Foz do Iguaçu is one of the main destinations for in Brazil for travelers from around the world! Both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls are considered UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites, and the city itself offers many attractions to fill up a few days! Today, we’ll tell you what our favorite activities are in the destination, and some of our best tips for visiting the Iguaçu Falls if all you have is a couple of days.
Brazilian Side of the Falls
On a longer trip, it’s definitely worthwhile to visit the Argentinian side of the falls, but since that takes up a whole day, one shorter stay, our tip is to enjoy the Brazilian side! The Iguaçu National Park is very well organized, and its activities can be done in just a few hours. However, this doesn’t mean that the views are anything short of amazing! During the rainy season, the amount of water is impressive, and when the weather is drier you can see the outline of the falls. You can also go on hikes, and take on the Macuco Safari, a jeep ride through the jungle, and boat ride that gets up close and personal with the falls!
Parque das Aves
Parque das Aves is a natural reserve area and a rehabilitation center for animals. There, you can see over 100 species of birds, many of which are in danger of extinction. If you’re interested in learning more about the project on a deeper level, it’s definitely worthwhile to book the Backstage Experience, that shows what’s behind the scenes of the conservation and animal protection services, and lets you get even closer to the animals. One of the tour times also allows guests to visit the park while it’s still closed to the general public.
Both the falls and Parque das Aves are close to each other, and can be visited on the same day!
Itaipu Dam
Itaipu, a power plant that belongs to both Brazil and Paraguay, is a unique experience. If you book the Special Circuit tour, you can grasp how enormous the structure is, visit the control room, see one of the turbines working, and much more. The tour lasts a little over two hours, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience!
Buddhist Temple
To rest and concentrate, visit the Foz do Iguaçu Buddhist Temple. Located on a higher part of the city, you can see part of Downtown Foz do Iguaçu and Paraguay’s Ciudad del Este. This temple is considered one of Latin America’s largest of its kind, and houses many sculptures and large buildings. The tour is free and lasts a little over an hour. It’s also not far from Itaipu Dam, so you can fit both these activities into the same day!
Those who enjoy shopping can definitely hop over to Paraguay, just remember making sure your car is allowed to cross the border. If you’re not planning on making any big purchases, a good idea is to go by car or bus up until the border and cross the “Friendship Bridge” on foot.
For unique food experiences, visiting Argentina for dinner is also a great choice. Make sure you have your passport on you to cross from one country to the other. A quick and interesting spot to visit is Marco das 3 Fronteiras, where you can see all three neighbouring countries.
Have you ever been to Foz do Iguaçu? Do you have any travel tips for this destination? Or are you planning a visit and have any other questions for us? Share them with us below in the comments!
