How to Visit the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
How to Take a Tour of the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
In December of 2019, I visited Iguazu Falls and stayed on the Argentina side in the town of Puerto Iguazu. I spent two days visiting the Falls, first visiting the Argentinian side and then visiting the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls the next day. To see the highlights of my visit to the Argentina side, click on the link in the “Related Content” section at the bottom of the page.
While it was easy to visit the Argentina side on my own, the Brazil side would prove more difficult. As I was researching transportation across the border, I came across a tour company (English Link) (Portuguese Link) offering a 6 to 8-hour tour for $45 (currently $92.) Included in the $45 were a guide, round trip transportation from my hotel, and the entry fee into the park.
I quickly booked the tour and emailed the agency requesting pickup at my hotel in Puerto Iguazu. Within minutes, I received a reply confirming my pickup at 8:00 am the next morning.
I woke up around 7:00 am and was down in the hotel lobby by 7:45 am. My tour arrived around 7:55 am, and I was shocked to learn that my group consisted of a driver, a tour guide, and one other tourist, a woman from Russia. It seemed too good to be true at a cost of less than $50.
As we drove towards Brazil, our guide Milene prepared our passports, and paperwork, for leaving Argentina and entering Brazil. First up, was passport control to exit Argentina. Exiting was easy as the booths were drive-thru. Our driver presented our passports, rolled down the front and back windows, and we received our exit stamps within 30 seconds.
Going into Brazil was slightly more complicated as our driver had to park, and then our guide walked us to passport control. Milene stayed with us the whole time and did all the talking. A few minutes later, our passports were stamped with a Brazil entry stamp, and we were on our way.
I’m glad I went with a guide because I feel this process would have been difficult on a bus. The bus only stops at the Brazilian Immigration station if requested, and I would have had a difficult time finding my way to passport control.
As we drove into Brazil, Milene asked if we wanted to visit the bird sanctuary. We both decided that we wanted to and were told it would add $17 to our trip, which would be payable at the end. Later, I would also add a boat trip under the falls at a cost of $60. These additions brought the total cost of my tour to $122.
You can read about the bird sanctuary by visiting the related content section at the bottom of the page.
How to Visit the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls - Table of Contents
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Entering the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls National Park
As we arrived at Iguazu Falls National Park on the Brazilian side, I was shocked to see the lines of people. There were thousands of people waiting in various lines. Milene explained that since we had a tour guide we had line-skipping privileges. She had also already purchased our tickets, which meant another skipped line. As we entered the park, our driver drove into the park as well, meeting us on the other side of the gate. Having our own driver meant we wouldn’t have to wait in another line of over 1000 people to catch the bus. Hiring a guide was truly paying off, as I am not sure I would have been able to navigate the lines and gain access to the park.
Iguazu Falls National Park - Brazilian Side - The Trail
85% of Iguacz’s waterfalls are located on the Argentina side, with only 15% located on the Brazilian side. These statistics mean that each side is quite different. While the Argentinian side allows close viewing of the waterfalls, the Brazilian side provides a beautiful panoramic view of the falls.
Unlike the three trails on the Argentinian Side, the Brazilian side only has one trail. The trail begins near the bend in the lower portion of the river, where it meets Isla San Martin and ends at the Salto Garganta del Diablo.
Multiple viewing points provide excellent views of all of the waterfalls on the Argentina side. But, the highlight of the Brazilian side is the up-close access to the Salto Garganta del Diablo. The path ends at the Devil’s Throat Waterfall with a circular observation area that provides stunning views of the sheer power of Garganta del Diablo.
When I got to the viewing area for the Garganta de Diablo, he only difficulty is navigating the 100s of people who also want to get to the edge of the platforms to get the best views and pictures. It took over 30 minutes to push my way to the front of a path that was only about 100 meters long.
As I worked my way back to the trail, we were given two options. We could either wait in a long line to take the elevator or walk to the exit going up multiple flights of stairs. It was quickly decided that we would take the stairs, which were not that difficult. A few minutes later we were at the top of the stairs and the exit of the trail. This vantage point also provided a great view of Devil’s Throat.
