Brazilian Real Exchange RateDestination: Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu falls are an unavoidable stop in the itinerary of most visitors to both Brazil and Argentina. In spite of its popularity and overcrowding during certain times of the year, the beauty of the falls is so captivating that you don’t need to make a big effort to forget the crowds and enjoy the place.
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1. WE LIKE THE MOST:
The falls, the boat trip to the falls
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2. WE LIKE THE LEAST:
Ciudad del Este, only advisable for those seeking an unforgettable socio-anthropological experience; the photographers at the Devil’s Throat; the constant presence of helicopters over the Brazilian side of the park; the Sheraton hotel right in the middle of the Argentinian park
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3. HOW TO GET THERE:
There are airports on the Brazilian side (Foz do Iguaçu) and Argentinian side (Puerto Iguazú) of the falls. Alternatively, a long bus ride from São Paulo or Rio – or Buenos Aires if coming from Argentina. See from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu. There are also buses from Florianópolis and Curitiba.
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4. CAREFUL WITH:
Avoid crossing to Ciudad del Este when there is an ongoing police operation against smuggling and drug trafficking, there are usually clashes on the bridge where the border between Brazil and Paraguay is located; the coatis at the park, will eat your food and anything else they might think it’s edible.
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5. FAVOURITE PLACES:
The Devil’s Throat, on the Argentinian side of the falls; the walkways on both sides of the falls; the Buddhist temple in Foz do Iguaçu; the Parque das Aves right next to the entrance to the Brazilian National Park.
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6. PIECE OF ADVICE:
- from December 2009 entrance fee to the national park for foreigners is R$37,15, including transportation to the falls
- half a day is enough to visit the Brazilian side of the falls; some decent food in the restaurant next to the falls also on the Brazilian side; on the way out from the National Park, you can visit the Parque das Aves, even if you don’t like zoos you will be impressed by the size of the cages – you can walk inside them and enjoy the view of exotic birds flying around
- for a decent visit to the Argentinian side of the falls, allow for an entire day
- the visit to the Itaipu dam is worth it only if the spillway is opened – it is opened only when the dam is full
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7. ACCOMMODATION:
You can search for accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu through our Hotels Combined search engine, a unique free tool that searches multiple hotel reservation websites simultaneously to help you find the lowest rate instantly. It eliminates the need to search major websites one by one in order to compare prices and availability. An amazing time and money saver!
The results open on a new page.
| Foz do Iguacu Hotels by HotelsCombined.com |
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8. LINKS:
Cataratas do Iguaçu (Brazilian National Park), Cataratas de Iguazú (Argentinian National Park), Foz do Iguaçu Turismo (City Council), Parque das Aves
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9. HEALTH:
Yellow fever is an issue on the region. You are strongly adviced to get vaccination against it. More info at 10 facts about yellow fever in Brazil.
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10. WEATHER FORECAST:
The weather in Foz do Iguaçu for the next 10 days
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11. CLIMATE:
Average temperatures and rainfall in Foz do Iguaçu at the weather channel and msn weather.
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12. GOOGLE MAPS:
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12. PHOTOS:
Iguaçu photo album at Flickr.
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RELATED POSTS:
Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu
from Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu
from Rio/São Paulo to Iguazu
Enough water at the Iguazú falls?
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Hello,
Just wondering if it’s possible to hire scooters and honda cbr style motorbikes in lagoa de conceciao and if so do you know how much they cost?
Jay, sorry I missed your latest query. Check out Vivo, Claro and Oi.
r harper, you can hire scooters indeed. I have no direct references of them but check out Locomotos. They are based at the Lagoa and the link I have given you leads to their English website. They should be able to sent you up to date costs. All the best.
What about 600cc bikes is that possible? I seen a video where there was loads of different bikes lined up on the street do they belong to people or for hire?
Thanks
RH
Hi
Loved your blog .. lots of useful information. I also have one about Rio de Janeiro. When you have a chance take a look – whereisriodejaneiro.com. I live in Rio and I love this city. Anything other info you need regarding Rio me let me know.
Great Job !!!
I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you there. My advice would be to contact any of the rental companies.
Monica, thanks for passing by. I’ve unsuccesfully tried to view your blog – using both Firefox and Explorer. I can view the header and the sidebar, but the content appears blank.
Hi all,
I have the opporunity to go to Florianopolis and Camboriu for cheap transportation and hotel. I’m going for 6 days, and I want to know about how much I would spend. We’re going to try to keep it on the cheap, packed lunches and such, but I’m also a splurger. What do you think?
Hi Tony,
Wonder if you could give some handy advice, would be much appreciated.
Me and my gf are staying in florianapolis for 10 days during the carnavale period, but we’re hoping to rent a car and travel around the surrounding area of South-Eastern Brazil for about 5 days. Are there any particular areas or destinations you would reccomend- particularly interested in beaches, nature, cool cities/villages. Bearing in mind that we cant stray too far as we have return flights from Floripa.
Thank you!!!
Aikopora, you don’t mention the dates of your intented travel, which can make a huge difference. But I’d say on a tight budget you’d get away on R$80 a day.
