Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
VISITING THE LAND OF WATERFALLS
The Iguaçu Falls are formed by the Rio Iguaçu, which has its source near Curitiba. Starting at
an altitude of 1300m, the river snakes westward, picking up tributaries and increasing in size
and power during its 1200km journey. About 15km before joining the Rio Paraná, the Iguaçu
broadens out and then plunges precipitously over an 80m-high cliff, the central point of 275
interlinking cataracts that extend nearly 3km across the river. There is no “best time” to visit since
the falls are impressive and spectacularly beautiful whatever the season. That said, the rainy
season is during the winter months of April to July, and at this time the volume of water is at its
greatest - but then the sky is usually overcast and the air, especially near the falls themselves, is
quite chilly. By the end of the summer dry season, around March, the volume of water crashing
over the cliffs is reduced by a third (only once, in 1977, did the falls dry up altogether), but even
then there's no reduction in impact, with the added attraction of the rainbow effects from the
splashing of falling water and the deep blue sky. The one time to avoid at all costs is Easter ,
when the area attracts vast throngs of Argentine and Brazilian tourists.
Although many people arrive at Iguaçu in the morning and depart the same evening, the
falls should really be viewed from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides of the river: at
least two days are needed to do them justice and you could easily spend longer. There are
good bus services between the two cities and onwards to the falls, but consider renting a car
if your time is limited (see below).
entirely focused on the falls and park a short distance to the south. With many hotels
located alongside the highway connecting Foz do Iguaçu with the park, and with
nothing in the urban area of particular interest, it's perfectly reasonable to ignore the
city completely, though it does boast the best bars and restaurants in the region.
Brief history
Founded in 1914, Foz remained a jungle backwater for decades, only really expanding
following the inauguration in 1965 of the bridge linking Brazil with Paraguay and the
construction of the nearby Itaipu Dam (see p.574): the population leapt from 34,000
in 1970 to 136,000 just ten years later, and is now three times bigger again. In the last
few years the city has become a lot safer and tourist friendly than it once was, with
plenty of services and an easy-to-use local bus system.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
FOZ DO IGUAÇU
on Av Juscelino Kubitschek (30min), and, in the other
direction, to the Brazilian falls (40min).
By taxi to the city centre The fixed fare from the airport
into Foz is around R$45, R$25 to the falls and R$75-85 to
Puerto Iguazú (see p.572).
Destinations Curitiba (4 daily; 1hr 10min); Lima (Peru;
1 daily; 4hr 15min); Porto Alegre (1 daily; 1hr 10min);
Rio (3-4 daily; 2hr); São Paulo (6 daily; 1hr 30min-
1hr 50min).
BY PLANE
Foz do Iguaçu Airport ( T 45 3521 4200) is 12km southeast
of the city, just off the road to the falls. Inside the terminal
you'll find an information booth and car rental desks.
Car rental Avis ( T 45 3529 6160), Hertz ( T 45 3529
8789), Localiza ( T 45 3529 6300) and Yes ( T 45 3025
4300) are all represented at the airport (rates from around
R$100/day). Note that if you are just travelling between Foz
do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú or the two national parks,
then no special car documentation is required to cross the
Brazilian/Argentine border. If, however, you intend to take
your rental car to the Argentine Jesuit missions (see p.628)
or anywhere else south of Puerto Iguazú, you'll need to pay
them extra for a permit. You are not permitted to take a car
into Paraguay.
By bus to the city centre From the airport, bus #120
(Mon-Sat 5.45am-12.40am, every 20min, Sun
5.30am-12.40am every 45min; R$2.85) runs to the
Terminal de Transporte Urbano (TTU) in the centre of town
BY BUS
Foz do Iguaçu's rodoviária ( T 45 3522 3633) is located 4km
north of the centre on the road to Curitiba (Av Costa e Silva
1601) and is served by buses from throughout southern
Brazil, as well as Buenos Aires. Buses #105 and #115 link
the rodoviária with the Terminal de Transporte Urbano in
town (R$2.85); taxis cost around R$20.
Destinations Buenos Aires (1 daily; 19hr); Curitiba (10
daily; 9hr); Blumenau (2 daily; 14hr); Florianópolis (9 daily;
 
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