Birds Park

Foz do Iguaçu has many attractions other than the Falls. One of them is the Birds Park. Created in 1994, the Bird Park is a zoo specialized in birds in Foz do Iguaçu that allows visitors to get in nurseries and have direct contact with over 900 birds of 130 species, many of them at risk of extinction. In large nurseries, integrated into the lush subtropical rainforest, are flying tropical birds and also other animals such as alligators, anacondas, pythons, marmosets and multicolored butterflies.

In the nurseries, the proximity to the birds is constant. Toucans, for example, more accustomed to humans, come close of visitors offering beautiful photos. The butterfly garden, where there is a great diversity of flowers, houses species of butterflies and hummingbirds too. The Bird Park, and meet visitors, develops and supports a series of studies aimed at the reproduction of the species in captivity and in the wild. To achieve the reproduction of some species, the researchers use many more resources. In the case of nursery flamingos, lots of mirrors, arranged in angles, give the impression that the population of this bird is much higher. The reason is that only the flamingos breed in large flocks, but as the number of individuals is small mirrors aim to circumvent nature.

Itaipu Dam

Another place that should be visited is the Itaipu Dam. If the Iguazu River hosts one of the seven wonders of nature, on the Paraná River, only 38 kilometers away, is one of the seven wonders of engineering, according to a list compiled by the Association of Civil Engineering of the United States, after listening to experts worldwide: the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, a joint venture of Brazilians and Paraguayans.

Responsible for almost 20% of all electricity consumption in Brazil and more than 90% of consumption Paraguayan Itaipu is gigantic in every way. The world’s largest volume of electric power generation, Itaipu dam is formed by an extension of 7919 meters and a maximum height of 196 meters, the equivalent of a building of 65 floors. Open to visitors in 1977, when it was still in the works, the Itaipu Dam received since that year, about 16 million visitors by the Brazilian and Paraguayan borders.  With the creation of Itaipu Tourist Complex, the Brazilian side visits were divided into three types of tours:

Special Tour: Allows visitors to the interior of the dam, on special bus. Before the tour, visitors watch a movie on Itaipu. The service is provided by bilingual monitors.

Panoramic Tour: Made in double-decker buses, the visit has strategic stops, to get the best views of the plant.

Dam lighting: With a special soundtrack, the dam is gradually illuminated by a complex reflectors and lamps. Finally, in contrast with the lights the darkness of night, the plant seems even more enlightened.

Night Life in Foz

The nights in Foz do Iguaçu also provide visitors glamour and excitement with the big casinos. They are located in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), because in Brazil the practice has been prohibited since the 1950s. Transport services are made by the hotels or specialized companies.

Information:

Casino Iguazu (Puerto Iguazú): www.casinoiguazu.com

Casino Acaray (Ciudad del Este): http://www.hotelcasinoacaray.com.py

Culture and Religion

As far as culture goes, Foz do Iguaçu is has a variety of influences and that can be perceived in the religion. Some interesting places to visit include the Buddhist Temple and the Foz do Iguaçu Mosque.

The Buddhist Temple is located in a privileged area where you can get a view of part of the center of Foz do Iguaçu and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). The beauty of the place allows closer contact with the Buddhist philosophy, and a moment of rest during the trip. The site was built in 1996, and today, in the gardens of the temple there are more than 120 statues, each with its meaning, the highlights being, a Buddha statue 7 feet tall, and a temple that creates a very special atmosphere for the site. The entrance to the temple is free. The site is open to visitors from Tuesday to Saturday from 9h to 17h and Sundays from 10h to 15h.

The Foz do Iguaçu mosque was inaugurated on March 23, 1983. Its built up area is 600 square meters with prayers taking place at the Oval Office that occupies about 400 square meters. For the visit, do not wear short clothes, even though in Foz sometimes can be very hot, you are entering a sacred place. You can take the same day to visit the Buddhist Temple. Visitation Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm (the visit must be scheduled in advance).