Foz do Iguaçu

Understand

Foz do Iguaçu sits at the mouth of the Iguaçu river, discharging into Paraná river, near the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The word Iguaçu means "large water", in Tupi-Guarani. Despite hosting one of Brazil's major tourist attractions, the city has a rather un-touristy feel, and other than the large number of hotels and occasional tri-lingual signs, it looks like any other medium-sized Brazilian city - there are practically no "tourist shopping streets" and like. There is however a large shopping mall being constructed at Avenida das Cataratas, to provide additional convenience to visitors in terms of night-time shopping and gastronomy. In the past, Foz do Iguaçu formed with a tourism pole together with the nearby city of Guaíra, which hosted the Guaíra Falls (Sete Quedas). After the construction of the gigantic Itaipu Dam in the early 1980s, the Guaíra Falls were inundated, leaving Foz do Iguaçu as the only major traveller destination in the southwestern border of the Paraná state.

Getting there

By plane 1 Iguazu Falls Cataratas International Airport (IGU IATA). Close to the city. There are frequent flights from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santiago, etc. ATMs are available on the ground level next to Arrivals. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport. When flying out of Foz do Iguaçu, if you're going to Rio de Janeiro, request a window seat on the right side of the plane—don't miss the views! (updated Jun 2018)

By bus 2 International Bus Station (Rodoviária Internacional) (northeast of the center). Most connections and bus companies go from/to this bus station. (updated Jun 2018) Bus transportation is available to and from the most important cities in the country, and even to Argentina:

São Paulo – About 15 hr, with at least three daily connections between both cities in the early and late afternoon, R$230-260. Rio de Janeiro – About 25 hr, with connections in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon, around R$300. Curitiba – About 11 hr, early and late connections with Catarinense, R$190-240. Cuiaba – About 28 hr with Eucatur. Campo Grande – About 14 hr with Medianeira, Integração or Unesul. Belo Horizonte – About 32 hr, one connection per day, R$380. Florianopolis – Several late afternoon and evening connections, R$170-350. Santos – With at least one daily connection. Bonito Buenos Aires – With at least three departures weekly from Iguaçu on Sundays at 13:30, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 17:00.

By freight bus company The two companies below transport goods and passengers to São Paulo for merchants buying in Ciudad del Este, what makes them so cheap but a little chaotic and different at the same time. They take a while with the boarding, which is also why there is always a restaurant nearby, which they probably own. Also, the journey includes a 30-min stop at a restaurant just 4 hr after leaving Foz do Iguaçu. Furthermore, the bus might be checked a little closer by police, but as a regular tourist that is nothing of your concern, because you do not carry any taxable goods. You and your luggage will also be checked by the bus company for any tradable goods. So, if you have anything still packaged and in uncommon amounts, this might be a problem. As of May 2018, the journey time is 15½ hr, of which 2½ hr are being stuck in São Paulo traffic. Entry and exit points are their local offices. The buses seats are semi-cama. It is probably a good idea to call ahead for reservation or availability of seats, or ask your ho(s)tel.

3 Trans Muleke, Foz do Iguaçu, Rua Assis 124, ☏ +55 4535250606, +55 999993461. 17-18:00 to/from Sao Pa

Getting around

You can cross the international borders to Paraguay and Argentina by public bus, taxi, car, tour car, moto-taxi, or foot. Non-car options are better because you can skip a large part of the line at immigration on both sides. Waits of 1-2 hours are common for cars.

