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| Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçu Falls, Brazil |
The penultimate stay on our whirlwind tour of South Americawas at Hotel das Cataratas, an Orient Express hotel within Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls.Once again, we arrived late after a really long day of travel. It was too darkto see the falls upon arrival, but the elegant lobby and comfy leather sofaswere immediately calming. Click here for my photos.
Our Deluxe rooms were special. The décor was warm and brightwith dark woods and tropical accents. Iespecially admired the exquisite Orient Express closet. The bathroom featured traditionalAzulejos painted tiles that were ever so pretty. After a quick change, we met our hosts on the veranda forCaipirinhas. (pronounced 'KIE-PUR-REEN-YAH'). These Brazilian cocktails are made withCachaca (sugar-cane rum), limes and sugar and taste refreshingly delicious. Clickhere for the recipe (but beware of thesecond caipirinha).
Feeling much better after a couple drinks, we headed into dinner at the Ipe grill for a "gaucho-style barbecue" buffet. An epic variety of meats and sausages were slowly grilled on a spit, a real carnivores delight. The smells were so enticing that I had to discard my vegetarian tendencies and eat like a local, but there were lots of fish and salads for my less flexible companions.
This restaurant was near the pool, and each trip back to thebuffet revealed an incredible night sky floating above a gorgeous pool. Asstuffed as we were (and as tired), we couldn’t resist a swim. The Hotel dasCataratas is surrounded by forest and the river, and our stay coincided with aNew Moon, so the sky was pitch black with more constellations gleaming than I’veever seen before. Floating in the tranquilwater while gazing at all those stars was a magical experience. They say it’s just as wonderful during a FullMoon when the hotel offers guided walking tours to the falls where you can seea Lunar Rainbow!
The next morning, we hit the trails at 8am and had theglorious falls all to ourselves. The trails were empty except for otherprivileged guests of the hotel enjoying exclusive access to the park before itofficially opens. Iguaçu National Park opens dailyat 9:00 am, and it takes the first bus twenty minutes to arrive from theVisitor’s Center to our hotel where it drops visitors off at the trail’s head.
Here’s how UNESCO describes this WorldHeritage site:“The Iguaçu Falls span the borderbetween Argentina and Brazil. Some 80 m high and 3 km wide, the fallsare made up of many cascades and rapids that generate vast sprays of water andproduce one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.”
The trails through lush foliage are very smooth with frequentviewing platforms. Each view is more amazing than the last and there arerainbows in almost every photo. As youget closer to the waters edge, the trail becomes an elevated walkway extendedover the river between two levels of cascading falls. Feel the spray againstyour face, hear the roar of water gushing over the cataract and breathe inthose negative ions (some say they’re the reason we love waterfalls).
After breakfast (buffet breakfast is complimentary), weheaded further into the park for our private Macuco Safari experience. They bill this as a three-part adventure (trolley,hike and boat) and the rainforest is nice (we saw lots of monkeys) but the boatto the falls was the MOST FUN EVER and not to be missed. I confess, I’veexperienced the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls at least a dozen times, butthis was so much more exhilarating because the boat actually goes under the Falls. Here is abefore photo from our zodiac (I’m afraid the after photo is not for publicviewing but take my professional advice and wearwaterproof mascara, and don’t bother with the rain gear because you’ll getsoaked anyway).
Back to the hotel for a traditional Brazilian lunch offeijoada, a stew of beans, rice and pork parts and garnished with farofa-delicious. We had a little time to digest in loungers by the pool and take afew final photos to help remember our wonderful stay before we headed to theairport. Unfortunately, there was no time to visit the Cataratas Spa or tenniscourts. I urge you to stay here three nights so you can also explore the Bird Parkand the Argentinian side of the Falls and still have some time to enjoy theresort. It’s a perfect combination with a city stay in Rio or Buenos Aires.
FROSCH clients willreceive these exclusive Amenities:
- One Way Private Sedan Transfer for up to two Guests, from Hotel to Airport (Brazilian side)
- Complimentary welcome amenity
- Upgrade based on availability at check-in
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