macuco boat safari

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Macuco Safari in Iguazu Falls

• No Age Restrictions
• Expert Guides
• Jungle, Trail and Boat Navigation!

From USD: 99

Experience the marvelous boat navigation on the brazilian side of the falls.

Macuco Safari offers an extraordinary adventure that seamlessly blends the beauty of the jungle with the grandeur of Iguazu Falls. This captivating experience unfolds in three thrilling stages: Jungle, Trail, and Boat. It all begins with a 2 km journey through the lush Iguaçu National Park, where you’ll be transported by eco-friendly electric vehicles, ensuring a quiet and panoramic exploration of the vibrant vegetation. Bilingual guides lead you on a forest walk, providing fascinating insights into the local wildlife. The adventure reaches its climax with a boat tour near the falls, allowing you to get up close to this natural wonder. You can even opt for an extended experience with a guided visit to the national park, making it an unforgettable day of exploration. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and witness the breathtaking beauty of Iguazu Falls. Book your adventure now!

Cancellation Policy:

72 Hours Cancellation Policy

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Spanish, Portuguese, and English Speaking Guide

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Experience the amazing Macuco Safari adventure, which unfolds in three thrilling stages: Jungle, Trail, and Boat. It begins with a 2 km expedition through the lush Iguaçu National Park jungle. You’ll travel in eco-friendly electric vehicles, ensuring a quiet ride and offering a panoramic view of the rich plant life that surrounds you.

Next, our bilingual guides lead a 600-meter forest walk, sharing insights and fascinating facts about the local wildlife and plant life. During this part of the tour, you’ll be immersed in nature, with the possibility of encountering the park’s resident animals.

The trail concludes at a deck equipped with a souvenir shop, restrooms, and secure luggage storage, ensuring your belongings are kept safe while you continue with the adventure.

To end on a high note, in the third stage, the tour gains even more adventure: Our electric tram transports visitors to the pier on the Iguaçu River, where you will depart in one of the Macuco Safari’s twin-engine boats for a spectacular view and a bath to wash your soul in the Iguazu Falls.

Important: Macuco Safari departs every 20 minutes. Simply arrive at the meeting point, present your voucher, and join the next tour. You can check in anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and you’ll be all set to begin your adventure.

What's Included

• Boat Navigation
• Jungle Trail
• Professional Guide
• All Equipment
• Entrance fee to National Park
• Guided Tour of Iguaçu National Park (can be included in the booking process)
• Transfers (can be included in the booking process)
• Rafain Churrascaria: Dinner & Samba Show Enjoy a wonderful activity by night!
• Skydive Tandem Jump in Foz do Iguaçu An amazing point of view of the area... from the sky!

Cancellation Policy

If for any reason, you decide to cancel the activity or excursion, the cancellation conditions specified in the product description or in the voucher will be valid.

In the event that the cancellation conditions in the product description do not differ, the provider of tourist services will charge you the following cancellation fees:

• a. Up to 72 hours before the start of the activity: full refund (again we indicate that in certain specific cases the term may differ from this general policy)
• b. After 72 hours before the start of the activity: no refund.

What are the timings?

Macuco Safari operates regularly, departing every 20 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Are there any age restrictions?

There are no age restrictions for Macuco Safari. We welcome all ages, and we provide all the necessary equipment.

What's the duration of the tour?

The tour typically lasts around 1 hour and 45 minutes, with 30 minutes dedicated to boat navigation. If you opt for the guided National Park tour add-on, the experience can extend up to 7 hours. This includes the time from when our guides pick you up at your hotel to when they drop you off.

What should I bring to the tour?

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience at Iguazu Falls, it’s advisable to bring the following:

• Comfortable Footwear and Clothing : Wear comfortable walking shoes and lightweight clothing suitable for the weather, as you may walk on uneven terrain.
• Change of Clothes : Pack an extra set of clothes to stay dry due to the mist from the falls.
• Camera : Don’t forget your camera or smartphone with enough memory to capture the stunning beauty of Iguazu Falls.
• Light Lunch : If you prefer, bring snacks or a packed lunch to stay energized.
• Cash or Credit Card : Have cash or a card for the park entrance fee and additional purchases like souvenirs or refreshments.
• Passport : Foreign tourists, in particular, should carry their passports for park entrance. Remember to pack these items for a pleasant visit.

