This is the day for people who want the falls and the forest around them, with very little time in the car. The bird park and the national park sit on opposite sides of the same road. This guide helps you book the two in the right order, plan lunch, judge the season, and decide whether to stretch the day with a boat.
How the two parks fit
Parque das Aves is a bird park in the forest opposite the national park gate. Its work centres on the birds of the Atlantic Forest, and you walk through its aviaries rather than looking in from outside. It opens every day at 08:30, half an hour before the national park on weekdays. That is why the day starts with birds.
The falls come next. You cross the road, buy or show your ticket at the visitor centre, and the park bus takes you to the start of the Falls Trail. The trail runs about a kilometre and a half along the canyon and ends on a walkway over the river, facing the Devil's Throat. Lunch is at Porto Canoas, the next bus stop, above the falls. You are back at your hotel by about 15:00.
Because the two parks are so close, nearly all of your eight hours are spent on foot or at a table, not on the road.
Tickets and the time slot
Neither entrance is in the tour price, which covers the car, the driver, fuel, tolls and parking. The tickets for the bird park and the national park are separate, and so is lunch.
The national park sells tickets online only, each for a date and a time slot. Our day reaches its visitor centre at about 10:45, so book a slot close to that. The slot fixes when you go in, not when you leave, and the park stays open until 17:30. Each visitor shows a photo document with the ticket, so bring ID for the adults. Unused tickets are not refunded, but you can change the date or time from your account.
Lunch above the falls
Canoas Mirim, the restaurant at Porto Canoas, is a buffet open every day from 12:00 to 16:00, and you need a park ticket to reach it. Our lunch stop is at about 13:15, inside those hours. There is also a quicker food court at Porto Canoas.
Keep an eye on your plate. Coatis live around the trail and the eating areas, and they come up to anyone with food. The park asks visitors not to feed them, or any other animal, and to watch them from a distance. Keep children's snacks out of sight.
The season for wildlife
Foz do Iguaçu has a subtropical climate: hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring, from late September, is when the national park's forest changes most.
The park's own notes for spring describe toucans feeding on the extra fruit, hummingbirds following the flowers, guans gathering in flocks with their chicks, and trogons calling and nesting. The ipê trees flower and colour the forest. The park also holds about 800 species of butterfly, and they are most active in sunny, open places such as the trails.
So the morning with captive birds can turn into an afternoon spotting wild ones. Bring the binoculars if you have them.
Spring is also when the river can run high. When the flow is too strong, the park closes the walkway to the Devil's Throat while the Falls Trail stays open. Check the park's notices the day before.
Bringing children
This is the Foz day that works best for families. Both parks are walks on paths, with no border to cross. The bird park is the part most children remember.
- The Falls Trail has stairs. With a wheelchair, or for anyone who struggles with steps, stay on the park bus to the last stop, Porto Canoas, and take the panoramic lift down to the walkway. Standard wheelchairs can be borrowed free at the visitor centre.
- Pack sun cream, insect repellent and water, all on the national park's list, and closed shoes for the trails.
- Bring a light rain cape or dry clothes for the children. Near the walkway the spray soaks people, and the park advises capes over umbrellas.
- Pets are not allowed in the national park.
The pick-up at 07:00 leaves time for breakfast on the way, which helps with small children. Because the car is yours, you can also shorten either park and head back early.
Adding the Macuco Safari
The Macuco Safari is a boat ride from inside the national park that goes close to the falls and under one. You get soaked. It is not included, the ticket is separate, and it needs about three extra hours once queues are counted. Tell us when you book and we will make the day longer.
If you add it, carry a full change of clothes and something waterproof for your phone, and think about the children's energy by the late afternoon.
Is this the right Foz day?
It suits a first visit with one day to spare, families, and anyone who cares as much about birds as about water. If you only want the falls, the Brazilian side half day is shorter. If you want to walk over the top of the falls, that is the Argentine side, on its own day. If you have already seen the falls, the Itaipu, Parque das Aves and Three Borders day keeps the birds and adds the dam. Our guide to the Iguaçu Falls tours compares the five.
Groups of more than 16 travel in two vehicles on one booking. Message us and we will price it.
Booking the day
Book your national park slot for late morning, keep a rain cape in the bag, and avoid Brazilian holiday weekends if your dates can move. You can cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up for a full refund; see our cancellation page. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the Iguaçu Falls and Parque das Aves tour page.
