One accessible tour and which also makes it possible to visit two other neighboring countries: Paraguay and Argentina. Did you get excited? Check below the itinerary I did on my last trip to Foz de Iguaçu, in Paraná.
arrival day
We arrived in Foz do Iguaçu on Friday afternoon and we had already booked the transfer with the company Loumar, who were punctually waiting for us at the airport with an adapted van with elevator to take us to the hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Bella Itália in an adapted, spacious room with a bathroom, previously requested at the time of booking.
The same day we arrived, we went to the spectacular light show at Itaipu Dam at night. All accessible, starts with an adapted bus ride and has an access ramp to reach the place where we watched the show. In addition, they explain about the dam and put on exciting music. The bathroom is also adapted.
Lighting takes place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the website and people with disabilities pay half-price.
Finally, we had dinner at the restaurant of the Hotel Bella Italia, where we were staying. On the menu, a delicious pasta dish, with an incredible variety of cheeses.
First day
We took advantage of the fact that it was Saturday – a quieter day – to visit Ciudad Del Este, in Paraguay. City that borders Brazil, it is necessary to present only a Brazilian document to enter.,
Our first stop was at Shopping Del Este, where we found a wide variety of technology products, perfumery and household items. Then, we took the elevator and headed towards Shopping Paris.
The way there was not an easy one. For those who don’t know, Ciudad Del Este, in the shopping area, has many slopes, narrow sidewalks and steps. But for me, it was nothing out of this world, it just needed a little help in the wheelchair.
Shopping Paris is very similar to the Brazilian ones, with large stores and a food court. On the 3rd floor, the most famous store is Shopping China, which has dozens of departments that sell everything from imported wines and food, to electronics, eyewear, makeup, perfumes, toys and clothes. It is worth remembering that prices are in dollars, so you need to research before buying.
Important detail: both malls have an elevator and an adapted bathroom inside the common bathroom.
On our way back to Brazil, we took the opportunity to visit the Churrascaria Búfalo Branco, which has an entrance ramp, a table that fits the chair and, best of all, a meat that I will never forget and a service that made me feel at home.
Second day
No bird park – park that does a beautiful job of preserving the birds of the Atlantic Forest – a nice surprise: the place has accessibility throughout its route, in addition to an adapted bathroom. There, visitors have the opportunity to live an immersive experience of connection with animals. An indispensable attraction.
After Parque das Aves, we set off for the great star of Foz, the Iguacu National Park, where the famous and impressive waterfalls are located. The park has the largest set of waterfalls in the world! In other words, it goes without saying that it is “mandatory” to know.
The park is very well prepared to receive people with disabilities and the elderly. It has ramps, elevators, buses and adapted restrooms and even a kind of cable car to Macuco Safari, one of the park’s attractions. The view is beautiful, the connection with nature renews us and even in a wheelchair you can enjoy the tour.
A tip is to have lunch at the Porto Canoas Restaurant, inside the Iguaçu National Park. In addition to the great food, an incredible view of the Falls awaits you. For both parks, the best option is to buy tickets in advance via the website – which avoids long lines.
To close the day, we went to dinner at Rafain Churrascaria Show and we love it. The atmosphere is very lively and prepared to receive wheelchair users, with a flat entrance and tables at a good height. With a unique price, it is possible to eat all you want – the food is super tasty – and also to watch the typical music shows. We bought dinner on the website in advance.
Third day
We decided to take a complete tour of the Itaipu power plant and discover all its attractions. The Itaipu Dam is a huge hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River, between Brazil and Paraguay, and visiting it brought us a lot of knowledge about the construction, operation and division between the countries – and we also took the opportunity to check out a beautiful view of the Mirante Central .
The Plant is very interesting and the route is made with an adapted bus with a ramp.
Fourth day
We went to Puerto Iguazu, a nice city in the country of our brothers, Argentina. Bordering Brazil, it is great for buying dulce de leche, Argentine wines, olive oils and alfajores. Once there, take the opportunity to taste a real Argentinian grill for lunch.
Since no one can resist a little shopping, we spent the afternoon at the Duty Free Puerto Iguazu, where we found perfumes, drinks, chocolates, electronics and much more. To enter, accessible parking, elevators and restrooms.
On the way back, we took the opportunity to visit the Marco das Três Fronteiras, which has a beautiful view of the three countries: Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, it is really worth watching the sunset.
Fifth day
We went to meet the Argentine Falls, and if the Brazilian side is beautiful, the Argentine side is much more. The tour lasts all day and is very tiring and the best alternative is to hire a tour guide.
We left the hotel very early and stopped at a currency exchange so we could make the Câmbio, as the park only accepts Argentine pesos (local currency).
For wheelchair users, the park provides a more reinforced wheelchair, but I preferred to use my own. The floor is made of pebbles and in some places there is an iron platform, but I had no problem. Of the five routes available, we made the two that are accessible.
The tour starts by train, which offers, in the last car, a place to accommodate and secure the wheelchair. The path cuts through the entire park and takes us close to Garganta do Diabo, where the walk or “round” in my case begins. We arrived close to the Falls and took a shower with the drizzle, which was exciting, because there we really felt the force of the universe.
We got back on the train and more walking on the second trail, which is immense and beautiful. In the park, the accessible restrooms are inside the common restroom.
My trip is over, but I’m left with a taste for more. As I do the tours slower, without so much rush, some attractions in the city were missing, such as the Wax Museum, the Valley of the Dinosaurs, the Wonders of the World Collection and Dreams Ice Bar, Casino Iguazú, Helicopter tour in the Falls, the Muslim Mosque and the Budhist temple. I can’t wait to take a complete tour of Foz do Iguaçu!
Reference: CNN Brasil
