During my stay in Brazil I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Iguassu Waterfalls. The Falls are located in the Iguassu National Park which is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The Park is a protected 5000 hectare forest reserve which borders Southeastern Brazil and Northwestern Argentina. The reserve is the largest remaining semitropical Atlantic rain forest in southern Brazil. As a World Heritage Site it provides protection for numerous species such as panthers, pumas, macaws, toucans, jaguars, parrots and alligators as well as the indigenous flora and fauna. The one species that I did see a lot of is the coati. It's a raccoon-like critter which is also the mascot of the Falls. Plus there are butterflies, lizards, and geckos everywhere.

 

I actually visited both the Brazilian and the Argentinean side. If you go I strongly suggest visiting both sides. It really gives a great perspective. The Iguassu Falls are considered the widest waterfalls in the world. It's made up of 275 falls. It's truly awe inspiring.

 

I also suggest that one take the river boat tour. It'll take you up the Iguassu River to the Falls themselves. To get to the river you have to ride through the rain forest on electric jeeps for about 20 minutes then walk an additional kilometer to the boat docks. The boat will go right up to the Falls. A great chance to get very wet.

 

On the Brazilian side there is also the Bird Park. It's in 17 hectares of preserved rain forest. It houses hundreds of species of birds many which are endangered.