Iguassu Falls (Brazilian side)

Spectacular, breathtaking, majestic. There's no better description of the torrents of water cascading down Iguassu Falls, one of the largest and most impressive falls in the world. The name Iguassu comes from the Guarnani Indian word meaning "great water".

Situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the 275 falls plunge over a precipice more than a mile and a half wide with an average drop of 300 feet to the Iguazu River below. Every second, 450,000 gallons of water come tumbling down.

Seventy percent of the falls are actually in Argentina, but much can be seen from the Brazilian side. Each year, millions of visitors gaze at the falls, which are 60 feet higher than Niagra Falls and about one and half times as wide. Clouds of spray continually emerge from Iguassu against a backdrop of lush tropical growth.

A great way to enjoy the falls in comfort is to stay at the Tropical dos Cataratas Hotel, which puts on a grand display of flora and fauna in its gardens. From this hotel, the only lodging located at the core site of the Iguassu National Park, you face the awesome falls while enjoying all the amenities generally found in a four-star hotel such as this one.