A visit to the Itaipu Dam offers both spectacular views and the opportunity to appreciate a groundbreaking feat of engineering. Spanning the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay, this 5-mile-long (8-kilometer) and 656-foot-high (200-meter) structure is the world’s second-largest hydroelectric power plant.
Watch the introductory video at the entrance to the dam. The video explains the history of the power plant. A bus takes you to an observation platform, from where you can walk along the dam’s walls and enjoy fascinating views of the Paraná River. The views are markedly impressive when the river is high and water rushes down the spillway, creating a waterfall-like effect.
For an in-depth view of the dam, join a Special Tour. Knowledgeable guides take you inside the dam’s huge cathedral-like structure. Visit the control room, where Brazilian and Paraguayan technicians monitor the power plant’s activity. See the giant turbines in motion and watch as water is released back into the river.
If you have the chance, visit the dam on a Friday or Saturday night for an evening sound and light show. Watch a video presentation about the dam and marvel as the structure is illuminated by over 700 reflectors and more than 100 light fixtures. The energy consumed during the show is sufficient to illuminate a city of 15,000 residents.
The dam is a 25-minute drive north from Foz do Iguaçu’s city center. Public buses travel between the city and the Itaipu Information Center. Many hotels offer organized tours to the dam. Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Ecomuseum. Here you can learn more about the history of the dam and see exhibits relating to the topography and sociology of the region.
Itaipu Dam is open daily, with tours running regularly throughout the day. Spaces for the Special Tour fill up fast so it is worth booking in advance. Visitors must wear clothing that reaches to below the knees and closed shoes for the tour. Visit the official website of Turismo Itaipu for complete opening hours, tour information and the sound and light show schedule.
