Argentina or Brazil: two boat rides
You can ride a boat to the falls from either side, and each ride belongs to a different company with its own price, age rule and timetable. On the Argentine side it is the Gran Aventura. On the Brazilian side it is the Macuco Safari. Neither includes the national park ticket, so you pay the entry first and the boat on top.
Both rides combine a forest section with a boat on the river. They are different trips from different companies. Pick by where you will be that day.
Boat tours compared, 2026
Prices are the operators' own rates for adults. Confirm them when you book.
| Gran Aventura (Argentina) | Macuco Safari (Brazil) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 100,000 ARS | 384 BRL with boat, 192 BRL jungle drive only |
| Duration | About 2 hours | About 2 hours, of which 25 to 30 minutes by boat |
| How it works | Open off-road vehicle through the forest, then a motorboat to the falls, then back to the start | Forest section (Macuco Selva), then a boat to the falls |
| Minimum age | 12 years | No general limit, minors with a responsible adult |
| Hours | Daily when the river allows | Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, weekends 08:30–17:00 |
| Park entry | Not included | Not included |
| Documents | Original passport or DNI at boarding | – |
Prices for both rides are quoted for adults. Children's rates and discounts on the Brazilian ride apply mostly to Brazilians, so do not count on a reduced price for a foreign child without checking first.
Our picks: boat tours
One from the Argentine side and one from Foz do Iguaçu with the boat ticket included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Brazilian falls and boat ride from Foz
Hotel transfer, national park entry and the boat ticket are included, with shared transport. Food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →Argentine falls with a boat ride
English- and Spanish-speaking guide, accommodation transfer and the boat ride. National park entry, food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →Iguazu Falls boat tours
Boat rides to the falls, combined days on both sides and guided visits, with live prices and availability.
Gran Aventura on the Argentine side
The Gran Aventura costs 100,000 ARS and takes about 2 hours. You ride an open off-road vehicle through the forest, then a motorboat takes you up to the falls, and you return to the starting point. The operator sells tickets in advance and at offices in the park, and it recommends buying early.
Rides run daily in principle. They depend on the river being navigable and on the weather, and rain alone is not an automatic reason to cancel.
- Age: from 12 completed years.
- ID: bring the original passport or DNI. A copy or a photo on a phone is not accepted at boarding.
- Who cannot join: pregnant women and people with certain motor, visceral, sensory or cognitive limitations. The operator explicitly lists type 1 diabetes.
The operator's two other rides are the Paseo Ecológico (40,000 ARS, 30 minutes), which is not available for now because the access to its start at Estación Garganta is closed, and the Travesía Iguazú (50,000 ARS), which ends in Puerto Iguazú. Skip the Travesía if you came by car, because it does not bring you back to your vehicle.
Macuco Safari on the Brazilian side
The Macuco Safari costs 384 BRL for the forest drive plus the boat, and 192 BRL for the forest part alone. The whole trip takes about 2 hours, with 25 to 30 minutes on the boat. It runs Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and on weekends from 08:30 to 17:00. Park entry is a separate ticket.
There is no general age limit for the safari or the forest part, and minors need to be with a responsible adult. The separate waterfall activity called cachoeirismo starts at 14 years. Lockers and a photo or film service are optional.
The fee table of the operator lists half price for children aged 7 to 11, students and Brazilian seniors from 60. The same page limits these reductions to Brazilians, with an exception for foreign students holding a Brazilian student card. Children aged 0 to 6 are free. Do not assume a foreign child gets a discount until you have asked.
Tips for the boat ride
Small things that make the ride easier.
Book in advance
The Argentine operator recommends advance purchase, and the ride depends on the river on the day. Book for a day that you can move if the water is too high.
Keep documents dry
The Gran Aventura needs your original passport or DNI at boarding. Carry it in a waterproof pouch, and keep the phone in one too.
Check the river first
In October 2026 the Brazilian operator closed its river walkway because of high water. Boat operations follow the river too, so ask about the day you plan to go.
Do not plan to swim
A boat ride is not a swim stop. Stay in your seat and follow the crew's instructions.
Sort out the park ticket
Neither boat ride includes entry. Our tickets page lists both parks' fees for 2026.
Leave time around it
With the drive and the ride, count on 2 hours, and add the trails. A day on the Argentine side or the Brazilian side fits one boat ride easily.
Which boat ride should you choose?
If you sleep in Puerto Iguazú or plan to spend your main day in the Argentine park, take the Gran Aventura. If you are based in Foz do Iguaçu and walk the Brazilian side, the Macuco Safari is the one that fits. If you visit both sides, one boat ride is enough for most people, since the trails give you the other views.
The Devil's Throat walkway has been closed since August 2026, as described on our Devil's Throat page. A boat ride is one way to get close to the water while the walkway is down, but check availability for the day you want.
An older name, "Aventura Náutica", still turns up in guides. The operator's current list shows the Gran Aventura, the Paseo Ecológico and the Travesía, so book one of those. The crossing to Isla San Martín should not be part of your plan either.
Iguazu Falls boat tour: frequently asked questions
How much does the boat ride cost?
The Gran Aventura in Argentina costs 100,000 ARS. The Macuco Safari in Brazil costs 384 BRL with the boat and 192 BRL for the forest part alone. Park entry is separate for both.
How long is the boat tour?
Both take about 2 hours in total. On the Macuco Safari, 25 to 30 minutes of that are on the boat.
Can children go on the boat?
The Gran Aventura takes children from 12 years. The Macuco Safari has no general age limit, and minors go with a responsible adult. Check the child's rate before you book.
Is the boat ride cancelled when it rains?
On the Argentine ride, rain alone is not an automatic reason to cancel. The river level and the weather decide, so ask the operator on the day.
What do I need to bring?
For the Gran Aventura, the original passport or DNI. A copy or phone photo is not accepted. Bring a waterproof pouch for documents and your phone.
Does the ticket include the national park?
No. Both rides leave out the park entry, so budget for it separately.