Iguazu Tours
 

I'm going to Foz next week and will probably head to the Argentinian side as well. I'll be there for 3 days. I've heard there are some boat tours one can take and some helicopter tours as well. Has anyone been on one of these tours and would you recommend them?

The popular boat tours are those that go under the Garganta de Diabo falls, the Macuco Safari from the Brazilian side and the equivalent on the Argentine side. There is a boat trip to an island from the Argentine side, and you csn usually swim there, and a boat trip on the river to the Bertoni house.
The heli ride goes from near the Brazilian park entrance, is quite expensive, and gives spectacular views.

Are there multiple tour operators or just one? Is one tour operator better than another?

afaik There's one helicopter company. There's one Macuco Safari. There's one company for going under the falls from Argentina. There's one company that does the Bertoni house boat ride. Whether you can book through various third party tour agencies, that also may include transportation from hotel to departure point, I don't know, but I do know the local public bus, or a taxi, also gets you there.

I did the Iguazu Jungle tour last year with my young son. The ride through the jungle was nice but uneventful. We did love the jet boat ride into the falls though. It's pricey but I liked getting up close over seeing it from a helicopter.

Thanks. One last question. Are these tours something that I should book in advance or can I book when I am there?

This is not high season. No crowds. IMO you could book once there; not sure if, like many things in Brazil, you could book online on advance.

Agreed, I was there at the end of August and was able to sign up an hour before it started. We stayed in the Sheraton while at the park. If you are just doing a day trip from Brazil you should be fine. Sign up when you get there first. If you have to wait an hour or two just hike one of the trails while you wait.

Great. Thanks for all the advice. I'll be there for almost three days so I should have plenty of time to hike and explore both sides.

Also, not sure if you have one but I brought a simple waterproof camera and when on the boat and got some great action shots and video when we went in the falls.

I actually do have a nice water proof camera. Can't remember the manufacturer but I took it with me to the Dead Sea and even though everyone said it wouldn't survive it did splendid. I'm looking forward to Foz!

I distinctly remember not being able to see anything, let alone aim a camera, under the falls. The boat stopped just short of the point of going under so people could take photos.

If nothing else I could certainly just start recording before going under the falls and see what happens. I'm looking forward to going even if I can't take any decent pictures.

We all get so involved with our devices, we forget that sometimes it's best to just allow yourself to experience fully and savor those remembrances, and not be preoccupied with recording everything for posterity. (IMHO)

I agree. Unfortunately that doesn't mean I don't do it. I had a moment today when I was at the falls when I had to stop myself from looking at it through the camera and look at it with my real eyes. Or as my colleague would say "look at it with your real eyes, not your crazy eyes."