Places / South America / Paraguay
Ciudad del Este
Visited in January 2016
At a glance
- Country
- Paraguay
- Region
- Ciudad del Este
- Population
- 578,920
- Best time to go
- March to May, August to November
- Main airport
- Ciudad del Este Guaraní International (AGT)
- Coordinates
- 25.46°S, 54.60°W
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Overview
Ciudad del Este sits on the Paraná River at the Triple Frontier, where Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet. It is best known as a vast duty-free shopping hub, with crowds of Brazilian shoppers crossing the Friendship Bridge every day.
Beyond the shops, it is a convenient base for the Itaipu Dam, local waterfalls and the spectacular Iguazu Falls just across the borders.
Things to see
-
Photo: Jonas de Carvalho, CC BY-SA 2.0 Itaipu Dam
One of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world, with guided tours of its colossal structure.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: FF MM, CC BY-SA 3.0 Monday Falls
Powerful waterfalls plunging into a gorge just outside the city, with walkways and viewpoints.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Valacir, CC BY 2.0 Friendship Bridge
The busy bridge over the Paraná linking Paraguay and Brazil.
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Photo: Flaviohmg, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lago de la República
A city-centre lake with a waterside path, a calm retreat from the shopping streets.
Things to do
-
Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Iguazu Falls
Cross into Brazil or Argentina to see the immense curtain of waterfalls in the rainforest.
Find tours -
Photo: European Space Agency, Attribution Hito Tres Fronteras
Viewpoints where you can see all three countries at the meeting of the rivers.
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Photo: Cmasi, CC BY-SA 4.0 Shop the microcentro
Bargain for electronics and goods in the crowded shopping arcades, checking guarantees carefully.
Where to stay
Centro
Close to the shops and lake, with practical business hotels.
Hotels in CentroFoz do Iguaçu
Many travellers stay across the border in Brazil, closer to the falls.
Hotels in Foz do Iguaçu
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest options. Allow extra time for queues on the Friendship Bridge.
The airport is around 30 km west of the city, about 30 minutes by taxi; long-distance buses arrive from Asunción.
When to go
Autumn and spring are warm and comfortable. Summers are hot and humid, and the falls are at their fullest after heavy rains.
Plan your trip to Ciudad del Este
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.