Things to Do in Foz do Iguaçu: Cataratas, Garganta do Diabo and Parque das Aves

While the thunder of 275 waterfalls draws travellers from across the globe, Foz do Iguaçu is surrounded by 185,000 hectares of subtropical Atlantic Forest, one of the largest hydroelectric dams ever engineered, and a tri-national river junction where you can visit three South American countries in a single day. Link all five experiences below with our 3-day Foz do Iguaçu itinerary.

1. Walk the Brazilian Falls Trail and the Garganta do Diabo Catwalk

Board the open-top panoramic double-decker bus inside Parque Nacional do Iguaçu to the trailhead opposite Hotel das Cataratas. Follow the 1.5-kilometre shaded cliff path past viewpoints framing San Martín Island and Bossetti Falls before stepping onto the 1,000-metre over-water walkway that carries you through permanent double rainbows to the foot of the 82-metre Garganta do Diabo (Devil's Throat).

2. Ride the Macuco Safari Speedboat and Enter Parque das Aves

Inside the Brazilian park, board an electric jungle wagon and twin-engine rigid inflatable boat on the Macuco Safari to navigate the whitewater rapids of the lower Iguaçu Canyon right up to the spray of the Três Mosqueteiros cascades. Directly outside the park gates, spend two hours walking through the five giant Atlantic Forest immersion aviaries of Parque das Aves among toco toucans, scarlet ibises, hyacinth macaws, and harpy eagles.

3. Cross into Argentina for the Upper, Lower, and Devil's Throat Circuits

Dedicate a full day to crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Argentina's Parque Nacional Iguazú. Ride the Ecological Jungle Train to stand directly on the upper brink of Garganta del Diablo, then walk the 1,750-metre Upper Circuit and 1,400-metre Lower Circuit through the heart of the cascades.

4. Tour the Itaipu Binacional Hydroelectric Dam and Bela Vista Refuge

Head north along the Paraná River to Itaipu Binacional, the 7,919-metre-long, 196-metre-high binational dam shared by Brazil and Paraguay, and pair the engineering tour with jaguar and harpy eagle conservation trails at the Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista.

5. Watch Sunset at Marco das Três Fronteiras and Explore Temple and Mosque

In the afternoon, visit the 112 golden statues of the Chenrezig Buddhist Temple and the 1983 Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, then finish at Marco das Três Fronteiras to watch the sun set behind the Argentine and Paraguayan river banks.