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The Triple Frontier refers to the area along the border that divides Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The three countries are separated by the Paraná River and the Iguazú River. These two rivers combine and flow into Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. Hundreds of waterfalls can be seen from Argentina and Brazil, which attract millions of visitors annually.
Traveling to this region provides a unique opportunity to quickly and easily explore three different countries. The border cities of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), and Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) all rely on revenue from tourism, so they make crossing the border as painless as possible. If you are planning on seeing Iguazu Falls, you should take advantage of other attractions in the Triple Frontier.
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Foz do Iguaçu
Why you should stay in Foz do Iguaçu
Foz do Iguaçu is the best city to make your home base while in the Triple Frontier. This city has the easiest access to Argentina and Paraguay since you cannot travel directly between those two countries. In addition, it is a larger city than Puerto Iguazú, providing more opportunities for restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, etc. Foz do Iguaçu is also a much safer option than staying in Ciudad del Este.
Although Foz do Iguaçu is a little more expensive to stay in compared to the other two cities, it is still very economical. When I visited, I stayed in a nice apartment in downtown Foz do Iguaçu for only $14 USD/night.
What to do in Foz do Iguaçu
An attraction in Foz do Iguaçu that I highly recommend is the Parque das Aves (Bird Park). This bird sanctuary has about 150 species of birds, many of them endangered. A few are even extinct in the wild!
Just down the road from this bird sanctuary is Movie Cars, a theme park that has over 50 cars displayed in a way that depicts famous movie scenes.
There is also Blue Park, a water park that is supplied by the warm waters of the Guarani Aquifer. It is considered the 3rd largest thermal beach with waves in the world.
Here are some additional activities to choose from during your time in Foz do Iguaçu.
Where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu
There are a few different options to choose from when deciding where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu. What you choose will depend on your budget, desired level of luxury, and what kind of experiences you wish to have.
Low Budget
For those who are traveling on a budget, I recommend staying at the Tetris Container Hostel. It’s conveniently located near the center of town, so you can get to different attractions easily. This is a great place to stay during the summer because it has A/C and an outdoor pool.
For those who would prefer a private room, I recommend staying at the Hotel Três Fronteiras. This highly-rated hotel is located in the central part of town and offers standard private rooms for competitive prices.
Medium Budget
For those who want to stay at one of the most highly-rated hotels in Foz do Iguaçu, Hotel Rafain Centro is a great option. This hotel offers more luxurious accommodations, such as a fitness room, a barbecue area outside, continental breakfast, and tour options. Foz do Iguaçu is very affordable, so even a nice hotel like this one is still less than $50 USD/night.
High Budget
If you want a luxurious hotel right just steps away from Iguazu Falls, check out the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. This 5-star hotel provides views of the falls from one of its restaurants. Its Portuguese-style rooms come with balconies for admiring the Iguazu National Park and the nearby falls.
Crossing into Argentina
Crossing the border between Argentina and Brazil is typically a hassle-free experience. Once you pass the Brazilian immigration office, you pass 3 km of “no-mans land” before reaching the Argentinian side.
I recommend taking one of the many buses that frequently pass between the two cities. The only downside is the traffic jams that can occur near the end of the day when the tourists are returning to their countries.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk 3 km across the border. This is what I did, and it allowed me to appreciate the natural beauty of the Iguazú River. If you do decide to walk across, make sure to stay vigilant of passing cars.
What to do in Puerto Iguazú
The first thing I did in Puerto Iguazú was to find a steakhouse. I had heard that Argentina has some of the best steaks in the world, and I wanted to see it for myself. I went into one of the first restaurants I came across, and I was not disappointed.
After indulging in the food, you should stop by the Hito Tres Fronteras (Three Borders Landmark), where the two rivers meet and divide Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. This location has shops with souvenirs and refreshments, as well as a small park. The view of the two rivers merging into one makes this stop very worthwhile.
If you have a couple of days to spend in Puerto Iguazú, you can also check out the San Ignacio Ruins.
Besides seeing the Iguazú Falls, here are a few other things to do in Puerto Iguazú.
Crossing into Paraguay
To enter Paraguay from Foz do Iguaçu, you must cross the 500-meter long Friendship Bridge, or Puente de la Amistad, over the Paraná River. You can either do this by walking or taking a taxi across. If you are taking anything more than a backpack with you, then you should take a vehicle across. There are a lot of people hanging out on the bridge and it is best not to draw any attention. Otherwise, walk across and enjoy the views of the river!
Because of the immigration agreement that Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay have, you won’t see very many people stop by the immigration office. In fact, I didn’t see anybody else stop to present their passport. If you are visiting Ciudad del Este and returning the same day, it may be tempting to just walk across with everyone else without stopping at immigration, but it is not worth the risk. Once you present the required documents, you’ll be ready to explore Ciudad del Este.
What to do in Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este is the largest black market in South America. It is also Paraguay’s second-largest city and a major source of revenue for the country. The cheap electronics that are housed in the countless shopping malls here are mostly bought by Brazilian and Argentinian tourists. These tourists take advantage of the tax-free status of the electronics and smuggle them into their own countries. Since Ciudad del Este provides such an important stream of revenue to Paraguay, many officials there have permissive attitudes toward smuggling operations.
If you decide to visit Ciudad del Este, then check out the different shopping malls. You can get everything from clothes to electronics very cheaply.
You can also travel north of the city and see the Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world.
You can find some other stuff to do there, but I personally did not stay there very long. If you have a few days to spend in Paraguay, I would recommend taking a bus to Asunción and seeing another side of the country.
FAQs About the Triple Frontier
Is it safe to walk around Foz do Iguaçu?
Yes, Foz do Iguaçu is safe to walk around in, especially in the center of town. Puerto Iguazú is also safe to walk around in. However, when walking around Ciudad del Este, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings. It is not really a dangerous city, but it is very hectic. Not paying attention will increase your risk of pickpocketing.
Which side of the Iguazu Falls is better?
Both sides are worth visiting. The Argentinian side has more walkways, more waterfalls, and allows you to get closer to the falls. The Brazilian side has better views of the waterfalls. If you could only choose one side, I recommend the Brazilian side.
How many days should I spend in Foz do Iguaçu?
I recommend spending 2-3 days in Foz do Iguaçu, at least 1 day in Puerto Iguazú, and at least a few hours in Ciudad del Este.
