Boasting the title of one of the new seven wonders of the world and Natural Heritage of Humanity, the Iguaçu Falls, located in Foz do Iguaçu, are among the main tourist destinations in Brazil. More than that: the falls are among the 10 must-see destinations in the world. Visiting the park and admiring all the grandeur of the falls, therefore, is an unmissable experience in anyone's life and, best of all, it is increasingly accessible.
To better contextualize you in this research in search of the best of tourism in Paraná, which is already known for its diverse riches, we highlight the city of Foz, because it brings together many of the main attractions: it has the largest generator of energy, receiving more than 1 million of tourists per year, the Bird Park of Foz, with almost 30 years of history with conservation work for Atlantic Forest species. And finally the rarity of the state, which are the Iguaçu Falls, along with the tours that are inside the Iguaçu National Park.
A Itaipu Power Plant, now recently lit, re-enters the ranking of the best places to be visited by Brazilians and tourists from all over the world in 2021. Water Parks and the Foz Wax Museum make the experience unique and innovative, for all ages and audiences, leaving nothing to be desired by international itineraries.
Located in Paraná, the Iguaçu Falls have a very rich history, from their discovery to the construction of the park and the present day. Want to know more about the history of this magical place? We selected 7 curiosities about the Iguaçu Falls that you will love to know. Here we go?
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1. The Iguazu River
The river that receives the great falls is the Iguaçu, which rises in the Serra do Mar, in Paraná. An incredible geological fault, right at its mouth, forms the sensational phenomenon we know as the Iguazu Falls. However, the river runs for many kilometers on the plain, can you believe it?!
The Iguaçu River is born from the meeting between the Iraí and Atuba rivers, located in the capital of Paraná, the beautiful and structured city of Curitiba. It runs through the east and west of the state until it meets the Paraná River. There are many hidden cities that you may not know about yet and which, thanks to the Itaipu lake and the Iguaçu river, contain unparalleled natural beauty.
There are 14 municipalities that border the Iguaçu National Park. They are surrounded by natural beauties. A well-known point is the Goes waterfall, a natural beauty that is part of the national park and which is very worth visiting. All these cities are close to Foz do Iguaçu and can be indicated by tourist reception at Del Rey Hotel.
2. The Pathfinder
Known as the “great discoverer of wonders”, the Spaniard Alvar Nuñes Cabeza de Vaca was the first white man to find the Iguazu Falls, in 1542. Initially, astounded by the beauty of the place, he named the falls “Waterfalls of Santa Maria”.There was even a restaurant, located inside Marco das 3 Fronteiras, in his honor, which was named Cabeza de Vaca.
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, know that they are also part of the folklore of Iguaçu, being part of a great legend. She tells how two Indians in love could not be together and were cursed by a giant Serpent God called M'Boi, giving rise to the incredible falls of the Iguaçu Falls.
3. The creation of the National Park
The falls are inside the Iguacu National Park (PARNA Iguaçu), a Brazilian protected area, being a Federal Conservation Unit (UC), located in the Far West region of Paraná, 17 km from the center of Foz do Iguaçu and just 5 km from Foz do Iguaçu International Airport.
Created in January 1939 by Getúlio Vargas, president of Brazil at the time, the park currently covers around 185,000 hectares, being considered the largest area dedicated to the preservation of the Atlantic Forest in South America, stage of the spectacle of the Iguaçu River Falls and home to important species of Brazilian biodiversity.
The park maintains great ecological relevance and scenic beauty, enabling scientific research and the development of educational activities and environmental interpretation. Also for recreation in contact with nature and ecological tourism, public visitation is allowed, subject to specific restrictions.
4. The nomination
In November 1986, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) granted the distinction of Natural Heritage of Humanity to the Iguazu Falls. As a whole, the park is the largest subtropical rainforest reserve on the planet.
The Iguaçu National Park is also the second oldest in Brazil and the largest 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, one of the most visited tourist spots in the country and the world, and is still an international reference in the management of protected areas and parks. .
The environmental value and beauty of the landscapes offer the Iguaçu National Park an unparalleled heritage. It sits on the Guarani Aquifer, one of the world's largest underground water reserves. Among its many faunal species, 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.
