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Which is better: Campos do Jordão or Foz do Iguaçu?

Short answer

Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Foz do Iguaçu is in Western Paraná (PR): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; 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, Foz do Iguaçu has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Campos do JordãoCampos do Jordão Sightseeing Tour★ 9.1 · 72 reviews · from US$ 20 · 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 →
Campos do Jordão Foz do Iguaçu
Best time to visit Jun → Sep Mar → Sep
Weather this month 21° · 12 days of rain 30° · 10 days of rain
By car R$ 94 + tolls · from São Paulo R$ 484 · from Curitiba
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Family, Adventure
Choose Campos do Jordão if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: the "Brazilian Switzerland" of cold weather, pine nuts and the Winter Festival.

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: Campos do Jordão or Foz do Iguaçu

The average nightly rate is around R$ 197 in Campos do Jordão 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 Campos do Jordão on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.5 ★★★ · 85 reviews Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking → Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.6 ★★★★ · 35 reviews Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Campos do Jordão

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

Campos do Jordão or Foz do Iguaçu: which is better?
Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Foz do Iguaçu is in Western Paraná (PR): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; 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, Foz do Iguaçu has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Campos do Jordão and Foz do Iguaçu?
The best time to visit Campos do Jordão is from June to September; 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 São Paulo, Campos do Jordão is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 94 each way (fuel only, tolls not included); 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, Campos do Jordão or Foz do Iguaçu?
Averaged over the year, Campos do Jordão has 11 rainy days a month and Foz do Iguaçu has 9. Foz do Iguaçu is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Campos do Jordão is January and in Foz do Iguaçu, October. For temperature, Foz do Iguaçu is the warmer one (average high of 29° versus 21°).
How many days should you spend in Campos do Jordão and in Foz do Iguaçu?
To see the main sights without rushing, Campos do Jordão 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.
Campos do Jordão or Foz do Iguaçu with kids?
Both work with kids: Campos do Jordão (Brazil's highest town, mountain cold, and Winter Festival) 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: Foz do Iguaçu has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Campos do Jordão: Campos do Jordão State Park (Horto Florestal), Morro do Elefante, Pico do Itapeva. 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.