Where to Eat Lunch at Iguazu Falls National Park - Brazilian Side
It was now approaching noon, and we were hungry. There was a fast-food style restaurant at the trail’s exit, and we took an hour’s long break for food. Not knowing much Portuguese, I took out my Google Translate App to attempt to make sense of the menu. I was trying to figure out if a #2 Combo was chicken or fish. Google Translate told me it was “parrot.” I then realized a #3 combo translated to “jaguar.” It turned out that each combo had the name of an animal common to the Iguazu area. A #2 combo was actually chicken, and that is what I had for lunch.
Taking a Boat Ride - A Great Way to See Iguazu Falls
Before heading back to Argentina, we had one final stop to go on the boat ride, which would take us under the waterfall. The Brazilian boats stay mostly on the Brazilian side of the river, going under Salto Dos Mosqueteros.
The process of getting on the boat was complex. First, we had to take an electric car pulled shuttle down to a drop off point. Once at the drop off point, we had to switch to a gas-operated jeep that took us down a steep hill. Finally, after waiting in line, a funicular took us to the base of the river. I would guess that it took at least 90 minutes before we were on the boat.
The boat ride was spectacular, and yes, we did get soaked. Below are a few pictures from the boat and a few videos spliced together. I did not take my camera on the boat ride as it is not waterproof. Instead, I risked my iPhone7, which is waterproof. That is why the pictures/video quality is not that good. Here is the direct link to the company that provided our boat ride.
Iguazu Falls Boat Ride Video
Some Other Iguazu Falls Tour Options - The Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
There are some other tours available as well. Below are some of the best looking tours. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of November 2023.
 Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Small Group Tour from Puerto Iguazu - $55.00 Admire the panoramic views of the Falls while strolling along the 0.6-mile walkway, with the infamous “Devil’s Throat” waiting for you at the very end. Join your guide on this small group for 2.5-hours of exploring one of nature's wonder. End the tour with a tax-free shopping experience at a duty-free store. |
 Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side Half Day Trip with Itaipu Dam Tour Option - $25.30 Visit the Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfalls system in the world, in this unique half-day tour. You will tour the Brazilian Side of the Falls which contains a 20% of the total jumps of the falls and the best panoramic views. |
 Brazilian Falls Bird Park and Itaipu Dam from Puerto Iguazu - $125.00 This tour offers the main activities of Foz do Iguaçu city departing from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina: the gorgeous waterfalls which are considered the second largest in the world; the Bird Park, a local center for the rescue and conservation of numerous species of birds; and the most powerful hydroelectric power plant in the world. |
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Returning to Argentina - Why I am Glad I Took a Tour of the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
The boat ride ended my tour of the Brazilian side. As we headed back to Argentina, we went through the same process, but in reverse. First, we parked at Brazilian Immigration, got out of the car, and walked to passport control. There, we received our exit stamps. Next, we had to regain entry to Argentina. Once again, having a guide came in handy as we were able to use a special lane bypassing close to 500 cars. Milene said it would have been at least a two-hour wait without the fast lane access.
When we re-entered Argentina, the Russian passenger had difficulty with passport control. The agent kept claiming that she needed a visa, which she didn’t have. She kept explaining that she had already been granted access to Argentina without one as she arrived by air from Russia (via Helsinki.). A supervisor was called, and a few minutes later she was granted access. I was dropped off at my hotel a few minutes later, around 5 pm.
Conclusions
Whatever you do, be sure that you visit both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls. They are equally unique and spectacular. I recommend hiring a guide for the side opposite of where you are staying and going on your own to the side you are staying in. So if you are staying in Argentina, do the Argentina side solo and hire a guide for Brazil. If you are staying in Brazil, do the Brazilian side solo and hire a guide for the Argentina side. Iguazu Falls is an amazing place, and I am so glad I chose to visit.
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