5. The #CataratasDay
To commemorate the nomination as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world — title granted on November 11, 2011 —, #CataratasDay was created. Every November 11th, a special day is celebrated to raise awareness of the conservation of the Iguaçu National Park.
6. The visits
The Iguazu Falls are in the second most visited national park in the country. 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.
7. The falls
In all, approximately 275 waterfalls of up to 80 meters high are formed in Iguaçu. There is the largest system of waterfalls in Brazil and the second largest in the world. Iguazu Falls is second only in number to Niagara Falls in the United States.
A program that mixes culture, history and a lot of nature, the visit to the Iguaçu National Park to see the falls has become a national trend. The region already provides great infrastructure for stay, food and a warm welcome that makes the experience even more unforgettable.
In addition to the water, the main attraction, the park is an invaluable source of biodiversity, fauna and flora. It couldn't be different, “Iguaçu” in Guarani means “big water”.
And 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.
See why Iguazu Falls is one of the 10 must-see destinations in the world
When you think of traveling to a unique, remarkable and memorable place for you and your whole family, where the landscapes and natural beauties are responsible for making any tour beautiful and attractive, which still brings together haute cuisine and great shopping cheaper, Foz do Iguaçu has to be on your mind!
The Argentine side and the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls occupy the 7th position among the main destinations to be visited by tourists
The city is responsible for housing one of the 7 Wonders of the World and you already know that. Now you will also know why Foz do Iguaçu is on the list of 10 must-see places in the world!
The Iguaçu National Park is home to the Iguaçu Falls, an attraction that has hundreds of falls, of different sizes, and a view considered wonderful on the Argentine side, also one of the responsible for the location of the famous Devil's Throat. It is, without a doubt, a spectacle of its own, reserved for the end of the trail in the park.
“Marvel at the incredible power of the Iguazu Falls” were the words of the travel guide Lonely Planet on the Ultimate Travel List, a destination book that ranks the top 500 travel experiences around the world.
The famous falls shared by Argentina and Brazil are in the top ten of this list (in 7th position), behind Lake Bled in Slovenia and ahead of the Temples of Angkor in Cambodia.
For Lonely Planet, visiting the Iguaçu Falls “is a visceral and surprising experience, and the power and noise of the falls, a chain of hundreds of waterfalls almost three kilometers long, remain forever in the memory”.
In all, approximately 275 waterfalls of up to 80 meters high are formed in Iguaçu. There is the largest system of waterfalls in Brazil and the second largest in the world, having been visited by several world personalities. To the falls do Iguaçu are second only in number to the falls of Niagara, United States.
In the ranking of unmissable destinations are: Petra (Jordan); Galapagos Islands (Ecuador); Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia); Okavango Delta (Botswana); Yellowstone National Park (United States); Lake Bled, (Slovenia); Iguazu Falls (Argentina-Brazil); Temples of Angkor (Cambodia); Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) and Annapurna Circuit (Nepal).
Tickets to visit the Iguaçu National Park are sold exclusively online at the website www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
The experience in Foz do Iguaçu is complete with accommodation at the award-winning Del Rey Quality Hotel
The traditional hotel in Foz do Iguaçu is among the favorites of world travelers , winning one of Tripadvisor's Travelers Choice 2021 awards, so it is considered a great tip to include on your next trip to Foz do Iguaçu.
With 91 modern apartments, with room options for up to four people and cribs (when necessary), the award-winning hotel maintains the best value for money in the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
It has a heated pool and breakfast at special hours and, in addition, you can still get help when buying your tour packages. With a privileged location in the center of Foz do Iguaçu, information can be gathered right at the hotel reception, which is next to the Urban Transport Terminal and close to restaurants, markets, bakeries, pharmacies and banks. And more: the traditional Del Rey Quality has easy access to the main points of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraguay and Argentina.
The Del Rey Quality Hotel proposes to offer the best experience to tourists and visitors who pass through Foz. With that in mind, the blog and hotel website offer all the information for a trip to Foz do Iguaçu and even guarantees you a reservation with 10% discount!
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