How to Visit Iguaçu Falls: Brazil Side

Iguaçu Falls is one of the most famous and spectacular waterfalls in the world. Made up of over 275 individual cascades spread across nearly 2.7km. The raw power and beauty of the Iguazu Falls make it a must see destination when visiting Brazil.

Where is Iguaçu Falls located

Iguaçu Falls is located in the state of southern state Paraná near the town of Foz do Iguaçu on the border of Argentina and Paraguay.

When is the best time to visit Iguazu falls

Rainy Season (December–February): The peak tourist season. Hot and humid weather with average temperatures between 20 °C (68 °F) – 33 (91 °F)
Shoulder: Hot, humid with average temperatures between 14 °C (57 °F) – 31 (87 °F)
Dry Season (May–August): Cooler temperatures and less rain with average temperature between 12 °C (53 °F) – 27 (80 °F)

Our Verdict: Shoulder has more comfortable weather and less crowds.

Where to stay

Foz do Iguaçu: Foz do Iguaçu is the closest town and the gateway to Iguaçu falls.

Near the airport: There are some hotels near the airport right in front of the national park entrance. This would be the best spot to stay if you are planning to stay for as little time as possible.

How to get to Foz do Iguaçu

Bus: Buses depart from São Paulo Rodoviária da Barra Funda station to Foz do Iguaçu that takes 16 hours. Book online and check the schedule with Busbud.

Plane: There are many daily flights to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) from São Paulo with LATAM, Gol and Azul.

Getting Around

Iguaçu Falls is located inside the Parge Nacional do Iguaçu. To get there take bus 120 from Terminal de Transporte Urbano(marked on map). The bus ride takes 30min and costs R$5 you can pay the driver with cash. The bus will drop you off at the the Iguaçu National Park entrance.

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

When you arrive to the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu you will need to purchase your ticket and book a time slot for the shuttle bus(to get to the falls and back a shuttle bus will take you 12km through the park). You can use a ticket machine, buy tickets from the booths or online in advance from the national park website. Tickets cost R$100 for foreigners and R$91 for Brazilians. Once you have your tickets make your way to the line for the shuttle bus.

The shuttle bus will drop you off at a spectacular viewpoint, that is also the trailhead for the Trilha das Cataratas.

Trilha das Cataratas Trail Summary

• Distance: 3.2km
• Time needed: 1-2 hours (depending on how much you stop)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Route type: Point to point
• Elevation gain: 110m

The trail winds its way through the lush jungle that is dotted with panoramic viewpoints where you can see some of the 275 waterfalls that dot the area. It’s really hard to comprehend the scale of this place until you see the waterfalls all pouring into the river as far as the eye can see.

The trail will eventually make it’s way to the “devils throat” viewpoint. This area is a large bowl like area where water pours over the cliffs in every direction and the area is covered in a cloud of mist from the power and sheer volume of water pouring into the valley.

Follow the trail around to the raised walkway for the best part of the trail where you get to walk into the devils throat! As you make your way out it gets more intense as you get battered by the wind and spray generated by the waterfalls and the thunderous roar is deafening.

TRAVEL TIP: Bring along a poncho or rain jacket as you will definitely get wet! (they also sold ponchos at the park)

After all the excitement of the devils throat the trail ends with the last viewpoint before exiting to the standard gift shops. From here take the shuttle back to the entrance, it’s not necessary to book a timeslot just line up for the next available bus.