Helicopter Ride Over Iguazu Falls in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
To help you decide
Why take this tour?
Combine it with your visit to the Brazilian park: The heliport is located just a few minutes from the entrance to Foz do Iguaçu National Park, easily combined with that visit.
The only way to see the falls from the sky: The tour lets you see the jungle, the Iguazu River, the Devil's Throat and the falls from different angles, including both sides of the protected area between Argentina and Brazil, with panoramic views from the Brazilian side and views of the power of the falls from the Argentine side.
Overview
About this experience
The helicopter flight over Iguazu Falls is an excursion of approximately 12 to 15 minutes, which allows you to see the park from the sky and from different angles.
This is an experience that can't be found anywhere else, since it offers a unique aerial perspective of the falls and is only carried out from Brazil.
The tour can be combined with a visit to the falls on the Brazilian side, since the heliport is just a few minutes from the entrance to Foz do Iguaçu National Park. The operating company, known as Helisul, has more than 50 years of experience in Foz do Iguaçu, offering this panoramic view of the falls.
In photos
Experience gallery
Traveler reviews
What people who did this activity valued most
Everyone loved the panoramic views of Iguazu Falls that can only be appreciated from the air.
The pilot flies several loops over the falls so that all passengers can get good photos.
The staff is described as professional, attentive and friendly throughout the whole process, and travelers also found the free lockers, gift shop and cafeteria to be a plus.
Ideal to combine with other tours such as the Macuco Safari boat ride and the Devil's Throat walkways, making the visit to the Brazilian side even more complete.
Check-in process described as quick and efficient in most cases.
This information comes from real online reviews by people who did this activity.
Before you book
What to keep in mind
Wear comfortable clothing and bring a camera or smartphone with good video capability to make the most of the helicopter's wide windows.
Consider traveling between November and March, when the water flow tends to be greater and the falls look more spectacular.
Prefer morning flights, as they offer better light for photographs and a lower chance of cancellation due to weather.
Bring your own hearing protection, especially for children, since it isn't always provided.
If you're prone to motion sickness, keep in mind that the pilot performs sharp turns during the flight.
Request a window seat or a seat next to the pilot for better visibility, or agree with other passengers to share photos if you're assigned a middle seat.
Keep in mind that there are no fixed schedules, since flights depart once the minimum number of passengers is reached.
Points based on real traveler reviews and provider information, presented as recommendations to improve your experience.
Hand-picked by Argentina Trips
The best products for this activity
Panoramic Helicopter Flight Over Iguazu Falls
With this booking you can guarantee your spot on the tour at the time specified by the provider. This product is the official one from the company that operates the experience.
Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian Side: Macuco Safari, Helicopter Flight and Bird Park
If you want a complete experience during your visit to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, this is your best option because, in addition to the helicopter flight, you'll also visit the Bird Park and do the Macuco Safari (boat ride).
Complete Iguazu: Argentine Side + Great Adventure + Brazilian Side + Helicopter
This combo of two excursions lets you see the main attractions on both sides of the falls. On the Argentine side you'll do the boat ride, and on the Brazilian side, the helicopter flight.
What your day will look like
Tour or activity itinerary
The excursion begins in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, near the entrance to the national park.
Once you enter the heliport and confirm your spot on the tour, you'll wait in the lounge, where you can watch helicopters landing and taking off with other groups. Here you can also store your belongings in free lockers and enjoy the cafeteria and gift shop available on the premises.
When it's your turn, you'll board the helicopter and the crew will check that all safety elements are in order before takeoff. Before boarding, staff will show a safety video and assign seats based on each passenger's weight to balance the helicopter.
After takeoff, the first thing that appears is the jungle surrounding Iguazu Falls, with a green landscape surrounding the entire route.
As the helicopter moves forward, you'll see the Upper Iguazu River, one of the rivers that feeds the falls, flowing over the plateau before plunging into the falls, and moments later the falls begin to appear from a distance with a panoramic view, including the Devil's Throat.
