While both sides of Iguazu Falls are extraordinary, the Argentine park offers what many visitors consider the more immersive and dramatic experience — a chance to stand on metal walkways at the very lip of the thundering cascades and feel the raw power of 1.5 million liters of water per second crashing into the gorge below. The park’s crown jewel is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), a U-shaped chasm 82 meters high and 150 meters wide where 14 separate falls converge in an apocalyptic curtain of mist and noise. A narrow-gauge ecological train carries visitors through the subtropical jungle to a network of catwalks that extend directly over the brink, where the spray drenches you and the roar is so overwhelming that conversation becomes impossible.

The Argentine side also features two main trail circuits — the Upper Circuit for panoramic views across the tops of the falls, and the Lower Circuit that descends through dense jungle to viewpoints at the base of several cascades, where rainbows arc through the mist on sunny days. A free boat shuttle crosses to Isla San Martin, a jungle-clad island in the middle of the river that offers secluded viewpoints and swimming spots. The surrounding Atlantic Forest teems with wildlife: coatis wander the trails, toucans flash their oversized bills in the canopy, and clouds of butterflies drift through the spray zones.

Pro tip: Purchase a two-day pass for a 50% discount on the second day — it is virtually impossible to see everything in a single visit. On your first day, head straight to the Devil’s Throat walkway early in the morning for the fewest crowds and best light, then spend the second day exploring the lower trails and Isla San Martin at a leisurely pace.