Foz do Iguaçu has one obvious headliner (the falls) but the region packs in far more than a single natural wonder. You have the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, a trinational border point, a world-class bird park, and access to the Argentine side of the falls which offers a completely different perspective. Here’s every attraction worth your time, with practical details so you know exactly what to expect.
Things to Do in Foz do Iguaçu: The Falls and National Park
Iguaçu National Park (Brazilian Side)
The Brazilian side gives you the panoramic view , one long walkway ending at a platform that puts you inside the mist of Devil’s Throat. The park opens daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Foreign adult entry costs R$97 (about US$19), Brazilian residents pay R$53. The main trail is a 1.2 km paved walkway along the canyon rim, ending at the Devil’s Throat platform where you’ll get soaked. Allow 2-3 hours for the Brazilian side. The on-site Porto Canoas food court has overpriced meals (R$60-80 for a buffet) , eat breakfast before arriving. A double-decker bus runs every 10 minutes from the visitor center to the trailhead. Wheelchair accessible throughout. Birders should watch for great dusky swifts nesting behind the falls and toucans in the canopy.
Macuco Safari Boat Ride
The boat ride that takes you directly under the falls. You board an electric jeep-tram through the rainforest (3 km, with a bilingual guide pointing out flora and fauna), then transfer to an inflatable twin-engine boat that powers straight into the base of the Three Musketeers Falls. You will get completely drenched , they provide a dry bag for valuables but everything else gets soaked. Cost: R$310 (about US$62) per adult. Duration: 2 hours total including the jeep ride. Operates 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or children under 7. Book tickets at the Macuco Safari desk inside the park or online at macucosafari.com.br. The experience is wildly fun and worth the price.
Macuco Trail (Hiking)
A 3.6 km round-trip dirt trail (about 2 hours) through primary Atlantic rainforest to the base of Salto do Macuco, a 20-meter waterfall where you can swim in the natural pool. The trailhead is near the Macuco Safari boarding area. Free with park entry. Go early morning for wildlife , you might spot capuchin monkeys, agoutis, and toucans. The trail is well-marked but can be muddy after rain; wear closed shoes. The pool at the end is cold year-round (about 17°C / 63°F) but refreshing on hot days.
Helicopter Flight Over the Falls
Helisul operates 10-minute helicopter flights over the falls from a helipad just outside the park entrance on the Brazilian side. Cost: R$490 (about US$98) per person. The flight circles the entire falls system, giving you a perspective you simply cannot get from the ground. Flights run 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. No advance booking required for individuals , just show up, though midday queues can be 30-45 minutes. The helicopter flies a counterclockwise loop so passengers on both sides get good views. Note: helicopter flights are not available from the Argentine side due to environmental restrictions.
Things to Do in Foz do Iguaçu: Beyond the Falls
Parque das Aves (Bird Park)
A 16-hectare private bird reserve directly across the road from the Iguaçu National Park entrance. Home to 1,300 birds from 143 species, mostly rescued from trafficking and mistreatment. The highlight is the walk-through macaw aviaries where blue-and-yellow and red-and-green macaws fly freely around you. There are also toucan enclosures, a butterfly house, a reptile section with anacondas and caimans, and a hummingbird garden. Entry: R$88 (about US$17). Open daily 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Budget 1.5-2 hours. The park does excellent conservation work and visiting supports their rescue operations. Combine with the Brazilian falls for a full day , do the bird park in the morning, then the falls after lunch.
Itaipu Binacional Dam
The world’s second-largest hydroelectric dam (after China’s Three Gorges), jointly operated by Brazil and Paraguay. The panoramic tour costs R$62 (about US$12) and runs hourly from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM , a bus takes you to two viewpoints overlooking the 7.9 km dam wall and the spillway. The special circuit tour (R$110) goes inside the dam itself, including the control room and turbine hall. Book at turismoitaipu.com.br at least a day ahead for the special circuit. The visitor center is 14 km north of Foz do Iguaçu city center; take bus 104/105 from the main terminal (R$5.50). The scale of this structure is hard to grasp until you stand next to it , the dam produces enough electricity to supply 11% of Brazil’s consumption and 90% of Paraguay’s.
Marco das Três Fronteiras (Three Borders Landmark)
An obelisk at the confluence of the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet. The Brazilian side has been developed into a tourist complex with restaurants, a playground, and an evening light show projected onto the obelisk (daily at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM). Entry costs R$36 (about US$7). The view over the rivers at sunset with Argentina’s landmark visible across the water and Paraguay’s off to the right is the real draw. There’s a craft market selling mate gourds, leather goods, and local artesanía. The on-site Cabeza de Vaca restaurant serves decent Brazilian-Paraguayan grilled meats (R$80-120 per person). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Buddhist Temple (Templo Budista Chen Tien)
A working Mahayana Buddhist temple in the Vila Portes neighborhood, built by the local Chinese-Brazilian community in 1996. The main hall houses three 7-meter-tall golden Buddha statues, and the grounds include 120 smaller statues, a koi pond, and meditation gardens. Free entry, open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It’s a surprising and peaceful contrast to the waterfall tourism. About 6 km from the city center; a taxi costs R$25-30 or take bus 120 from the terminal. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees).
Puerto Iguazú (Argentine Side Day Trip)
The Argentine side of the falls requires a full day and a border crossing, but it’s essential , this is where you get up close to Devil’s Throat. From Foz do Iguaçu, take the local bus from the main terminal (R$7, runs every 30 minutes, 45-minute ride to the Argentine park entrance). Argentine park entry costs AR$35,000 (about US$35 as of 2025). The Argentine side has three main circuits: the Upper Circuit (1.2 km of walkways over the tops of the falls), the Lower Circuit (1.7 km down to the base), and the Devil’s Throat train to a 1 km walkway that puts you literally on the edge of the abyss. Allow 5-6 hours for the Argentine side. Bring your passport , you cross an international border. Most nationalities do not need a visa for Argentina. Currency: bring Argentine pesos or US dollars; credit cards work at the park entrance but not always at smaller vendors.
Ciudad del Este (Paraguay Day Trip)
A chaotic duty-free shopping city just across the Friendship Bridge (Ponte da Amizade) spanning the Paraná River. Buses leave every 15 minutes from Foz do Iguaçu’s main terminal (R$6, 25 minutes). Ciudad del Este is a major hub for electronics, perfumes, clothing, and liquor at prices 30-50% below Brazilian retail. The main shopping area is along Avenida San Blas and the Monalisa and Shopping Paris galleries. Be alert , pickpocketing is common in the crowded shopping districts. Go early morning (8:00 AM) for the best selection and fewer crowds. Most shops accept Brazilian reais, US dollars, or Paraguayan guaraníes. Customs allows R$500 per person tax-free on return to Brazil; above that, declare at the Receita Federal checkpoint. Worth it if you need specific electronics or want to experience the cross-border energy, but not a must-do for most visitors. For more detailed information, see our weather by month guide. For more detailed information, see our best time to visit guide. For more detailed information, see our events and festivals calendar. For more detailed information, see our neighborhoods guide. For more detailed information, see our where to stay guide. For more detailed information, see our travel tips and FAQ.
