Day One
Take an early morning flight from São Paulo to Iguazu, landing just in time for a 10 AM check-in at the Sanma Hotel. This charming hotel is perfectly located—a mere 5-minute stroll to the Bird Park and a 10-minute walk to the breathtaking Iguazu National Park.
If you’re a nature enthusiast, the Bird Park is an absolute must-visit! Home to a dazzling array of colorful, endangered birds, this park immerses you in their natural habitat. Nestled within the lush forest, it feels as though you’re stepping into a hidden jungle where birdwatching dreams come true. Expect to spend around two hours marveling at these magnificent creatures.
After your visit to the Bird Park, we had initially planned to explore the Itaipu Dam, roughly a 30-minute taxi ride away. However, upon arrival, we discovered that it was no longer accepting visitors. A word of caution: the visitor center stops admitting guests by 4 PM ⚠️. If you wish to see the dam, note that individual tours aren’t permitted. Instead, you can opt for the evening session at 7 PM, where you’ll enjoy a guided night tour along with a mesmerizing light show illuminating the dam.
Choosing not to wait, I decided to experience the enchanting Night Tour of Iguazu Falls instead. Tickets are available on the official website of Iguazu National Park (Noite nas Cataratas + Jantar de Massas), priced at 265 reais, including a delicious pasta dinner. This magical event takes place only on Saturday evenings and is highly recommended if your schedule allows.
With fewer visitors around, you’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to witness the falls glowing under a starlit sky—an experience nothing short of extraordinary.
Day Two
On the second day, return to Iguazu National Park at 9:30 AM. Be prepared for a potentially long queue to enter the park. After some deliberation, I opted for the VIP Pass, spending 59 reais for priority access to board the park bus within five minutes. Pro tip: if you’re planning to purchase the VIP Pass, consider buying it online in advance—it’s 10 reais cheaper than purchasing it on-site.
Once aboard the park bus, alight at the second stop and embark on a scenic 30-minute walk down to the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat. To be honest, having seen the falls under the starry sky the previous night, the daytime panoramic view wasn’t quite as captivating—but still undeniably stunning.
After reaching the falls, take the bus back to the previous stop to join the Macuco Safari boat tour. Opt for the thrilling “wet” option if you dare—you’ll definitely get soaked, especially if seated at the front, so packing a change of clothes is wise. Despite the scorching daytime temperatures reaching up to 31 degrees, the water from the falls remains refreshingly cool.
You’ll likely spend around 5-6 hours exploring Iguazu National Park during the day, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