By bus FozTrans operates most local buses. Schedules are here, but expect delays. The cash fare is R$5 each ride. Visa and Mastercard are accepted on board the bus by contactless payment card. Links to route maps are at the bottom of each schedule PDF. Fare is free for those ages 60 and over: show your ID to the bus driver then board through the rear. The official website is not very functional when it is offline so the best alternative is to check the bus route and schedule on the website. Bus 120 is the most convenient connection, running from the TTU (city center urban transport bus station), through the city center, to the airport, the bird park, and finally the national park. The airport is 15 km south of the city center and 3 km northwest of the national park. The airport bus stop is a short 20 m outside the main entrance (to your left when exiting the terminal). At the airport, be sure to ask the driver so you know which direction the 120 bus is going, as it stops two times at the airport - one time on its route to the bird park and then visitor's center in the park, and then again while returning back from the park to the city center. By bus, the park visitor's center is 10 minutes from the airport, while the city center is 40-60 min, depending on traffic. Ciudad del Este, Paraguay is across the western Paraná River via the Friendship Bridge. Puerto Iguazu, Argentina is across the southern Rio Iguaçu. Rio Uruguay (officially Transporte Três Fronteiras SA) departs from a stop on the northwest corner on the street immediately north of the TTU on the Brazilian side on Rua Mem de Sá. There is a green sheltered bus stop that says Linhas Internacionais. Don’t forget your passport or Mercosul ID. The fare is 700 Argentinian pesos or R$15 Brazilian reais each way as of January 2023. Paying in pesos is usually better; ask around and lots of commercial folk around the borders like the bus driver or news stands will exchange (“câmbio”) currency or point you to an exchange nearby. First departure 6:30am, last departure 6:30pm, 45 minute ride. Buses depart the TTU every hour on the half hour to the “Terminal de Buses de Puerto Iguazú” on the Argentinian side, where you can take another paid bus transfer to the falls. The bus will stop multiple times, including an optional stop at Brazilian immig

See

1 Iguaçu Falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu) (Bus 120), ☏ +55 45 3521 4400. Ticket booth 8AM-4PM daily, last return shuttle bus 5:30PM. One of the most famous attractions in Brazil, the falls on the Iguaçu River have a flow capacity equal to three times that of Niagara Falls. The falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina, and each side has its own network of trails and viewpoints. The National Park on the Brazilian side runs a shuttle bus between the Visitors' Centre, the falls, and numerous outdoor tour operators, including boat rides run by Macuco Safari out to the bottom of the falls. Luggage lockers available (+R$20/day). You can buy your ticket on-site with a ticket vending machine, or online. Your ticket comes with an entry time (and date). If there are many people, expect to wait 30 min just to buy the ticket. Then even if you've bought the ticket on-site, you might need to wait another 2-4 hours, depending on the entry time you get (maybe buy online in advance, then you know at least your entrance time). Expect at least another hour queuing up for the actual entrance and shuttle buses, if the queue already starts outside the building in the tents. On the way back, expect another 30 min queuing time for the shuttle bus on very busy days. R$100. (updated Sep 2023)

2 Parque das Aves (Birds Park) (Bus 120), ☏ +55 (45) 3529-8282 (WhatsApp), [email protected]. Ticket booth 8:30AM-4:30PM. It is very close to the entrance of the falls, you can take a self-guided tour of the park to come in close contact with all different types of exotic birds. There may also be chances to hold and take pictures with the birds. The Birds Park is considered an ecological sanctuary. It is located near the Iguaçu National Park in a 16-hectare area of native woods. A paved trail leads visitors to the enormous aviaries that blend in with the forest and allow you to know approximately 900 birds from 180 species. The Park also has a butterfly section with 25 species and a reptile section as well. All of these animals can be seen from a distance of only a few meters. The park also has luggage lockers (+R$10), a parking lot, a souvenir shop and a snack bar. R$80. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Itaipu Dam (Itaipu Binacional) (Bus 101/102), ☏ +55 45 3576-7000, [email protected]. Panoramic bus: 8:30AM-5PM, every 20 minutes. The Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant is the largest electric power generator in the world and was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineering. Booking in advance is recommended for special tour an

