Things to see and do Chutes d'Iguazu

Opposite the entrance to the Iguaçu National Park, the Bird Park reconstitutes, in situ, a fragment of the formidable wealth of local biodiversity and presents birds, butterflies, or snakes evolving in a spectacular environment. One can admire the magnificent macaws, or toucans, symbols of Iguaçu. This 16-hectare park, opened in 1994, has 600 birds of 150 species. Efforts have been made to rebuild their ecological niche, although it may be reminiscent of a zoo. This visit is magnificent and indispensable, to be combined with the visit to the falls, shortly afterwards.

This natural park, recently built with the aim of awakening consciences on the preservation of local flora and fauna, brings together various animal and plant species in the region and other parts of the globe (USA, Australia, Africa…). The visit begins with various reptiles, smaller snakes, the most venimous to the gigantic boa constrictor, passing through iguanas and crocodiles over 3 meters long. The visit continues with a sphere where hundreds of butterflies and plants in the region are cohabiting in the life cycle of these small beasts whose colors are astonishing. However, during our last visit in December 2017, animals were struggling (small enclosures, very dark cages, visibly weakened animals). Efforts should be made to promote animal living conditions.

You can visit the Itaipu complex by bus, to be coupled with the falls on the Brazilian side. The Conjunto C or Itaipu Dam buses go there from the bus terminal in the center (R$ 3.20, 30 min). Installed on the Rio Paraná which separates Brazil from Paraguay, the Itaipu Dam is gigantic. It is 7.7 km long and stands 196 m high. It has 20 turbines. The last two turbines went into operation in 2007.

A bi-national project, the plant produces 91% of the electrical energy consumed in Paraguay and meets 25% of the demand of the entire Brazilian market.

In May 1974, the Itaipu Treaty led to the creation of the binational Itaipu entity, whose purpose is to build and manage the plant. The first Itaipu generating unit began producing electricity in May 1984. Thus, 10 turbines were assigned to Brazil and 10 others to Paraguay.

Today, Itaipu is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world (even if it is no longer the largest dam since the Three Gorges Dam in China), which is why it was included in the ranking of the seven wonders of the technological world by the American magazine Popular Mechanics. The classic tour (2 hours) consists of the viewing of a documentary film in Portuguese or English. The special tour (over 14 years old, in small groups) includes a visit of the turbines with a technician, in the heart of the dam, but also the panoramic visit.

The eco-museum traces the history of the dam, from the first populations who lived there in prehistoric times to the arrival of the Guarani Indians in the region. We learn a lot about the natural ecosystems that live here and the different animal species.

The biological sanctuary shelters some animals saved before the flooding of the region when the dam was created. You can see the famous jaguar, if you are lucky! Count 2 hours for 2 km of walking in a beautiful nature, in company of the animals displaced following the construction of the dam which are in semi-liberty. It is not always easy to see them, and when it rains or is too windy the sanctuary is closed, as the animals are protecting themselves.

Tip : if you only plan to visit the panoramic tour and the eco-museum, you should know that on the Paraguay side the visit is free! It's a bit of an adventure to get there, but the experience is nice. On the other hand, if you want to visit the biological sanctuary, you will have to go to the visitors center of Foz de Iguaçu, on the Brazilian side.

This is where the Iguaçu River, into which the eponymous falls flow further upstream, joins the immense Parana River, the river that is further exploited by the binational Itaipu Dam between Paraguay and Brazil. Here we come to see the junction of the three borders: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Like Puerto Iguazú, whose centre is nearby, Foz has set up a new space to attract visitors to this corner away from the centre.

There is another religious building in Iguaçu. A Buddhist temple, with about 120 Chinese statues, was built in 1996 by the Chinese communities of the triple border to provide the region with a place of prayer. It is frequented for its religious use. Among the most remarkable statues, a 7 m high statue of a seated Buddha, and 18 of Buddha's disciples including Kalika, Nantimitolo and Kanakavatsa. A little far from the center, we go there for the stroll, the originality of the place and the sight on the triple border from the heights.

One cannot pass to Iguaçu without seeing the big domes of the mosque Omar Ibn al Khattab. This religious building is at the height of the second Arab community of the country, constituted in majority by Siro-Lebanese. It was built in the early 1980s. The architecture is impressive to the layman and the interior is decorated with arabesques and inscriptions from the Koran. It is necessary to take off one's shoes and wear appropriate clothing. May 12 in Foz is the day of the Muslim community. There is an Arab market and many restaurants in Foz.