One of the most beautiful among world’s natural postcards, the Iguassu Falls are located in Foz do Iguaçu and a few minutes from the city. The Falls, situated in the Iguassu National Park is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Created on January,10, 1939 and listed in 1986 by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, the Iguassu National Park is one of the largest of the Forest reserves in South America as a well as important for the protection of the State’s renewable resources. The type of predominant vegetation is the subtropical rainforest and the araucaria forest, with the presence of palms, imbúia, caviúna, mate herb and other species.
The visit to the Park starts at the Visitors’ Center, located at the Park’s entrance, about 12 kilometers from the Iguassu Falls. In this center it is possible to find, besides photo exhibits on the Park and the Falls, a large souvenir shop and a bank terminal. To ensure greater comfort to visitors, the Visitors’ Center has a Medical Post and Bath Rooms including those specially made for the physically impaired. The fees to the Park can be bought at the Visitors Center.
After passing through the Visitors’ Center, the tour continues on board a panoramic bus, through a road that crosses the Park and takes us to the wonderful Iguassu Falls. Along the way, information and instructions about the area are given in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Once at the Falls the tour takes place over an easy-to-walk path of approximately 1.200 meters which allows contact with the host coatis.
At the end of the tour, we are presented with a panoramic view of the Falls, from a platform where we feel elated after an energizing bath tanks to the Floriano, Deodoro and Garganta do Diabo Falls. The tour ends on the upper part of the Falls, reached by a panoramic elevator. From here, we go to the Porto Canoas area, that receives us with a soothing view of the Upper Iguaçu River.
Duration of tour: 2h30 hours
Recommendations: Light clothes, tennis shoes, hat or cap, sun lotion and binoculars
Wheel chairs: Access possible
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Observation: To get into the INP one pays a visitation fee.
Location: Rodovia das Cataratas (Falls Highway).
This tour is completely different from that on the Argentine side. It is recommended that both be taken.
