Itaipu Binacional

The hydroelectric plant of Itaipu Dam is the realisation of joint work by Brazil and Paraguay, with the objective of harnessing the potential of water hydraulics of the Paraná River, owned in partnership by the two countries. Its reservoir covers 15 counties in western Paraná and one in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Itaipu was named in homage to a small islet on the Paraná River on which the plant is now settled. The Indians called the island "Itaipu", which in Tupi-Guarani, means "The Stone That Sings", because of the noise that the water made when it hit the rocks. Due to its size, this hydroelectric plant is considered "The Work of the Century" and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, (as per research conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineering) and employs engineers from around the world. Itaipu Dam is the biggest in the world in production of energy with its 20 turbines.

The Itaipu Dam offers two types of visits: The Panoramic and The Special Visit.

The Panoramic Visit, as the name suggests, offers a panoramic view of the plant from within a luxury bus with one stop at a strategic point to take pictures and enjoy the wonderful view.

The Special Visit adds another stop to the Panoramic Visit. During this stop, visitors can enter the plant of the dam to see how the machines work. Since visitors get to observe the operation, this is a technical visit.

Before beginning the tour, visitors will stop at the entrance of the plant and watch a movie, of about 20 min, about Itaipu in their native language.

The Itaipu Dam provides two visits - the Panoramic Visit and the Special Visit - with different rates.
Shorts and open shoes are forbidden on the Special Visit.