How to Take Amazing Photos at Iguazu Falls
The best times of day, where the rainbows appear, the viewpoints worth waiting for and how to keep your phone dry in the spray.
What is the best time of day to visit Iguazu Falls?
The sun rises behind the Brazil side and sets behind the Argentine side. Keep that in mind and you'll know where the light will be.
The sun is behind you as you look across at the falls, so the colours are rich and rainbows are most likely.
The light swings round behind you on the viewpoints, which is great for wide shots across the river.
Harsh light is a good time for close-ups in the spray, the jungle trails and wildlife in the shade.
Don't worry! Soft light means no harsh shadows, and the water and greenery look even more dramatic.
Best viewpoints on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls
Best light: morningThe first viewpoints on the trail
Just after you leave the park bus, the trail opens onto the classic view across the river. This is where you'll get the wide shot of the falls stretching into the distance. Use your phone's panorama mode or 0.5x lens.
The walkway towards the Devil's Throat
Near the end of the trail, a walkway takes you out over the river with water thundering on three sides. It's the most exciting photo of the day and also the wettest, so have your phone in a waterproof pouch or zip-lock bag.
The lookout at the top of the elevator
At the end of the trail, a panoramic lookout gives you one last view looking down over the river and the walkway you were just standing on.
Best photo spots on the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls
Best light: afternoonThe Upper Circuit
Walkways run along the top of the falls, so you can stand right at the edge as the water drops away beneath you. Look for shots that show the jungle on one side and the falling water on the other.
The Lower Circuit
This trail winds through the rainforest to eye-level views of the falls, framed by trees and ferns. It's also where you're most likely to spot butterflies and birds.
The Devil's Throat walkway
When it's open, the walkway over the upper river leads to the edge of the biggest drop. Expect clouds of mist and a lot of noise. Check that it's open on your date before you plan around it.
When is the best time to see rainbows at Iguazu Falls?
With so much mist in the air, rainbows appear at Iguazu on most sunny days. You just need to know where to look.
- Put the sun behind you. A rainbow always appears opposite the sun, so face away from it and look into the spray.
- Go when the sun is lower. Morning and late afternoon give the biggest, brightest arcs.
- Keep moving. As you walk along the trail, rainbows appear and disappear. Take a few steps and look again.
- Wait for the double. On very clear days you may see a second, fainter rainbow above the first.
Pro tips from the walkways
A waterproof phone pouch or zip-lock bag and a couple of microfibre cloths are the best things you can bring. The mist gets everywhere, especially near the Devil's Throat.
Use your phone's Live Photo "long exposure" effect or a slow shutter speed, resting the camera on a railing, to turn the falls into soft, flowing water.
Arrive when the park opens. The walkways are quieter, and you'll have the railing to yourself for that perfect shot.
Butterflies, coatis and birds move fast. Burst mode gives you a better chance of a sharp shot. Please never feed the coatis: they can bite.
Helicopter flights leave from near the entrance of the Brazil side. You don't need to book ahead: flights go in order of arrival and you pay at the office.
Drones aren't allowed in the national parks without special permission, and a small tripod can be awkward on busy walkways. Railings make a great stand.
Right across the road from the Brazil park entrance, the Parque das Aves lets you photograph toucans and macaws up close. It opens at 08:30 every day.
You will get soaked. Only take an action camera or a phone in a fully waterproof case, and leave everything else in the dry bag.
What to bring to Iguazu Falls: your photo checklist
- Waterproof phone pouch or zip-lock bags
- Two or three microfibre lens cloths
- Fully charged phone and a power bank
- Light poncho or rain jacket
- Shoes that don't mind getting wet
- Sunscreen, hat and water
- Insect repellent
- Your passport, if you are crossing the border
Five-star rated on Google and Tripadvisor
Tips and views our travellers loved
Our drivers know the timings, the trains and the lookouts. Here is what travellers said.
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Excellent experience of the fall, enhanced by quality transfers
“Jorge & Clovis were our drivers, enabling us to visit firstly the Argentinian side of the falls (arriving in time for the first train to the devil's mouth) and then early afternoon to the Brazilian side.”
Lee B.Aug 2025
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Reliable transport across borders at Iguazu
“Great service getting us across borders and to the airport. As a bonus, the driver took us to a scenic lookout of the Tres Fronteras. Highly recommend.”
