Grupo Cataratas

Grupo Cataratas is a Brazilian tourism company that specializes in the management and operation of transformative experiences in parks and tourist attractions. Founded in 1999, the group began its history in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, when a group of investors came together to bid for the concession of services in Iguaçu National Park, giving rise to the management of Cataratas do Iguaçu S.A. This initiative marked the beginning of a solid and successful trajectory in regenerative tourism. Over the years, the group expanded its operations, integrating EcoNoronha in 2011 and, the following year, arriving in Rio de Janeiro with the Paineiras-Corcovado concession and the creation of AquaRio. Subsequently, Marco das Três Fronteiras (2015) in Foz do Iguaçu and Mar de Espelhos at AquaRio (2023) joined the portfolio. In 2025, the group inaugurated AquaFoz, an aquarium in Foz do Iguaçu that expands the region's tourist offering and reinforces its position as a destination of national and international relevance. Through its attractions, Grupo Cataratas seeks to create and promote a lasting legacy of positive impact, uniting tourism, education, conservation, and sustainable development. The company positions itself as the leading sustainable tourism company in Brazil, with a mission to resignify people's relationship with nature through transformative experiences and positive impact, generating greater conservation awareness. Its portfolio includes some of Brazil's most iconic natural and cultural attractions, such as the Iguaçu Falls, a Natural World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature; AquaRio, the largest marine aquarium in South America; EcoNoronha, which provides services and support for public visitation in Fernando de Noronha; Paineiras-Corcovado, the visitor center at the foot of Corcovado that transports visitors to Christ the Redeemer; and Marco das Três Fronteiras, the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The group's operations are concentrated in Brazil, and it remains a private company.

Grupo Cataratas was founded in 1999 in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, when a group of investors united to compete for the concession of services in Iguaçu National Park. This led to the creation of Cataratas do Iguaçu S.A., which began managing visitor services at the iconic Iguaçu Falls. The initiative marked the start of a solid and successful trajectory in regenerative tourism. In 2011, the group expanded by integrating EcoNoronha, which is responsible for providing services and support for public visitation in Fernando de Noronha. The following year, in 2012, the group arrived in Rio de Janeiro with the Paineiras-Corcovado concession and the creation of AquaRio. The Paineiras-Corcovado project transformed the old Hotel das Paineiras, built in 1884, into the Paineiras Visitor Center at the foot of Corcovado, offering tourist reception, transport to Christ the Redeemer, interactive exhibitions, a souvenir shop, and restaurant options. AquaRio, the largest marine aquarium in South America, opened in Rio de Janeiro, providing educational and entertaining experiences with grand tanks and diverse attractions. In 2015, Marco das Três Fronteiras joined the portfolio in Foz do Iguaçu, marking the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. In 2023, the group added Mar de Espelhos at AquaRio. In 2025, Grupo Cataratas inaugurated AquaFoz, an aquarium in Foz do Iguaçu that expands the region's tourist offering and reinforces its position as a destination of national and international relevance. Throughout its history, the group has focused on creating and promoting a lasting legacy of positive impact, uniting tourism, education, conservation, and sustainable development. Its values are described as authentic beliefs that the company lives by daily.

• 2025

  Inaugurated AquaFoz, an aquarium in Foz do Iguaçu.

• 2023

  Added Mar de Espelhos at AquaRio.

• 2015

  Marco das Três Fronteiras joined the portfolio in Foz do Iguaçu.

• 2012

  Arrived in Rio de Janeiro with the Paineiras-Corcovado concession and the creation of AquaRio.

• 2011

  Integrated EcoNoronha into its portfolio.

• 1999

  Founded in Foz do Iguaçu; began managing Cataratas do Iguaçu S.A. after winning the concession for Iguaçu National Park.

Leading sustainable tourism company in Brazil, focused on regenerative tourism and transformative experiences that connect people with nature.

• Cataratas do Iguaçu

  Management of visitor services at Iguaçu Falls, a Natural World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

• AquaRio

  The largest marine aquarium in South America, located in Rio de Janeiro, offering educational and entertaining experiences.

• EcoNoronha

  Responsible for providing services and support for public visitation in Fernando de Noronha.

• Paineiras-Corcovado

  Visitor center at the foot of Corcovado, offering transport to Christ the Redeemer, interactive exhibitions, a souvenir shop, and restaurants.

• Marco das Três Fronteiras

  The meeting point of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, located in Foz do Iguaçu.

• AquaFoz

  Aquarium in Foz do Iguaçu inaugurated in 2025, expanding the region's tourist offering.

1. 1Grupo Cataratasgrupocataratas.com
2. 2Sobre - Grupo Cataratas | Conheça o Grupo Cataratasgrupocataratas.com
3. 3Grupo Catarataswikidata.org