16 Best things to see & do in Iguazu Falls

Recently voted one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, these magnificent 3km-wide falls see 46 million litres of water cascade over an 80m drop every second. Experience them by walkway, bike, boat and helicopter.

This popular tour offers total immersion in the waterfalls combined with an electric jeep ride and a walk in the forest. You won’t see much wildlife, but getting this close to the falls is a thrill.

Starting at the base of the Iguazu Falls and descending through jaguar-filled jungle, this is (low-level) white-water rafting in a spectacular location that’s hard to beat.

This rainforest walk or bike, in the heart of the national park, is the best option for wildlife watchers. It’s well away from the crowds, in pristine rainforest and if you do it as a tour, will include kayaking on the Iguacu River.

One of the best small aviaries in the world, with spectacular rare species from the Atlantic coastal rainforests, metre-long blue macaws and the world’s largest eagles. The aviary runs an important conservation programme.

This small wildlife rehabilitation centre is worth a visit if you’re staying on the Argentina side of the falls. Come to see sloths, monkeys and birds rescued from the animal trade or traffic accidents.

The world’s largest river dam on the nearby Parana River destroyed waterfalls even larger and more magnificent than Iguazu. Tours include walking through the heart of the dam, a boat trip on the lake and the adjacent Bela Vista wildlife reserve – a semi-wild zoo with jaguars and giant harpy eagles.

This little island sits opposite one of the most intense drops at Iguazu. It’s reachable on a two-minute boat hop from the end of the Lower Circuit path (Circuito Inferior) on the Argentinian side, followed by a 200-step climb. There’s a small beach and river swimming in the dry season. Head here first thing to avoid queues for the boat.

This little house in Puerto Iguazu shows and shares what it’s possible to do with waste plastic. The entire building is made of some 3,000 bottles. Doors and windows are made of CD covers and the owners offer all manner of know-how on ingenious ways to turn waste into practical art.

This evening out offers an introduction to Argentinean food and wine for the uninitiated, with a meal of the best Argentinean Lomo steaks, Malbecs and Mate, cultural tips and guides with a great sense of humour.

The best food in Iguacu is at the Belmond, but the top end international menu and wine list isn’t the main reason for coming. The Belmond sits right next to the falls and by dining here you get to see them after the park closes, in the moonlight.

This small ecological theme park offers guided tours of the enormous, 5-story model of an aripuca, a live trap made from indigenous trees used to catch monkeys and birds invented by the local indigenous Guarani people. Tours take about an hour and offer an interesting insight into Guarani culture.

Sip a cocktail with an Iguazu Falls view, albeit a distant one – in the Merkado bar at the Gran Melia Hotel. It’s one of two hotels inside the national park.

A traditional Buddhist temple in Brazil? The country has the largest ethnic Japanese population in the world outside Japan. This traditional temple belongs to the Amitabha Pure Land school of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism. It’s easy to visit on the edge of Foz do Iguacu town, and is a lovely, peaceful place and a curiosity for those unaware of Brazil’s Japanese heritage.

There are falconry centres everywhere, but they don’t have the huge tropical eagles and owls you’ll find here. And you get to handle them as well as see them fly. A good place to see the extraordinary Harpys Eagle.

The Rafain Steakhouse in Foz de Iguacu is the host of this showcase of traditional Brazilian music and dance, accompanied by Brazilian BBQ. We’ve included it for completeness, but be warned the venue is quite crowded, and the food and show are mediocre, but if you go with sensible expectations, it can be an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.