Is there a place to store my personal belongings?

Absolutely, we offer waterproof bags to ensure your belongings stay dry during the tour. Additionally, lockers are available for your convenience.

What Our Travelers Says

March 12, 2024, scott and roxanne goodrich, crisis managers who go the extra mile..

"Every derail was attended to promptly and cheerfully. We had an in-flight emergency needing a last minute change and Lucia and Ramiro were all over it. They turned what could have been a travel disaster due to airlines cancellations into a wonderful two day experience at Iguazu Falls. They are great! Thank you!

March 7, 2024

Kathy thomas, amazing vacation.

"We have returned home from our most amazing vacation to Rio Iguaçu Falls and Búzios It was carefully organised by Ramiro with attention to the details our requirements We must say what a delight Igor our driver was and can’t praise him enough Very knowledgeable and considerate always on time definitely went above and beyond It certainly was a trip we will never forget I will pass your details on to any friends that will be interested in doing a similar tour

March 6, 2024

Juliana shek, iguazu falls - last minute booking.

"We had a last minute decision going to the Iguazu Falls enroute a visit to Rio. We flew from Canada and arrived São Paulo on 23rd Feb morning, and Foz do Iguazu at night time. During the time we were at São Paulo airport, we looked for Iguazu Falls tours the next day, coz we would leave for Rio on 25th Feb. What a blessing I found this website. Walter promptly arranged the tour for me at almost the closing of business hours. He followed up assuring the hotel pick up at 9am the next morning on 24th Feb. Joao was one of the best tour guides I had. With his guide, we saw the best parts of the Falls from both sides of Argentina and Brazil. While hiking the Argentina side trail, we saw monkeys, a poisonous snake, birds, butterflies catfish, lizards and many more. Joao explained to us how some of the endangered species were protected. Very interesting. Joao assisted us to go through customs. It was very smooth going from Brazil to Argentina and coming back. We were so much into taking photos we forgot about our lunch. We felt very sorry for Joao but he just kept going to all the best points so we could take our best pictures. Our apologies. When the trip was finished, Walter checked with us to make sure we were safely back to our hotel. I am very thankful to Walter and his team. Can't believe Mother Nature creating such a magnificent landscape, and we could see it without hassle last minute. Such a wonderful time! I would highly recommend Walter to everyone. Thanks again, Walter and Joao.

March 5, 2024

We were picked up from our hotel on….

"We were picked up from our hotel on time and taken to Buenos Aires airport and everything went smoothly. Our driver and tour guide for the day Alex was waiting for us and took us to start our adventure. The iguaza Falls exceed everyones expectations they are wonderous. Alex took us on the upper trail first,then the boat ride of a life time to go into the falls we got soaked and were so 😊happy and you can buy a video after for $15us Alex then took on lower trail which i personally thought were the best. All in all Alex's trip was fantastic knew his stuff and explained everything we wanted to know.. Brilliant trip would recommend to everyone.

February 25, 2024

Sam oertwig, best service for seeing iguazu falls.

"Can't imagine a better, more seamless trip experience to Iguazu Falls. Communication with Lucia through the entire process was excellent, and each and every aspect of the adventure was better than we could have imagined. Everything was perfectly aligned and delivered without a hitch. We were a bit nervous about our driver getting us to the airport on time from the cruise port. We were originally scheduled to disembark at 7am, but we actually got off at 6:15 and right there was our driver!! And every other transport was equally as excellent. We loved our private Falls guide, Elisangela, who went the distance to ensure we had a truly wonderful experience. We are so so glad we decided to do both sides, and to spend the night in Iguazu. The Falls are beyond comprehension, and no pictures do them justice. Loved trekking around the area where every bend brought new amazing vistas and sounds. Yes, Devil's Throat is closed and will be for awhile, but that in no way detracted from our experience. Stayed at the Grand Panorama Hotel. Very lovely place only 3-minute walk from the main area with shops, restaurants, etc. Very convenient for getting out and about. We also appreciated the options for additional things to do in the area. We selected the Argentinian Dining Experience and the Bird Park in Brazil. The dining experience is something not to be missed! We had so much fun with the other guests and the two instructors/chefs/mixologists. Best filet mignon ever eaten, and that's saying a lot because we are Michelin star foodies! It was a memorable evening that we will be talking about for a long time to come!! And we enjoyed our time seeing some of the many birds of South America. Great conservation facility where the birds are well-taken care of and safe. Everything about our trip was top-notch! Couldn't recommend a better group of people to work with.

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Chasing Chanelle

Macuco Safari Review: The Ultimate Boat Ride At Iguazu Falls

Review of the Macuco Safari Boat Ride at Iguazu Falls

It’s hard to say what the absolute best activity at Iguazu Falls is, as they are all spectacular in their own way. But, if you’re looking for the most thrilling experience, and you don’t mind getting wet, then the Macuco Safari boat ride is for you!

Read on for my full review of the Macuco Safari and everything you need to know about this epic boat ride at Iguazu Falls.

👍 BEST IGUAZU FALLS TOUR

Our pick is the Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side: Macuco Safari, Helicopter Flight and Bird Park Complete Tour . It’s one of the highest rated and it includes everything!

Macuco Safari Boat Ride at Iguazu Falls

Having visited Iguazu Falls recently, we took the opportunity to do as many activities as we could fit in. Out of all the activities we did, the Macuco Safari boat ride was by far the most fun. This is the best tour if you’re looking to get as close as possible to the falls, are up for an adventure, and don’t mind getting wet!

The boat ride is an experience available on both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of Iguazu Falls. On the Brazil side, the tour is operated by Macuco Safari. Whereas on the Argentina side, the operator is Gran Aventura.

➡️ Book Your Macuco Safari Boat Ride (Brazil Side)

• Boat Operator: Macuco Safari
• Opening Times: 8:00 am to 4:40 pm daily
• Duration : 2 hours total tour time (20 minutes for the boat ride)
• Location: Inside Iguaçu National Park, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
• Passengers: 20 people per boat
• Departures: Every 10 minutes
• Tickets: Bookable in advance online or can be purchased onsite
• Reservations: Time slot reservation required for entry to the park

Macuco Safari Vs. Gran Aventura

We did the boat ride on the Brazil side of Iguazu falls. So this review is about the Macuco Safari experience . But from what I’ve heard, the boat ride with Gran Aventura on the Argentinian side is very similar.

But, be warned, on the Argentina side, there are A LOT of stairs (around 300 stairs) to get up and down to the Gran Aventura boats. So, if you prefer not to do the stairs, I recommend the boat ride on the Brazil side. Although the Brazil side is not completely without obstacles. You will still need to walk up and down a couple of small flights of stairs. Plus, you have to cross the beach to get to the boats.

However, the key factor in deciding whether to do the Macuco Safari or Gran Aventura experience will be which side of the falls you’re visiting.

Although, if you’re visiting both sides of the falls I recommend doing the Macuco Safari on the Brazil side. Not only to avoid the stairs, but also because there aren’t as many trails and viewpoints on the Brazil side. So it makes sense to fill your day at Iguazu Falls Brazil with activities. This way you will have more time on the Argentina side to explore the trails and various vantage points.

➡️ Book Your Gran Aventura Boat Ride (Argentina Side)

Getting to The Macuco Safari

On the Brazil side, when you arrive at the entrance to Iguaçu National Park, you will board a bus operated by the park. The first stop on the bus is the Macuco Safari, and the 2nd stop is the Iguazu Falls viewpoint. The bus journey all the way to the viewpoint takes about 20 minutes, and the Macuco Safari stop is about halfway.

If you want to do the boat ride, make sure to get off at the Macuco Safari stop! You can either do it before or after checking out the viewpoint, as you can get off the bus at the Macuco Safari stop in either direction.

Note – If you’re doing the Gran Aventura boat ride on the Argentina side , the boat ride meeting point is easy to find within the main area of the park. You can check the park map when you enter to figure out exactly where you need to go.

Jungle Safari 4×4 Ride

The Macuco Safari experience starts with a ‘jungle safari’ ride on big 4×4 vehicles, which make you feel like you’re in Jurassic Park. There were about 20 seats in the 4×4 vehicle and the vehicle departs every 10 minutes.

The jungle safari is 2 km (1.2 mi) through the jungle and the vehicle moves quite slowly, so you can properly take in your surroundings. There are several stops along the way where the guide will tell you about the plants and animals which are native to the area. Shortly before the end of the jungle safari, there is an option to get off and finish on foot by doing a short trail.

The trail was only 600 meters but this was an interesting walk to do. It was an easy trail, mostly along a boardwalk and included several flights of stairs. We saw some small natural pools and a canyon on the way, as well as some interesting insects. The guide also shared more interesting facts about the jungle on the walk, and answered all our questions.

Note – After the boat ride you will take the 4×4 vehicles again back to the starting point, where you can get the park bus to your next stop, or back to the park entrance.

Getting Ready for The Boat Ride

At the end of the jungle safari you reach the location where the boat ride takes place. Here, you can rent lockers to store your belongings for R $5 and buy snacks. You will want to store ALL your belongings in the lockers as the boat ride is very wet. Some people even stored their shoes in the lockers (although we kept them on until we got to the boats and then left them on the dock).

After you store your belongings, you will board a funicular railway (similar to a cable car) which takes you down the cliff to the water. There is a flight of stairs to descend at the bottom of the railway, and some rocks and sand you need to walk across to get to the boat dock (this is why we kept our shoes on). Make sure to tread carefully, as the rocks can be slippery.

Once you reach the dock, you will be given life jackets, be able to take your shoes off, and queue to get on the boat. The tour guides will also give some instructions before boarding the boats and departing.

➡️ Book Your Macuco Safari Boat Ride

The Boat Ride at Iguazu Falls

There are 20 seats on the boat, and most of them are likely to fill up, since this is a popular tour. The boat ride lasts for about 20 minutes (although the entire tour from start to end is about 2 hours).

The first 5 minutes is an exhilarating ride, speeding down the river and crashing over rapids. Then there’s about 5 minutes of getting VERY wet by actually going underneath some of the waterfalls! This is followed by 5 minutes of stopping to enjoy some absolutely stunning views of the falls, before a thrilling ride back to the boat launch.

On the ride back, the driver had some fun with us, turning the boat almost on its side as it navigated some of the larger rapids. It was such a fun and thrilling experience!

Wet Boat Vs. Dry Boat

Although the wet boat is the most common boat ride at Iguazu Falls, it’s actually also possible to do a dry boat option. If this is the option you prefer, you will need to specifically request it from the boat operator when you check in. You may have to wait a bit longer for a dry boat, but they will accommodate the request.

The dry boat won’t go under any of the waterfalls, but you should still expect to get a little bit wet, as you may get splashed going over the rapids. Although it won’t be anything like the wet boat experience! On the wet boat you will get 100% soaked through, as if you’ve just been swimming!

For the wet boat, I highly recommend bringing a change of clothes and a towel. I also suggest trying to plan the boat ride as your final activity of the day, so you can just head back to your accommodation after to properly dry off.

➡️ Browse Tour Packages and Compare Prices

My Experience

When we did the Macuco Safari boat ride, we didn’t really know what to expect, and didn’t realize quite how wet we would actually get…

I was also a bit skeptical at first about how good the boat ride would actually be (especially since we had already done the helicopter flight which was epic). But I was really pleasantly surprised, as the boat ride turned out to be the most fun experience at Iguazu Falls!

READ MORE – Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need To Know

The boat ride itself is super fun, so whether you choose the wet or dry boat option, you will have an amazing time

The boat goes really fast and there are a lot more rapids than we were expecting. Plus the driver showed off his skills by taking some sharp corners, leaning the boat on its side and flying over some of the bumps! It definitely made for a very exciting ride.

The views of the falls from down in the Iguazu River were spectacular

We got to see views from an angle which you just don’t get from the viewpoints. Looking up at Iguazu Falls from below really emphasizes how grand the waterfalls are!

Getting wet was part of the fun!

Finally, going under some of the waterfalls and getting totally soaked just added to the experience. It was a bit like being on a ride in a theme park, except better. Plus, you literally can’t get any closer to the falls than literally going under them.

Overall, the Macuco Safari tour was super well organized, had so many fun elements to it, and the guides were really helpful, friendly and informative. I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone visiting Iguazu Falls

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 Macuco Safari

You can buy tickets for the Macuco Safari experience in advance online and there are different package options. I would always recommend buying tickets in advance to save time on the day, and secure your spot, as priority is given to people who already have tickets.

But, if you prefer to buy tickets on the day, you can also purchase them at the entry to the Macuco Safari. You may also be able to purchase tickets through your hotel.

Online tickets come with hotel transfers included. You can either book just the Macuco Safari (including hotel transfers), or the Macuco Safari including park entrance and hotel transfers.

You can also buy tickets online for the Boat Ride with Gran Aventura on the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls.

➡️ BOOK Boat Ride (Brazil Side) OR Boat Ride (Argentina Side)

Package Tours (Recommended)

A lot of people will decide between doing the helicopter flight OR the boat road. But the two tours offer such different and spectacular experiences! Therefore I would actually recommend doing both if you’re able to. Or, even better, I suggest booking a complete tour package to do all the activities at Iguazu Falls Brazil. (This is what we did).

If you’re looking to do a tour which includes the helicopter flight, it will have to be on the Brazilian side of the falls, as the helicopter tour is not available on the Argentina side.

Luckily, most tours which include transport are able to offer hotel transfers from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. This makes it much easier navigating the border crossing and getting to the Brazil side for your day of activities!

Our pick is the Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side: Macuco Safari, Helicopter Flight and Bird Park Complete Tour because it is one of the highest rated and includes everything!

It’s hard to compare each of the activities at Iguazu Falls, since they are all so unique. In my opinion, you get the best views of the falls from the helicopter flight, but the boat ride was the most fun and such a thrilling experience! Plus you get some epic views from a completely different angle.

To top it all off, the bird park is also fantastic. You get to see thousands of interesting and exotic birds up close, including interact with them, which was a really special experience. I highly recommend doing all three activities if you can – you won’t regret it!

READ MORE – Parque Das Aves: Review Of The Iguazu Falls Bird Park

Is The Boat Ride at Iguazu Falls Worth It?

Yes, the boat ride at Iguazu Falls is definitely worth doing! This was the most fun we had at Iguazu Falls, there were some amazing views and the tour was really well organized. I highly recommend doing the Macuco Safari boat tour.

Can You Get The Boat on Both Sides of Iguazu Falls?

Yes, you can get a boat tour on both sides of Iguazu Falls. On the Brazil side, the boat tour is operated by Macuco Safari. Whereas on the Argentina side, the tour is run by Gran Aventura.

Both tours are very similar. But on the Argentina side there are A LOT of stairs to walk up and down to access the boats. Whereas on the Brazil side, there is a funicular railway (similar to a cable car). So keep this in mind when deciding which side to take the boat tour on, in case you rather avoid all the stairs!

How Much Does The Macuco Safari Cost?

The Macuco Safari prices will vary depending on which tour you book. Most of the tours will include the boat ride ticket, as well as transport, although some of them also include park entrance fees. You should expect to pay between $130 to $200 USD, depending on the tour you book.

Alternatively, you can also book a complete tour of Iguazu Falls Brazil which includes the helicopter flight, Macuco Safari boat ride, and entrance to the bird park for $381 USD.

How Much Time Do You Need for The Macuco Safari?

The Macuco Safari tour takes a total of 2 hours from start to finish. This includes the jungle safari and optional trail, getting ready for the boat ride and descending on the funicular railway, the boat ride, and the return to the starting point on the 4×4 vehicles. The boat ride itself is about 20 minutes.

What Type of Boat is It?

Tha Macuco Safari boats are large speed boats which seat 20 passengers each.

Will You Get Wet on The Boat Ride?

Absolutely! If you’re doing the wet boat (most common option) then you should expect to get completely soaked through. But this is all part of the fun!

If you choose the dry boat option, you won’t get soaked, but you may still get a little bit wet as the water does splash up a bit when driving over the rapids.

You should plan ahead for the boat ride and pack a towel and change of clothes (especially if you’re doing the wet boat). Some people will even just wear their swimsuit on the boat to save their clothes getting wet.

What Can You Bring on The Boat Ride With You?

You shouldn’t bring anything with you on the boat ride, other than a waterproof camera. Lockers are available to rent onsite to leave your belongings in. You should ideally take off any unnecessary layers of clothes and your shoes, to save them from getting wet.

Also be careful of small items like sunglasses! Mine were knocked off my head when we went under the waterfall. But luckily someone sat behind me was able to retrieve them for me!

➡️ Browse All Boat Tour Packages and Compare Prices

Final Thoughts – Macuco Safari Boat Ride at Iguazu Falls

The boat ride at Iguazu Falls is one of the best tours you can do here. From the adrenaline rush of the rapids, to the stunning views, and the novelty of going under the falls, the Macuco Safari is a thrilling experience!

And, if you’re able to combine it with the helicopter flight and bird park, you won’t regret it. Doing all three activities really is the best way to experience Iguazu Falls, for a truly unforgettable experience.

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

Which Side Of Iguazu Falls Is Better? The Complete Guide

Iguazu Falls Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need To Know

Parque Das Aves: Review Of The Iguazu Falls Bird Park

What is the Biggest Waterfall in the World?

Hiking Iguazu Falls: The Devil’s Throat Trail, Iguazu Falls Maps & More

Chanelle Rosenbaum is the founder and author of Chasing Chanelle, a blog that aims to help travellers and expats navigate new destinations and take on more outdoor adventures. She has lived in Canada, Europe, the UK, Australia, and South America, which has given her a local’s perspective of the places she writes about. She is also an avid hiker, camper, runner, paddler, skier, and snowboarder, and is passionate about sharing her hobbies with others through her blog.

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Macuco Safari Iguazu Falls Boat Tour

If you want to experience Iguazu Falls upfront and personal, the Macuco Safari Iguazu Falls Boat Tour is the perfect excursion for you on the Brazilian Side of the Falls!

Macuco Safari has its itinerary divided into three stages. It starts with a three kilometer trail into the forest, in an open cart coupled to an electric vehicle. In the second stage there is a walk (optional) on a 600 meter suspended trail. Bilingual guides accompany the entire route and report curiosities about the local fauna and flora. The trail ends on a deck with cabinets, bathrooms, snack bar and souvenir shop. Finally, an electric tram allows access to the Macuco Safari pier and twin-engine boats.

Macuco Safari Iguazu Falls Boat Tour Description:

The excursion starts with a 3km ride through the jungle, with an English-speaking guide pointing out the park’s flora and fauna. The second phase is a short hike (600m) to a small waterfall called Salto de Macuco (no swimming allowed).

Finally, climb aboard a Zodiac for a 4km journey over flat water and rapids, and under the falls known as the Three Musketeers. The boat ride is 30 minutes, but the whole excursion takes about two hours. Buy a protective camera/phone sleeve if you want your own photos because you will get soaked.

Highlights:

• Macuco Falls
• Three Musketeers Falls

Inclusions:

• Transfer offered by the Park to the activity area

Exclusions:

• National Park Entrance Ticket
• Entry/Admission – Iguazu Falls
• Entry/Admission – Parque Nacional do Iguacu

Please Note:

• We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, a towel as well as another change of clothes just in case you get too soaked.
• The capacity of boats 23 to 25 people
• Service: Daily (including Sundays and holidays)
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems or pregnant travelers

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Macuco Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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MACUCO SAFARI (Foz do Iguacu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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