Discover 8 curiosities about the Iguaçu Falls 2022

View of Iguazu Falls

Certainly, it is not only due to the great titles won and international recognition that the Iguaçu Falls, located in Foz do Iguaçu, are among the main tourist destinations in the world.

The destination bears the title of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and is also considered a Natural Heritage of Humanity, thanks to its unique natural phenomenon.

Located in the Iguazu National Park in Brazil, the Iguazu Falls border the city of Puerto Iguazú in Argentina

They gather, together, unusual curiosities.

Soon you will know. Beforehand, it is important to have this tourist spot on your radar when thinking about your next vacation, after all, the Iguazu Falls are among Top 10 must-see destinations in the world.

Foz Falls is also one of the 19 most romantic destinations in the world. Not to mention that it's here, much closer than Paris.

Understand the reasons through the curiosities that we list!

Firstly, it is worth mentioning that the largest set of waterfalls in the world was formed 120 million years ago, in the Iguaçu National Park. It is located in one of the only reserves of the Atlantic Forest stillthe preserved one. In addition to being a natural route, the experience, each year, adds new ways to be explored.

If you've already been there, it's worth remembering that every time you visit the Iguaçu Falls, the experience happens in a different way. That's because nature changes and water behaves according to volume and climate.

There are always new activities and tourist attractions, such as trails and news added to this experience. After all, it's no wonder that Foz do Iguaçu is recognized as one of the best nature tourist destinations, and that includes adventure sports.

Therefore, visiting the park and admiring all the grandeur of the falls is an unmissable experience in anyone's life. And the best: it is increasingly accessible, with tickets and hotels with better cost-benefit.

waterfalls of Iguaçu Photo: Rafael Guimarães – @ofotografodefoz

About 23,600 people visited the Iguaçu Falls during Carnival from 2022.

Of the total visitation between Brazilians and foreigners, 16,242 are Brazilians.

We selected 8 curiosities about the Iguaçu Falls that you will love to know.

Are we going to them?

1. The Iguaçu River and the incredible geological fault

The river that receives the great falls is the Iguaçu. It is born in Serra do Mar, in Paraná and, due to an incredible geological fault, it forms the sensational phenomenon we know: the Iguazu Falls.

The river therefore runs for many kilometers in its plain and is born from the meeting between the rivers Iraí and Atuba. It runs through the east and west of the State of Paraná, until it meets the Paraná River. 

sThere are, in total, 14 municipalities that border the Iguaçu National Park, all surrounded by natural beauties.

A well-known point is the Goes waterfall, which is part of the national park and is really worth visiting.

All of them are close to Foz do Iguaçu and can be indicated by tourist reception at Del Rey Hotel.

Waterfalls of Iguaçu

2. The Pathfinder of Wonders

Known as the “great discoverer of wonders”, the Spanish Alvar Nuñes Cabeza de Vaca was the first white man to find the Iguazu Falls, in 1542.

The discoverer, still stunned by the beauty of the place, named the waterfalls as Cachoeiras de Santa Maria.

As a curiosity, know that a restaurant, located in Marco das 3 Fronteiras, was named Cabeza de Vaca, in his honor.

But, the history linked to the legends does not stop there. In addition to the Iguaçu Falls being considered the third wonder of the world, they are also part of the folklore of Iguaçu, being part of a great legend.

The great legend tells that two Indians in love could not be together. They were therefore cursed by a giant Serpent God. His name was M'Boi.

The tragedy would have given rise to the incredible falls of the Iguaçu Falls.

3. The creation of the National Park

First, it is important to point out that the falls are within the Iguacu National Park, a Brazilian protected area, being a Federal Conservation Unit (UC). WCreated in January 1939 by Getúlio Vargas.

Currently, the park covers approximately 185,000 hectares, being considered the largest area dedicated to the preservation of the Atlantic Forest in South America.

It is also the stage for the spectacle of the Iguaçu River Falls, and is home to important species of biodiversity.

The park maintains great ecological relevance, which makes it possible to carry out scientific research and the development of environmental education activities.  There are also recreational activities for those who want to be in contact with nature, as well as ecological tourism.

Iguazu National Park seen from above


4. The naming of the Iguazu Falls

First of all, know that Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) granted, still in 1986, the distinction of Natural Patrimony of Humanity to the Iguaçu Falls.

As a whole, the park is the largest subtropical rainforest reserve on the planet. The Iguaçu National Park, where they are located, is also the second oldest in Brazil. And the biggest outside the Amazon.

The recognition is due to the importance of the remnants of the Atlantic Forest and the spectacular set of waterfalls that form the Iguaçu Falls.

It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the country and in the world, and is also an international reference in the management of protected areas and parks.

