TEXT: The Text is an excerpt from the article published on the D and D Mundo á Fora blog. The complete list can be seen by clicking HERE.
With almost 300 thousand inhabitants, according to the 2015 census, Foz do Iguaçu, (in western Paraná), is known internationally for the Iguaçu Falls, which is one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, and the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant.
It also has the second largest Arab colony in Brazil (being the first, proportionally), second only to São Paulo. There are around 27 thousand Muslims living in Foz. Furthermore, the city is home to the second largest Buddhist temple in Latin America.
Another fact that shows the grandeur of Foz is that it is considered one of the most multicultural cities in Brazil. There are more than 70 ethnic groups, including Italians, Argentines, Paraguayans, Japanese, Ukrainians, Lebanese, Chinese and Germans.
History
The Foz do Iguaçu region, in southern Brazil, was discovered in 1542 by the Spaniard Álvar Nuñes Cabeza de Vaca (same name as the bar/restaurant located in the Brazilian Marco das Três Fronteiras complex).
In fact, precisely due to border issues, since it is located on the so-called Triple Border, next to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), the arrival of the military in 1889 marked an important milestone in its history, since it was born as a military colony. So much so that, to this day, a soldier/soldier (I don't remember the name the driver told us) still walks back and forth, all day long, in front of the army battalion.
The origin of the name Foz do Iguaçu is indigenous (Tupi-Guarani): foz means the place where the river flows and Iguaçu, big water: I (water) + guaçu (big). It is also the name of the Paraná river that borders Argentina.
But now that you've seen the city, we'll show you some options of attractions/tours to do. You will see that, despite having the Falls as the main attraction (and mandatory to visit, because the place is spectacular), the city has other very cool attractions to discover.
What to do in Foz do Iguaçu – Paraná
1 – Iguaçu National Park – Iguaçu Falls
There is no way to start our list of attractions to visit in Foz do Iguaçu and not start with them: the Iguaçu Falls. They are the city's postcard and are located within the Iguaçu National Park, the largest national park outside the Amazon.
In total, the Falls are made up of 275 waterfalls. It is the largest waterfall in terms of water volume in the world, with around 1,3 million liters per second!!! On the Brazilian side, the Falls are located in an area of 185 thousand hectares. On the Argentine side, there are 67 thousand hectares.
2 – Buddhist Temple
The Foz do Iguaçu Buddhist Temple is considered the second largest Buddhist temple in Latin America. There, the visitor will come across more than 120 statues, some of them ten meters high, such as the Buddha Amitabha (which is at the end of the courtyard), or the seated and smiling Buddha (Mi La Pu-San), which with its seven meters height, it welcomes us upon arrival.
There is also a temple for meditation; the Buddha, founder of Buddhism Siddartha Gautama, lying down to represent peace upon reaching nirvana; and 108 statues, aligned towards the sunset, each 2,5 meters tall.
3 – Muslim Mosque
Opened in the city of Foz do Iguaçu in 1983, the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Arab Mosque is located on a 600 square meter plot and its architecture draws attention, with its 15 meter high towers each. It is inspired by the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which is the second largest holy center in Islam.
4 – Landmarks of the Three Borders (Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay)
The Landmark of the Three Borders is a set made up of three obelisks, installed in each of the three countries that are part of the Triple Border: Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu), Argentina (Puerto Iguazú) and Paraguay (Presidente Franco). Each of the structures is painted in the colors of each country's flag and can be visited. Only the one in Brazil charges admission fees to visit, as it is within a complex that also has a restaurant and souvenir shop.
5 – Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant
Built by Brazil and Paraguay between 1975 and 1982, the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world in generating clean and renewable energy. The visit to the Plant is done through panoramic, special or institutional tours, where it is possible to visit the Itaipu complex composed of: dam, spillway, Ecomuseum, Tatí Yupí Refuge, forest nursery, Bela Vista Refuge, dam panel, piracema canal , Guarani Land Museum, regional zoo, Saltos do Rio Monday, Bertoni Monument and dam lighting.
6 – Kattamaram tour on Lake Itaipu
One of the cool trips to take in Foz do Iguaçu is taking a catamaran across Lake Itaipu. The attraction is part of the Itaipu Complex and the vessel holds around 200 people. The tour lasts around 1 hour, during which time the catamaran travels the eight kilometers of the lake, bordering the dam.
(Tour deactivated by Itaipu Binacional.)
7 – Bird Park
With more than a thousand birds of 150 different species, Parque das Aves is in front of the Iguaçu National Park, where the Falls are located. There are toucans, flamingoes, vultures, herons, macaws and several other birds. In fact, the place is the largest macaw nursery in South America and, therefore, they are the park's biggest attraction, with visitors having the opportunity to be photographed with one of them on their arm.
8 – Dreamland – Wax Museum
Following the same model as the one in Gramado (it is part of the same network), the Dreamland – Foz do Iguaçu Wax Museum has around 90 life-size wax figures. There is Chico Anysio, with professor Raimundo; Tom Cruise; Popes John Paul II and Francis; Lady Gaga; Ayrton Senna; Michael Jackson; the Minions; United States President Barack Obama; between others. Right at the entrance, a giant Transformer robot catches the attention of visitors, who queue up to take a photo there.
