The Itaipu Dam is one of the most impressive engineering feats on the planet. Located on the Parana River on the Brazil-Paraguay border, just 30 minutes from Foz do Iguacu (and 40 minutes from Puerto Iguazu, Argentina), this hydroelectric dam is one of the world's top producers of renewable energy. Until China's Three Gorges Dam brought its last turbines online in 2012, Itaipu was the world's largest dam; today it is second in installed capacity (14,000 MW vs 22,500 MW) but remains the global leader in effective electricity generation -- in 2016 it set a world record with 103.1 million megawatt-hours.
Itaipu Dam Facts
- Location: Foz do Iguacu, Brazil / Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
- Distance from Puerto Iguazu: 30-40 minutes by car
- Height: 196 metres
- Length: 7,919 metres
- Turbines: 20 (14,000 MW capacity)
- Panoramic tour: USD 15-20 (1.5 hours)
- Special tour: USD 30-40 (2.5 hours)
- Night light show: USD 15-20 (Fridays and Saturdays)
- Hours: 8:00-17:00 (closed Mondays)
Panoramic Tour: The View from Outside
The most popular and accessible visit. It begins at the Visitor Reception Centre with a 15-minute introductory video, then a bus ride along the dam crest with stops at strategic viewpoints. The spillway viewpoint is the most spectacular: when the gates are open (especially during rainy season, November-March), water plunges from 196 metres with a deafening roar. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and costs USD 15-20.
Special Tour: Inside the Dam
For those wanting to go beyond the surface. This tour takes visitors inside the dam, through the inspection corridors within the concrete structure, the turbine hall where the 20 generator units produce electricity with a constant hum you can feel in your body, and the control gallery. Each turbine is 16 metres in diameter and weighs 3,000 tonnes. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and costs USD 30-40. Closed-toe shoes required; no children under 14.
Night Light Show
On Friday and Saturday nights, Itaipu offers a spectacular LED light show that transforms the dam into a luminous work of art. Thousands of lights illuminate the concrete structure with changing colours while a sound system narrates the dam's history. The show lasts approximately 1 hour and costs USD 15-20.
Tours from Iguazu
Panoramic Itaipu Tour
Excursion from Puerto Iguazu to the world's most productive dam. Includes transport, border crossing and guide.
Itaipu + Brazilian side falls
Combine the best of Foz: Brazilian falls in the morning and Itaipu in the afternoon. Full day.
Itaipu Night Light Show
The dam illuminated with thousands of LEDs. Light and sound spectacular on Fridays and Saturdays. Transport included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit the Itaipu Dam?
The panoramic tour (external view of the dam and spillway) costs approximately USD 15-20. The special tour (interior, turbine hall, control gallery) costs USD 30-40. The night light show (Fridays and Saturdays) costs USD 15-20. Student and child discounts available.
Do I need a passport to visit Itaipu?
Yes, you need a valid ID (national ID for Mercosur or passport for other nationalities) because Itaipu is on the Brazilian side, in Foz do Iguacu. If departing from Argentina, you must go through immigration at the Tancredo Neves Bridge.
How long does the dam tour take?
The panoramic tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. The special tour (interior) lasts 2.5 hours. The night light show lasts 1 hour. Including travel from Puerto Iguazu (30-40 minutes each way) and border crossing, allow half a day for the panoramic tour or a full day for the special tour.
Can you combine it with the Brazilian side of the falls?
Yes, it is the most popular combination. Many travellers visit the Brazilian falls in the morning and Itaipu in the afternoon (or vice versa). Tours combining both are available. Both are in Foz do Iguacu, about 30 km apart.
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