The park is based on the Guarani Aquifer, one of the world's largest reserves of groundwater. Among its many species of animals, some are endangered, such as the jaguar and the broad-snouted alligator. Others are quite rare, such as the jacutinga, the harpy eagle and the purple-breasted parrot. 

the official numbers impress. There are 257 species of butterflies, 18 of fish, 12 of amphibians, 41 species of snakes, eight of lizards, 340 of birds and 45 of mammals.

The flora is also quite diverse: in addition to several orchids and bromeliads, the area is home to large tree species, such as timbaúba, cedar, peroba-rosa, angico, cinnamon, cabreúva, prickly pear, pau-marfim and ipê. 

 

People visiting Iguazu Falls

5. The title #CataratasDay

To commemorate the nomination as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world, a title granted on November 11, 2011, the #CataratasDay was created.

On this date, therefore, a special day is celebrated to raise awareness of the conservation of the Iguaçu National Park.

waterfalls of Iguaçu

6. Visits to one of the 7 Wonders 

The Iguazu Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are in the second most visited national park in the country and one of the most visited in the world.

Annually, it receives about two million people, second only to the Tijuca National Park, home of Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, also considered one of the seven Wonders of the World.

The Iguaçu National Park was created in 1939 and is on the border between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. 

The site is, above all, the largest remaining reserve of the Atlantic Forest.

It is still the second most visited park in Brazil, losing to the Tijuca National Park, in Rio de Janeiro.

The Iguazu Falls receive, annually, more than 85 thousand visitors

This, according to data from Secretary of Tourism, Strategic Projects and Innovation of Foz do Iguacu.

The number of visitors to the main attraction on the border increased by 82% in November 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

During the period, 85,999 visitors passed through the site, of which 91.5% were Brazilians. Among the national visitors, 40% were from Paraná.

To visit the park it is necessary purchase the ticket through the official website, exclusively online, with choice of day and time for the tour. 

waterfalls of Iguaçu

Photo: Rafael Guimarães – @ofotografodefoz

7. The 275 waterfalls

275 waterfalls, up to 80 meters high, are formed in the Falls.

There is the largest system of waterfalls in Brazil and the second largest in the world, having been visited by several world personalities.

Visiting the Iguaçu National Park to see the falls has become a national trend. The region already provides great infrastructure for stay, food and a welcome that makes the experience even more unforgettable.

In addition to the water, the main attraction, the park is a source of biodiversity, fauna and flora. It could not be otherwise, since Iguazu, in the Guarani language, means: big water.

To the falls do Iguaçu are second only in number to the falls of Niagara, United States. 

Therefore, in the ranking of unmissable destinations are:

  1. Petra (Jordan);
  2. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador);
  3. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia);
  4. Okavango Delta (Botswana);
  5. Yellowstone National Park (United States);
  6. Lake Bled, (Slovenia);
  7. Iguazu Falls (Argentina-Brazil);
  8. Temples of Angkor (Cambodia);
  9. Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
  10. Annapurna Circuit (Nepal).

waterfalls of Iguaçu

8. Falls are among the top 10 in the ranking

The famous falls shared by Argentina and Brazil are among the top ten on this list.

It is in 7th position, behind Lake Bled, in Slovenia and ahead of the Temples of Angkor, in Cambodia.

Visiting the Iguazu Falls is a surprising experience, especially during the rainy season, between April and May.

Since the strength and noise of the jumps, in a chain of hundreds of waterfalls almost three kilometers long, are forever in the memory of visitors.

And, to make it even better, if you want to go to Argentina, you can also see the falls. Over there, the visitation is in the city of Puerto Iguazú, in the Province of Misiones.

The Argentine side and the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls occupy the 7th position in the ranking

Ranking refers to the main destinations to be visited by tourists.

Iguazu Falls from the Argentinian side

Tickets to visit Iguaçu National Park are sold exclusively online at site

New: Iguaçu National Park will have cable car and memorial to Santos Dumont

The news in Foz, especially around the Iguaçu Falls, keeps on being announced!

According to public bodies, Iguaçu National Park, in Foz, will receive, in 2022, a new transport system and revitalization of access to the complex.

The objective is to increase the interest of tourists in the park, since, generally, those who arrive at the place seek to know only the falls.

The intention, therefore, is to direct people to other beautiful and interesting poles of the park, as is the case of Rio Azul and Ilhas do Iguaçu. 

 

To complete your stay in Foz, stay at the award-winning Del Rey Quality Hotel

Certainly, the traditional hotel in Foz do Iguaçu is among the favorites of world travelers , winning one of Tripadvisor's Travelers Choice 2021 awards for that. Therefore, it is considered a great tip to include on your next trip to Foz do Iguaçu. 

It is next to the Urban Transport Terminal and close to restaurants, markets, bakeries, pharmacies and banks.

Above all, the traditional Del Rey Quality has easy access to the main points of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraguay and Argentina.

In addition, it has a heated pool until 9 pm and breakfast at special hours. There you can also get help when buying your tour packages. 

 

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