to 1500 ms and bends to the south to take later the north, forming a large U. On the banks of the Iguazu River and in the delta's islands grow an enormous quantity of trees that need a great amount of humidity.
There are various species: the curupay, the cupay, the white laurel, the aguay and the ingá, and also the ceibo, whose flower has been declared Agentina´s National Flower. Due to the weather there are certain rarities, standing out two very special communities: the cupay woods, composed by caedizas leaves trees that gain a copper color when coming out and the Paspalum Lilloi pastures. This species can only be found in this region of the country.
The flora has more than 90 species, some of them are: “lapacho negro”, “lapacho amarillo” and “ibirá pytá”. In many zones of PN Iguazú (Iguazú National Park) an special community can be found: the “palmito jungle” and “palo rosa”. The “palo rosa” is a tree that has 40 metres high. Under Its shadow, some species –like the “palmitos”- grows up.
The most typical bird of the protected area is the “ vencejo de cascada”.
In the footbridge section you can see “coatíes” and “big toucans”.
In the different paths you can see a big diversity of butterflies. In the sunny zones of the paths you can see small lizards called “ Tropidurus”.
In the protected area there are some species in danger of extinction: the “yaguareté” or “jaguar”, the “tapir”, the “ocelote”, the “tiricas”, the “ anteater ”, the “pavas de monte” (like the yacutinga), the “jungle eagle ” and the “yacaré overo”.

CULTURAL RESOURCES
PN Iguazú (Iguazú National Park) has been inhabited 10.000 years ago. This prehistoric culture is called “Eldoradense”.
The jungle has been inhabited by the “kaingangues”. Their economy was based on hunting, fishing and collection. In the year 1.000 – approximately- the “guaraníes” arrived to the protected area and replaced the other native groups. The “guaraníes” lived in independent villages and they had new agricultural technologies. When the Spanish arrived to the protected area in the 16 th century, the “guaraníes” were expanding their territory. The legacy of this culture is today alive in the protected area.
In 1542, Alvar Núnez Cabeza de Vaca was the first european that inhabited the protected area. He called the Rainfalls as “Saltos de Santa María”. In 1609, the first Jesuit missions arrived to the region.
In the first tourist expedition to the rainfalls Victoria Aguirre was in the crew. She donated part of the money to build the way that made possible the land access form Puerto Iguazú to the rainfalls.

ACCESS
You can get to the National Park by the route number 12, and the route number 101, that cross the protected area. The nearest town is Puerto Iguazú, which is 17 km far from the protected area.
There are some national and international flights to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) and Foz do Iguazú (Brazil). The Iguazú Airport is 7 km far from the National Park.
The public transport that makes possible gettin to the Park from Iguazú locality (El Práctico Transport) has a service every half an hour. From Hito Tres Fronteras (Iguazú) the first service leaves at 07.30, and the last one at 18.30. Those services arrive to Iguazu Bus Station ten minutes after the bus had left Hito Tres Fronteras. From the PN Iguazú (Iguazú National Park) to Iguazú locality buses leaves from 08.15, every half an hour, to 19.15. The ticket costs $ 2.80 (way out).

WALKS AND SERVICES
PN Iguazú (Iguazú National Park) Maintenance is located in Puerto Iguazú village. In the rainfalls area there is a public attention office and bathroom fittings. People can visit the National Park from 8 AM to 6 PM (between April 1st to August 31st) and from 8 AM to 7 PM (the rest of the year).
The ticket's value is:
-Olders than 12 years old: $30
-Children between 6 and 12: $15
-Youngers than 6 years: free admission
There are discounts for people from Argentina, and countries that conform the Mercosur. Handicapped people have free admission. There are, also, discounts for people who visit the National Park for the second consecutive day; to have this discounts you have to stamp your ticket in the National Park entrance.
The ticket includes traditional walks, the travel by train inside the protected area, the visit to the visitors center, the travel around San Martin island, and the Macuco Path. The ticket does not include optional excursions.

Through different paths you can visit the protected area and see the waterfalls:

Traditional walks
”Inferior” walk : this walk makes the waterfalls sight possible. You can have panoramic sights from the “Garganta del Diablo” and from brazilian waterfalls; and you can have wonderful approchements to the Bossetti waterfalls. This walk takes two hours. This walk has staircases similar to an eight-storey building.

“Superior Walk” : the high footbridges will take you to the fallen line of different rainfalls. This walk takes an hour. It has not staircases, it does not require a big physical effort.

”Garganta del Diablo” : you can get there by the "Cataratas" train, which you must take at the "Garganta del Diablo" Station. There visitors must walk up to big balconies. There you can see the front and the border of the rainfalls. This walk takes two hours. The last train leaves at 16:30. This walk has not staircases.

Other walks
San Martin Island : you can access to the island by a free admission boats service that leaves from the “Inferior” walk. Access to the highest zone of the island is similar to go up a twelve-storey building.

”Macuco” Path : this is a trekking path. This walk make possible access to a waterfall, which is located in the middle of the jungle. It has a twenty metres high. It is a great opportunity to visit the jungle. You can ask for the Macuco path´s leaflet at the public attention office.

Optional excursions:
Yacaratiá path: offers an interesting approchement to the jungle in. (Tourism Agency: Explorador Expediciones).

River excursions in the “Inferior Iguazú ”: with approchement to the rainfalls. (Tourism Agency: Iguazú Jungle Explorer).

River excursions in the “Inferior Iguazú ” (Tourism Agency: Iguazú Jungle Explorer).

CONTACTS
Iguazú National Park
66, Victoria Aguirre (3370)
Puerto Iguazú
Misiones, Argentina
Telephone numbers: 03757-420722/423252.
E-mail address: iguazu@apn.gov.ar

Cataratas Area
Operative Center (foresters): 03757-420180
Public attention office: 03757-491444

Administración de Parques Nacionales
690, Santa Fe St. (1059)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telephone numbers: (011) 4311-6633/0303
E-mail address: informes@apn.gov.ar