Iguazu Falls have to be seen to be believed. As a professional photographer, it upsets me to write this, but a picture or video that captures the majesty of these beautiful waterfalls has not been taken. If you plan on visiting Iguazu Falls Brazil with Kids, then you will surely experience as a family something you will keep with you forever.
Foz De Iguazu is the main town next to the falls on the Brazilian side. Since our first visit here back in 2008, this once-sleepy part of the world has had an awakening. Back then, Foz was a tiny, one-horse town. You came, saw the incredible falls, and left.
Since then, investment has poured in. There has been an explosion of new hotels and attractions, including water and wildlife parks, helicopter tours, motor museums, and shopping centres. For better or worse, it now feels like a mini-Orlando, but it does mean there is more than enough here to fill a week with children.
Getting To Iguazu Falls Brazil with Kids
There are several ways to get to Foz De Iguazu. Coming from the Brazilian side, there are no shortages of companies that run buses from Rio and Sao Paolo. If you are coming from the Argentine side, you must get a coach to Purto Iguazu and cross the border (more on that later). You can check out our guide to surviving South American bus journeys here.
While we have enjoyed a few long-distance bus journeys with our children, we decided that a 17-hour bus journey with our kids from Sao Paolo was probably a bit much at such an early stage in our trip! Instead, we took a short flight, which was a better fit for us. The flight was only a couple of hours and surprisingly cheap as it was internal.
Landing in a new place with children can be stressful, so we pre-booked a transfer from the airport through our hostel for 70 Reals. However, if you have the patience, the 120 bus takes you directly from the airport down into town (this is the same bus route that takes you to the falls)
Where To Stay With Kids In Foz De Iguazu
Foz Du Iguassu is a perfect base to access the falls from both sides and explore all the other local attractions. However, the town itself is rather charmless.
This is not to say that it does not have all the amenities you need for a very pleasant stay with your kids. There is a huge range of accommodation for all tastes and budgets, from friendly hostels for 120 Reals a night to hotels with access to a water park for 1,600 Reals a night.
There is also a huge range of eateries, from the typical fast-food joints to some really unique and delicious local restaurants. Two of our favourites were Empório com Arte, which offered a traditional Brazilian menu in a quirky Bo-Ho setting. The food was genuinely fantastic; even the kid’s options were well above the classic chicken nuggets and chips! We also had a great birthday meal at Bendito – Bar e Restaurante, where we had an excellent steak and a bottle of wine.
There are plenty of supermarkets in town; the big one in the centre, Supermafarto, was well stocked but was on the pricey end.
It is also worth mentioning that after the chaos of Rio and the hustle and bustle of Sao Paulo, Foz felt very safe in comparison. It was the first time we really started to relax whilst travelling with children.
Iguazu Falls Brazil with Kids – Beware Pointless Intermediaries
Before we move on to all the amazing things to do with Kids in Foz, one word of warning: for everything listed below, try to book directly with the tour company, as it will be much cheaper. Many useless intermediary companies around Iguaçu Falls put themselves between you and the vendor to jack up the prices and add a commission without adding any value to you. Culprits to avoid include (the once great) Trip Advisor, Trivago, GetYourGuide and Viator, but there are many more.
We have seen these vendors offer ticket prices more than double the cost of booking directly, as well as additional admin fees and other pointless charges.
I have included direct links to the company where possible so you can o get the best deal and know what you can expect to pay.
We also booked several of our tickets through our accommodation as their prices were the same as booking directly, which helped bypass any language barriers we may have had.
Crossing The Brazilian/Argentine Border
If you plan to cross the border in either direction with kids, we recommend doing it by taxi around mid-afternoon rather than by coach or private car. This is not the cheapest way but it is the quickest and least stressful.
When you cross the border between Puerto Iguazu and Foz de Iguazu, there are two bottlenecks: the queue of vehicle traffic waiting to get to the border and the queue of human traffic waiting to get their passport stamped.
Substantial queues of private vehicles can form on both sides of the border, but taxis and coaches have an express lane going both ways to skip those waiting.
For such a busy and important crossing, we expected to find a hoard of border officers ready to speedily process the large number of tourists and locals who cross daily. Instead, there seemed to be a maximum of two, and they were happy to take their sweet time about it all.
If you cross in a coach, you may skip the traffic, but it means you must wait in the queue at passport control with your fellow passengers while you are processed. If you cross in a taxi, it should just be your family.
Also, we would not recommend crossing early in the morning as this is when the day trip tour buses all come through. This mass influx can lead to long queues and a wait of over an hour.
We crossed mid-afternoon by Taxi, which took us no more than 15 minutes in total to enter Argentina and cost us 150 Reals for the private taxi driver to take us.
Things To Do in Iguazu Falls Brazil with Kids
Iguazu Falls National Park
Let us start with why we are all here – Iguazu Falls!
