Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour: Review & Everything You Need To Know

Review of the Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour, Brazil

Iguazu Falls is a truly spectacular place, with 275 cascading waterfalls spanning 2.7 km (1.6 mi) across the borders of Brazil and Argentina. But you may be wondering what is the best way to experience this natural wonder.

Having visited Iguazu Falls recently, I took the opportunity to do as many activities as possible, so I could see the falls from just about every angle. And it’s no surprise, the absolute BEST views were from the sky!

Read on for my full review of the Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour in Brazil and everything you need to know about this spectacular experience.

Iguazu Falls Helicopter Flight

Overview

The most breathtaking experience you can have at Iguazu Falls is by taking a helicopter ride over the falls. This is the only way to get a truly panoramic view of all 275 falls and take in the magnitude of the Iguazu river and surrounding jungle. Plus, you get to ride in a helicopter, which on its own is a thrilling experience!

My Experience

This was my first time in a helicopter and the ride did not disappoint. There are 6 passenger seats in the helicopter, and the views are breathtaking from every seat.

One passenger (not me) even got to sit in the cockpit with the pilot, which was probably an even more thrilling experience, and the seat with the absolute best view! The other 5 seats are in the back of the helicopter and face each other (2 seats facing backwards and 3 seats facing forwards).

Out of the 5 seats in the back, one is a middle seat, which has slightly less of a view than the window seats. The middle seat was vacant on our flight, since it wasn’t a full flight. However, from what I could tell, you would still see some spectacular views from the middle, if this was where you ended up sitting.

From my window seat, I could also see very well out of the window on the opposite side of the helicopter. So I don’t think the view from the middle would be impaired that much. Plus, if you’re sitting next to someone you know, just lean towards them for the views!

The flight lasts for 10 minutes, which sounds short, but in reality, it’s more than enough time.

The views were SPECTACULAR!

To begin with, just seeing the expansive landscape and river from the sky was impressive enough. But then we quickly came across the falls, and the pilot circled around them for several minutes, allowing passengers on each side of the helicopter to get full views.

You literally see EVERYTHING in one frame. This was an incredible and unique perspective of the falls and the surrounding environment, which was very humbling to see.

This truly is a bucket-list-worthy experience that I can’t recommend highly enough!

Read more about my experience visiting Iguazu Falls, including where to stay, the different walking trails, and which side of the falls is better.

How to Book Your Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour

You can buy tickets for the helicopter ride online and there are different package options. I always prefer to book online in advance, to ensure I don’t miss out and to save time queuing.

But, if you prefer to buy tickets on the day, you can also purchase them at the heliport.

The helicopter operator and its online sales partners are priced similarly. You should expect to pay around $150 USD per person for the flight. Considering how epic this experience was, I think this is a very fair price.

Package Tours (Recommended)

For a slightly higher price, you can also book a tour which includes transport, if you don’t want to make your own way to the heliport. If you’re coming from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, booking a tour which includes transfers is a great option, as the border crossing will be quicker and easier than trying to navigate it on your own.

Or for the ultimate Iguazu falls experience, you can book a Complete Package which includes the helicopter flight, the Macuco Safari Boat Ride AND entry to Parque das Aves (the bird park). This is what we did and it was the most phenomenal day.

It’s hard to compare each of these activities since they are all so unique. You definitely get the best views of the falls from the helicopter flight, but the boat ride was also so much fun and had epic views from a different perspective.

And to top it all off the bird park was a particularly special experience which really took us by surprise. We loved seeing such colourful and unique birds up close, and even interact with them. I highly recommend doing all three activities if you can – you won’t regret it!

FAQs

How long is the flight?

The Iguazu Falls helicopter flight is 10 minutes long. This doesn’t sound like much, but it is actually more than enough time to enjoy the most spectacular views of the falls!

Although the flight is only 10 minutes, you should allow between 30 to 60 minutes for the tour, depending on how busy it is. This is because there will likely be some passengers ahead of you in the queue, and you will need a few minutes to check in, store your belongings and get ready to board the helicopter.

Plus, there is an opportunity to buy photos and souvenirs after the flight. So you should also factor in time for this (if it’s of interest to you).

How frequently does the helicopter fly?

