Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

The basics

Thanks to its status as one of the continent’s top attractions, many tours cover Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. Some focus exclusively on the Brazilian side and combine it with a visit to the magnificent Itaipu Dam and Iguazu Bird Park, home to hundreds of tropical birds. Others take you to the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the park in one or two days; across the border, take a speedboat into the falls.

Things to know before you go

• The popular Parque Nacional do Iguaçu gets busy; prebook your admission ticket on the website to save time.
• Take plenty of insect repellant and shoes with good grip, as the trails are wet and slippery.
• Don’t feed the coati (a relative of the raccoons), no matter how cute you think they are.
• ATMs, restrooms, luggage lockers, and souvenir shops are at the park entrance.

How to get there

While Parque Nacional do Iguaçu is right beside Foz do Iguaçu International Airport, the 1-way traffic system means you'll need to drive around. The journey takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic. There’s a huge paid parking lot at the site's entrance.

When to get there

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu is generally open from 9am until 4pm, from Monday through Friday. On weekends, it opens 30 minutes earlier. Sunrise and sunset packages are offered for an extra fee; check the website for details. You need at least three hours to explore the Brazilian side of the falls.

Special experiences at Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

If you want to make your experience of Parque Nacional do Iguaçu extra special, opt for one of its before- or after-hours packages. You can admire the falls at night when nocturnal wildlife is most active (and enjoy a pasta dinner) or arrive in time for sunrise and feast on breakfast afterward.