A former Brazilian kayaking champion, Massimo Desiati has been running adventure tours in Brazil since the early 1990s. His company Cânion Iguaçu holds the first and still only concession for adventure tourism inside a protected area in Brazil at Iguassu National Park. His company offers rock climbing and rappelling in full view of the famous Iguassu Falls, white water rafting on the Iguassu River, and a tree-top obstacle course nearby. Desiati is also the technical director of the Brazilian Adventure Tourism Trade Association, which is working with the federal government to improve safety standards and implement a certification scheme for operators.
Here’s Massimo’s short list of tips for visitors to the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
Foz de Iguassu at a Glance
A border city with a mixture of races and plenty of influence from Argentina and Paraguay.
Favorite Restaurantes
Empório da Gula
Av. Brasil, 1441 - Centro
Telephone: 3574-6191
Brazilian contemporary
Armazém
Rua Edmundo de Barros, 446 - Centro
Telephone: 3572-7422
bar & restaurant
Pizzaria Onofre
Rua Ipatinga, 398 - Parque Imperatriz district
Telephone: 3526-1683
pizza
Zaragoza Restaurante
Rua Quintino Bocaiúva, 882 – Centro
Telefone: 3574-3084
Spanish
La Rueda Argentina
Av. Córdoba 28, Puerto Iguazú - on the Argentinean side
Telephone: 422531
meat, fish and Italian
Snacks
Barbarela
Av. Brasil, 1119 - Centro
Telephone: 3523-2252
sandwiches and juices
Bars
Capitão Bar
Av. Jorge Schimmelpfeng 288 – Centro
Telephone: 3572-1512
Alohaa
Av. Paraná, 60 - Centro
Telephone: 3574-1950
Botequim (local bar)
The one across the street from UDC college (UDC is located at Rua Castelo Branco, 349)
Bakery
Confeitaria Jauense
Av. Juscelino Kubitschek, 117 – Centro
Telephone: 3523-1621
Ice Cream Parlor
Oficina do Sorvete
Rua Jorge Schimmelpfeng, 244 – Centro
Telephone: 3572-1772
pay by the kilo
Park or Square
Praça do Mitre
Newspaper and Magazine Stand
Loja Caruso
Av. Juscelino Kubitscheck – Centro
Telephone: 3574-3831
City Tour
In addition to the obligatory visits to the falls, the Itaipu Dam Eco Museum. Telephone: 3520-5816
Not Recommended
Be careful with the favelas (shantytowns) near the Paraná River
Emblematic Person
Alberto Santos Dumont - The Father of Aviation visited the region in 1916 and subsequently lobbied the Brazilian government to create the Iguassu National Park.
Favorite Hotel
Mabu Thermas & Resort
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