Parque Nacional do Iguaçu Things to Do

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In Niagara Falls the Maid of the Mist takes you close to the falls, to feel their real power. But nothing like the emotions of Safari Macuco. After some kilometres by jeep in the marvellous jungle, stopping here and there to identify some exotic plants, and an exciting descend on foot, we enter aboard a rafting ship, and...God... we really felt the falls over our heads.

Some people died a few days after our ride, so, I don't know if they maintain the program, but they really should, because it's worth the risks.

They do. Just browse Safari Macuco and you'll get all the needed information.

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If one had to pay extra to get into the environmental exhibitions I would probably list it under the "Tourist Trap" tips area, because it is extremely hard to learn much from these displays. A considerable part of the problem is that a considerable portion of the area inside the displays is very dark, and the lettering on the displays is dark green on black. This makes it extremely difficult to learn anything from the displays because the signs are very difficult or nearly impossible to read.

At the same time, you don't have to pay extra: the entrance fee is included with your park ticket. Furthermore, this is your opportunity to learn a bit more about the area surrounding the park.

One of the first exhibits that you come to is actually in the floor: a rather unique map of the park (though not of the entire park) and the falls area set up under thick glass panels under the walkway, so that you can get a true perspective of the extent of the falls from above. It's OK, but really maps of the park and the falls abound all over the place. I'm not convinced this was worth the money to set up here.

There are several bizarre artwork displays that don't really seem to have much of anything to do with the environmental education, including a rather eccentric three dimensional kaleidoscope light up device. Unfortunately the sign next to it is all but unreadable due to the dark green letters on the black background in a dark room. A flashlight would have been very helpful here in order to actually read the letters on the sign.

There is a large black globe, and if you look closely in the dark you can see the outlines of the continents on it. There are several lit areas that appear to be other monuments of natural significance, but if there is a sign telling me what the significance of these locations are I was unable to locate it.

After the globe, there is a curve in the exhibition room and we get into some things that are a little more important and relevant to environmental discussion. For example, there is a map of the state of Paraná at various years, and the rapid deforestation that has occurred over the years. This is why the preserved forest here at Foz do Iguaçu is so important: it is the largest remaining intact section of the forest that once dominated the entire state.

There is a small exhibit featuring a few of the bird species found in the park, and by pressing a button it is possible to get a recording of that particular bird's sound. However, a much more extensive section of wildlife would be really helpful, as there are a lot of animals and birds found in the park that are foreign to many of us. A better explanation of their habits and seasons would be nice too. I'm still wondering about the large swallow like birds that seemed to nest right at the falls themselves.

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The main attraction to the National Park is an approximately 1 mile (1.7 km) trail that runs the length of the falls, providing viewpoints from the forest into the face of several hundred waterfalls on the Argentine side of the river, and then towards the end of the trail an elevated visitor's center complex features elevators and observation platforms, as well as several stores.

Restroom facilities exist at the start of the trail, at an approximate mid-point in the trail, and at the end of the trail at the big visitor's center complex.

Most of the trail is paved and reasonably well maintained. However, there are places on the trail that have stairs, and therefore it is not a place that you can go if you require the use of a wheelchair. The elevator at the end of the trail does provide some access to the most spectacular sections of the trail, however.

Depending on the water flow, there may be between 200 and 700 different water falls visible, but if the river is at a very high stage much of this is merged into several major fall areas.

Traffic on the trail is almost exclusively one-way: Get off the park bus at the bus stop at the "start" of the trail, and work your way to the major visitor's center at the other end. The place you need to get off the park bus will be very obvious, as about 90% of the bus passengers will get off the bus at the start of the trail bus stop. This is also the bus stop that serves the big pink historic hotel inside the park.

There are several different branch trails that allow for different views, including ones that hang way out over the edge of the falls.

Keep in mind that there are many thousands of people that visit the falls on a normal day. You may be required to exercise some patience when it comes to waiting for a turn at the end of one of the viewpoints, or trying to get a photo of the falls without someone else's head in your way.

Foz do Iguacu is a large town of about 260,000 people approx 15km away from the Brazilian side of the waterfalls and is ideal to make as your base for exploring the waterfalls from both sides (which is what I did). There's not many tourist attraction in the city itself but it does have some good shops on Av Brasil and some good bars/restaurants and a couple of nightclubs on Av Jorge Schimmelpfeng.

This is the towns cathedral which was first proposed in 1916 by the towns first mayor, Jorge Schimmelpfeng, by donating a site. It was finally started in 1925, however, a fire started by a rocket from a celebration to mark the finished building completly destroyed it. It was then rebuilt and inaugurated in 1952.

Brazilians are proud of this construction, and they have reasons for it.

It is so big and wide, that we loose the sense of dimensions, and only when the guide starts to deliver the formal speech about the measures and weights in the book, we realize the real proportions of things.

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This a very interesting small safari, dealt locally. The way to the boat was a tropical adventure, part by jeep part on foot.

With several stops to show us the rare species of that jungle, it was a great preparation for the emotions of the river.

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The big adventure begins at the Macuco Safari entrance gates, located on the Cataratas Highway inside the Iguassu National Park, with embarkation in open jeep-towed wagons that permit an unobstructed view of the scenery along the trail. During the three kilometer stretch through the jungle, multi-lingual guides point out examples of the flora and fauna of the Park. Orchids, palm trees, bromeliads, centenaries trees, as well as wild animals that occasionally cross the trail are pointed out by the guides.

The hike - The second stage, a stretch of 600 meters (optional), is a hike on a trail that leads to a waterfall named "Macuco Falls". The waterfall, perfect for a refreshing dip on days of intense heat, spills down from a height of approximately 20 meters. Access is via a stairway carved into the ancient rock. The last stop is the Macuco Safari docks on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu River.

In the water, inflatable bi-motor boats, constructed to withstand the rigors of the excursion, are secure and efficient vessels. Before embarkation, passengers receive life-vests and plastic containers in which to protect photographic and filming equipment. The boat travels up-river passing the canyon facing the rapids at a speed that permits the appreciation of the scenery.

Rocks, animals and a lot of greenery complete the scenery before reaching the base of the falls. Next, on to the "great horseshoe" know as the "Devil's Throat". Rainbows, blue sky, mist and water in profusion, punctuate the spectacle that has as its high-point, the area of the falls named "The Three Musketeers". There the captain maneuvers the boat in order to get close enough to provide the passengers with a quick and refreshing shower.

Since at the end of the fun everyone normally ends-up wet, the passengers more sensitive to cold should have extra clothes to use after the boat excursion.

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Instead of Maid of the Mist of Niagara Iguaçu Falls has the Macuco boat ride. I know which one you would choose.
For USD 15 together with other excitement lovers you can take a boat tour under the Falls along the Devil's canyon up to the Garganta del Diablo falls. Finishing the safari we boarded a long boat with two huge 225-horsepower Zodiacs outboards. The crew fires them up and drove into the bouncing waves. The very thick mist and the roar of the falls were really breathtaking. Rainbows, blue sky, mist, the deafening roar and high speed have risen the spectacle.
It had its high-point at one of a smaller although no less impressive waterfall, named the Three Musketeers. The captain took us under the waterfall to make everybody thoroughly soaked! Consider dry dresses for yourself somewhere on the coast or take a raincoat!!

Warning: This boat trip is not for the fainthearted !!
Time of the tour: Everyday, from 8:00am to 5:30pm - except on Mondays from 1:00pm to 5:30pm. The entire journey incl. safari lasts cca. one and a half hours.

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