You are scheduled and do not know what to do in Foz do Iguaçu? Know that this is not a destination. How many places gather one of the seven natural wonders of the world, a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a gigantic hydroelectric plant? How many places allow for a trip to three countries in one – Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay?
That’s why Foz is one of the most incredible places I’ve visited in Brazil – it only loses to Fernando de Noronha, who, let’s agree, is paradise in the form of an island.
Let’s talk about Foz again. The biggest mistake a traveler can make is to go there quickly, only to follow the path through the Friendship Bridge, with the goal of shopping in Paraguay. Going through this corner of Brazil and not knowing the cataracts should be prohibited. By law.
Learn more:
Where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu
But what about the Falls? There’s still so much more! It is time to find out what to do in Foz do Iguaçu. Shall we go there?
How to visit the Iguazu Falls National Park
They are worth the journey. Visiting the Iguazu Falls is the highlight of any passage through Foz. Book a full day to get to know the Iguassu Iguassu National Park. And I’m talking only on the Brazilian side – you’ll need another full day to get to know the Argentine side, which concentrates most of the falls.
There are 275 falls, some up to 80 meters high. All this surrounded by a large area of rainforest, protected both on the Argentine side and on the Brazilian side. Animals of all kinds inhabit the park trails and make the visit of any tourist even more interesting. Do not be surprised if you find quatis along the way, but remember not to feed them; they are wild animals.
The Iguassu National Park, on the Brazilian side, operates every day, between 9am and 5pm, and the entrance costs R$ 78 for Mercosur citizens. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially during high season, to avoid long lines. You can also hire a guided tour to get to know this side of the Falls.
See also:
Visit to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls
Macuco Safari
In addition to the contemplation exercise, you can fall into the water radically. The Macuco Safari, tour on which you go by boat to the falls and take a bath there, is an amazing experience. Be prepared to get wet, then take a change of clothes or choose clothes that dries fast.
There are several modes of the tour and it costs from R $ 198. Some versions include additional activities like kayaking and trails, so choose according to your adventure level. You can reserve your place here.
Other adventures also attract tourists, such as tree climbing or rappelling. And outside the park it is possible to hire a helicopter ride to fly over the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. The flight offers a unique perspective of the falls and lasts approximately 10 minutes. Prices vary, so it is good to search and book in advance. Convinced?
How to visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
If you think you have seen everything that the Falls has to offer on the Brazilian side, get ready to be surprised. The Argentinian side offers a completely different and equally spectacular experience.
Plan to spend at least a full day exploring the Iguazú National Park, which is home to most of the falls.
The Argentine park is known for its longest trails and proximity to the Falls, especially the Devil’s Throat, one of the most impressive falls.
The nature here is lush, and you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wild animals, such as toucans and butterflies, as you walk along the trails.
The Iguazú National Park operates every day, from 8am to 6pm. You can also hire a guided tour to this side of the Falls, which influences transfers to the entrance to the park in Argentina.
Gold tip: take your passport or RG, as you will cross the border and you will need one of these documents to enter Argentina.
What to do in Foz do Iguaçu besides the Falls
In addition to the Falls, Foz do Iguaçu has other must-see attractions for visitors. If you don’t have much time in the city, a good idea is to hire a guided tour to see urban attractions such as the Buddhist Temple and the Mosque, and leave the other days for the surrounding attractions.
1. Park of the bird
Almost 800 animals make Parque das Aves one of the main attractions of Foz – there are 500,000 views per year. The Park, which rescues animals from trafficking, is on Avenida das Cataratas, the same that gives access to the Iguaçu National Park.
Take two or three hours to get to know this attraction. It works every day, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The ticket costs R$ 24. You can guarantee yours in advance here.
See also: Visit to the Park of the Aves, in Foz do Iguaçu
2. Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant
It is worth visiting a hydroelectric plant. First because passing through Itaipu means stepping in two countries on the same bus tour. The plant belongs to Brazil and Paraguay and is on the border, on the Paraná River.
Itaipu is a marvel of engineering. 17% of the energy consumed in Brazil comes from this plant. And the flow of Itaipu is only 40 times larger than what you will see in the Falls. That’s it.
The Itaipu tour can also include a behind-the-scenes visit of the plant, a night visit, a visit to the Casimiro Montenegro Filho Astronomical Observatory or the Bela Vista Biological Refuge, which received the animals that fled the flooded area through the plant.
