How To Visit The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls From Puerto Iguazú
The Brazilian Side of Iguazu - At A Glance
- Best for: wide panoramic views + a different perspective of Iguazu Falls
- Time needed: about a half day for the main park (longer with add-ons)
- Crowds: expect heavy crowds on the main route and platforms
- Starting point: Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) with a day trip to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
Optional add-ons: Parque das Aves and the Macuco Safari boat ride
How I Took 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 Iguazú. I spent two days visiting the falls—first the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls, and then the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls the next day.
While it was easy to visit the Argentina side on my own, visiting the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls felt more complicated because of the border crossing and logistics. While researching transportation across the border, I found a local tour company called MMC Turismo Receptivo offering a day trip (about 6 to 8 hours). My tour included a guide, round-trip transportation from my hotel, and the Iguaçu National Park (Brazil side) entry fee.
I booked quickly and emailed the agency requesting pickup at my hotel in Puerto Iguazú. My pickup was scheduled for the morning, and the next day my driver arrived right on time. I was shocked to learn that my “group” ended up being just a driver, a tour guide, one other traveler, and me. It felt almost too good to be true.
Note: I’m describing my 2019 visit—hours, prices, and tour details can change, so double-check current information before you go.
What Was Included Vs. What Was Extra
The tour included entry to the national park on the Brazilian side, but it did not include Parque das Aves or the Macuco Safari boat ride. Both of those were optional add-ons that we paid for separately (either in Brazilian Reals, Argentinian pesos or by credit card).
How To Visit The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls From Puerto Iguazú - Table of Contents
- How I Took A Tour Of The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls
- Crossing the Border
- First Stop: Parque Das Aves (Optional Add-On)
- Entering Iguaçu National Park (Brazil Side)
- The Main Trail at Iguaçu National Park
- What To Bring For The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls
- Lunch
- Taking A Boat Ride Under Iguazu Falls (Macuco Safari)
- Brazilian Side Vs. Argentina Side: What Felt Different To Me
- Iguazu Falls Tours
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- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Crossing The Argentina–Brazil Border
As we drove toward Brazil, our guide prepared our passports and paperwork for leaving Argentina and entering Brazil.
Exiting Argentina
First up was passport control to exit Argentina. Exiting was easy because the booths were drive-through. Our driver presented our passports, rolled down the front and back windows, and we received our exit stamps quickly.
Entering Brazil
Entering Brazil was slightly more complicated because our driver had to park and then our guide walked us to passport control. Our guide stayed with us the entire time and handled the process. A few minutes later, our passports were stamped with a Brazil entry stamp, and we were back on the road.
First Stop: Parque Das Aves (Optional Add-On)
After crossing into Brazil, we made Parque das Aves our first stop. It worked perfectly as a morning visit before the falls, and it was fun being able to walk through the bird habitats and take photos up close.
Entering Iguaçu National Park (Brazil Side)
As we arrived at Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side, I was shocked to see the lines of people. There were huge crowds and multiple lines for different steps of the entry process. My guide explained that being with a guide helped us move through the entry process much faster. She had already purchased our tickets, which meant another line we didn’t have to stand in.
As we entered the park, our driver drove into the park as well and met us on the other side of the gate. Having our own driver meant we didn’t have to wait in another long line to catch the park transportation. On a day this busy, having a guide (and a driver) really paid off, because I’m not sure I would have been able to navigate everything efficiently on my own.
Iguazu Falls National Park (Brazil Side): The Main Trail
About 80% of Iguazu’s waterfalls are located on the Argentina side, with only about 20% on the Brazilian side. That difference matters, because each side feels completely different. The Argentinian side gives you more opportunities to explore and get close to the waterfalls. The Brazilian side is less about exploring and more about following the main route for panoramic views.
Panoramic Viewpoints Along The Route
On the Brazilian side, the trail follows one main visitor route with multiple viewing points. As you walk, you get wide views of the waterfalls across the canyon and a really clear sense of how massive the system is. It’s a different perspective than the Argentina side, and it’s absolutely worth seeing.
Devil’s Throat (Garganta Del Diablo / Garganta Do Diabo)
The highlight of the Brazilian side is the up-close access to Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo / Garganta do Diabo). The path ends at Devil’s Throat with an observation area that lets you feel the power of the water in a way that’s hard to describe.
When I reached this section, the only difficulty was navigating the crowds. There were hundreds of people trying to get to the edge of the platforms for the best views and photos. It took a while to work my way forward on a stretch of walkway that wasn’t very long—but once I finally reached the front, the view was worth it.
Elevator Vs. Stairs At The Exit
After Devil’s Throat, we had two options: wait in a long line to take the elevator, or walk up multiple flights of stairs to the exit. We took the stairs, and it wasn’t difficult. A few minutes later we were at the top, and this vantage point also gave us another great view back toward Devil’s Throat.
What To Bring For The Brazilian Side Of Iguazu Falls
- Passport (for the Argentina–Brazil border crossing)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water + sunscreen
- Rain jacket or poncho (the mist is real)
Dry bag or waterproof phone case (especially if you’re doing Macuco Safari)
Where To Eat Lunch At Iguazu Falls (Brazil Side)
It was approaching midday and we were hungry. There was a fast-food style restaurant near the exit area, and we took a break for lunch.
Not knowing much Portuguese, I pulled out Google Translate to make sense of the menu. I was trying to figure out if a combo was chicken or fish when Google Translate told me it was “parrot.” Then another combo translated to “jaguar.” It turned out the combos were named after animals common to the Iguazu area. The one I ordered was chicken, and that’s what I had for lunch.
Taking A Boat Ride Under Iguazu Falls (Macuco Safari)
Before heading back to Argentina, we had one final stop: a boat ride under the falls with Macuco Safari. This was one of the most intense ways to experience Iguazu because you don’t just see the waterfalls—you feel them.
What The Boarding Process Was Like
The process of getting onto the boat was more complicated than I expected. We had to take multiple forms of transportation and then wait in line before finally getting onto the river. From start to finish, it took a long time before we were actually on the boat.
Yes, You Get Soaked
The boat ride was spectacular, and yes, we got completely soaked. I did not take my camera on the boat ride because it isn’t waterproof. Instead, I used my iPhone 7 (which is water-resistant), so the picture and video quality isn’t as good as my normal camera photos. Below are a few pictures from the boat and a few videos spliced together.
Iguazu Falls Boat Ride Video
Brazilian Side Vs. Argentina Side: What Felt Different To Me
The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls felt more streamlined—one main route, big crowds in the key spots, and fewer places to wander off and explore. In exchange, the viewpoints are incredible, especially for wide panoramic views that show the falls as a whole. The Argentina side felt more immersive with multiple trails and more time right beside the cascades. If you’re choosing just one, Argentina gives you more variety, but Brazil is absolutely worth it for the “wow” perspective.
My Quick Take: Is The Brazilian Side Worth It?
For me, the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls was absolutely worth it. It’s a different experience than the Argentina side—less wandering and exploring, and more moving with the crowds along the main route—but the panoramic viewpoints and Devil’s Throat platforms make it a must if you have the time.
Iguazu Falls Tour Options (Brazilian Side)
Linked below are a variety of tours of the Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls from various operators. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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