Boat Tours -- The Iguaçu Explorer, operated by Macuco Safari, offers a boat tour along the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers. Although there are no views of the falls, this leisurely tour is a great way to see the region from the water. Highlights include a view of the Tancredo Neves bridge that connects Brazil and Argentina, the tri-border marker, and a visit to a small regional museum on the Paraguay side. The vegetation along the way is quite nice but if you're going to the Pantanal or the Amazon I would skip this excursion. If not it's a good way to get a small taste of the country's natural wonders. Tours cost R$90, lunch included. Departure times vary. Details at tel. 045/3523-6475 or www.macucosafari.com.br.
Helicopter Tour -- Taking the helicopter tour in the park involves a small moral dilemma. The noise from the helicopters does scare the wildlife. Park naturalists say that toucans appear only when it's rainy, windy, or fogged in -- days that the copters are grounded. The helicopters are one of two issues over which UNESCO threatened to pull Iguaçu's World Heritage designation (the other was a plan to reopen highway BR-373, cutting the park in half). On the other hand the company has invested in the newest, quietest helicopters. And the view of the falls and canyon from the air truly is spectacular. Contact Helisul-Helicopter Tours, Avenida das Cataratas, Km 16.5, Foz do Iguaçu (tel. 045/3529-7474; www.helisul.com; 10-min. flight over the falls and park R$180 per person, 3-person minimum; children are free if they don't occupy a seat; daily 9am-5pm; Parque Nacional or Cataratas).
Guided Tours & Transfers -- A number of tour operators organize transportation and guides for visits to the falls. Trips can be customized to include visits to other attractions such as the bird park, Macuco Safari, or the Itaipu Dam. The most popular service is the 1-day visit to the Argentine Falls, which at most agencies costs around R$60 per person. Reputable companies include Conveniotur, Rua Rui Barbosa 820 (tel. 045/3523-3500; www.conveniotur.com.br), Central Tours (tel. 045/3526-4434; www.centraltours.com.br), and Loumar Tourismo (tel. 045/3572-5005; www.loumarturismo.com.br). Loumar also offers a 1-day excursion to the shopper's paradise of Paraguay.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