I am not going to try and put into words how genuinely awesome (in the traditional sense of the word) the falls are. Suffice it to say that the spectacular views mean a visit here will be a highlight of any trip to South America and something you will never forget. There is a reason that it is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, and visiting it with children will be etched into their memories for a lifetime.
We recommend booking tickets for the Brazilian side of the falls in advance if you want to go early to beat the heat. The earliest tickets are at 8.30, but these can sell out days in advance. Finding the right website to book can be tricky as so many tour companies are jostling for the top slot, but this is the official one. Alternatively, you can usually book from your hotel.
Anyone who is not Brazilian will pay 83 Reals each for their entrance ticket; children under 6 are free. Otherwise, you pay full price.
If you don’t want to go early, consider heading to the park around 3 pm. The park shuts at 6, but it does mean you catch the falls during the golden hour, and it is quieter. That said, it may well still be very hot and humid.
Getting to the Falls visitor center is simple. A taxi from Foz de Iguazu to Iguazu National Park will cost about 50 Reals, or you can catch the number 120 bus, which goes directly to the park for 5 Reals per person. The bus is comfy and air-conditioned, not one of the hideous sweatboxes we experienced in Rio!
If you do catch the bus back to town, please be aware that it fills up around 17.30 with people finishing their shifts at all the hotels along the route.
Once you arrive at the park entrance, a large, purpose-built entrance lodge with toilets and refreshments is available. From here, you can either walk the Black Well (Poco Preto) hiking trail to the falls or board a shuttle bus that drives through the park to the start of the Cataratas Trail. We did not attempt the trail with the kids due to the heat, but if you have the energy, it is a chance to see some of this park’s incredible flora and fauna.
The Cataratas Trail on the Brazilian side of the falls is a little over a kilometre and easy to walk. Along the way, there are plenty of toilets, cafes, and places to stop if you have brought a picnic.
If you are bringing a pram, there are some steps to contend with. Alternatively, you can stay on the bus to the trail’s end and use the access ramp to get down to the falls, but you will miss a lot doing that.
As you walk along the path, several viewpoints overlook this UNESCO site, which gets progressively more impressive until you reach the observation deck near The Devil’s Throat that stretches out over the rushing water next to the thundering falls. The funny thing is that near our home in the UK there is an attraction called The Devil’s Arse, so we feel like we have seen both ends of him now!
This last gantry offers a dizzying up-close view of The Devil’s Throat, the largest waterfall in the park, and all the way up the Iguazu River. The sheer quantity of water is staggering, and you cannot help but be amazed by the spectacle and the people who built it!
A poncho or other substantial waterproof is a must for this bit of the falls; otherwise, you will be soaked to the skin! I mean, we ended up soaked anyway, but without them, we would have been bedraggled!
Keep in mind that the sheer noise and volume of water here can be intimidating to younger children. Our girls made it to the end of the walkway, but we very quickly doubled back to dry land as they found it pretty overwhelming.
Once you reach the end of the route, you can then catch a coach back to the main entrance. We spent 2 hours on the actual falls and had an amazing time.
The Brazilian side of the falls is incredible to see, if somehow a bit too well organized. It is a strange complaint, but you feel a little like luggage at an airport here, being swept along without much choice. Certainly, it is worth seeing, but the Argentine side feels more organic.
Macuco Safari and Boat Ride
The Macuco Safari and Boat Tour is an entertaining diversion that really gets you up close to the falls!
The Safari is about halfway between the visitor’s centre and the falls, and the shuttle bus stops there going both ways. It costs a steep 386 Reals per person, with no discount for kids. You don’t book a time slot, so you may have to wait for a turn on peak season.
Also, the ticket price does not include the entry fee to the park. That needs to be purchased separately.
To be brutally honest, the safari part of the excursion is underwhelming. You sit on a glorified golf buggy as the guide points at different trees; then you take a short, slippery hiking trail where you catch a glimpse of what we ended up calling “the forbidden pineapple” – a fruit it is illegal to eat or take out the park.
Calling it a “safari” is taking liberties with the English language; at best, it is a short stroll through some tropical forest. I imagine the chances of seeing any animals are vanishingly close to zero. We did spot some monster ants, though! Its only redeeming feature was that Georgia and Eva enjoyed it.
For this bit, make sure you have put on some insect repellent and shoes with good grips. As you would expect, the forest is full of biting and stinging critters and the path is slippery.
This excursion suddenly becomes worthwhile during the boat trip! The skipper takes you right up to the falls, and being so close gives you a sense of the sheer scale of the thing!
The boat trip is quite short, probably only 15 minutes, but it is genuinely incredible. The approach along the river is fast and fun, with some great views. You then stop at the base of the falls, where you get a chance to take photos. After this, the skipper has fun zipping around while drenching you in the spray.
Before you board the boat, you can hire a locker for 10 Reals to leave your bags. A poncho or equivalent is also absolutely essential unless you want to get soaked to the skin!
