9 Top Tourist Attractions in Foz do Iguaçu / Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

One of the most impressive natural wonders in South America and top attractions in Brazil, Iguaçu Falls is a must-visit on any South America itinerary. This spectacular sight is a UNESCO World Heritage property, set in the jungle on the border with Argentina, just outside of the city of Foz do Iguaçu.

The falls are the city's claim to fame and there are many ways to experience them, but you'll also find interesting attractions worth seeing while you are here.

You can see Iguaçu Falls from either the Brazilian or Argentinian side. The best views are arguably from the Brazil side. On the Argentinian side, you can get closer, but almost all the trails are from above the falls and you do not get the full perspective like you do on the Brazilian side. Still, many visitors, if they have enough time, will take a day trip over to Argentina.

Other ways to see the falls include boat trips, which will take you up the river to the base of some of the smaller waterfalls but not right into the heart of the action, or a helicopter flight.

The city of Foz do Iguaçu has a number of other attractions worth visiting while you're here, including the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world, so plan on spending some time in the area.

Visit Iguaçu Falls from Brazil

You'll hear much discussion about whether the falls are best viewed from Brazil or Argentina. Each has its advantages but if you have only one day to see the falls, do not miss a chance to see them from the viewing platforms on the Brazilian side.

A 1.5-kilometer walking trail runs along the bank looking across to the falls and terminates at the most stunning viewing platform in the park, where you can view the famous Devil's Throat. Here, water spews out in copious quantities in every direction, from above, below, and across from where you stand.

Although the view is what you are here for, you may also see animals along the trail like coatis, agoutis, lizards, and more.

Getting to the Park

You can drive, take a public bus, or hop in an Uber to the park gates. Here, you will buy your ticket and then take a park bus to the walking trails and viewing platforms inside the gates.

Another option is to hire a tour guide who will pick you up at your hotel, take you to the park, and drive you to the points of interest around the falls. Only authorized buses and guides are permitted to transport visitors through the park, you cannot take personal vehicles into the park but there is parking outside the gate.

The best use of time and energy is to get off the bus at the stop across from the Hotel das Cataratas, which is the start of the scenic walking trail. From here, the trail descends slightly as it makes its way to the main viewing platform. If you don't want to do the walk, get off the bus at the last stop, which is an upper viewing platform with an elevator that will take you down to the best viewing platform.

Take a Boat to the Base of Iguaçu Falls on the Macuco Safari Trip

By far the most exhilarating experience at the falls is a boat trip up the Iguaçu River to the base of the waterfalls. The 30-passenger zodiac-style boats plow through the rapids, which at low water levels can be extreme, and get you closer to some of the waterfalls than you probably thought possible.

You can opt for a wet ride or a dry ride, although the wet are the most popular. And when they say wet, they mean wet! The boats drive right underneath the falls and you will get absolutely soaked. These are not the huge waterfalls of Devil's Throat, but they are substantial and fall from great heights. The dry ride takes you to the same place but does not drive you through the stream of water.

You do not go right up to the Devil's Throat, the boat stays back a considerable distance from that area which is too dangerous to navigate.

The park bus stops at the Macuco Safari, where the tour begins. From here you will be taken on a driving tour through the jungle with a guide who will talk about some of the natural aspects of the park, and then you walk a short distance along boardwalks and stairs to the starting point for the boat trip. If you don't want to walk the last portion, you can stay on the vehicle and it will take you to the launch. After the boat ride you will be transported from the dock back to the bus stop.

If you are taking the wet boat ride, you may want to bring or buy a poncho or rain protection of some kind. If you have your phone with you, make sure you have some way of keeping it dry. Again, this is a very wet tour.

Official Site: https://macucosafari.com.br/

Tour the Falls from the Argentinian Side

In Argentina, the falls are called Igauzú Falls. You can visit the falls here on a day trip from Foz do Iguaçu, and you will need to stop and clear customs, so bring your passport with you!

On the Argentinian side, the three main attractions are Devil's Throat, the Upper Walk, and the Lower Walk. The main attraction is Devil's Throat, reached by a long overwater walkway that extends out to the edge of the Devil's Throat for an impressive view of the massive amount of water flowing over the lip of the falls. This is the heart of Igauzú Falls.

The Upper Walk, called Paseo Superior, is a 1.75 km walkway offering views from above the falls but does take you quite as close to the edge. The Lower Walk, Paseo Inferior is a 2.5 km trail with more views that extend along the falls on the Argentinian side.

Weekends are busy and holidays and long weekends can be extremely busy, and the lineup to cross the border can be hours long. The park too can be very busy. On my most recent visit, the park temporarily closed access to the viewing platforms because of crowds. If you have several days to visit the area, plan to visit on a weekday.

The best course of action is to arrive early and head directly to Devil's Throat. A train will take you to the beginning of the walk. Note that this train is included in the price of admission to the park but you still need to make sure you get a ticket for the train. See this attraction before the crowds arrive. Afterward, do the upper and lower walks and plan at least an hour to 90 minutes for each.

You can also take a boat tour from the Argentinian side. This is very similar to the boat tour on the Brazilian side and includes a drive through the jungle, but the boat will take you close to more individual waterfalls than on the Brazilian trip. Boats cannot cross into the other country, so each one is a bit different.