9 – Wonders of the World
Opened in 2014 and located in the same building as the Dreamland Wax Museum, Maravilhas do Mundo brings together dozens of miniature replicas of monuments from around the world, including the Egyptian Pyramids, the Colosseum in Rome, Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro) , the Moais of Easter Island (Chile), the Eiffel Tower (Paris), the Taj Mahal (India), among others.
10 – Dinosaur Valley
Completing the tourist complex of the Dreamland Network in Foz do Iguaçu, the Valley of Dinosaurs is located outdoors, next to the Wax Museum and Maravilhas do Mundo. The Park has 20 dinosaurs that move and make sounds (similar to those in Gramado) in the middle of the forest.
11 – Meeting of the Waters Tour
It is a trip aboard a motorized boat along the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers. The departure takes place at Cataratas Iate Clube, in Foz do Iguaçu, and, for approximately one hour and 30 minutes, it is possible to pass in front of the Landmarks of the Three Borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, bridges of Fraternity (Argentina) and Friendship (Paraguay), Acaray Island and Acaray and Itaipu plants.
Note: Tour disabled.
12 – Macuco Safari – Iguaçu National Park
An activity for those who like adventure and adrenaline, the Macacu Safari, held within the Iguaçu National Park, combines an electric jeep ride along a three-kilometer route through the forest, walking on a 600-meter suspended trail, and a boat ride inflatable by the Iguaçu River, just a few meters from the Falls. The entire activity lasts approximately two hours.
13 – Poço Preto Trail – Iguaçu National Park
A 9 kilometer trail, located within the Iguaçu National Park, which can be done on foot, by bicycle or with electric cars. During the journey, the tourist passes through a 320 meter suspended walkway, follows a suspension bridge, travels 500 meters on a rustic trail and ends the tour (after about three or four hours) on a boat, sailing along the Iguaçu River and passing by the islands of Papagaios and Garças. The blogs Viagem e Viagens and Andarilhos do Mundo have posts about this experience.
Note: Tour disabled.
14 – Bela Vista Biological Refuge – Itaipu Complex
The Bela Vista Refuge in Itaipu is an environmental protection unit, which receives animals and plants displaced by the construction and operation of the Plant. The place is home to more than 960 species of plants and 50 species of animals, including jaguars, capuchin monkeys, jacutingas, alligators, scarlet macaws, capybaras, among others. The visit to the refuge takes place through an approximately two-hour walk through forests and trails to see the environmental recovery work up close.
Note: Tour disabled.
15 – Ecomuseum – Itaipu Complex
It is a museum, opened in 1987 and located close to the Itaipu Visitors Center, with an exhibition that portrays the history of the Plant and the occupation of Foz. It has models, scenes, totems, photos, a replica of a turbine shaft, items from the collection , between others. The blog Comendo Sauucrute e Salsicha has a post about the place.
Note: Tour disabled.
16 – Banan Trees Trail – Iguaçu National Park
Trail that is part of the Iguaçu National Park complex. The activity consists of traveling a 1,5 kilometer trail on foot or in an electric vehicle, ending the tour on a boat that sails along the Iguaçu River, passing through the Poço Preto pier, Lagoa do Jacaré, Ilha das Taquaras and ending at Porto das Banana trees, after two hours and 30 minutes.
Note: Tour disabled.
17 – Iporã Lenda Show
Musical about the Legend of the Falls, where the Indians Naipi and Tarobá are punished for falling in love and experiencing a forbidden love. In addition to the legend, the public also watches performances of dances typical of Latin American countries, such as Caribbean salsas, samba and pampas malambo. The blogs Eu Vou de Mochila and Trilhas e Aventuras have posts about the show.
Note: Tour disabled.
18 – Dam Lighting – Itaipu Complex
This activity was scheduled for us to do during our visit to Itaipu, but, due to technical problems that occurred the day before, it was canceled and we did not have the opportunity to watch it. But the night show consists of lighting the dam accompanied by a soundtrack. For the “show”, more than 740 reflectors and more than 110 luminaires are used. The Matraqueando blog has a cool post about the activity.
19 – Aquamania
Water Park with water slides, lazy river and swimming pools. It is installed in an area of 180 thousand square meters.
20 – Helicopter ride
Seeing the Iguaçu Falls from a different angle is also an option in Foz do Iguaçu. This is possible through scenic helicopter flights. The company Helisul offers two options: 10 minutes, flying over the Iguazú National Park and the Falls; and 34 minutes, including the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant and Marco das Três Fronteiras. The blogs Fala em Viagem and Matraqueando have already taken the trip and told everything in these posts.
21 – JK Fair – Foz do Iguaçu
For those who are in Foz do Iguaçu on Sunday morning, it is worth visiting Feirinha da JK. There are around 40 points of sale. Among the products available, cheeses, meats, pastries, clothing and handicrafts.
Come to Foz do Iguaçu, stay at Tarobá Hotel and discover this and many other wonders! The Tarobá Hotel will certainly be your best hotel option in Foz do Iguaçu, located in the central region, with easy and quick access to Paraguay and Argentina, in addition to, of course, having the best value for money in the Triple Border.
Access the website and do a daily simulation: http://www.hoteltarobafoz.com.br/
