One of the most impressive attractions in Foz, besides the obvious waterfalls, is the bird park. The Parque das Aves, literal translation from Bird Park, is around 300 or 400 meters from the National Park and the world famous Cataratas do Iguaçu (Iguassu Falls). It’s set within the 16 hectares area of Atlantic Forest, a sub-tropical rainforest – or if you wanna sound like a local, say Mata Atlântica – and provides shelter for around a thousand birds of over 150 species as well as butterflies and reptiles from both all South America and other exotic places.
The park is privately owned and very well maintained. It was opened in the 90s and it is open until today! It was one of the most interesting stops on my trip to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Even though I hate the idea of zoos, animals in cages and all, this park is worth a visit for the reasons I’ll state down below.
Parque das Aves – Saving the endangered species, victims of illegal trafficking and repopulating the area
Around 50% of all the bird inside the park are survivors of illegal trafficking and other horrible situations. Unfortunately, the illegal trafficking is still pretty much alive with buyers from Europe, Asia, and North America being very active.
Those animals are rescued from horrible conditions by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and the Federal Police, brought to the park and have the proper care. After the injuries are healed, a group of specialists will evaluate each and every case to see if the animals are fit to be released back into nature. If yes, the proper measures will be taken into action and the animal will never be on display. But not every bird is lucky and some of them are seriously injured and it would be a death sentence to take them back to their natural habitat. I’ve seen parrots with 1 whole wing missing, toucans with deformed feet and araras lacking the right feathers for flying – all thanks to the cruelty of those poachers.
The park also runs a very modern and facility dedicated to saving species that are almost extinct. They have doctors and scientists working around the clock to ensure that some species can have a come back with a health and numerous population. What you see when you visit the park is just a small piece of a huge organization that is doing more for our planet than most of the first world entities.
They also have a new campaign called Mondays Against Trafficking. The hashtag is fairly new but I strongly suggest you use it even if you never been to the park. Just post a photo and use the hashtag #mondaysagainsttrafficking. Here’s our contribution:
Her name is Frida and she loved me so much that she was showing me her ~vagina~ the entire time I was playing with her. Frida had some feathers removed by the poachers. They do that so buyers can have araras at home without worrying too much about the bird flying around and destroying the apartment. If I tell you how angry I get when people cripple animals so they can fit into their lifestyle… So sad! So unfair! But I’m happy the Frida’s future is inside this amazing park surrounded by other arara friends and good humans.
This other lady here on the right side of the photo lost one of her wings thanks to those horrible people. And thankfully the guys at Parque das Aves could save her and now she has a good life, even tho flying is not possible anymore. Her name is Valentina and you can see her as soon as you enter the park. She is lovely and super friendly.
If you’re like me, an activist of animal rights, I assure you there’s no problem paying to visit the park. Actually, with the money you spend inside, you help the park help more animals.
What can you see at Parque das Aves?
Here is a map of everything you can find inside the park.
How to get to Parque das Aves
If you have a car there’s a free parking lot for people going to the bird park. But in case this space is too crowded, you can try another parking lot right on the side. If you plan to do the park and the Cataratas on the same day, I suggest you to use the parking lot located at the National Park. They will charge you but you can leave you car and do both attractions without any hassle. The bird park is right by the National Park entrance, around 300 meters I guess.
And if you choose to go by taxi, it will cost you around R$60,00 (around 15 euros) if you coming from downtown Foz do Iguaçu.
There’s also the option of hiring a special service that can drive you everywhere and help you with everything in Brazil where people don’t speak good english or german. The drivers are bilingual and you can request the language you wish. I used the guys from ConvenioTour but you can choose other partners on this site here. I highly recommend this option for first timers. It will be a little bit more but you’ll not waste any time with unnecessary things and worries.
And of course, there is the cheapest version of them all that is bus. You just need to ask on your hotel where you take the line TTU ALA 02. This bus will stop at:
- Rua Tarobá
- Av. República Argentina
- Av. Juscelino Kubitschek
- Av. Jorge Schimmelpfeng
- Av. das Cataratas
- BR 469
- Aeroporto
- BR 469
- Parque Nacional Cataratas – this is where you get off! Pay attention!
What to bring and what to wear at Parque das Aves
Foz do Iguaçu can be really cold and really hot. If you going during the summer season, you’re lucky. The whole thing is underneath the cool shades of Mata Atlantica, so the temperature is way better than outside in the street. Just bring water, sunscreen and wear comfy shoes and clothes.
If you’re doing the National Park on the same day, I suggest you to pack another t-shirt or something because you will get wet.
Price, opening times and more
Brazilian people and people from outside Brazil: R$ 40,00 (or around 10 euros)
People living in the area around Foz do Iguaçu: R$ 10,00 (or around 2.5 euros)
The park is open every day, including Sundays and holidays, from 8:30 am all the way to 5 pm.
And the address for Parque das Aves is: Rodovia das Cataratas, 12450, Foz do Iguaçu
Parque das Aves
Have a fantastic time there and when you go, please tell me if you liked as much as I did! Here on the comments or on our facebook group, okie? And if you liked this post, subscribe to our newsletter. I promise you it I won’t spam you.
