Staying in Foz do Iguaçu?

Documents

Crossing into Paraguay requires a valid passport or national ID for every passenger, children included. Citizens of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay do not need a visa. Other nationalities should check Paraguay's current requirement for their passport before travelling — it is set by the immigration authorities of each country, not by the operator.

Keep the document to hand, not at the bottom of a suitcase. If you are travelling with minors or have any particular situation, sort it out beforehand rather than on the day.

What there is to do on the Paraguayan side

Ciudad del Este has a reputation as a shopping city, and that is accurate: it is one of the largest retail districts in South America, with Shopping del Este, Intershop and the centre's commercial circuit. But there are three other things most packages sold from Foz do not cover.

• Monday Falls, in Presidente Franco: where the Monday river drops into the Paraná, with viewpoints facing them head on. Entrance is included in the city tour.
• The Itaipu Dam from the Paraguayan side: the same structure you can visit from Foz, but without crossing the border twice if you are based on the Paraguayan side.
• The evening: dinner with Paraguayan harp and folk dancing at the Hoplon Club, or the full route with night shopping and a casino.

What each thing costs

Everything can be paid in dollars, reais or guaraníes, in cash or by card. See all tours.

How to cross

On your own, the crossing is the Friendship Bridge. The actual time depends on traffic, which at peak hours and on long weekends can be considerable, and once across you still have to work out where to leave the car and how to move between the commercial centre, the falls and the dam.

The alternative is the private transfer: we collect you, drop you where you are going and wait if you hire it that way. The rate is per vehicle rather than per person, so between three or four people it divides. If you are flying in, the transfer from Foz airport (IGU) costs Gs 450.000 for up to 4 passengers; from the bus terminal, Gs 350.000.

Why book on the Paraguayan side

Plenty of agencies in Foz sell trips into Paraguay. The practical difference is that LTO operates from Ciudad del Este: the guide is local, the invoice is Paraguayan and the company answers to Paraguay's tourism authority. Our registration can be checked directly on REGISTUR, the national tourism register — you do not have to take our word for it.

Frequently asked questions

What document do I need to cross into Paraguay?

A valid passport or national ID for every passenger, children included. Brazilian, Argentine and Uruguayan citizens do not need a visa. Other nationalities should check Paraguay's requirement for their passport.

How long does it take from Foz to Ciudad del Este?

The centre is a few kilometres from the Friendship Bridge. The actual time depends on traffic on the bridge, which at peak hours and on long weekends can be considerable.

Can I pay in US dollars?

Yes. LTO tours and transfers can be paid in dollars, reais or guaraníes, in cash or by card.

Can I do it all in a single day?

Yes, and most people do. City Plus runs 09:00 to 17:00 with a guided route, lunch, a river cruise and a shopping tour. If you would rather have half a day, the city tour leaves at 09:00 and 13:00 and leaves the other half free for the shops.