Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side holidays
Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side holidays at a glance
Iguazú Falls Brazil, known locally as Iguaçu, is usually rated the finest of the world’s big three waterfalls, ahead of Niagara and Victoria, and remains one of South America’s greatest natural spectacles. The falls plunge from a sheer drop of around 60 metres, surrounded by subtropical rainforest rich in birds and butterflies.
The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls features around three kilometres of panoramic walkways, giving expansive views across the cascades and a clear sense of their scale. This differs from Argentina, where a more extensive network of trails leads through and above the falls towards the Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat.
Beyond the viewpoints, an Iguazú Falls boat trip brings you close enough to feel the spray, while a helicopter flight reveals their full extent from above. The Iguazú Bird Park is one of South America’s finest bird sanctuaries and the best thing to do at Iguazú Falls on either side of the border.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The incomparable Iguazú Falls plummet from a sheer 60m drop, crashing through the subtropical jungle alive with wildlife and butterflies.
When to visit Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
Iguazú Falls is a year-round destination, but rainfall, water levels, temperatures and visitor numbers create different experiences across the seasons. Water levels can also be influenced by the management of dams upstream.
At this time the falls are at their fullest, crashing through the jungle with astounding force. It’s an awe-inspiring sight but be aware that some trails may become inaccessible. This is the height of summer and temperatures reach up to 40°C, with a spike in rain and humidity. January – February is holiday time in Latin America so there will be more visitors.
With the exception of Easter week, this is a much quieter season in terms of visitors. With a cooler temperature, this is the ideal time to spot butterflies and rainbows among the spray.
This is still low season with fewer visitors. Temperatures can be cold in the mornings, often below 10°C, making it a great time to try activities like hiking and cycling.
After the dry season, there is less water volume in the falls. You’ll be able to spot individual cataracts crashing over the towering granite cliffs. The weather is not extremely humid, and is neither hot nor particularly wet, though as with any time of year here there is a chance of rainfall.
Top Things to do in Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
From panoramic viewpoints and wildlife encounters to boat safaris and scenic flights, the Brazilian side offers several memorable ways to experience the falls.
Fly over the Iguazu Falls in a helicopter for breathtaking views over the entire length of the cataracts.
Upgrade your visit to Iguazú with a wildlife safari and open boat ride to the base of the falls.
Explore the walkways of the Brazilian side of the falls for extraordinary panoramic views and the opportunity to venture right into the gaping mouth of Iguazú’s most dramatically impressive section.
Roam enormous aviaries to see parrots, toucans and other exotic bird life in a jungle setting.
Accommodation in Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
We offer several places to stay around Foz do Iguaçu and the Brazilian side of the falls, from the historic Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, set inside the national park itself, to more contemporary options such as Wish Foz do Iguaçu.
The only hotel in Brazil’s Foz do Iguaçu National Park, directly in front of the waterfalls with private access to the park outside opening hours.
Vivaz Hotel Resort is a cheerful property with a range of facilities offering accommodation to visitors to the Iguazú Falls.
The well-regarded hotel makes the most of its extensive grounds with a wealth of facilities.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
Group Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Hummingbird: Ocean to ocean
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · Sucre and Potosi · La Paz and the altiplano · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lima
21 days from £5,861
Jacana: Crossing the continent
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Asuncion and the heartland · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro
19 days from £4,583
Sandpiper: Atlantic to Pacific in style
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park · Santiago and the vineyards
19 days from £7,062
Tangara: Blue lakes and emerald coasts
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (south) · Argentinian lake district · Buenos Aires · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro · Buzios, Paraty and Costa Verde
15 days from £3,892
Toucanet: Cities and Cascades
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Buenos Aires
9 days from £3,048
Trogon: Natural Brazil
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Brasilia and the Cerrado · The Pantanal
12 days from £3,662
Tailor-Made Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Brazil Wildlife: Iguazu, Pantanal and Amazon Cruise
Places visited: Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · The Pantanal · The Brazilian Amazon
15 days from £7,675
Luxury Brazil: Rio, Iguazu Falls and Buzios
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Buzios, Paraty and Costa Verde
11 days from £7,800
Luxury Rio, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires and the pampas
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · The Pampas
11 days from £7,990
Signature Brazil, Argentina and Chile: Coast to coast
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Buenos Aires · Mendoza and the vineyards · Santiago and the vineyards
15 days from £5,650
Signature Brazil: Brazil at a glance
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · The Brazilian Amazon · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Salvador, Lencois and the beaches of Bahia
15 days from £4,375
Signature Paraguay: The Missions and the Chaco
Places visited: Asuncion and the heartland · The Chaco · The Jesuit Missions of the south · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
11 days from £3,550
Value Iguazu Falls: Buenos Aires to Rio
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro
10 days from £1,900
Wildlife Brazil: Jaguars of the Pantanal
Places visited: The Pantanal · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro
11 days from £6,725
FAQs about visiting Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit Iguazu falls?
Iguazú Falls is a year-round destination, but water levels and weather conditions vary with the rainy (Dec-Feb) and dry (Jun-Jul) seasons. The water supply to the falls also varies according to the local control of the dams upstream. It can be busy with tourists in local holiday seasons, for example in Feb and at Easter.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language at Iguazu Falls?
Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue.
- How do I get to Iguazu Falls?
There are direct flights connecting Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro (2 hours) and São Paulo (and connections elsewhere in Brazil) as well as Lima, Peru. From Puerto Iguazu (Argentine side), you can fly to Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Cordoba and Salta, Argentina. Direct international buses operate from Foz do Iguacu to Asuncion, Paraguay (6 hours).
- How do I get local currency at Iguazu Falls?
Brazilian Real.
Brazil: notes can be withdrawn from ATMs in Foz do Iguazú Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and HSBC accept UK credit or debit cards. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. ATMs close at 10pm.
- What's the time difference between Iguazu Falls and UK?
GMT -3 hours. There is daylight saving from October to the end of February (approx) when clocks are put forward one hour.
- What places combine well with Iguazu Falls?
Continue over the border into Argentina, or head elsewhere in Brazil, with connections to the Brazilian Pantanal, Amazon or Salvador. With direct flights to Peru, you can explore Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Inca heartland. Foz do Iguacu is just a few hours’ drive of the Unesco ruins of Trinidad, across the border in Paraguay.
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