A note on a local blog (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu: menos onças e mais transgênicos) reports on a recent survey of the puma population inside the Iguazu National Park. Scientists aren’t sure at all but estimate the number of individuals left might range between 6 and 12. On the verge of disappearing. At the same time, the park’s advisory body agreed to bring GM crops much closer to the park. The former barrier of 10 kilometers have been reduced to 1.2 km.

Public and private funds are being spent to get the Iguazu Falls elected as one of the new wonders of the world. Under the light of how the environment is being taken care of, money down the drain, if you ask me.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
destination: Iguazu Falls

Utter madness. The mayor of Foz do Iguaçu has been attempting for a number of years now to get the council to approve a project to set up a night time lights and sound show at the Iguaçu falls. Argentina (and a sizeable part of Brazil too) has always expressed dismay at the proposal (Argentinos rejeitam projeto brasileiro de iluminar as Cataratas do Iguaçu). And in spite of that, the project was resurrected once again recently.

Why in hell would anyone want to spoil the natural beauty of the falls? Is it not beautiful enough? The Niagarization of the Iguaçu falls only obbeys to material interests. We hope the project will never see the light of the day (or the night).

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
Destination: Iguazu Falls
Enough water at the Iguazú falls?
Change of name to the Devil’s Throat
Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

Not the type of landscape that the place name “Iguaçu” conjures up, but this is as real as it gets: the Buddhist temple in Foz de Iguazu. The Buddhist temple is found on the outskirts of Foz do Iguaçu (see its location on Google Maps). You can reach it by taxi or you can ask your van driver to stop there on the way to the Itaiup dam (or on its return). It is located in an area that is not 100% safe so you are not advised to get there on your own. And yes, it is an impressive temple, as impressive as it looks on the pictures.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
Destination: Iguazu Falls
Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu
From Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter

Golf in Brazil is the subject of a site run by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism. A site that includes a version in English: Golf – Brazilian Tourism Portal.

The site is beautifully designed, and it contains quite a lot of detailed information on the main golf courses in Brazil:

- in the state of Bahía: Comandatuba Ocean Course and Costa do Sauípe Golf Links
- in the state of Paraná: Aguativa Golf Resort and Bourbon Iguassu Golf Club Resort
- in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Búzios Golf Club Resort and Hotel do Frade Golf Resort
- in the state of Santa Catarina: Plaza Itapema Resort Spa
- in the state of São Paulo: Blue Tree Park Paradise Golf Lake Resort

The initiative is part of the declared policy of the Brazilian Authorities to promote tourism in Brazil abroad almost exclusively among the upper-class markets. Foreign currency, rather than number of visitors, is the force behind the promotion of Brazil as a tourist destination. The website Nautical Tourism in Brazil is also part of that initiative.

Two good examples of golfing resources on the web are the website devoted to Hawaii golf and the one on golf courses in Scottsdale.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
Nautical Tourism in Brazil

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter

The bus link from Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu is very handy for those trying to approach Iguaçu Falls from the south region of Brazil. The bus company Catarinense runs a service between both cities. On its website you can check schedules and prices.

At the time of publishing this entry, there are between 8 and 9 daily buses (changes according to the day of the week). The trip lasts 11 hours and there are two types of buses, the convencional, costing R$90,63 one way, and the leito (bed), costing R$181,27 one way. On the company’s website you can check how many seats are still available for each service.

At the entry Iguazu Falls you will find the general information on the falls published here at the Brazil Travel Blog.

I have been to scores of places in Brazil where I’ve been able to see and photograph wildlife. These are the top 10 places (in no particular order).

1. scarlet ibis in Alcântara, Maranhão [chances of spotting them: high - at the Praia da Baronesa and a nearby wetland. The scarlet ibis go to the shore to feed when the tide is out]
2. dolphins in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco [chances of spotting them: high - on the boat trip around the island or from the Baia dos Golfinhos viewpoint]
3. turtles in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco [chances of spotting them: medium - snorkelling at the Santo Antônio harbour and at the baia do Sueste]
4. fish in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco [chances of spotting them: high - snorkelling in most of the island beaches and definitely diving]
5. fish in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul [chances of spotting them: high - snorkelling in the Sucuri river and the Rio da Prata]
6. dolphins in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte [chances of spotting them: medium - at the aptly named Baia dos Golfinhos in the morning]
7. toucans in Foz de Iguazú, Paraná [chances of spotting them: 100% - at the Parque das Aves]
8. monkeys in Vassouras, Maranhão [chances of spotting them: high - there is a forty-odd colony of monkeys living near the huts, ask the locals]
9. scarlet ibis in Caburé, Maranhão [chances of spotting them: medium - near then mangrove in Caburé when the tide is out]
10. macaws in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul [chances of spotting them: medium - at the Buraco das Araras]

N.B.: in actual fact, the toucans at the Parque das Aves in Foz do Iguaçu are not in the wild, they are kept within giant cages.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter