The Iguazú Falls appear grandiose and majestic in the Misiones forest dazzling visitors from all over the world. In celebration of all this beauty and unique attraction as from July 2001, a new concept of ecological tourism has been implemented within the Iguazú National Park, with an investment of 25 million dollars and service and facilities according to the international tourist demands, prioritizing at the same time the Park’s care and preservation, a sample of the Paranaense Subtropical Forest declared Natural Heritage to the Humanity” by the UNESCO in 1984.
The fundamental objectives of this enterprise are the recover and conservation of the Waterfall Area, and the incentive to the present and future generations to renew the legendary admiration arisen by this wonderful masterpiece of nature.
Today, our visitors can enjoy safe and modern walkways from start to finish of the impressive falls and the Upper and Lower Circuits and the Devil’s Throat, and facilities according to the natural environment such as the new Visitor Center and the alternative transportation of the Ecological Forest Train, which complies with international policies of accessibility and preservation of the World Union for Nature Conservation.
“Nature without barriers”
The Iguazú Argentina company manages the Waterfalls Area at the Iguazú National Park since 2001. Annually, the Park receives about 1million visitors from all over the world and has been declared “Natural Heritage to the Humanity” by the UNESCO.
Iguazú Argentina has international quality compliance regarding visitor satisfaction and continuous improvement regarding products and services. This has permitted the Waterfalls Area to be the First Tourist destination of Latin America in certifying ISO 9001:2000. The Environment and Ecology protection is also part of its social and educational policies. The Company has certified ISO 14001:2004 for Environment administration.
The new walkways and platforms respond to the concept of “Nature without barriers” allowing access to the circuits to people of all conditions, including the locomotive impaired. Walkways design and construction allow easy accessibility to the most attractive places, minimizing degradation of the atmosphere. The walkways and trails are adapted to the landscape as well as the contents of the program for the Interpretation of the Nature. The walkways built over the soil were elevated 50 cm/ 19 inches over the natural terrain in order to avoid the erosion caused by the continuous flow of tourists and at the same time to allow the free circulation of animals and natural growth of vegetation underneath.
This is a modern system of construction that allows contemplating the waterfalls while you hike into the forest. With wood handrails, metallic floors, barriers and special indications for visitors to strictly stay in the established area of circulation. All walkways have the same width (1.20 meters/ 4 feet) and include places to take a break. All itineraries have special layouts for visual and locomotive impaired people.
With 2700-meter/ 1.6 miles extension, it is possible to appreciate their beauty from the Upper Circuit and Lower Circuit. All these walkways are connected by the Ecological Forest Train or by the Green Walkways where you can hike and breath in contact with nature.
Accessibility
The new facilities inside the Park comply with accessibility international regulations. All buildings and walkways were designed and built with ramps which do not surpass 6% of slope and the material used in the floors facilitate the move of impaired people. Restrooms have special bathrooms for impaired people and the doors sizes of the buildings are suitable for the easy access and exit of wheel chairs. The train has a special area intended for impaired people. Also, at the stations, there is an electric trolley continuously available for taking the people to the circuit start point, free of charge, for impaired people, seniors, pregnant women, and everyone that may required it for special reasons. At the Interpretation Center a scale maquette in Braille system is available for people with visual impairs; and the menu of the “La Selva” Restaurant (The Forest) in Spanish and English languages is also available in the Braille system. At the center there is a special booth for impaired people specially designed with a wide door and a telephone for deaf people.
(Technical information: all the walkways were designed to allow access to all kind of visitors. The slopes do not surpass the required 6%, the material used: metallic grillwork facilitates transportation, parallel safety bars avoid falling to the sides, handrails are plain and at everyone’s reach: the lowest is at 0.75m/ 2.6 feet, and the highest at 0.95m/ 3.11 feet)
The Iguazú National Park can be visited almost completely by impaired people.
Devil’s throat upper and lower circuits have no stairs.
The walkways pavement and the footbridges were designed for all kind of visitors (visual and locomotive impaired, seniors and baby strollers).
The walkways have a double handrail, one at 0.95m/3.11 feet and another at 0.75m/2.6 feet for children, locomotive impaired and small size people.
A SINGLE DAY IS NOT ENOUGH!
If you wish to visit the Park for two consecutive days, the 2nd day you can get a BONUS in the cost of your entrance. Here.
So that you can experience this unique natural spectacle in its entirety, we suggest 10 things that you should not miss inside the Iguazu National Park. Here.
"Truly a Wonder of Nature".
One of the most unique sights in the world, you have to experience it to understand its beauty. Stroll under the light of the Full Moon and dine in the La Selva Restaurant. Here.