The admission fee to the park on the Argentinian side is more expensive for foreigners than the Brazilian side. Argentina has different pricing for residents and foreigners visiting the falls, and as an international tourist, you will likely pay at least double in Argentina compared to Brazil.

Get a Bird's Eye View of the Falls on a Helicopter Tour

The falls are so expansive that it can be hard to truly grasp the size and layout. One of the best ways to really appreciate the whole site is to take a helicopter tour. These leave from right outside the park (across from the Bird Park) and take you out over the jungle to the falls.

You can take a quick 10-minute flight over the falls or a 35-minute flight to see the falls, the confluence of the rivers where you see three countries at once, the city, and the Itaipu Dam. The 35-minute flights are considerably more expensive than the 10-minute flights, but if you just want to see the falls, the 10-minute option is all you need.

You can walk up and book a flight on the spot, you don't need to book these in advance. they have 4-, 6-, and 7-passenger trips. You may need to wait for a couple of flights (20 or 30 minutes) depending on how many people are in front of you, but this goes quickly as you watch a safety demonstration while you're waiting and walk out to the landing pad.

If it is a slow day for tourists, you may have to wait until enough people show up to fill the aircraft, or else you can pay extra (the equivalent of a full helicopter) to leave immediately.

Official Site: https://passeiodehelicoptero.com.br/?page_id=11684&lang=en

Enjoy a Walk at the Bird Park (Parque das Aves)

While it might seem odd to come to Iguaçu Falls and visit a bird park, this is one of the key attractions outside of the falls. It's a fantastic facility and a great place to see some of Brazil's most important species of birds. This is a great family outing.

Parque das Aves is home to about 150 different avian species and claims to have the largest collection of birds of the Atlantic Rainforest in the world. More than half of the animals here have been rescued from illegal trafficking and given a new chance at life here at this fantastic facility.

Walking through the park feels like a walk in the forest, and you barely even realize you are walking through enclosures. The huge trees and lush vegetation are covered high above with fine netting. Raised walkways through the enclosures put you closer to the birds' level and allow you to look down on the fish-filled ponds.

Official Site: https://www.parquedasaves.com.br/en/

Take a Tour of the Itaipu Dam

Located on the Paraña River between Brazil and Paraguay, the Itaipu Dam is the third-largest hydroelectric dam on the planet and the second-largest in terms of the amount of electricity produced. If that isn't enough to entice you to take a tour, consider that you'll also have a pretty good chance of spotting a capybara from the bus!

The dam opened to the public in 1984 after taking almost a decade to build and its creation had a huge impact on the area, creating one of the world's largest reservoirs, displacing thousands of people who lived on the river, and changing the local ecosystems.

The dam is about a 35- to 40-minute drive from downtown Foz do Iguaçu and you can hop on a Panoramic tour or a Special tour. The Panorama is the basic tour, which takes about 90 minutes. This is a bus tour in an open-sided bus with English, Spanish, and Portuguese narrations. The bus crosses over the dam and into Paraguay. On the Brazilian side, the bus drops off and picks up visitors at a couple of scenic points, where you can look over the dam, buy a drink and snack, or use the restrooms.

As the bus drives around the grounds, watch for wildlife. Since this is a restricted area they aren't hassled by humans. You can see capybaras lounging along the side of the road (always of interest to children on the bus) and a variety of birds, including burrowing owls.

Go for Dinner and a Tango Show in Argentina

It's not often that one of the most popular things to do in a city is go to another country for dinner and a show, but in Foz do Iguaçu, it's a common practice. Locals and tourists regularly pop over to Argentina for an evening out. The Madero Tango Iguazú is a fantastic tango show with a live band performing the music for the dancers.

A lovely dinner is served with the show but the real attraction is the dancing. The same company also hosts shows in Buenos Aires.

If you are not driving yourself, you can take a tour bus over the border or hire a guide/driver but none of these options is any faster than the other if there is a lineup. On long weekends and holidays, you may want to avoid this due to extensive delays at the border.

You will need to stop at the Brazilian customs before leaving the country and then at the Argentinian customs, and you'll do the same on the return. Don't forget your passport! Madero Tango is located just a short distance from the border.

Marco Das Três Fronteiras

Another popular tourist activity is taking a trip out to Marco Das Três Fronteiras where you can see three countries from one spot: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. A couple of signs that overlook the river are popular selfy spots and a large central fountain stands just back from the riverbank.

Many people come here in the late afternoon to enjoy an outdoor show and see the sunset. It can be very busy at this time of day, especially on weekends and holidays. You can expect lines to get a selfie at either of the signs and parking is limited, meaning you may have to park on the road well back from the site and walk a considerable distance.

If you just want to have a look at the landscape, see the countries, and not have to worry about parking, it's better to skip sunset and come before the crowds to enjoy the tranquility.

Rafain Churrascaria Show

Seeing a cultural show at Rafain is almost a must-do on the tourist circuit in Foz do Iguaçu. This dinner show features dancers and musicians in colorful costumes featuring traditions from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is a show that appeals mainly to international tourists, unlike the tango show in Argentina which is also popular with locals as well.

The venue is a large hall with long tables and the dinner is a buffet with excellent food. The host will ask where you're from and put a small flag from your country on your table. You can look around the room and see from all over the world.

This is a very popular place so be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Official Site: https://rafainchurrascaria.com.br/