Foz do Iguaçu is a major city in the Cascavel region, Brazil. It is a gateway to 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 of the largest cultural tourism areas in South America.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Foz do Iguaçu sits at the mouth of the Iguaçu river, discharging into Paraná river, near the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The word Iguaçu means "large water", in Tupi-Guarani. 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.
You can cross the international borders to Paraguay and Argentina by public bus, taxi, car, tour car, moto-taxi, or foot. Non-car options are better because you can skip a large part of the line at immigration on both sides. Waits of 1-2 hours are common for cars. FozTrans operates most local buses. Schedules are here, but expect delays. The cash fare is R$5 each ride. Visa and Mastercard are accepted on board the bus by contactless payment card. Links to route maps are at the bottom of each schedule PDF. Fare is free for those ages 60 and over: show your ID to the bus driver then board through the rear.
1 Iguaçu Falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu) (Bus 120), ☏ +55 45 3521 4400. Ticket booth 8AM-4PM daily, last return shuttle bus 5:30PM. 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. Luggage lockers available (+R$20/day).
Salto do Macuco (Tinamou Drop) (Macuco Safári) (Inside Iguaçu Park). 9AM-5PM. 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.
1 Star Restaurante, R. Rui Barbosa, 1032 - Sala 64. (updated Mar 2023) 2 Restaurante Brasileirinho, R. Castelo Branco, 946 - Vila Maracana. (updated Mar 2023) 3 Restaurante Corinthiano, R. Xavier da Silva, 392. (updated Mar 2023) 4 Restaurante Treviso, R. Eng. Rebouças, 727. (updated Mar 2023) 5 Panela De Barro, R. Eng. Rebouças, 950. (updated Mar 2023) 6 Restaurante Tramontin, R. Quintino Bocaiúva, 839. (updated Mar 2023) 7 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$15-35. (updated Mar 2023) 8 Bufalo Branco. The best churrascaria in town.
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 also participated in the attacks in 2018.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Foz do Iguaçu typically sees ~22°C daytime highs and 4 rainy days.
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