Things to do in  Foz do Iguacu

Iguaçu Falls (or Iguazú Falls) are famously shared between three nations: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay (which doesn't actually claim any part of the falls, only the rivers). Though the actual border lies unmarked at the deepest part of the confluence of the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers, all three nations have erected monuments overlooking the spot.

Set near the convergence of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, Itaipu Dam (Barragem de Itaipu) is considered one of the World’s Seven Modern Wonders, clocking in at 4.5-miles (7.2-kilometers) long and 65 stories high. With a maximum flow up to 40 times more powerful than nearby Iguassu (Iguaçu) Falls, the dam’s hydroelectric power plant produces roughly 20 percent of Brazil’s electricity.

What do you do when you’re in rural Argentina? Feast on churrasco and enjoy a lively dance show, of course. Just across the Brazilian border in Foz do Iguaçu, the Rafain Churrascaria dinner show gives a flamboyant introduction to Central and South American music, dress, and dance, alongside an all-you-can-eat churrasco buffet.

The Dreamland Wax Museum (aka Dreamland Foz), the largest of its kind in Brazil, houses more than 70 life-size wax figures. Get up close and personal with representations of Pope John Paul II, Madonna, Charlie Chaplin, Neymar Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, and many more.

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu has many highlights, but the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo) section of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguacu Falls is a top contender. It's one of South America’s most spectacular natural sights and a compelling reason to visit the park and Foz do Iguacu. Walk to the falls via the 0.7-mile (1.2-kilometer) Trilha das Cataratas (Waterfall Trail).

One of Latin America’s largest Ferris wheels, the Yup Star Ferris Wheel boasts views of the intersection of the Brazilian, Argentinian, and Paraguayan borders; it’s one of the few places on the continent where you can see three countries from a single vantage point. Plus, air-conditioned carriages provide respite from the tropical and humid climate of Foz do Iguacu.

The source of the Iguaçu Falls—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South America’s top natural attractions—the Iguaçu River crosses part of Brazil and Argentina. The section of the river rushing from the falls is powerful enough to harness hydroelectric energy, through the Itaipu Dam, and parts of it are also navigable in different types of boats. You can explore it on a trip departing from Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil.

An important part of Foz do Iguaçu’s diverse cultural heritage, the white Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab is a brilliant example of Islamic architecture. Plus, it boasts the accolade of being the second-largest mosque in Latin America. A huge dome is flanked by two towering minarets, and inside the mosque, there are information exhibits about Islamic culture and history.

Famous for its fluted roof and ultra-modern architecture, Catedral Diocesana Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe is one of Foz do Iguacu’s most prominent attractions. Dedicated to the Virgin of Guadeloupe, the patron saint of Latin America, the religious building is a marvel to behold and offers panoramic views from its hilltop perch at the city’s highest point.

This elegant example of neo-Gothic architecture-- easily Brazil's finest-- might seem more at home in Medieval France than the rainforests of the New World. The graceful symphony of peaked arches and delicately rendered towers, built between 1928 and 1932, overlook Getúlio Vargas Square in Santa Cruz do Sul.

Located at Itaipu Dam (Barragem de Itaipu), one of the largest providers of hydroelectric energy on the planet, Itaipu Biological Refuge is dedicated to rescuing and researching the wildlife of this tropical region. Animals inhabiting the area include jaguars, harpy eagles, marsh deer, monkeys, snakes, anteaters, and skunks.