The entrance is on Avenida Tancredo Neves, 6731, and the entrance of the panoramic tour, the traditional, costs R $ 27 and can be bought at the box office or online, on the official website. Details of how to get here.
You can also hire a visit that includes the plant and the Monday Jump.
See also: Tourism at the Itaipu Power Plant in Foz do Iguaçu
3. the Buddhist Temple
Foz do Iguaçu is eclectic. Even from a religious point of view. Built in the 1990s, the Buddhist Temple of Foz became a tourist spot in the city – there are more than 100 statues of Buddha. In addition, the Temple can have a great view of Foz and even the Ciudad del Este. The Buddhist Temple is on the street Dr. Josivalter Vila Nova, 99, and operates between Tuesday and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free of charge.
4.The Mosque of Foz
Foz is Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and much more. The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque was built in the 1980s and was inspired by a famous temple in Jerusalem. Important: Foz has one of the largest Arab communities in Brazil, which explains the construction of this mosque, also converted into a tourist spot.
The temple is at Rua Meca, 599, and operates from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 11:30am and from 2pm to 5:30pm, and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 am. Admission is free and there are guided tours on site.
5. Puerto Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú is a cozy city with a quiet vibe, perfect to relax after a day of intense exploration. The streets are full of souvenir shops, restaurants that offer the best of Argentine cuisine (yes, we are talking about meat and wine!) and small squares where you can simply sit and soak up the local atmosphere.
The city is a sister of Foz and has 80,000 inhabitants and another indefinite number of visitors, mainly Brazilians, per day. Restaurants, bars, a friendly market are the programs that are usually included in the tour until then, sold by Foz agencies.
In addition, Puerto Iguazú has a casino and a Duty Free, traditional points in the Brazuca pilgrimage.
It is possible to visit Puerto Iguazú from Foz do Iguaçu. You can get there by car or with a day tour (see here!). In this case, the tour costs from R $ 123.
Things to do in Puerto Iguazú
- Hito Tres Fronteras: This landmark indicates the point where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. It is a great place to take pictures and enjoy the sunset.
- La Aripuca: This is a monument/tourist attraction built with recovered wood and offers an insight into the importance of forest conservation.
- Puerto Iguazú Fair: A local market where you can buy everything from crafts from delicious local delicacies.
Practical Tips to visit Puerto Iguazú
- Currency: Although many places accept real dollars, it is always good to have some Argentine pesos on hand for small shopping.
- Transportation: Puerto Iguazú is small enough to be explored on foot, but there are also local taxis and buses available.
6. The framework of three borders
Three obelisks, one in each country, mark the boundaries between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The monuments were erected in the early 20th century and have the colors of each country. I visited only one, the Argentine, but from each of them it is possible to see the others, on the opposite banks of the rivers Iguaçú and Paraná.
There are excursions that take you to all of them, from Foz.
The Argentine landmark is the most interesting. The area has been revitalized and now also includes a show of lights and sounds. The Brazilian obelisk will also undergo a renovation, gain a tourist structure and be managed by Cataratas S/A, the same company that runs the National Park.
7. Shopping in Ciudad del Este
I have no doubt that Paraguay is amazing, but I confess that visiting Ciudad del Este, on the border with Foz, is not the high point of a passage through the country, especially if you do not leave the commercial center (and half ugly) where Brazilian tourists are busted in the shopping.
Despite this, I know that the inviting prices end up being a decoy for many people and if you already have some shopping in mind, it costs nothing to take a little jump there, right? The best way to get there is by car, but you can also hire transfers and shopping excursions in Ciudad del Este, like this one here.
On the other hand, you can not deny that crossing the Friendship Bridge is an interesting experience, rra, anthropological.
We have a text about the shopping experience in Paraguay and another about the rules and limits of the IRS.
8. Excursion to the ruins of San Ignacio
Located in the province of Misiones, Argentina, the Ruins of San Ignacio are one of the best preserved examples of the Jesuit missions in the region.
About 3 hours drive from Foz do Iguaçu, the ruins are a complex that includes a church, a cemetery, several houses and a central square. The site also has a small museum that offers detailed information about life in the Jesuit missions and interaction with local indigenous peoples.
There are organized excursions from Foz do Iguaçu, you can check out one here. Or you can rent a car, for more flexibility.
In addition to their historical and cultural importance, the Ruins of San Ignacio are surrounded by impressive natural beauty. It is an excellent way to combine historical learning with appreciation of nature, making it a perfect complement to your trip to Foz do Iguaçu.
