Authors Michael and Lana Law are both
professional travel writers. They spend at least six months of the year
travelling the globe and frequently return to Brazil. They have visited Iguazu
Falls multiple times, most recently in November.
In
the heart of the Brazilian rainforest, where pumas roam free and toucans fly
overhead, is one of the greatest waterfalls on Earth.
If
the first thing that pops into your mind is Niagara Falls, think again. Iguazu
is huge (taller, wider, and wilder). Hundreds of waterfalls line a sprawling
semi-circle cliff for almost three kilometres. You can immerse yourself in this
spectacular scene like nowhere else, with water roaring from above, below, in
front, and behind you, from an over-water platform in the midst of the
falls.
Add
to your adventure by taking a boat trip through raging rapids to the base of
the falls or a helicopter ride over top. Its location on the border of Brazil
and Argentina means you can see the waterfalls from two countries and even pop
into Argentina for a tango dinner show and another stamp in your passport.
Experience
Brazilian culture at a music and dance performance, try a traditional BBQ meal
at a churrascaria, get up close and personal with jungle critters at the Bird
Park, or enjoy a romantic evening watching the sunset over Paraguay and
Argentina across the Paraná River. There is no shortage of things to do here,
and this is the perfect place for couples or families.
While
some travellers may be intimidated by the language barrier and lack of
familiarity with a foreign country, it is quite easy to curate your own trip
with the help of a private guide and experience the place in a way that is more
personal and provides more depth than an organized group trip or tour.
Practical Information
Iguazu Falls lie within Iguaçu National Park. The entrance is located just
outside Foz do Iguaçu, a city with a population of approximately 300,000
people, and the airport is less than a 30-minute drive from the city center.
From Toronto, the time zone difference is only one hour (four hours from
Vancouver).
Getting There
Although there is a city on the Argentinian and Brazilian side of
Iguazu Falls, we feel the best option is to fly to the Brazilian city of Foz do
Iguaçu and base yourself there. From Toronto, you can fly directly to São
Paulo, and from there it is less than a two-hour flight to Foz do Iguaçu.
How Many Days
You can easily fill four or five days here,
depending on how much you want to see and do, but three days is an absolute
minimum. Keep in mind, this is a steamy hot destination and touring around can
be tiring. It’s best to build in some time relaxing by a pool or enjoying a
leisurely lunch to break up the day.
Activities
Your
guide can easily arrange all of these activities.
Brazilian side of the falls – See Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, walking the trails to the numerous lookouts. Then enjoy a cool drink in the lounge of the historic Hotel das Cataratas.
Boat Trip Up the Rapids – Take a short, guided hike through the forest to the river and hop on a boat trip up the raging rapids to the base of the falls, on a wet or dry trip.
Argentinian side of the falls – Spend a day seeing the falls from the Argentinian side to get a full view of the spectacle.
Itaipu Dam – Take a tour of Itaipu Dam on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, once the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Keep your eyes peeled for roaming capybaras and other wildlife. This tour takes you briefly into Paraguay, but no border formalities are required.
Helicopter tour – Take a 10-minute flight over the jungle to the falls or a longer trip over the entire area.
Marco Das Três Fronteiras – Enjoy views of Paraguay and Argentina over the Paraná River just outside of town.
Tango Dinner Show in Argentina – Pop into Argentina for an evening to Madero Tango Iguazu, and see tango dancers perform to the music of a live band.
Cultural Dinner Show – Enjoy a buffet dinner at the Rafain Churrascaria, to see dancers and musicians perform traditional songs and acts.
Getting
Around
Hire a Private Guide Through a Tour Company
Private
guides have insights and privileges that individual travellers do not. As travel writers, we are accustomed to
doing things independently, but this is one place where a guide was able to
take us well beyond what we could have done on our own, including taking us to
the main viewing platform of the falls after hours, once the day trippers had
left the park.
We highly recommend Iguassu Globo Tours (IGT) for a
personal guided experience. They can arrange for an English-speaking guide to
pick you up at the airport and help curate an itinerary tailored to your
preferences, as well as the ages and abilities of your group, and drive you
everywhere.
We were guided by Marcos Soares Guimarães,
who is one of their fantastic, long-time guides. He assisted with everything, from purchasing
tickets to getting us to the front of the lines whenever possible.
Places to Stay
The luxury, colonial-style Hoteldas Cataratas is the best hotel in Foz do Iguaçu, on the
Brazilian side of the falls, and the only hotel inside Iguaçu National Park.
Guests who stay here have access to the falls after 5 pm, when the day trippers
have left the park. Surrounded by jungle, guests have to be off the trails and
inside by dark due to the wildlife. Jaguars sometimes even drink from the hotel
pool during the night.
Most people who stay here think this is the
only way to see the falls after the park is closed, but if you have a licensed
guide, he can also get you the same access as guests of the hotel, even if you
are staying in the city.
LasHotel Boutique: Outside the park, closer to the airport than town, this
luxe adult-only boutique hotel has modern and private suites in a natural
setting.
You can also find numerous mid-range hotels
in the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
Seeing More of Brazil
This
trip is also an easy add-on to any trip to Brazil, whether it's Rio de Janeiro
or the Amazon. Most flights from Canada to destinations in Brazil transit
through São Paulo, and the flight time from São Paulo to Foz do Iguaçu is less
than two hours. There are also direct flights from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu.