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Iguaçu National Park

Near Capitão Leônidas Marques · Brazil

Background

World Heritage since
1986
Type of site
Natural
Of waterfalls
2,700 m

The park shares with Iguazú National Park in Argentina one of the world's largest and most impressive waterfalls, extending over some 2,700 m. UNESCO says it is home to many rare and endangered species, among them the giant otter and the giant anteater, and that the clouds of spray from the falls feed lush vegetation.

Created by federal decree in January 1939, the park covers 185,262 hectares in Paraná state; its name comes from the Iguaçu river, and Iguaçu means large water in Tupi-Guarani. The Brazilian side gives the panorama, with a shuttle bus between the visitor centre, the falls and the boat operators. Wikivoyage says the ticket comes with an entry time and queues can be long on busy days, so it pays to buy online in advance.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1939The national park is created by federal decree
  2. First in BrazilIguaçu becomes the first Brazilian park to receive a management plan
  3. Early 1980sThe Itaipu Dam floods the Guaíra Falls upriver, leaving Iguaçu as the region's great sight
  4. 1986Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    The Falls Walkway
    The panorama path to the foot of the Devil's Throat; the GoGo guide gives it three hours.
  2. 2
    Macuco Safari
    An electric vehicle through 3 km of jungle, then an inflatable boat into the spray.
  3. 3
    Parque das Aves
    Toucans and macaws in walk-through aviaries by the park entrance.
  4. 4
    The Argentine Side
    Walkways over the top of the Devil's Throat, a day trip across the border.
  5. 5
    Itaipu Dam
    One of the world's biggest dams, a morning from town.
  6. 6
    Marco das Três Fronteiras
    Where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Buy Online with a Time
Wikivoyage: tickets carry an entry time and date; on busy days the wait for a slot and the shuttle can run to hours, so book ahead.
Bus 120
The falls and the bird park are both on bus 120 from town; the ticket booth is open 8 to 4, with the last shuttle back at 5:30.
Shuttle Inside the Park
The park bus links the visitor centre, the falls and the tour operators; luggage lockers are available.
Friendship Bridge on Foot
Wikivoyage reports armed robberies of pedestrians on the bridge to Paraguay; cross by bus or taxi.

Falls, Birds and the Boat

From the GoGo Foz do Iguaçu guide · Open the Foz do Iguaçu Guide ›

  1. 09:00
    Iguaçu Falls Walkway3 hrs
    The panorama walkway to the Devil's Throat.
  2. 13:30
    Parque das Aves2 hrs
    Toucans and macaws in walk-through aviaries.
  3. 15:30
    Macuco Safari2 hrs
    A boat into the spray of the falls.
  4. 19:30
    Churrasco Rodízio90 min
    All-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Apr, Jun–Sep. Rainy season May, Oct–Dec.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Oct (212 mm), driest Aug (77 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Iguazú National Park in Argentina is 51 km away by road, the other half of the same falls; the Jesuit missions of Paraguay and Argentina are about 265 km.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 355 · Wikipedia: Iguaçu National Park · Wikivoyage: Foz do Iguaçu (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Foz do Iguaçu guide · UNESCO listing