Curator’s statement
In March of 2024, I did a site inspection while staying at the breathtaking Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond Hotel. As the only hotel located inside Iguazu National Park, Belmond guests have exclusive access to the park before the park opens and after it closes, so it's easy to beat the crowds and see the falls during sunrise and sunset.
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Hotel da Cataratas is the perfect home base for exploring Iguazu National Park. Its beautiful pool allows you to easily beat the crushing Brazilian heat, while its spa allows for complete relaxation. From cocktail and canape hour in the hotel tower (the highest point in the park), to picnics on the lawn in front of the falls, this hotel is surrounded by breathtaking nature and jaw dropping views everywhere you turn.
The hotel has an exhaustive list of well organized and executed excursions, including evening stargazing, helicopter tours, a trip to the Argentine side of the falls and a river safari. The staff is attentive, kind and extremely knowledgeable. All of the hotel's small touches (hot towels and a drink at check-in, turndown treats, a goodbye gift) made my stay unforgettable.
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Whether you're on a romantic getaway, a friend trip or traveling with family, this hotel is perfect for and caters to groups of all ages and sizes. It's completely immersed in nature, and allows guests to experience the falls in a way that others cannot, with 24/7 access to the park. While on property, we saw monkeys, toucans fly overhead and plenty of exotic butterflies.
With everything you need on the property itself, the only reason to leave is for the wonderful activities and excursions. I highly recommend the Micato Safari and a trip to Parque das Aves, the Iguazu Falls bird sanctuary, where you can see toucans, parrots and macaws extremely close up.
This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Brazil. In need of further inspiration? Check out Irving Macari’s guide, 5-Day Itinerary for a Brazil Beach Vacation.
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Bella Darden
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