Guided by Nature: Discovering Iguazú Through a Local’s Eyes

There are places so alive, so layered, that they ask not to be rushed. Iguazú is one of them. Beneath its roaring waterfalls and tangled rainforest canopy lies something far more powerful than a list of sights to see: a rhythm, a presence, a quiet invitation to pay attention.

For Ayelén de León Belloc, private guide at Awasi Iguazú, that invitation is what defines every journey through this unique corner of Argentina. She says:

“What moves me the most, is watching guests experience this place with all their senses. The Atlantic Rainforest is full of surprises. It’s not just about the big moments like seeing the Devil’s Throat, it’s about the way a butterfly lands on your shoulder, or hearing toucans calling out above your head. ”

Ayelén’s passion for the forest runs deep. As a local and nature lover, guiding here isn’t about reciting facts. It’s about revealing a world that, in her words, “never ceases to amaze.”

A Different Kind of Exploration

Unlike traditional group tours, every stay at Awasi Iguazú comes with a private guide and vehicle. That means guests never follow a rigid schedule. Instead, they set their own pace, a concept that Ayelén believes brings out the best in both the travelers and the terrain.

“Slow travel,” she explains, “isn’t just about moving less. It’s about seeing more. When guests aren’t rushed, they start noticing everything: a trail of leafcutter ants, the texture of the bark, the shape of a seedpod. They connect not only with the place, but with the moment.”

This deep attention is rewarded in Iguazú. One of the most biodiverse regions in South America, the Atlantic Rainforest is home to thousands of species of plants, fungi, and animals, many found nowhere else in the world. And though spotting a jaguar or a tapir takes luck, Ayelén says the real magic lies in the surprises along the way.

“Sometimes it’s a caterpillar eating its way through a giant leaf, or a coral-colored mushroom growing where you least expect it. Other times it’s a flash of color, a cacique defending its nest from a curious toucan. Nature puts on a show, you just have to be ready for it.”

Places That Stay With You

Beyond the world-famous waterfalls, Iguazú is a region of hidden corners and quiet wonder. One of Ayelén’s favorite places to take guests is Yasy Waterfall, a spot not marked by crowds or guidebooks.

“You reach it by boat, gliding through calm water under the trees. Then it’s just a short walk through the jungle before you arrive. There’s no boardwalk, no rails, just the waterfall, the forest, and a pool to swim in. It feels untouched, like it’s waiting just for you.”

It’s in places like this that Iguazú reveals its quiet power. There’s a stillness here that makes space for reflection. The kind of stillness that becomes a memory.

Letting the Forest Set the Rhythm

Every season brings a new layer to the experience. In the summer months, the forest is at its most exuberant. Rains bring out the waterfalls in full force, and the heat makes a post-hike swim even more rewarding.

It’s also the best time for water activities. Ayelén often takes guests kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding along calm stretches of river, pointing out wildlife and plants along the shore.

Those who prefer cooler days can visit in fall or winter, when hikes are more comfortable and the forest feels especially peaceful. “There’s no wrong time to come,” she says. “Only different moods of the same forest.”

And while most guests arrive with Iguazú Falls in mind, Ayelén encourages them to look beyond. “You’ll see the falls. But give yourself space to explore the rest. This region has so much more to offer if you just give it time.”

A Culture Rooted in the Land

Time here also means getting to know the people. At Awasi, local culture is woven into the experience. Guests are welcomed into Guaraní communities, where they learn about native plants used in food and medicine, and how traditions of simplicity and care shape daily life.

“It stays with people,” Ayelén says. “One guest told me: ‘When you see happy children, it means the community is doing something right.’ That moment meant a lot.”

Other connections happen over shared rituals: drinking mate, listening to chamamé music, tasting homemade chipa. These are moments of cultural exchange not designed for show, but grounded in sincerity.

Unrushed, Unscripted, Unforgettable

For Ayelén, true luxury isn’t found in excess, it’s in attention.

“When guests don’t have to worry about logistics or schedules, they start to notice the things that matter. A particular sound in the canopy. A track in the mud. A quiet conversation after a long day.”

Guiding in Iguazú, she says, is less about explaining and more about creating space. Space for questions. For silence. For wonder.

And maybe that’s what discovering Iguazú is really about: letting nature guide you back to what feels essential. One path, one waterfall, one still moment at a time.

As Ayelén puts it, “No two days are the same here. Each day is an adventure. You just have to say yes.”