Do

Salto do Macuco (Tinamou Drop) (Macuco Safári) (Inside Iguaçu Park). 9AM-5PM. On this tour, the visitor takes trails in an open, electric vehicle, accompanied by trilingual guides over 3 km of jungle. The vehicle stops at the beginning of a 600-m trail that leads to the Salto do Macuco – with its crystal clear waters that fall from a height of 20 m over rocks, forming a tiny lake. Those who do not want to descend on foot can take the same electric car to where they embark on the inflatable boat. It is an exciting adventure as the boat navigates over a canyon’s waters and gets very near the huge Garganta do Diabo falls and then receives the “wet blessing” from the Three Musketeers Falls. To get there take the Cataratas Highway to km 23, already inside the Iguaçu National Park. A hint: if you don’t want to get soaked, take a raincoat. R$362 + park entrance. (updated Jan 2023) Helicopter Tour. 09:00-17:00. This 10-minute tour provides a beautiful aerial view of Iguaçu National Park. It is the best way to understand the real dimensions of the Falls. Another option is to fly over the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant. For the flight over the Iguacu falls, you need a minimum of 3 people (the helicopter can take 7 people + the pilot), but you can wait around and will usually find another group of one or two people. R$435. (updated Apr 2017) Poço Preto (Black Well). This excursion is made in a special vehicle – over a rustic 18 km trail - through the exuberant vegetation of the National Park. It lasts up to 5 hours. Specialized guides accompany the visitors who can photograph or watch birds. It is located on km 18 of BR 469 – the Cataratas Highway.

Buy

Foz do Iguaçu is not a shopping destination. Brazilians generally go to the neighbouring cities of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay for cheaper imported goods, or to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina for Argentinean wines and alfajor.

Downtown. Downtown shopping is mostly found at Av. Brasil (between Av. Jorge Schimmelpfeng and Av. República Argentina) and its surroundings. Shops there are mostly aimed at locals, not tourists, and do not open on evenings or Sundays. Cataratas JL Shopping, Av. Costa e Silva, 185 - Pólo Centro. 11:00-23:00. A typical Brazilian-style shopping mall which offers the conveniences of late evening shopping and a decent food court. Contains a branch of the Brazilian department store Havan. The mall is definitely not tourist-oriented, but has trilingual signs. 113 shops.

Money Changing money in Ciudad del Este is considerably cheaper than in Foz, even when getting Brazilian Real. The bus ticket to Ciudad del Este is just R$5.50 one-way. See article: Ciudad del Este#Money.

Eat

Budget 1 Star Restaurante, R. Rui Barbosa, 1032 - Sala 64. (updated Mar 2023) 2 Restaurante Brasileirinho, R. Castelo Branco, 946 - Vila Maracana. (updated Mar 2023) 3 Restaurante Corinthiano, R. Xavier da Silva, 392. (updated Mar 2023) 4 Restaurante Treviso, R. Eng. Rebouças, 727. (updated Mar 2023) 5 Panela De Barro, R. Eng. Rebouças, 950. (updated Mar 2023) 6 Restaurante Tramontin, R. Quintino Bocaiúva, 839. (updated Mar 2023) 7 La Bella Pizza, Rua Xavier da Silva 648, ☏ +55 45 3574-2285. 17:00-late. All you can eat pizza and pasta, 40 different types including chocolate and banana pizza. R$15-35. (updated Mar 2023)

Mid-range 8 Bufalo Branco. The best churrascaria in town. Probably also the most expensive. R$85 (Jan 2016). (updated Mar 2023) 9 Martignoni Pizza Parlor, Av. Paraná 3535 (downtown), ☏ +55 45 522-2706. Tu-Su 19:00-24:00. Pizza de rodizio: the waiters bring around a selection of meats, pastas, and (the main attraction) pizza. A nice atmosphere with an excellent variety of pizzas, including some with fruit, chocolate, and ice cream. But before dessert, try the catupiry and the tomate seco (dried tomato). R$50-70. (updated Mar 2023) 10 La Caverna Parrilla Uruguaya, R. Jorge Sanwais, 1167. (updated Mar 2023) 11 Bendito - Bar e Restaurante, R. Mal. Deodoro, 816. (updated Mar 2023) 12 Restaurante Tempero da Bahia - Foz do Iguaçu, Nº, R. Mal. Deodoro, 1228. (updated Mar 2023)

