Foz do Iguassu
Foz do Iguassu has been attracting visitors since the first European explorer stumbled across the area in the 1540s. In the 1930s more than 1 million acres on the Brazilian side was made into a national park, and in 1985 the falls were designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Foz do Iguassu, city in Brazil, is located in the southwestern corner of Paraná State, near the borders of Paraguay and Argentina. Foz do Iguassu lies on the Paraná River near its confluence with the Iguassu River. It is connected to eastern Brazil by a paved highway and to the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este via the Ponte da Amizade (Friendship Bridge). An international airport is also located in the city. Most of the local economy is based on tourism. The main attraction is the spectacular Iguassu Falls, located on the Iguassu about 24 km (about 15 mi) upriver from its junction with the Paraná. The falls form a horseshoe shape about 4 km (about 2.5 mi) long and ranging between 60 and 80 m (about 197 to 262 ft ) high.
The falls are upstream on this river, a 28km (18-mile) drive southeast from downtown. The city's downtown is small and easy to navigate, but offers few attractions. Just north of downtown, BR-277 comes in from Curitiba and São Paulo and crosses the Ponte da Amizadeinto Paraguay. At the southern end of downtown, Avenida das Cataratas (BR-469) tracks southeast towards Iguassu National Park and the falls. There are quite a few good hotels, some other attractions, and restaurants along this road. About 7km (4 1/4 miles) from downtown, there's a turnoff for the Ponte Tancredo Neves, which crosses into Argentina. Public buses take this route, and border formalities are minimal. The road to the falls, now called Rodovia das Cataratas, continues past the airport turnoff until, at 17km (11 miles) from the city, it reaches the gates of Iguassu National Park.
Iguassu's tourist bureau employs excellent English-speaking attendants who have up-to-date and accurate information at their fingertips. They also give out free maps of the city. The main tourist information center is at Praça Getulio Vargas (Av. JK and Rua Rio Branco) (tel. 55 45 3521-1125; www.fozdoiguacu.pr.gov.br ; open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). There are also tourist information booths at the airport and bus station, or you can call the Iguassu tourist information service Teletur (tel. 0800/451-516 toll-free within Brazil). The service operates daily from 7am to 11pm.
Brazilian Canoe Confederation
Copyright CBCa 2007