Things to do in The South
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Centro de Recepcão de Visitantes
The Itaipú Dam is highly impressive; at some 8km long and 200m high, it is a memorable sight, especially when the river is high and a vast torrent of overflow water cascades down the spillway. The Centro de Recepcão de Visitantes is 10km north of Foz. From here, regular tours ( visita panorâmica; R$19) run daily at 8am, 9am, 10am, 2pm, 3pm and 3:30pm; more detailed ones ( circuito especial; R$36), which take you into the power plant itself, leave daily at 8:30am, 9am, 10:30am, 11am, 2pm, 2:30pm, 4pm and 4:30pm. There are extra visits at weekends (when there are also floodlit night viewings available), as well as a variety of other attractions within the complex,…
reviewed
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Museu Oscar Niemeyer
North of the center, the Museu Oscar Niemeyer was designed by and named for the architect responsible for much of Brasília. The exotic, eye-shaped building is painted with whimsical dancing figures in bold colors. Rotating exhibits highlight Brazilian and international artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum is a brisk 30-minute walk from the city center, or you can take the Linha Turismo.
reviewed
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Parque das Aves
This 5-hectare bird park, located 300m from the entrance to Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, is home to 800-plus species of birds, including red ibis, bare-throated bellbird, and flamingos galore. They live in 8m-high aviaries that are constructed right in the forest. Other exhibits are devoted to snakes, butterflies and other species.
reviewed
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Parque Nacional do Iguaçu
You can’t miss the shiny entrance to the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, which houses bathrooms, ATMs, lockers, souvenir shops and vast parking facilities. Once you buy your ticket, you will be directed to board a free double-decker bus.
reviewed
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Famiglia Fadanelli
Everyone in Curitiba knows this Italian restaurant in Santa Felicidade. It’s best known for its Italian classics such as veal Parmigianino with homemade pasta, but the mile-long antipasto bar, featured most weekends, is a crowd-pleaser as well.
reviewed
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Famiglia Maran
This bakery and cafeteria has something for everyone. Sandwiches, pastas and filling hot dishes will sate your hunger, as will the irresistible soup buffet (R$7, from 6pm to 5:30am). You can enjoy the sidewalk seating during pleasant weather.
reviewed
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Casa da Cultura Mario Quintana
The cultural center in this pink baroque building has a cinema and two busy cafés. The 7th-floor Café Concerto Majestic is a lovely place to listen to live music and watch the sunset over Lagoa dos Patos.
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El Capitão
This buzzy and friendly staple has a big terrace, well-poured chopp (beer), and a menu of pizza and other food.
reviewed
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Scuna Sul
Boat tours of the bay stop at some pretty 18th-century Portuguese forts.
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Praça XV de Novembro
The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree. The Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina sits on one side of the square, while the Catedral Metropolitana sits grandly at the high end. The best-preserved colonial church in Florianópolis, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.
At the other end of the square, the busy promenade, Rua Felipe Schmidt, is fine for people-watching and window-shopping. Or continue down to the waterfront to the well-preserved Alfândega (customs house) and Mercado Municipal (municipal market).
reviewed
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Outing Turismo
Outing Turismo caters primarily to gay and lesbian clients. Floripa is becoming Brazil's second gay capital. Its Pride celebration, Parada da Diversidade, has grown into one of Brazil's biggest, attracting 30,000 people in 2006. The city also hosts GLBT-centered 'Gay Pop' events during Carnaval. Gay and lesbian travelers from around the world descend on Florianópolis, which is safer and more affordable than Rio.
reviewed
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Parque Floresta Encantada de Canela
About 3km from Caracol, the Parque Floresta Encantada de Canela offers a perspective from across the canyon. A teleférico (chairlift) travels 830m up and down the mountainside, providing 20 minutes’ worth of fabulous views of the canyon, the waterfall and Gramado in the distance. You can get off at either end and hike back to the entrance.
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Cathedral Metropolitana
This early-20th-century neoclassical cathedral is a Porto Alegre landmark. It sits atop the hill that divides downtown from a series of prosperous neighborhoods that are clustered around Parque Farroupilha, the city's largest green space. An impressive building with domes, stained glass and exquisite architectural details galore, it is well worth a visit.
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Restaurante Mar & Sol
Serves simple but tasty seafood dishes, including a tasty crab moqueca (Bahian fish stew cooked in a clay pot with dendê oil, coconut milk and spicy peppers). Wash it down with an ice-cold cerveja. For something lighter (snacks R$3 to R$10), go next door to Café Colméia ([tel] 3426 8029). Follow the path to Farol das Conchas.
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Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul
A pedestrian promenade runs into Praça da Alfândega, the leafy square that is home to the Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul. The neoclassical building is an impressive venue for regional artists. On the ground floor, the inviting Bistrot de MARGS takes advantage of the leafy setting, which is a lovely spot for lunch.
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Hotspot Safari & Tours
Owner Christophe has three decades of experience in tourism and conservation and works with dedicated biologists to save the Paraná antwren and red-faced parrot. He runs excellent one-day and multiday tours exploring the coastal forest around Curitiba and comes highly recommended. English, French, Portuguese and German spoken.
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Iguassu Falls Panoramic Helicopter Flight
40 minutes (Departs Foz do Iguacu, Brazil)
by Viator
What could be better than seeing Iguassu Falls from the air? On this memorable tour from Foz do Iguaçu, you’ll jump in a helicopter and soar high above the…Not LP reviewed
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Churrascaria Roda de Carreta
This churrascaria (restaurant featuring meat) located near the Shopping Bourbon Ipiranga was founded by the local Center of Gaúcho Tradition (CTG) to celebrate gaúcho customs, from food and drink to song and dance. The huge buffet features 17 kinds of grilled meats and countless other hot and cold dishes.
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Day Trip to the Argentinian Side of Iguassu Falls from Foz do Iguaçu
6 hours (Departs Foz do Iguacu, Brazil)
by Viator
The Iguassu Falls area is the meeting point of three different countries, so don't spend all your time on the Brazilian side. Take a day trip to Argentina to…Not LP reviewed
from USD$43.99 -
Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia
The Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia is the huge, impressive science museum of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica. Exhibits cover everything from astronomy to physics to biology, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experimentation. Take bus 343 or 353 from the Mercado Público.
reviewed
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Parque Farroupilha
Porto Alegre's largest park, the 37-hectare (91-acre) Parque Farroupilha, also known as Redenção, is a local favorite. On Sundays, a sprawling flea market is held here; on every other day, you can enjoy its varied plantlife, explore its many monuments, and soak up its peaceful green vibes.
reviewed
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Jardim Botânico
In the far south of the city, the Jardim Botânico is a vast, flower-filled expanse, studded with sculpture and crisscrossed by walking paths. The centerpiece glass and metallic greenhouse is more interesting as a decorative showpiece than as a botanical wonder.
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4-Day Iguassu Falls Tour
4 days (Departs Foz do Iguacu, Brazil)
by Viator
Visit Iguassu Falls on this multi-day tour! On this 4-day tour, see the famous falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides with your professional,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$520.99 -
Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tour from Foz do Iguaçu
4 hours (Departs Foz do Iguacu, Brazil)
by Viator
There's not much in the world that compares to the majestic Iguassu Falls, and you can see the entire Brazilian side of the falls on this half-day tour from Foz…Not LP reviewed
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Sightseeing Cruise to Paraguay from Foz do Iguaçu
6 hours (Departs Foz do Iguacu, Brazil)
by Viator
Take a sightseeing cruise from Foz do Iguaçu to Paraguay and learn about the history and culture of the Triple Frontier region. Enjoy breathtaking views of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$133.99