Helicopter tour over Iguazu falls

[endlessdream]

It’s nothing very gay but I’d highly recommend it. I visited the Iguazu falls yesterday for the first time. After the classic bus+walking tour, which was great, I opted for the helicopter ride, over the highly recommended Macuco safari. I just don't like the idea of getting wet in a small boat with a bunch of unknown people. 
 

I stayed at the Sanma Resort, located 5 minutes walking to the Iguazu falls visitors centre, right next door to the birds park. 
 

The helicopter centre is outside the Iguazu falls park, opposite the birds park entrance. It has a coffee shop and a gift shop attached to it. They require minimum 4 and maximum 6 passengers per chopper. It costs 635 reais per person, about 50% more than the Macuco Safari. I’d pick the chopper over the boat any time. You can have a descent coffee while waiting for the checkin. Don’t take the cappuccino. They put a horrible sweetened chocolate flavored powder in it.
 

Neither at the purchase nor at the checkin was the passport required but they did ask for its number and my weight. 
 

After the checkin, you need to watch a security video for about 3 minutes. Then you are invited to a waiting salon on the airfield side. All bags need to be stored there. 
 

The tour lasts about 10 minutes. Only one chopper was in operation. It’s actually fun to watch it taking off and landing from such a close distance. 
 

The operator has a crew to record the whole boarding process and combine it with a pre-recorded in-air scenery video. The compilation is about one minute and costs 500 reais for a digital version, or 700 reais on a usb key. You can also get a hard copy of your photo taken in front of the chopper after landing. I feel it’s absurdly expensive, comparing to the ride. 
 

I had the luck to sit right next to the pilot. The view was superb in the cockpit. It did two full rounds over the falls to made sure that everyone had the full view. The whole ride was smooth and stable. 
 

Here are some photos and videos:

 

 

 

[12is12]

I think Iguazu Falls is the most beautiful nature scene in the world. Visited 3 times. Certainly beats Niagra and Victoria falls, if only because all the water is framed by green.

[Xclay]

Thanks for the great pics and details!

Now I've gotta return! I was there about 20 years ago and, like you, I found the helicopter flight a spectacular way to get an amazing, big picture view of this enormous waterfall unlike any other.

You made a good choice skipping the boat ride. Boats cannot go far into the long channel, so you just go to the first little waterfall, get wet, and that's it. Some people like it, but I thought it was a waste of time.

I loved wondering all around the labyrinth on the Argentine side and standing for an hour mesmerized by the thundering power only a few years away at Devil's Throat. 

Do you recommend staying at Samna? Looks very nice. The classic old Hotel das Cataratas on the Brazil side and the Gran Meliá Iguazú on the Argentine side are wonderfully close to the falls but you pay for their prime locations and their prices have skyrocketed.

[endlessdream]

On 1/17/2025 at 3:19 AM, Xclay said:

Thanks for the great pics and details!

Now I've gotta return! I was there about 20 years ago and, like you, I found the helicopter flight a spectacular way to get an amazing, big picture view of this enormous waterfall unlike any other.

You made a good choice skipping the boat ride. Boats cannot go far into the long channel, so you just go to the first little waterfall, get wet, and that's it. Some people like it, but I thought it was a waste of time.

I loved wondering all around the labyrinth on the Argentine side and standing for an hour mesmerized by the thundering power only a few years away at Devil's Throat. 

Do you recommend staying at Samna? Looks very nice. The classic old Hotel das Cataratas on the Brazil side and the Gran Meliá Iguazú on the Argentine side are wonderfully close to the falls but you pay for their prime locations and their prices have skyrocketed.

The Samna is a good compromise, well maintained and efficiently run.