Upon your return, you can buy photos and videos of the trip. We took our own GoPro, which did a great job catching the action. You do need a selfie stick because if you are sitting at the back of the boat, you do not get a great view forward.
After you have returned your life jackets, you can buy some of the photos they have taken on the ride, and then you are ushered back onto the electric golf buggy and taken back to the main bus route. From start to finish, the safari and boat trip probably takes a little over ninety minutes to do. There are toilets and a gift shop that does refreshments here and another gift shop with toilets as you board the boat.
Helisul Helicopter Tour
If you want to make it the ultimate family trip, this is worth a look. We normally wouldn’t do anything so indulgent, but it was a treat for Adrian’s birthday, as none of us had been in a helicopter before! The tours are run by a comapny called Helisul and helipad is just outside the park and easily walkable 5 mins from the main visitors centre.
The bird’s eye views from the helicopter are incredible and it is the only way to see the entire falls in one go.
A couple of words of warning with this trip – as you would expect, it is very loud when you board and leave the helicopter, which might be a bit much for some children.
Secondly, of all the excursions we have seen, this has some crazy markups by the pointless intermediary companies. We paid about 600 Reals each (£100) when we booked directly, but we saw the same trip advertised at £250 on Trip Advisor.
It truly was the most amazing way to finish our day at the Brazilian side of the falls. Aside from the excitement of being up in a helicopter, the sheer impressiveness of the falls from the air is unrivalled by any other view!
Parque das Aves – Bird Park
Visiting Parque das Aves in Foz De Iguaçu with kids promises an engaging and educational experience. Just a stone’s throw from the main visitors centre to Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side, it offers an immersive and up-close journey into the vibrant world of exotic birds.
The park boasts a diverse collection of over 1,000 birds, and Kids can marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours as toucans, macaws, and parrots fly freely in spacious aviaries. Entry costs 80 Reals for anyone over 8 years old, 7 and under are free.
The park’s design prioritizes the birds’ well-being while allowing visitors, especially children, to observe and appreciate these magnificent creatures in a near-natural environment.
One of the most thrilling features for kids is walking in the treetops. Elevated walkways take visitors through the forest canopy, offering a unique perspective of birds in their natural habitat. It’s a memorable experience for children, allowing them to feel like they are part of the tropical ecosystem.
The family-friendly park has pram-friendly paths, plenty of bathrooms, and comfortable seating. There are a few places in the park to buy food, snacks and drinks and some great places to enjoy a picnic if you want to bring some food in
Blue Park Foz – Waterpark
If you are looking for an enjoyable, easy day out and don’t mind being moderately ripped off, Blue Park Foz is a great option for kids under 12.
The park is just a short drive from the centre of Foz (15 Reals in a taxi). An adult ticket costs 220 Reals, and a child’s ticket costs 110. You can book here.
There are also a number of other charges when you arrive; a locker will cost 30 Reals for the day, and parking is 50 Reals. Astonishingly, there are also activities in the park not included in the ticket price, such as airsoft target shooting and a zipline. Adults are issued a wristband to charge drinks and food and settle the bill when they leave.
Extortionate prices aside, the park is very well run. The facilities are excellent, and the staff are helpful. Most importantly, Georgia and Eva had a great time there.
The water park has three separate areas. A shallow pool for young children, a giant adventure playground of slides and water sprays perfect for children up to 12, and two fast water slides.
A lazy river was also a huge hit with the girls.
Another well-reviewed water park called Acquamania Foz is just 5 minutes up the road, which, sadly, we did not get the chance to visit. It works out cheaper at 140 Reals per adult and 63 Reals for kids and offers mid-week discounts. If you go an it is great then let us know in the comments below!
PAS Official Street Art Tour
If you want a simple (and free) excursion, the talented local street artist Pas has a self-guided walking tour of his works. His talent has cheered up parts of this pretty soleless town with incredible art displays.
A local map is available, highlighting some of his best work, which can be found at The Tetris Hostel reception. We were lucky enough that he was part of a food, art and music festival just outside our accommodation the day we arrived. Georgia was fascinated when she watched him in action and posed for some photos with her new hero!
In total, the walking tour takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Movie Cars
Movie Cars is an entertaining distraction and a great place to escape the afternoon heat, but it is probably best suited for teenagers rather than kids under 10. While the exhibit is well-run, Georgia and Eva had no clue what movie 95% of the cars were from. We adults had a great time, however!
Tickets cost 80 Reals per adult and 40 Reals per child.
Have We Missed Anything To Do In Iguazu Falls Brazil with Kids
Overall we spent 3 full days in Foz du Iguassu and loved our time in this unforgettable place with our children.
Although a little bland, Foz is a pretty safe town that is easy to navigate on foot and by bus. It may not have great architecture or history, but there is plenty to occupy everyone beyond the amazing falls.
If there are any highlights we have missed, then please let us know in the comments below!
