Foz do Iguaçu is a major city in the state of Paraná, Brazil. It is a gateway to both Paraguay and Argentina, and home of the famous Iguaçu Falls. Together with the cities of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) and Puerto Iguazu (Argentina), it forms part of one the largest cultural tourism poles in South America.
Foz do Iguaçu is so named because it sits at the mouth of the Iguaçu river, discharging into Paraná river, where lies the frontier among Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The word Iguaçu means "large water", in Tupi-Guarani etymology. 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 new large shopping mall being constructed at Avenida das Cataratas, which shall 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.
- Iguaçu Falls. 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. R$63.
- Parque das Aves. daily 08:30-17:30, 08:30-17:00 in local winter. 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 a parking lot, a souvenir shop and a snack bar. R$40.
- Itaipu Dam. 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. Take a bus R$2.85 from the Local Bus Terminal to get there. Booking in advance is recommended for special tour and/or on weekends/public holidays. There are many tourism attractions available, but the panoramic tour and of the dam is a must. R$12-100 (depending on tour type and discounts).
If you are keen to save some money, head over to the Paraguayan side of the dam. They offer the same tours for free, some requiring registration one week ahead, but some days might work as well if it is not high season. Take the border bus (R$5.50) to Ciudad del Este center and the nearby Terminal bus urbano., from where the bus to Hernandarias and Itaipu is going. You will probably need to change some money (about R$5) into guaranis for the bus to and from the dam. Use the exchange opportunities explained for Ciudad del Este. Also, read more on how to get to the dam under the Ciudad del Este article.
- Three Borders Landmark. The place where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. Each side has its own Marco (landmark). Have a look at Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, all in the same glimpse of the eye while there are cargo freighters making their way slowly along the water. Accessing it can be hard, as there is a single bus line leaving from the Downtown Terminal whose final destination is the landmark. There is a new visitor center and a museum on the Brazilian side, costs R$25. It has a wall around it, so you cannot see the brazilian border mark without paying. Argentinian border mark is easily accessible even by walk from the center, or by bus. No entry fee. Paraguayan mark is quite far from the city, accessible by buses going to Pdte. Franco and then Tres Fronteras. Argentina: Free, Brazil: R$25, Paraguay: GS.5,000.
- Paraguay Border Market. The border markets close very early at around 16:00 in local winter and 17:00 in local summer, right before sunset. Shopping is the main business of the visitors. The main shopping streets are San Blas and Camilo Recalde, where you can buy almost anything. Many people come for electronics. Otherwise, get some Paraguayan Chipa and/or exchange your dollars here. You probably do not need to get your passport stamped if you return to Brazil afterwards, as long as you have a valid visa for Brazil.
Iguaçu Falls. 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. R$63.
Parque das Aves. daily 08:30-17:30, 08:30-17:00 in local winter. 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 a parking lot, a souvenir shop and a snack bar. R$40.
Itaipu Dam. 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. Take a bus R$2.85 from the Local Bus Terminal to get there. Booking in advance is recommended for special tour and/or on weekends/public holidays. There are many tourism attractions available, but the panoramic tour and of the dam is a must. R$12-100 (depending on tour type and discounts).
If you are keen to save some money, head over to the [[Ciudad_del_Este#See|Paraguayan side of the dam]]. They offer the same tours for free, some requiring registration one week ahead, but some days might work as well if it is not high season. Take the border bus (R$5.50) to Ciudad del Este center and the nearby Terminal bus urbano., from where the bus to Hernandarias and Itaipu is going. You will probably need to change some money (about R$5) into guaranis for the bus to and from the dam. Use the exchange opportunities explained for [[Ciudad del Este#Money|Ciudad del Este]]. Also, read more on how to get to the dam under the [[Ciudad del Este#See|Ciudad del Este article]].
Three Borders Landmark. The place where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. Each side has its own Marco (landmark). Have a look at Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, all in the same glimpse of the eye while there are cargo freighters making their way slowly along the water. Accessing it can be hard, as there is a single bus line leaving from the Downtown Terminal whose final destination is the landmark. There is a new visitor center and a museum on the Brazilian side, costs R$25. It has a wall around it, so you cannot see the brazilian border mark without paying. Argentinian border mark is easily accessible even by walk from the center, or by bus. No entry fee. Paraguayan mark is quite far from the city, accessible by buses going to Pdte. Franco and then Tres Fronteras. Argentina: Free, Brazil: R$25, Paraguay: GS.5,000.
Paraguay Border Market. The border markets close very early at around 16:00 in local winter and 17:00 in local summer, right before sunset. Shopping is the main business of the visitors. The main shopping streets are San Blas and Camilo Recalde, where you can buy almost anything. Many people come for electronics. Otherwise, get some Paraguayan Chipa and/or exchange your dollars here. You probably do not need to get your passport stamped if you return to Brazil afterwards, as long as you have a valid visa for Brazil.
- Salto do Macuco (Tinamou Drop) (Macuco Safári). 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.
- 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.
- Poço Preto. 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.
Salto do Macuco (Tinamou Drop) (Macuco Safári). 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.
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.
Poço Preto. 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.
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 located 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.
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.
Downtown. Downtown shopping is mostly located 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.
- Boi Na Brasa, Av. Juscelino Kubitscheck (close to Fouad Center New Time, +55 45 3523-5858. Buffet with grilled meat. From R$8.
- Bufalo Branco. The best churrascaria in town. Problaby also the most expensive. R$85.
- 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$13.50.
- 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$12-15.
Boi Na Brasa, Av. Juscelino Kubitscheck (close to Fouad Center New Time, +55 45 3523-5858. Buffet with grilled meat. From R$8.
Bufalo Branco. The best churrascaria in town. Problaby also the most expensive. R$85.
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$13.50.
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$12-15.
Crimes have happened to pedestrians walking across the Friendship Bridge. Tourists with cash and shopping products attracts criminals, and an attack is particularly easy because the walkway on both sides is narrow and enclosed by metal fencing on both sides, making escape impossible. One common attack is a group of 2-4 men with pistols who encircle groups of walkers, stealing all wallets, phones, and merchandise. Generally, the criminals throw their booty into bags and then leave towards the Paraguayan side (supposedly they bribe the Paraguayan police to allow them to pass unobstructed). Moto-taxis have also participated in the attacks as recently as 2018. Although there are border agents and police on both sides of the bridge, the bridge itself has no security, which further exacerbates the risk. Recent attacks in September 2018 were featured on TV news because of the severity. Despite the risk, many people, particularly daily commuters who work on both sides, still prefer to walk across the bridge in order to avoid the traffic jams and the expense of the bus. Realistically, the odds of being attacked if you walk across during the day are low, but it's important to be very cautious because attacks can and do happen every month. If you're at all concerned, hide your valuables, do not walk in groups but with locals, or simply take the bus.
- 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.