Explore Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires and city tour

Welcome to Argentina! Nicknamed the "Paris of South America," and the "Queen of El Plata," the capital city of Buenos Aires is defined by passion. This is exemplified by the rich tango heritage and the local community’s dedication to fútbol (soccer), which is the country's most popular sport. 

When you arrive at the airport, your driver will be waiting to take you in a private car to your hotel, where you can relax after a long flight. Once you are recharged, be sure to venture out into the city to explore. The best starting point would be the city center.

First, visit the Obelisco, which is a famous landmark in the city. This obelisk (which is reminiscent of the Washington Monument) is worth a visit for its location, alone. It sits right in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio—the widest city street in the world, with an impressive 16 lanes.

Next, stop by the Teatro Colon, one of South America's best opera houses. The horseshoe-shaped gallery opened in 1908, and features 2,487 seats, incredible acoustics, and a Neoclassical influence. Whether you plan on taking a tour or catching a show on another day, make sure to factor this site into your plans.

Then, make your way to Puerto Madero, an upscale waterfront neighborhood adjacent to downtown. Puerto Madero represents the modern-day wealthy center of Buenos Aires, but it's also one of the most pleasant strolls in a city famous for its walking areas. For a romantic stroll, walk over the canal on the Puente de Mujer ("Woman's Bridge") at sunset. 

For dinner, make your way to an Argentine steakhouse or parilla; dine like the locals, and enjoy a thick, juicy steak (Argentina has some of the best beef in the world) drizzled with the nation's famous chimichurri sauce. Keep in mind that Buenos Aires is a culture that thrives after dark, and it's not uncommon for locals to have dinner well past 9 pm in the evening, especially on weekends. 

Day 2: Fly to Puerto Iguazú

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Iguazú. This city is home to the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls, the world's largest waterfall system. Upon arrival in Puerto Iguazú, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Depending on what time you arrive, you can do a bit of sightseeing. Consider the below:

• Stopping at the Güirá Oga animal refuge, where you can take a 90-minute tour
• Going to Casa Ecológica de Botellas, which is a unique house made of plastic bottles and other recycled materials
• Taking in the breathtaking vistas at Las Tres Fronteras, where the Iguazú and Parana rivers meet
• Shopping on a visit to the Comunidad Guarani Yriapu, which is an indigenous community that lives a sustainable lifestyle
• Having fun at La Aripuca, which is a theme park that educates on deforestation
• A visit to the Three Borders Landmark, which is the triangular border where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet—enjoy a view from the falls you will further explore tomorrow

Dinner and the evening are at your leisure.

Day 3: Explore the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls

After breakfast at your hotel, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the entrance of Iguazú National Park—on the Argentine side of the falls. This is where you will begin the day's adventure. It's a full-day excursion that involves traversing three circuit routes around the falls, each offering exceptional vantage points to view one of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature.”

The three circuit routes include the below:

• The upper circuit (1 hour) features 2,624 feet of catwalks that are elevated from the jungle surface, so as not to disrupt the natural pathways used by the indigenous fauna; the circuit offers views of the upper-portion of Iguazú, which means you'll enjoy many panoramic vistas of the surrounding falls
• The lower circuit (2 hours) makes up 5,250 feet, and these paths are also elevated and offer views from directly below and around the falls; this circuit takes you near the base of the falls, and provides a unique, up-close experience where you'll be able to feel the magnitude of the falls in close proximity
• The Devil's Gorge (2 hours) is accessible by a train that leaves from within the park at the Cataratas Station and travels 18 minutes to Garganta Station, before you walk 3,937 feet to take you over the river culminating at a viewpoint; listen to plunging falls reverberate and peer 269 feet down from the highest point of the falls

At the end of the tour, a driver will pick you up and transfer you back to the hotel. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day 4: Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls and travel back to Buenos Aires

Now that you’ve experienced the Argentinian side of the Iguazú Falls, you’ll get to visit the Brazilian side via a trip to Foz do Iguaçu. With this added view of the entire waterfall complex, you’ll gain an overall sense of the vastness of Iguazú Falls.

In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires, then a private driver will transport you to your hotel downtown.

In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner, accompanied by free-flowing wine and a tango show—one of Argentina's most iconic cultural highlights. Experience the heartbeat of Argentina firsthand, before heading back to your hotel to relax for the night.

Day 5: Depart from Buenos Aires

Enjoy your last hours in the cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires. At the scheduled time, your driver will pick you up and transfer you by private car to Ezeiza International Airport, where you'll catch your return flight home.