Ciudad del Este, Paraguay: travel guide
Triple Frontier border city and gateway to Itaipú and Iguazú
Paraguay's second-largest city in Alto Paraná, a major tax-free border-shopping hub at the Triple Frontier. Gateway to the colossal Itaipú Dam, the Saltos del Monday waterfall and (across the border) Iguazú Falls.
About Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este is a busy border city in Alto Paraná, where Paraguay meets Brazil and Argentina at the Triple Frontier. It is best known as a trading and shopping hub, and as a practical base for some of the region's big sights.
The Itaipú Dam, one of the world's major hydroelectric projects, offers visitor tours that explain the scale of the structure. The Saltos del Monday waterfall is a short drive away, and the Hito Tres Fronteras marks the meeting of the rivers and the three countries. The Friendship Bridge to Brazil leads to Foz do Iguaçu, the gateway to Iguazú Falls.
Ciudad del Este suits shoppers and travellers connecting to the falls. It is hot and humid in summer, and the cooler months from May to September are more comfortable for sightseeing.
- Country
- Paraguay
- Currency
- PYG
- Time zone
- America/Asuncion
- Nearest airport
- AGT
Last updated
Top places to visit in Ciudad del Este
Saltos del Monday
Waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Three-tier ~45 m waterfall in a forest park near Presidente Franco — a striking, easier-to-reach alternative to Iguazú.
Puente de la Amistad
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The Friendship Bridge over the Paraná to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil — an iconic, frantic border crossing.
Hito Tres Fronteras
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Paraguayan marker at the Triple Frontier where the Paraná and Iguazú rivers meet Brazil and Argentina.
Represa de Itaipú (Itaipú Dam)
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, on the Paraná between Paraguay and Brazil; guided panoramic tours and a periodic night illumination show.
Microcentro shopping district
Market · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Ciudad del Este's famous tax-free shopping zone of malls and stalls selling electronics, perfumes and more.
Things to do
- Itaipú Dam Guided Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from PYG 50,000 per person
- Saltos del Monday Visit Nature · 2 h · from PYG 120,000 per person
- Iguazú Falls Day Trip Nature · 8 h · from PYG 450,000 per person
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Experience Sightseeing · 3 h · from PYG 50,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Itaipú Dam & Saltos del Monday Tour 6 h · from PYG 180,000
- Iguazú Falls Cross-Border Day Trip 10 h · from PYG 450,000
Where to stay in Ciudad del Este
- Microcentro about PYG 450,000 per night
Ciudad del Este's central shopping core, convenient for the markets and the Friendship Bridge.
Hotels
- Apart Hotel Austria 3-star · PYG 280,000 to PYG 480,000 per night
- Hotel Convair 3-star · PYG 250,000 to PYG 420,000 per night
- Gran Nobile Hotel & Convention 4-star · PYG 450,000 to PYG 800,000 per night
- Hotel Casino Acaray 4-star · PYG 400,000 to PYG 750,000 per night
Where to eat
- Patussi Paraguayan, Grill · about PYG 95,000 per person
- Restaurante Oriental Chinese, Asian · about PYG 80,000 per person
- Confitería Microcentro Café, Bakery · about PYG 45,000 per person
Getting to Ciudad del Este
Airport: Ciudad del Este (AGT)
How visitors arrive in Ciudad del Este
- Bus or taxi across the Friendship Bridge from Foz do Iguaçu By road from Foz do Iguaçu · common
The most common way in is over the Friendship Bridge from Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil; remember to get border stamps. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Asunción By road from Asunción · common
Regular long-distance buses arrive at the main bus terminal from Asunción and Encarnación. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Domestic flight to Guaraní International Airport By air from Asunción · possible
Guaraní airport is in nearby Minga Guazú and has mainly domestic flights, chiefly to Asunción. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Puerto Iguazú By ferry from Puerto Iguazú · possible
A ferry links Argentina's Puerto Iguazú directly without passing through Brazil. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Taxi from Guaraní airport
The airport is in Minga Guazú, well outside the city; a taxi is the simplest way in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Intercity buses to the bus terminal
Long-distance buses from Asunción and Encarnación arrive at the terminal south of the centre, next to the 3 de Febrero stadium. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxis are unmetered; agree the fare before getting in. The terminal posts a sign of typical destination fares. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Some buses from Puerto Iguazú may drop you at the border, so you may need to walk through immigration. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Local buses run from the centre of Ciudad del Este to Hernandarias for the Itaipú sites; boarding is quick and the fare is collected once you sit.
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
Taxis in Ciudad del Este are unmetered, so agree the price before getting in; motorcycle taxis are another option near the Friendship Bridge.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Counterfeit electronics
Microcentro shopping district near the Friendship Bridge
"Brand-new" phones, watches and gadgets turn out to be clones, refurbished or non-functional once you get home.
How to avoid it: Buy from established stores, test items before paying, and keep the receipt and warranty.
Counterfeit currency at the border
Friendship Bridge and informal exchangers
Street money-changers at the tri-border pass off fake guaraní or reais, or give deliberately bad rates.
How to avoid it: Use authorised exchange houses and inspect notes; avoid changing large sums on the street.
Pickpocketing in the shopping crowds
Microcentro and the Friendship Bridge approach
Dense shopping crowds and the bridge bottleneck are prime spots for bag-slashing and pickpocketing.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front, and don't flash cash or new purchases.
Best time to visit Ciudad del Este
- Jan 33°C
- Feb 32°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 29°C
- May 24°C
- Jun 23°C
- Jul 23°C
- Aug 26°C
- Sep 28°C
- Oct 30°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 32°C
More in Paraguay
Frequently asked questions about Ciudad del Este
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Ciudad del Este?
- The highest-rated places in our Ciudad del Este guide are Represa de Itaipú (Itaipú Dam), Saltos del Monday, Hito Tres Fronteras, Puente de la Amistad.
- Where should I stay in Ciudad del Este?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ciudad del Este: Microcentro.
- How do I get around Ciudad del Este?
- Ways to get around Ciudad del Este covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Ciudad del Este?
- Scams reported to us for Ciudad del Este include Counterfeit electronics; Counterfeit currency at the border; Pickpocketing in the shopping crowds. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Ciudad del Este?
- Average daytime highs in Ciudad del Este run from 23°C in Jun to 33°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Ciudad del Este?
- The nearest airport to Ciudad del Este has the code AGT.