The Right Destination

Foz do Iguaçu has much more to offer than just the falls

The third most sought-after destination in Brazil by foreigners after Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo is also one of the 7 natural wonders of the world

By Denise Bobadilha

If you still have not been to Foz do Iguaçu, don’t worry if you can’t do everything right away because you will certainly be back. This is a practical and easy destination, which is ideal for a few days or an extended holiday. And the children will love it: Foz do Iguaçu is irresistible for all types of travelers and we are lucky to have this wonder of the natural world in our backyard. As a family, fun is guaranteed, combining nature, adventure, gastronomy and knowledge. No wonder it was the third most sought-after destination in Brazil by foreigners after Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in 2022.

At the western tip of Paraná, on the Brazilian side of the Triple Border (with Argentina and Paraguay completing the group), Foz do Iguaçu has much more to offer then just the falls – although they remain the major attraction of the trip, for good reason. The more than 275 waterfalls and the park surrounding them, officially called the Iguaçu National Park, are so majestic that their tourist appeal can be enjoyed from both sides.

The Brazilian side is easier for those traveling with young children, because the infrastructure is better and the walk to the falls does not take so long – it’s a bus ride from the park and then a walk with incredible views as you get closer and closer to the falls, culminating with an elevator to the full expansive panoramic view. The presence of coatis – which should be seen, but not touched or fed – causes bursts of laughter in the little ones. Also on the Brazilian side, it is possible to go on the Macuco Safari, which is a boat ride to the foot of the waterfalls, with all the dense spray and adrenaline that this entails (beware of very small children who may be overwhelmed). It is worth every drop of water. On the Argentine side, a small train and long walkways provide another view of the nature surrounding the falls to the Garganta do Diabo [Devil’s Throat], which is the epicenter of the falls – including the presence of alligators. There is also a boat tour, called Gran Aventura, which is more radical and only for people over 14 years old. The fun for kids is complete with the sale at the park of the unbeatable dulce de leche ice creams that only Argentines seem to know how to make so well.

It seems incredible but many children return from Foz do Iguaçu with better memories of the Parque das Aves [Bird Park] than the actual falls. The competition is unfair, but those who spend a few hours amidst the colorful birds of the park leave with their eyes gleaming. Macaws, toucans, parrots and species of all colors and sizes fly around and hum among the visitors, producing incredible photo opportunities. Everyone is impressed by the sensational rescue and preservation work of the birds from the Atlantic Forest. It is even possible to take special look behind the scenes, accompanied by an environmental educator, feed the birds and learn about the different species and the work of education. The Park has the philosophy that “we only connect with what we experience.”

But there’s more: the Parque das Aves is not the only competitor to challenge the nature of the falls. There is also Itaipu, which is a gigantic dam, a colossus of concrete and steel amidst the waters and greenery of Iguaçu. It is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world in terms of energy production and the second largest in terms of installed capacity (after Three Gorges Dam in China). Tours are available for adults and teenagers, because only people over 14 years of age can only enter the heart of the plant. Younger children can go on a panoramic tour in a double-decker bus that passes along the top of the dam. Tip: take your passport to get it stamped as you cross into the Paraguayan border.

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These attractions alone fill three or four days of travel, but there is still more. For those traveling as a family, it is worth visiting the Blue Park water park at the Mabu Thermas, which is a thermal water park open to visitors for most of the year. It is worth remembering that it can be very, very hot in the summer in the region – and, in addition to the water parks, a good option to make the most of the destination is to stay at one of the local resorts, such as in Mabu, the Wish Foz do Iguaçu, the Bourbon Cataratas, which has a Kids club and a Turma da Mônica themed room and the Sanma by Nobile, which offers picnics and trails in the park of the hotel. Of course, there is the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in the country and the only one within the park, which offers a series of exclusive advantages to guests.

Another unforgettable trip is to go on a helicopter tour and see this splendor of nature from above:

Foz do Iguaçu has an airport that is well served by national (and international) companies. The transport system between attractions is very good (there are special passes that take you from one place to another) or even use the local taxis because the distances are small and the prices are fixed. It is worth planning in advance what you want to see on each day of your stay and buying tickets in advance, especially for the popular Macuco Safari.

After introducing your children to one of the greatest natural attractions in the world (see the video below), your calendar will be missing several days – we haven’t even talked about parrillas and the tango on the Argentine side of the border, the Marcos das Três Fronteiras, the Buddhist Temple, the mosque and the shopping at the Argentine Duty Free or in Ciudad Del Este, in Paraguay (for which it is better to book a private tour). To do everything, you will have to return to Foz do Iguaçu, which will certainly be in your family’s future plans.