As long as there are passengers waiting for a flight, the helicopter will keep doing back-to-back flights. As each flight lasts for 10 minutes, and it can take a few minutes to embark and disembark the helicopter, on average the helicopter flies every 15 minutes.

What is the best time of year to go?

This is a difficult question to answer because Iguazu Falls is spectacular all year round!

The general consensus is that April to May, and August to October are the best times to visit. This is the dry season, so the weather is more comfortable and you’re in with a better chance of the water being a beautiful deep blue colour.

If you want to avoid the crowds, June and July are a great time to go, as it’s winter in Brazil so the weather is great and there are less people visiting the falls.

Alternatively, if you choose to visit in the rainy season (December to March), this is when the falls are most impressive to see. More rain means there is a greater volume of water cascading down, making the falls stronger and louder, and adding to the magnitude. However, the excess rain can result in the water being brown in colour, and it is also VERY hot at this time of year.

So you will have to weigh up which factors are most important to you when deciding which time of year you prefer to visit. But, rest assured, no matter when you’re visiting the falls, you will have the most amazing time.

Where does the helicopter tour depart from?

The helicopter tour is ONLY available on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls. However, if you book the tour including transport, it can start from either Foz do Iguacu (Brazil) OR Puerto Iguazu (Argentina), as you will be collected from your hotel.

Tip: When booking your tour, make sure to check that the tour details specify that it includes pickup and drop-off to most downtown hotels In Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) or Puerto Iguazu (Argentina)

The flight itself departs from the Helisul heliport, near the entrance to Iguaçu National Park, opposite the bird park. (All three attractions are located within just a couple of minutes walking distance apart, and there is also a large parking lot nearby). Therefore you can easily go do the helicopter ride before or after visiting the park and doing other activities.

What is the capacity of the helicopter?

The helicopter has capacity for 6 passengers on each flight. If you’re alone or in a smaller group you might be paired up with other passengers.

The helicopter will also only fly with a minimum of 3 passengers. So If there are just one or two of you, you may have to wait a few minutes for additional passengers to arrive. Although you won’t have to wait very long, as this is a popular tour so chances are there will be several other people already at the heliport waiting for a flight.

How much does an Iguazu Falls helicopter ride cost?

For just the helicopter flight, you should expect to pay around $150 USD per person. Although the price varies based on the tour you book (whether you book just the helicopter flight, or a package which includes transportation and other activities).

What do I need to bring with me on the flight?

You don’t need to bring anything on the helicopter flight other than yourself. And you won’t be allowed to take larger items onboard with you anyway. Although one thing I highly recommend bringing is your phone or camera, as you will want to take photos!

What do I do with my belongings during the flight?

There are lockers available for free at the heliport. You aren’t allowed to take larger items onboard the helicopter with you. So you will need to store your bags and belongings in one of the lockers provided.

What can I do while waiting for my flight?

As the helicopter flights run non-stop, hopefully you won’t have to wait too long. However, if you do get stuck waiting, there is a cafe and gift shop onsite. So you can browse souvenirs or get a something to eat and drink while you wait.

Can I take an Iguazu Falls helicopter ride in Argentina?

No, unfortunately the Iguazu Falls Helicopter flight is only available on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls. Although if staying on the Argentina side, you can book a helicopter tour which includes transport from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina.

If you are only able to visit the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls, don’t worry as you will still have a great time! The Argentina side has plenty of walking trails with excellent vantage points of the falls.

Final Thoughts – Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour

The Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour is an absolute bucket-list experience, with the most epic panoramic views of Iguazu Falls. If you had to choose only one activity to do at Iguazu Falls, this is the one I would recommend.

However, if you can combine it with the Macuco Safari boat ride and a visit to the bird park, you won’t regret it. Doing all three activities really is the best way to experience Iguazu Falls, for a truly breathtaking and unforgettable experience.

READ MORE

Visiting Iguazu Falls: Where To Stay, Hotels At Iguazu Falls & More

Which Side Of Iguazu Falls Is Better? The Complete Guide

What is the Biggest Waterfall in the World?

Macuco Safari Review: The Ultimate Boat Ride At Iguazu Falls

Parque Das Aves: Review Of The Iguazu Falls Bird Park

Hiking Iguazu Falls: Everything You Need To Know