Activities at Iguazu Brazilian side organise around Parque Nacional do Iguaçu and some secondary Foz sites. Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (entry €25-35/person, open 8am-5pm daily, free shuttle from Centro de Visitantes to walkways). Main trail (1.2 km, 2-3h) following canyon with succession of panoramic belvederes (views on Argentinian falls opposite — Salto Floriano, Salto Adam, Salto Eva, Salto San Martín), ending at Garganta del Diablo walkway (guaranteed water shower, €5 poncho at entry or umbrella). Panoramic elevator at trail's end (free) allows ascent to upper level for plunging view.
Macuco Safari (€60-90/person, 1h30): Zodiac boat excursion descending Rio Iguaçu then approaching several falls' base (3 approaches, full shower guaranteed). Includes 4WD jeep transfers through Atlantic forest with naturalist guide (fauna and flora observation). Booking on arrival at Centro de Visitantes or online (quick in high season). Mandatory gear: swimsuit, quick-dry t-shirt, sandals, towel.
Helicopter (€200-400/person, 15-20 min, Helisul operator): panoramic flyover over falls from Foz. Extraordinary view but ecologically controversial (helicopters disturb wildlife and noise affects other visitors).
Other Foz do Iguaçu activities. Itaipu Binacional (15 km from Foz, world's 2nd largest hydroelectric dam after Three Gorges China, 14 GW installed capacity, 2h guided tour €25-35/person, interesting for engineering enthusiasts). Parque das Aves (private bird park adjacent to national park, €30/person, 1h30-2h, hyacinth macaws, toucans, parrots, pleasant for families with children). Three Frontiers (point where Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay meet, viewpoint in Foz, free, less spectacular than myth suggests but photogenic at sunset).
Argentinian side excursion. Border crossing via Tancredo Neves bridge (passport essential, 15-30 min formalities) then 30 min to Argentinian park. 3 walkway circuits: Circuito Inferior (1h30, view from below, walkways above receiving pools, see Salto Bossetti and Salto San Martín), Circuito Superior (1h30, view from above, walkways on falls edge, see Salto Tres Mosqueteros and Salto Adam y Eva), Garganta del Diablo (absolute climax: train from Centro de Visitantes 30 min + 30 min walkway over fall, sensation of tipping into water void). 6-8h visit, €30-40 entry. Our recommendation: Argentinian side in 1 full day to enjoy all 3 circuits.
Read also
- Iguazu and South — Complete region: BR falls, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Serra Verde train.
- Brazil — Complete country-continent guide: regions, formalities, best time.
- Pantanal — Combine with Iguazu: 1h30 flight from Cuiabá for complete nature trip.
- Rio de Janeiro — Combine with Iguazu: 2h direct flight Rio-Foz do Iguaçu.