Splurge 13 Restaurant Terramar, R. Mal. Deodoro, 1681. (updated Mar 2023) 14 Madero Steak House, Av. Costa e Silva, 185 - Parque Pres. 1. (updated Mar 2023) 15 Bona Trattoria - Gastronomia Italiana, R. Alm. Barroso, 883. (updated Mar 2023)

Sleep

Budget Hostel Poesia, Rua das Papoulas, 452, ☏ +55 45 3572-8397. Renovated hostel with fine kitchen, big cinema room and a mini library. The hostel can organize tours and bus tickets and breakfast is included. Dorms from R$25. (updated May 2017) Hostel Backpacker, Rua Tarobá 827 (Downtown, 3 blocks from TTU urban bus terminal), ☏ +55 45 3027-2500, [email protected]. Friendly staff. Breakfast included. Internet. Conveniently located in the city center. Booking for organized tours to Iguaçu Falls possible. Dorm from R$30. Pousada El Shaddai, Rua Engenheiro Reboucas 306, ☏ +55 45 3025-4493, [email protected]. Dorms from R$22, doubles from R$60, incl breakfast buffet, swimming pool, kitchen use. Clean and friendly. Quiet and central location near amenities like banks, supermarkets, restaurants, launderettes. Albergue Paudimar Campestre (Av. das Cataratas). Twelve kilometres outside Foz do Iguaçu on the way to the Brazilian side of the falls, it's more a mini-resort than a hostel. It offers free internet, budget meals and also has a swimming pool and bar. They also arrange tours to the Argentinean side of the falls. Half the taxi fair from the bus terminal is returned if you go with two or more persons and stay at least two days. Look for the stand at the bus terminal. Your Place Hostel, Rua Joaquim Firmino 222, ☏ +55 45 3029 2462, [email protected]. Free breakfast. Close to the bars and commerce area. Staying here you can easily catch direct buses to the main touristic places. Dorm from R$23.

Mid-range Nadai Confort Hotel, Av. República Argentina, 1334, ☏ +55 45 3521-5050. Central location. Offers a number of options for leisure and facilities for its businesses. Pousada Sonho Meu, Rua Men de Sá, 267 (close to the bus station, there are signs at the station showing the way), ☏ +55 45 3573-5764, [email protected]. Family-run, friendly pousada. Breakfast buffet, a swimming pool and even a tiny gym. Doubles from R$120. Hotel San Rafael , Rua Almirante Barroso No 1660. +55 45 3523-1611. A pleasant hotel with friendly staff. You can hire their tour guide, Val, who will take you to both sides of the falls. Hotel includes a gym and pool, which is needed as it gets very hot in Iguaçu in summer. Breakfast is included and there is a buffet in the evenings for R$20 a head. Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort, Av das Cataratas 6798, ☏ +55 45 3529-8200. Avenida das Cataratas. Resort offers 155 anti-allergic rooms with ceramic tiled floor and 102 rooms with balcony. The resort is surrounded by woods and gardens

Go next

Iguaçu Falls – Obviously the most important attraction nearby Foz do Iguaçu. The world-famous falls. Puerto Iguazu – On the Argentinian side of the border, offers access to the Argentinian side of the falls and a number of casinos and shopping. Buses go from behind of Local Bus Terminal every 30-60 minutes and costs R$4. If you are staying for longer than a day you need to get off at each border and pass through immigration. Bus will not wait for you, so you will have to wait for the next bus, that you can board with the original ticket. As it is not far and buses do not go often, walking may be faster. Ciudad del Este – On the Paraguay side of the border, it is a rather chaotic mid-size town that serves as a shopping destination for Brazilians and Argentinians looking for low-tax imported goods. Some taxis will take you to Puerto Iguazu and wait for you to pass through the two customs but are quite expensive. For example, taking the taxi only to the Argentinian border from Foz de Iguacu costs around R$40. You need to agree with the driver on a price before boarding as they don't want to use the meter for these sort of trips.