At Awasi Iguazu, our 14-villa Relais & Chateaux lodge in Northern Argentina, we love creating areas where our guests can enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature

Decking overlooking the River Iguazu at Awasi Iguazu

Decking overlooking the River Iguazu at Awasi Iguazu – Photo by Daniela Mac Adden

During the pandemic, with fewer people travelling, we took the opportunity to create some more spaces far from the crowds at the Iguazu Falls, where visitors can experience the very essence of the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places in Argentina. The above photo shows the decking that overhangs the riverbed just below our hotel. How about a sundowner with a view of Brazil?

The grounds at Awasi Iguazu, Relais & Chateaux, Argentina. Photo by Federico Garcia.

It’s just a short walk along the stone path that connects the Main Lodge to the individual villas, weaving its way down the hillside to this spot where you can watch the water flow by and enjoy the novelty of the fact that the other side of the river is a different country. Speaking of decking, the villas at Awasi Iguazu are built on stilts with private decking and a plunge pool for the personal use of guests. Look out for toucans and capuchin monkeys in the canopy of the surrounding jungle.

Awasi Iguazu – Master Villa – Photo by Susette Kok

We love nothing more than creating excursions for our guests – at Awasi, each room has its own 4×4 vehicle and private guide for the duration of each stay. There is nothing like heading out into the jungle surrounding Awasi Iguazu. Many guests are amazed and surprised with the diversity of the region best known for its falls, but with a wealth of other things to see as well. 

Red dirt road in Iguazu. Photo by Daniela Mac Adden

Nestled in the northern tip of the Misiones province lies Awasi’s Yacuí Reserve. Bordering the Iguazu National Park, Yacuí is a 90 minute drive on dirt tracks through pristine Atlantic Rainforest. With access limited solely to Awasi guests, it is a wildlife enthusiast’s and birdwatcher’s paradise, with the dense jungle creating a home for multiple rare plant and animal species.

Photo by Daniela Mac Adden

At the Yacu-i Reserve, guests can explore the forest with their private guide, admire the scenery whilst kayaking on the Yacuí river, or simply enjoy their surroundings resting in a hammock with some food and drink at the quincho.

Photo by Daniella Mac Adden

Another place we love to take our guests is Lago Uruguai which is a reservoir and a great place for non-motorised watersports. Only 45 minutes from Awasi Iguazu, guests can take a ride on a lancha, enjoy some kayaking or try their hand at stand up paddle boarding – a fun activity with a growing following that can be enjoyed both sitting, kneeling or standing up, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling.

Floating deck at Urugua-i. Photo by Daniella Mac Adden.

One particularly interesting site is the submerged forest – the last vestiges of the woodland flooded to create the lake – which create an eerily atmospheric area to paddle through. this is where we have our floating deck.

Whilst guests are enjoying paddle boarding or kayaking around the lake, our private guides love to set up a surprise picnic which they can enjoy afterwards. As members of Relais & Chateaux, an Awasi picnic is something quite special – forget soggy sandwiches, our kitchen team creates freshly prepared seasonal meals that could easily be found in a restaurant. We love serving the finest cuisine in remote locations. It makes everything taste even better.  

Photo by Daniela Mac Adden.

Awasi Iguazu is the third of three lodges, the other two are in Chile’s Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine National Park. There are no group excursions or set departure times, at all three Awasi lodges we create experiences based on the unique interests and wishes of our guests. Awasi Iguazu has 14 individual villas and, along with Awasi Atacama and Awasi Patagonia, is part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection.