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Which is better: Bonito or Foz do Iguaçu?

Short answer

Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Foz do Iguaçu is in Western Paraná (PR): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Foz do Iguaçu: around 275 waterfalls on the border of three countries, with the Itaipu power plant a few kilometers away. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BonitoTransport Between Campo Grande Airport & Bonito★ 8.4 · 5 reviews · from US$ 45 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Foz do IguaçuIguazú Falls Argentine Side Tour★ 8.5 · 166 reviews · from US$ 44 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bonito Foz do Iguaçu
Best time to visit May → Aug Mar → Sep
Weather this month 31° · 9 days of rain 30° · 10 days of rain
By car R$ 166 · from Campo Grande R$ 484 · from Curitiba
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Family, Relax Family, Adventure
Choose Bonito if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and families: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium.

See guide
Choose Foz do Iguaçu if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: around 275 waterfalls on the border of three countries, with the Itaipu power plant a few kilometers away.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bonito or Foz do Iguaçu

The average nightly rate is around R$ 336 in Bonito and R$ 678 in Foz do Iguaçu; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Bonito on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Rancho Jarinu in Bonito 9.7 ★★★ · 4 reviews Pousada Rancho Jarinu See on Booking → Wetiga Hotel in Bonito 8.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Wetiga Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Bonito

Compare hotels and places to stay in Foz do Iguaçu on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls in Foz do Iguaçu 9.4 ★★★★★ · 141 reviews Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls See on Booking → JL Hotel by Bourbon in Foz do Iguaçu 9.1 ★★★★ · 382 reviews JL Hotel by Bourbon See on Booking →
See all hotels in Foz do Iguaçu

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Bonito or Foz do Iguaçu: which is better?
Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Foz do Iguaçu is in Western Paraná (PR): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Foz do Iguaçu: around 275 waterfalls on the border of three countries, with the Itaipu power plant a few kilometers away. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bonito and Foz do Iguaçu?
The best time to visit Bonito is from May to August; for Foz do Iguaçu, it is from March to September, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Campo Grande, Bonito is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 166 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Curitiba, Foz do Iguaçu is 640 km (398 mi) and costs about R$ 484 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bonito or Foz do Iguaçu?
Averaged over the year, Bonito has 8 rainy days a month and Foz do Iguaçu has 9. Bonito is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bonito is January and in Foz do Iguaçu, October. For temperature, Bonito is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 29°).
How many days should you spend in Bonito and in Foz do Iguaçu?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bonito calls for 3–4 days and Foz do Iguaçu, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Bonito or Foz do Iguaçu with kids?
Both work with kids: Bonito (crystal-clear waters, ecotourism, and river floating) and Foz do Iguaçu (275 waterfalls, triple border, and UNESCO national park). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Bonito has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bonito: Gruta do Lago Azul, Rio da Prata (float), Rio Sucuri (float). In Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazu Falls, Brazilian side, Devil's Throat, Argentine side, Puerto Iguazú. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.