Foz do Iguacu

Situated in the state of Paraná in Brazil, Foz do Iguaçu is the main jumping off point for the majestic Iguazu Falls. Named as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, this is the largest waterfall system on earth, with more than 275 cascades stretching across 2.7km. The city itself features landmarks like the striking Chen Tien Buddhist temple and the Itaipu Dam, one of the biggest hydroelectric plants in the world. 

After spending a magical day admiring the sheer grandeur of the Falls, you'll want a comforting base to return to. The hostels in Foz do Iguaçu certainly rise to the occasion, with outdoor pools, hammocks and air con to beat the tropical heat. Most Foz do Iguaçu hostels serve free Brazilian-style breakfasts, while others have on-site bars that shake up speciality drinks using cachaça (a local spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice). You can stay in a Foz do Iguaçu hostel fashioned entirely from recycled shipping containers, or find others that provide complimentary twice-daily transfers to the Falls.

Downtown Foz is dotted with traditional Brazilian barbecue joints called churrascaria. Vila Yolanda is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, with tree-lined streets named after its pioneers. Vila Maracanã is close to the city's main mall, Cataratas JL Shopping, as well as a cultural centre. For good transport links, Jardim Festugato in the northern part of town is a short walk from the Terminal de Transporte Urbano bus station.

Seeing the astonishing Iguazu Falls is a top priority for most travellers. Marvel at the 80m-high Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat) from afar, or try an exhilarating high-speed boat trip that goes right up to the thundering cascades. Next door to the Falls, the Parque das Aves is home to over 150 avian species including macaws and owls, as well as reptiles like boa constrictors and iguanas. Another popular attraction is the Three Borders Landmark, which marks the point where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.

When in Foz, the first thing to know is how to get to Iguaçu National Park. City buses travel between the Terminal de Transporte Urbano and the Brazilian side of the Falls, as well as Puerto Iguazú on the Argentinian side. If you're coming by plane, you can get a bus from the airport to the city in around 45 minutes. Long-distance buses arrive at the Rodoviária de Foz do Iguaçu bus station, located about 2.5km from the heart of town. From there, you can hop on another bus to downtown Foz.