Pavel, the coast of Florianópolis and the continent nearby are really beautiful but during the carnival it will be very crowded with huge traffic jams. I need to tell you this as getting from one place to another is quite simple during the low season, not so much during the holiday periods. In any case, one of the most beautiful beach resorts near Florianópolis is Bombas/Bombinhas (search for it on Google Maps and you will find its location). It is north of Florianópolis on the way to Balneário Camboriú. South of Florianópolis and also within reach is Praia do Rosa (south of Garopaba), another highly recommended beach spot.
Now, if you really wanted to go for something spectacular and really different, you could drive up to Cambará do Sul, your base for visiting the National Park of Aparados da Serra with two awesome canyons. But you would need to spend at least one night there (if not 2) to be able to cover a small portion of the park.
Search here for info: http://aparadosdaserra.net/
And at the bottom of this page for photos: http://www.guiaaparadosdaserra.com.br/16/fotos/
Hope I have given you some interesting ideas. All the best!
hi there
I’m travelling to Enchanted Mountain near Garopaba for a yoga course whic doesn’t start until 3rd Jan, leaving me in the unenviable position of trying to find last min accommodation (budget if poss) either in Florianopolis, Garopaba or Pria da Rosa – or in fact anywhere with availability!
Can you recommend anywhere I can try as so far I’m having no luck at all!
Wow…that national park looks stunning. I think thats definitely worth a visit. Thanks so much Tony, your country is amazing.
Rachel, oh dear, I’m afraid finding accommodation in a top beach destination right at the beginning of the high season is a tall order. You could start by scanning the accommodation listings I have published. As well as the one listed on this blog’s post I’ve got one for Praia do Rosa. Have a look also at the Ibis hotel chain, you never know.
Pavel, that national park is top of my wish list!
Great post, i’m living in Arraial d’Ajuda and the best time to come is in the low season!! New year and carnaval is just overcrowded and more expensive… Best time: march to june!
Hi there,
So I’m trying to book a flight with GOL airlines and they are asking for my CPF and after doing some research I’ve found that its a Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas. But since I’m not Brazilian I dont have a CPF. Does anyone know how to get around this?
Thanks
Lisa
In Broduei is opening a new bar of a friend of mine, it’s called Bar do Andy, it’s located near the middle of Broduei. He’s trying to get some of that old broduei and Arraial d’Ajuda feeling back.
Were all the tourists always go to “the more popular” beaches like Parracho and Pitinga, we locals enjoy more the other side like with beaches like Praia Apaga Fogo, d’Ajuda,dos nativos. Here you will find relaxed beachbars like the bar called Sting with good and different music, far away from the tourist madness!
Rua do Mudugê is also allready changed a lot, fewer bars and more restaurants… seems like Arraial d Ajuda is changing… more condominiums than pousadas or hotels.
It’s just not like it just to be.
Tim
Indeed praia do espelho is beautifull but only with sun and low tide! All the beaches in Arraial d’Ajuda,Trancoso and Caraiva are best to visit with low tide and on a sunny day.
Personnaly i like Arraial d’Ajuda better because there’s more to do and see. Trancoso is beautifull but there’s not a the same amount of options that Arraial d’Ajuda has.
Another beautfull thing in Arraial d’Ajuda is seeing the full moon rise from out the sea!
Eather on the beach or behind the church where you have a beautifull view also during the day!
It’s sad to see that so many beautifull beaches are being polluted by chaotic urban development and environmental crime, this time it’s not the rich and famous who try to build their houses anywhere the want, but still, where is Ibama???
I’ve not seen this yet but need to check it out! Just in case you’re interested, I found a more detailed page with some background resources (photos, information about the artists, tracklistings etc) on the BBC site here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv/brasilbrasil/
Hope that helps!
Cheers, Suzy
Suzy, that is smashing, thanks a lot. I’ve added the link to the main text. All the best!
Lisa, at Gol’s home page, select “other countries” from the menu at the top right of the page and proceed with your booking from there.
So I switched that and now it doesn’t want to accept my VISA card, it keeps giving me 2 different error messages that are you in Portugeuse. Perhaps I should just try calling them!
Lisa, if calling Gol is an option that would definitely be my choice. Purchasing tickets from Gol is a permanent source of headaches for non-residents. In case you didn’t see it, this is Gol’s section on how to pay. All the best!
A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.
Indeed. There are plenty of fishing opportunities in the region if that’s what you’re interested in.
Hi Tony,
I was searching for some pictures and information about São Luís – MA because I’m going to spend a week with my mom there, and lucky I’ve found your pictures on flickr and this useful blog. Congratulations for your work.
Because I live in the northeast area, in Paraíba state, I searched for some info here from where I live in your blog but I couldn’t find any.
I hope you have a chance to search and know Paraíba state one day and register the beauty we have here.
Good job.
Sandra, thanks for your kind comments. I haven’t visited Paraíba yet, we have a post on links: João Pessoa but that’s it. I assume you’ve already seen our posts on Lençóis Maranhenses and São Luís. Have a great trip in Maranhão!
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