Foz do Iguaçu

Where three nations meet waterfalls

Foz do Iguaçu sits on Brazil’s southwestern edge near the borders of Argentina and Paraguay. The city is best known for the massive Iguazu Falls, a series of powerful waterfalls that draw visitors from around the world. Beyond the natural wonder, Foz do Iguaçu provides access to subtropical forests, wildlife reserves and cultural sites reflecting its history as a border town. Local markets sell regional crafts and fresh produce, while nearby parks offer trails for hiking and birdwatching. The area balances tourism with everyday life along the rivers that shape its landscape.

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City in Brazil

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.6

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	5

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, tour agencies, and major attractions, but less so in small shops or with taxi drivers. Spanish is also common. A few Portuguese phrases help, but you’ll get by with basic English.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Foz do Iguaçu Summary

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World-class for waterfalls and nature. Walk panoramic trails around Iguazu Falls, take boat rides into the spray and explore rainforest wildlife in surrounding parks.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Natural sites

Waterfalls

Wildlife

Forests

Rivers

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Brazil – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type C , Type N Type C: Type N: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Brazilian Real (BRL) £1 ≈ R$7.11
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in urban areas but less so in remote regions. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Brazil. Restaurants often include a 10% service charge. Additional tips are optional.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Brazil, and it is common in social settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with designated outdoor areas.

Carnival (February/March)	Expect parades and heavy crowds.
Independence Day (September)	National celebrations occur.
Christmas (December)	Family gatherings and public celebrations are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), 193 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	99, Uber, Cabify
Other:	Brazil is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and Carnival celebrations. Avoid travelling alone in remote areas for safety.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

🌦️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan., July, Dec.
Shoulder season:	Feb. - June, Aug. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

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Climate details

Brazilian school holidays in January and July bring the largest crowds, and Easter week is also busy

Floods after heavy rain can close the lower walkways and boat rides, mainly December to March

Don't miss

🌊 Visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls and Devil’s Throat
🦜 Explore Parque das Aves, Latin America’s largest bird park
🚤 Take a thrilling Macuco Safari boat ride near the falls
🏗️ Discover the Itaipu Dam, a modern engineering marvel
🌍 See where Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay meet at Three Borders
🎶 Enjoy vibrant cultural shows at Rafain Churrascaria

You've been here?

Why travel to Foz do Iguaçu?

Foz do Iguaçu is a bucket-list destination for anyone who loves wild landscapes and unique cultural crossroads. The star attraction is Iguaçu Falls, a jaw-dropping collection of nearly 300 waterfalls that thunder through the jungle – one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO site. You can explore walkways right up to the roaring Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat), take boat rides into the spray or soar above the falls by helicopter. The city is also home to the Itaipu Dam (the world’s largest hydroelectric plant), the Parque das Aves bird sanctuary and the unique spot where three countries meet. Downsides? Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often above 30°C and the city can get crowded during holidays. Petty theft can happen in busy places, so keep an eye on your belongings. The city itself is practical rather than scenic, but the natural wonders more than make up for it.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Parque das Aves
2 Itaipu Dam
3 Devil's Throat
4 Iguazu Falls
5 Avenida das Cataratas

🎡Places for activities

1 Aquamania Parque Aquático

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parque das Aves
2 Iguazu Falls
3 Rio Paraná

🛍️Shopping

1 Duty Free Shop Puerto Iguazú
2 Shopping Catuaí Palladium
3 Shopping Paris
4 Cataratas JL Shopping

🎈Events

Foz do Iguaçu Carnival
Itaipu Binacional Anniversary
Birdwatching Festival
International Tourism Fair
Three Borders Festival
Christmas Lights at Itaipu
Paraná River Regatta
Brazilian Independence Day celebrations
Cultural Exchange Days
New Year’s Eve at the Falls

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Bring a rain jacket; you’ll get soaked near viewpoints.
See both Brazil and Argentina sides; carry passport and check border hours beforehand.
Arrive at opening time for clearer views; mist and crowds build fast later.
Pair the falls with Parque das Aves nearby; it’s an easy add-on between park shuttles.

How to travel to Foz do Iguaçu

Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) is 15 km from downtown, with direct flights from major Brazilian cities and some South American hubs. Taxis and airport shuttles are available. International buses link Foz to Argentina (Puerto Iguazú) and Paraguay (Ciudad del Este). The city is also accessible by long-distance bus from São Paulo, Curitiba and other Brazilian cities.

Access summary

From Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU): local bus or taxi about 20–30 min.
From São Paulo: direct flight to Foz do Iguaçu around 1.5 hours.
From Buenos Aires: direct or connecting flights to Foz do Iguaçu about 2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu

Foz do Iguaçu has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts near the falls to budget hostels and mid-range hotels in the city. Many hotels offer shuttle services to the main sights. Book ahead for holidays and high season. Staying near the park entrance is great for early-morning visits, while city hotels are closer to restaurants and shopping.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Luz Hotel by Castelo Itaipava

9.1

Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls

9.6

Complexo Eco Cataratas Resort by SJ

9.3

Rafain Palace Hotel & Convention Center

9.2

Recanto Cataratas Thermas Resort & Convention

9.1

Hotel Bella Italia

8.8

Hotel Continental 4Soul

8.9

Grand Carima Resort & Convention Center

8.8

Wyndham Golden Foz Suites

8.7

Aguas Do Iguacu Hotel Centro

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Foz do Iguaçu

The city’s main sights are spread out, so local buses, taxis and rideshares are handy. Buses run from the city center to Iguaçu Falls, Itaipu Dam and the borders with Argentina and Paraguay. Walking is best inside the parks, but distances in the city can be long. Taxis are safe and affordable for short trips. If you plan to cross borders, check visa requirements and border hours.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %

Daily expenses in Foz do Iguaçu are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BRL) is 6% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£24	£50	£143
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£9	£26	£75
🍝 Food per day	£12	£20	£57
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£11

Notable additional fees: Brazilian side of the falls: R$117 (£16.46) for international visitors. Buy online or use the self-service machines, which open before the ticket windows and save you the queue.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.60
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.80
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£38
🤧 Cold medication	£3.60
💇 Basic haircut	£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Foz do Iguaçu is generally safe, but petty theft can occur in crowded places and on public transport. Don’t leave bags unattended, use hotel safes and stay alert in busy areas, especially near borders and markets.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Tap water is generally safe, but most visitors prefer bottled water. Mosquitoes can be an issue — use repellent, especially in summer. Bring any needed medications.

Accessibility

Most main attractions and hotels are accessible, but some park trails and walkways are uneven or slippery when wet. Wheelchair access is available at major sites, but always check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe in Foz do Iguaçu, but most visitors use bottled water for drinking. Public fountains are rare — refill at your hotel and stay hydrated, especially in the heat.