Sheryl T.Nov 2025
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Awesome
“Beautiful experience, the Falls were awesome to view finally its splendour. Very large area to walk around and viewing various Waterfalls. Very powerful display to watch”
ALCAug 2025
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Fantastic and reliable service
“Our driver Nestor was phenomenal. In addition to comfortable and efficient transportation, we got tons of good advice and guidance for navigating the Falls.”
kathcurlAug 2025
- ★★★★★Google
“Great organization and timeliness, fast and safe same-day transfer from IGU to the Argentinian side and back to the Brazilian side of the falls, and finally to our hotel, with great tips about what to focus on since we visited Iguazu for a day only.”
Christos P.May 2026
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Very reliable
“A round trip from my hotel in Puerto Iguazu to the brasilian side of the falls, and back. I decided to stay 4 hours on the brasilian side, the driver gave me some advice. Very reliable. On time, and very quick to cross the border. I recommand !”
CorinneMar 2026
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
“Thanks to them, I was able to visit both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguazu Falls, which are absolutely stunning regardless of the weather. Clovis went above and beyond by helping me rebook my waterfall entry time and suggesting that I visit the Bird Park first – excellent advice, as it turned out to be well worth seeing.”
MonikaJun 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“IguazuFalls Travel made our trip logistics much easier. Their drivers were on time, easy to find, professional, and very helpful, offering advice on the best way to see the park, helping get through customs efficiently, and answering questions about the local area.”
Jackie S.Mar 2026
- ★★★★★Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience with Nestor!
“Genuinely Nestor was such a highlight of our trip - he took us to both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides and took us on the best circuits, we had such a wonderful time with him and really do recommend him to anyone debating whether they should do it!”
Shreya B.Aug 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“We had most of the day to kill before our flight and wanted to go to the Brazilian side of the falls. Our driver, Nestor, was a great help in getting us to the falls, providing advice on how to visit them and what to do when we come back in the future.”
Erin P.Sep 2022
- ★★★★★Google
“Absolutely convenient! Carlos and Nestor our drivers were amazing,helpful,polite,speaking English,gave great recommendations. Everything was on time and they make our trip in Iguazu area memorable.”
Dimitris K.Aug 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“…great value for money. the driver gave us lovely recommendations joked with us, played music in the van to the argentinian and brasilian sides in a single day. he was flexible with what worked best for the group!”
Laura S.Feb 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“When I first enquired with my complicated itinerary, Diego replied with a comprehensive quote, adding lots of suggestions for our trip and some very useful information to help with entry to Iguazu Falls and the border crossings.”
Alison S.Mar 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“Smooth sailing and you will feel very taken care of. Both Vildo (in Brazil) and Mario (in Argentina) took good care of myself and family and we also enjoyed the conversations and recommendations with these guys. Both very kind and very classy gentlemen.”
Derek M.Mar 2026
- ★★★★★Google
“Perfect arrangement. We felt very safe and comfortable as we could timely receive advice from the office as well as drivers. The drivers were amicable. It was a great service! Thank you!”
Takeo S.Mar 2026
Photographing Iguazu Falls: quick questions
What is the best time of day to visit Iguazu Falls?
Go early. The parks are quieter just after opening, and on the Brazil side the morning sun is behind you, which gives rich colours and the best chance of rainbows. The Argentine side has its best light in the afternoon.
When is the best time to see rainbows at Iguazu Falls?
On sunny days, when the sun is behind you and fairly low: mornings on the Brazil side and afternoons on the Argentine side.
Should I visit the Brazil side in the morning or afternoon?
For photos, the morning. The sun rises behind the Brazil side, so it lights up the falls in front of you.
What are the best viewpoints at Iguazu Falls?
On the Brazil side: the first viewpoints on the trail, the Devil's Throat walkway and the lookout at the top of the elevator. On the Argentine side: the Upper Circuit, the Lower Circuit and the Devil's Throat walkway when it is open.
Can you fly a drone at Iguazu Falls?
No, drones are not allowed in the national parks without special permission. For aerial photos, take a helicopter flight from near the Brazil side entrance.
How do I keep my phone dry at Iguazu Falls?
Use a waterproof phone pouch or a zip-lock bag, and carry a couple of microfibre cloths. The Devil's Throat walkways and the boat rides will soak you.
Can I take good Devil's Throat photos?
Yes. On the Brazil side the walkway takes you out over the river in front of it. Shoot quickly between gusts of spray and wipe your lens often.
What should I bring to Iguazu Falls?
A waterproof phone pouch, microfibre cloths, a power bank, a light poncho, shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, water, insect repellent and your passport if you are crossing the border.
Get to the falls at the perfect time
Tell us your flights, hotel and the sides you want to visit, and we'll plan private transport around the best light for your photos.