Foz do Iguacu Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil)

Many tourists come to this city for its natural scenery and jungle attractions, which are ever present within the regional national park known as the Parque Nacional do Iguacu, where hiking trails, boat trips, white water rafting and rock climbing are all popular activities. For the very best views of the Parque Nacional do Iguacu, do consider taking a helicopter tour.

Located on the Parana River and approximately 14 km / 9 miles to the north of central Foz do Iguacu, the Itaipu Dam has become a tourist attraction of great note and boasts some staggering statistics, being the biggest hydroelectric power generator in existence, anywhere in the world. The sheer size and scale is hard to comprehend, with the dam being around 8 km / 5 miles in length and some 65 storeys in height.


Families holidaying in Foz do Iguacu will be pleased to learn that they are well catered for. Especially suitable attractions come in the form of the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) and the Zoologico Bosque Guarani (Guarani Woods Zoo), as well as the man-made beaches around the Itaipu Dam.

Parque Nacional do Iguacu (Iguassu / Iguacu National Park)

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3521 4400
Close to the Argentine border and its frontier city of Puerto Iguazu, the Parque Nacional do Iguacu is a vast jungle, brimming with natural attractions. When you first arrive at the main entrance, take a stroll along the Sendero Verde trail and look out for the innumerable butterflies, tropical birds and coatis. If you are feeling less energetic, then jump aboard the Tren Ecologica de la Selva (Green Train of the Jungle), which runs ever 30 minutes and transports passengers to the Estacion Cataratas (Falls Station). From here, two further pathways take you to the Iguacu Falls, offering breathtaking views and endless photo opportunities. The Circuito Superior (Upper Circular) is the shortest trail, while the Circuito Inferior (Lower Circular) is longer, but does provide great views from below and leads to a free boat to the Isla San Martin. Another must-see attraction in the Parque Nacional do Iguacu is best reached by taking a train to the Estacion Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat Station), where no less than 14 waterfalls cascade down a horseshoe-shaped canyon, forming the most impressive section of the Iguacu Falls.
Open hours: daily, October to March - 09:00 to 18:00; April to September - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Itaipu Dam

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3520 6999
Producing more than 20 percent of Brazil's energy demands, the Itaipu Dam also supplies an immense 90 percent of the energy needs for Paraguay. Construction of the dam began in 1970 and it was finally completed in 1984, costing close to US$20 billion. The Itaipu Dam has always been met with much controversy and those taking a guided tour will learn about how clean the energy is (equivalent to almost 440,000 barrels of oil a day), and how both communities and native animals were relocated during the process. Amongst the main attractions is the central observation deck, where you can enjoy impressive panoramas of the complex. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there is also a fun 'light and sound' show, while the Ecomuseu (Eco Museum) is on hand for those interested in learning more about the dam's achievements.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Parque das Aves (Bird Park)

Address: Avenida das Cataratas, Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3529 8282
A popular attraction suiting all the family, the Parque das Aves covers an area of roughly 12 acres / 5 hectares and is packed with exotic birds in virtually all colours and sizes, which currently number some 200 different species. The biggest attraction here are the blue macaw parrots and toucans, which are allowed to fly freely around the park and are often interested in visitors lunch boxes and belongings. The aviaries are spacious and feature signs showing the bird's scientific names and origins. Also of note is the butterfly house and reptile section, while children will no doubt enjoy perusing the gift shop at the end of their visit. The Parque das Aves is easy to find, being just a couple of minutes from the entrance to the Iguacu Falls, and capitalizes on the waterfall's high visitor numbers.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Zoologico Bosque Guarani (Guarani Woods Zoo)

Address: Rua Taroba 875, Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3523 9136
The Zoologico Bosque Guarani first opened its doors to the paying public in 1996 and transformed a previously rundown part of the city. Currently the third-biggest zoo in the state of Paraná, the city zoo covers an area of approximately 10 acres / 4 hectares. Many animals are to be found in the Foz do Iguacu Zoo, such as emus, jaguars, macaw parrots, monkeys, ostriches, peacocks, swans, tortoises, toucans and turtles, amongst other attractions. There are also plenty of mature trees to shade beneath on a hot day, together with three lakes, a children's playground and an amphitheatre.
Open hours: September to March, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00; April to August, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Macuco Safari de Barco (Macuco Safari)

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3574 4244
An exciting and well-planned excursion, the Macuco Safari de Barco offers the ultimate tour of the jungle. Tourists are led along a trail in an electric vehicle with open sides, so that visibility is at an optimum. Multi-language guides are on hand to provide commentary along the way. The trail leads to the Salto do Macuco - a beautiful waterfall cascading into a small crystal-clear lagoon, where it is possible to take a quick dip if you have brought your swimming costume and are feeling the need to cool down. After the waterfall, visitors climb aboard an inflatable raft and enjoy a trip down the river for about 4 km / 2.5 miles, experiencing some rapids and finally reaching the Garganta do Diabo (Three Musketeers Falls). Be sure to wear waterproofs if you don't want to get wet.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Hiking

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
With such beautiful natural scenery to admire, it is no surprise that hiking in the vast Parque Nacional do Iguacu (Iguacu National Park) has become such a popular pastime and attraction. Most rainforest trails are easily accessible, although some will require a brief kayak crossing) and provide the unique opportunity to get up close and personal to indigenous wildlife, including parrots, hummingbirds, armadillos, anteaters, brown capuchin monkeys (mono cai), deer, raccoons and lots of coatis. If you are really lucky, you may even be able to spot a jaguar or a sloth. Two hiking trails of note are the Trilha Poco Preto and the Trilha das Bananeiras. Experienced guides are available and many speak English quite well, meaning that you will learn about what you are actually seeing as you trek. Don't forget to bring your camera, and also your insect repellent!
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Outdoor Activities

Address: Campo de Desafios, Rodovia das Cataras, Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 045 3529 6040
All manner of outdoor activities and attractions are available for the more intrepid adventurer visiting this part of Paraná. These include everything from rock climbing, abseiling (rappel) and mountain biking, to kayaking and white water rafting along the Parana River. One of the best operators offering these adventure sports is Campo de Desafios, which is based within the Iguacu National Park, just across from the Hotel Tropical das Cataras, on the Rodovia das Cataras.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge for some activities

Boating / Boat Trips

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Various boat trips are available, suiting fearless tourists wishing to see the famous waterfalls from below. Whilst boating excursions are popular on both sides of the falls (Brazil and Argentina), most will agree that the Brazilian boat trips tend to be far more comprehensive, often including jeep rides through the jungle, although are invariably a little more expensive than their Argentinean counterparts. Those simply looking for a boat trip to the waterfalls and nothing else should head to the dock across from the Isla San Martin, where short excursions lasting approximately 15 minutes are provided by Aventura Nautica - long enough for you to see the canyon from a different angle and get showered by the mist.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge