Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)
Garganta del Diablo
The heart of Iguazu Falls: an 80-metre U-shaped gorge where 14 falls converge into a huge curtain of water. A metal walkway reaches the cliff edge, where spray and roar surround you.
Devil's Throat is the largest group of falls at Iguazu. The river converges here into a U-shaped gorge 700 metres long and 150 metres wide, which drops 80 metres. It carries half of the total water flow of the entire falls group, and the spray rises up to 30 metres. On clear afternoons, a rainbow often hangs over it. Getting there: from the entrance of the Argentine Iguazu National Park, take the Tren Ecológico eco-train (included in the entry ticket, departing every 30 minutes) to the Garganta del Diablo station. Then walk the 1.1-kilometre metal walkway that crosses the islands and shallows of the upper Iguazu River. You may see caimans, turtles and toucans along the way. It takes 15–20 minutes to reach the observation platform that juts out to the cliff edge, where the falls pour down just a few metres away. The roar is so loud that conversation is impossible. It is the most intense experience at Iguazu. The walkway was destroyed by severe flooding in October 2023 and reopened in 2024 after repairs. It may still close temporarily when water levels are high, so check the park's official website before setting out. Tips: visit before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., when it is quieter; tour groups crowd it at midday. The full visit takes about 1.5–2 hours, including the round trip by train. The spray on the platform is very heavy, so keep cameras and phones in waterproof bags and wear quick-dry clothing. For 5 days around the full moon, the park runs “Full Moon Walk” night tours (departing around 20:00 or 21:00, with optional dinner; book on the official website several weeks in advance). Seeing the Devil's Throat under moonlight is a unique experience. Admission is the Argentine park ticket, about ARS 45,000 for foreigners (2025), available online. The park is open 08:00–18:00, and the last train to the Devil's Throat departs around 16:00. It can be combined with the Upper and Lower Circuits for a one-day tour of the Argentine side.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (last train around 16:00)
Nearby sights
- Brazilian Side Panoramic Trail (Trilha das Cataratas)
- Gran Aventura Boat Ride
- Upper Circuit / Lower Circuit
- Macuco Safari
- Sendero Macuco & Arrechea Falls
- Parque das Aves (Bird Park)
- Güirá Oga Wildlife Refuge
- La Aripuca