9.Catamaran Tour
One of the most different and striking tours of the region, outside of cataracts, is a catamaran cruise along the Paraná River or the Iguaçu River.
This activity offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes, including native vegetation and local wildlife. Depending on the tour you choose, you can also have stunning sunset views or even a romantic dinner on board.
Most of the tours depart from local marinas and many companies offer round-trip transportation from hotels. Tours usually last between 1 to 3 hours, depending on the package chosen. For an even more special night, consider hiring a tour that includes dinner.
In addition to being a relaxing activity, the catamaran tour offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the region’s rich biodiversity from a different perspective. It is an experience that perfectly complements any itinerary in Foz do Iguaçu, making your trip even more memorable.
3, 4 and 7 days rosor
See now a itinerary suggestion to use on your trip to Foz do Iguaçu.
The 3 Days Roadmap
Day 1: Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
- Morning : Arrival and direct trip to the Iguazu Falls, Brazilian side.
- Afternoon : Walk through the National Park, ending with the trail that leads to the main viewpoint.
Day 2: Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side
- Morning and Afternoon: Spend the day exploring the Argentine side of the Falls, including the Devil’s Throat.
Day 3: Itaipu Binacional
- Morning : Visit to the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant.
- Afternoon : Ride through the Itaipu Ecomuseum or relax in some local cafe.
Itinerary of 5 Days
Day 4: Park of the Wets and Shopping in Paraguay
- Morning : Visit to the Park of the Aves.
- Afternoon : Enjoy shopping in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.
Day 5: The Three Borders Framework
- ManhãMorning: Free to rest or explore the city.
- Afternoon/Night: Visit to the Three Borders Framework to watch the sunset.
Itinerary of 7 Days
Day 6: Buddhist Temple and Arab Mosque
- Morning: Visit to the Buddhist Temple.
- Afternoon : Visit to the Arab Mosque and the center of Foz do Iguaçu.
Day 7: Puerto Iguazú
- Spend the day exploring the charming little streets and restaurants of Puerto Iguazú
Is it worth renting a car in Foz do Iguaçu?
It depends on. If you are traveling alone, then it definitely doesn’t pay off, but the thing starts to change if you are accompanied by another person. Are you in a slightly larger group? Then it’s really worth it. It is that many of the attractions are far away and you will have to go by taxi or hire a transfer.
If you opt in this, we recommend that you book your vehicle in advance. For this, we use RentCars. They are a comparator that includes basically all the options of rental companies, from the more traditional ones like Europcar or Guerin to the most cheap, such as Firefly.
They are partners here on the blog precisely because they offer excellent rental conditions, with very low rates, possibility of paying for bookings in reais, without IOF and installment up to 12 times. Click here to make your quotation without obligation.
And do not forget that you need to hire another insurance, the Green Card, to cross the border with Argentina or Paraguay. It is also worth checking with the rental company’s policy to use the car in Argentina or Paraguay.
Where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu: accommodation tips
See some accommodation tips in the city, selected by us from 360meridians!
Travel insurance to Argentina and Paraguay
Travel insurance is not required to enter Argentina or Paraguay. However, it is highly recommended that you have travel insurance to cover eventualities such as illness, accidents or health problems.
Even if you’re just taking a short trip, medical costs abroad can be high and travel insurance can ensure you have access to quality medical care when you need it.
In addition, good travel insurance also includes coverage for problems such as flight cancellations or loss of luggage.
Do not risk your trip without travel insurance. Get yours now through this link or the offers below.
Click here to make your quotation and use the coupon 360MERIDIANOS05 to get up to 25% with other coupons!
When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguaçu?
To see the Iguazu Falls in their maxim, the months of December to February are ideal, since it is the rainy season and the falls are more voluminous. However, prepare for the intense heat and to share the space with many tourists.
If you prefer a milder climate and less crowding, consider the months from May to August. The falls may not be so flowing, but the experience is quieter and the weather cooler.
In addition, for those who are a fan of nature, spring (September to November) is a wonderful time to observe the local fauna and flora in action.
How many days to stay in Foz do Iguaçu?
If you are tight in time, a 3-day itinerary may be enough to cover the main attractions, such as the Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian and Argentine sides, and still take a peek at the Itaipu Plant.
However, if you are the type who likes to explore in the background and perhaps even venture into extra activities such as the Park of the Aves, shopping in Paraguay or a visit to the Buddhist Temple, then an itinerary of 5 to 7 days would be the ideal.
In this way, you will have a more complete and less hurried experience, being able to absorb everything that this fascinating region has to offer.