Due to the enormous extent of the jungle, which spans Argentina and Brazil, during the flight you can admire both sides of the protected area, with its numerous waterfalls, the jungle area and the Iguazu River, which acts as a natural border between both countries.
The helicopter circles over Iguazu Falls to show them from different angles, the best moment to take photographs!
During the flight you can also see the Belmond Das Cataratas hotel, the only hotel located within Iguazu National Park on the Brazilian side, and the mist rising from the valley enveloping the jungle.
Throughout the tour, trained guides accompany the experience with commentary in Portuguese, English and Spanish, providing information about the geography and history of the area being flown over.
At the end of the tour, the helicopter returns to the heliport, where the experience concludes. Upon landing, staff usually offer the option to purchase photos and videos taken during boarding and the flight.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Yes. After taking off and flying over the jungle, the aircraft offers a view of the series of falls that make up Iguazu Falls from different angles. The company has been operating for more than 50 years in Foz do Iguaçu. The flight is only carried out on the Brazilian side.
The flight over Iguazu Falls lasts approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
Yes. Due to the enormous extent of the jungle, which spans Argentina and Brazil, from the air you can admire both sides of the protected area: the numerous waterfalls, the jungle area and the Iguazu River.
It takes place on the Brazilian side. The heliport is very close to the entrance of the national park in Brazil. In Argentina this activity isn't allowed, in order to preserve the environment and avoid a negative impact on the park's flora and fauna. For the same reason, the use of drones is also not allowed within the national park.
Yes. People who have done the activity usually describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, highlighting the panoramic views that can only be appreciated from the air.
In the city of Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), near the entrance to the national park. The exact address is Av. das Cataratas 12499.
Yes. The heliport is just a few minutes from the entrance to Foz do Iguaçu Park, so both tours can be done on the same day.
No specific visa is required for the excursion itself, but you do need to cross the border if you're staying in Puerto Iguazú, and you'll be asked for the corresponding visa to enter Brazil there. It's the same requirement as for visiting the falls on the Brazilian side, so it's a good idea to check the requirements based on your nationality.
The premises have a cafeteria, gift shop, restrooms and free lockers to store your luggage while you wait for your turn.
Buying through the official product on Viator, the ride costs USD 150. It's possible to get a cheaper price directly at the heliport, although it's subject to availability and the difference isn't very large. Booking through Viator also makes it easier to cancel or request a change.
Yes. You can ask about a flight that includes the Itaipú Dam in addition to Iguazu Falls, although the price is higher than the standard tour.
It isn't always possible to book a fixed time. In general, flights depart once the minimum number of passengers is reached, which can vary between 4 and 7 depending on the helicopter model, so the waiting time may vary.
Yes. By booking 7 seats on the "Panoramic Helicopter Flight Over Iguazu Falls" tour on Viator, sold by the official operator of the experience, and notifying the operator, it's possible to have the helicopter exclusively for your group.
Yes, the helicopter ride is usually available on those dates.
If the tour couldn't be carried out due to bad weather and couldn't be rescheduled for another time, a full refund is issued. We recommend booking through the official Viator product, since the company's cancellation and refund policies are faster and more efficient.
Yes, the flight is suitable for elderly people or people with reduced mobility. Staff assist passengers with reduced mobility in boarding the helicopter.
Yes. The helicopter ride is a new experience for kids, who usually enjoy it from start to finish.
It depends on the helicopter model used. Staff arrange groups based on the weight of all participants, so that the allowed limit isn't exceeded and everyone can board safely.
It depends on the model used by the operator: there are helicopters with capacity for 4, 5, 6 or 7 passengers, in addition to the pilot.
The guides who accompany the experience provide commentary in English, Portuguese and Spanish throughout the tour, including information about the geography and history of the area.
According to traveler accounts, hearing protection isn't always provided. It's recommended to bring your own, especially if traveling with children. If you book through Viator, it's a good idea to notify the operator to see if they can guarantee it.
Yes. At the end of the flight the operator usually offers photo and video packages as an additional service, although many travelers consider them expensive relative to their quality.
