Most of the times, travellers find themselves at the Triple Frontier because they’re planning a visit to the majestic Iguazu Falls. Said falls, have been fought over for several years until it was decided that each country (Argentina, Brasil & Paraguay) should have a share of it. Nowadays, the term “Triple Frontier” simply refers to the very close triple border crossing between the above-mentioned countries.
Moving around the three borders can be a bit challenging especially if you’re used to other border crossings. Just imagine that this is possibly the easiest place in the whole country where you could cross the border without a stamp and nobody would even notice. It’ hard to find detailed information on how do it on your own but here’s our essential guide!
NOTE: In this article we use the following abbreviations “R=Brazilian Reais” ,“Gs=Paraguayan Guarani”, “ARG=Argentinian Peso”.
The several bus stops together with advice
Foz do Iguaçu (Brasil)
The small town of Foz is definitely the quieter of the three. Around the area there are plenty of accommodations options but most of the tourists prefer to use Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) as their basecamp. Be aware that people here mainly speak Portuguese (or Brazilian) since its the country language and only very few speak either Spanish or English.
Sleep – Compared to other famous locations in Brasil, this town happens to be pretty cheap, even in terms of accommodation (several Airbnbs for 10-15$/night for a double room).
Transport – From the local bus terminal (Av. Juscelino Kubitscheck 1385) you can take buses to both Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) or Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Independently of which bus you take you’ll be charged the flat fee of 6 R/10’000Gs/70ARG. Otherwise, taxis are also a viable expensive alternative.
Visa & Fees – ENTER ARGENTINA: For most European nationalities, Canada & USA citizens, Australia & New Zealand citizens the visa for can be made at the border. Separately, only Canada citizens have to pay a salty 80$ reciprocity fee to enter Argentina. ENTER PARAGUAY: For most European nationalities the visa for can be made at the border whereas for Canada & USA citizens, Australia & New Zealand citizens visa must be made at a consulate (or international airport) beforehand. Separately, citizens from Canada, USA, Australian & New Zealand have to pay a reciprocity fee of 150$, 160$, 135$ and 140$ respectively.
Puerto Iguazú (Argentina)
Without a doubt, the town of Puerto Iguazú is the fanciest of the three. The majority of the people prefer to base themselves here while visiting the Iguazu falls from each country perspective. As a consequence, the town is pretty expensive and westernised to the point you see more tourists than locals roaming the streets.
Sleep – Like many other places in Argentina, accommodation is pretty expensive. Expect to pay at least 10-15$/pp for a night stay in a simple hostel or local posada.
Transport – From the local bus terminal (Av. Misiones 1-99) you can take buses to both Foz do Iguaçu (Brasil) or Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Independently of which bus you take you’ll be charged the flat fee of 6 R/10’000Gs/70ARG. Otherwise, taxis are also a viable expensive alternative.
Visa & Fees – ENTER BRASIL: For most European nationalities & New Zealand citizens the visa for Brasil can be made at the border. Only Canada, USA & Australia citizens need to make an electronic visa application before hand (*electronic visa requirement for these countries will be waived in june 2019*). ENTER PARAGUAY: For most European nationalities the visa for can be made at the border whereas for Canada & USA citizens, Australia & New Zealand citizens visa must be made at a consulate (or international airport) beforehand. Separately, citizens from Canada, USA, Australian & New Zealand have to pay a reciprocity fee of 150$, 160$, 135$ and 140$ respectively.
Ciudad del Este (Paraguay)
The moment you cross into Paraguay from either Brasil or Argentina, the gap in the ambience will be huge. Ciudad del Este (CDE) is one of the most messy/busiest city we’ve ever seen, able to rival even some of those indian towns in Tamil Nadu. This is mostly due to locals from neighbouring countries taking day-trips to the paraguayans malls to buy any sort of things. In fact, for those who didn’t know, shopping in Paraguay is extremely cheaper than Brasil or Argentina.
Sleep – Likewise to Brasil accommodation, you can expect to spend around 15$/pp per night for a double room in either a hostel or a local posada. Very few people overnight in CDE as its the less safe, interesting and attractive towns of the three.
Transport – From the local bus terminal (Av. Misiones 1-99) you can take buses to both Foz do Iguaçu (Brasil) or Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Independently of which bus you take you’ll be charged the flat fee of 6 R/10’000Gs/70ARG. Otherwise, taxis are also a viable expensive alternative.
Visa & Fees – ENTER ARGENTINA: For most European nationalities, Canada & USA citizens, Australia & New Zealand citizens the visa for can be made at the border. Separately, only Canada citizens have to pay a salty 80$ reciprocity fee to enter Argentina. ENTER BRASIL: For most European nationalities & New Zealand citizens the visa for Brasil can be made at the border. Only Canada, USA & Australia citizens need to make an electronic visa application before hand (*electronic visa requirement for these countries will be waived in june 2019*).
The busy Ciudad del Este
The bus that never stops
Normally, if you’re taking an international bus over a border, you would expect that the bus driver stops at both border checkpoints to get all the passengers an entry & exit stamp on their passport. That said, before one set off to take the bus over the Triple Frontier, there’s something really important that every traveller should know.
Buses crossing the triple frontier will not stop at the border checkpoint unless a passenger tell them to do so.
In other words, whether you want or not to get an entry or exit stamp at any of the three countries mentioned above it entirely depends on you. This practice of not-stopping has came up due to the huge amount of south-american tourists criss-crossing the triple frontiers on a daily basis. In fact, all these tourists don’t necessarily need a visa if they plan spending less than a day in one of the neighbouring countries.
Common bus crossing the triple frontier on a 10-20min basis
…and the ticket bus voucher
After you buy the ticket for any of the destination above, you won’t have to pay another ticket again. If you need to stop at the border checkpoint, the bus you’re on will not always wait for you but should that be the case, before you hop down, the driver will give you a ticket voucher. Just wait for the next bus (every 10-20min), give them the voucher and you’re back on the road!
Don’t ever pay twice for your bus ride and always make sure to ask for the voucher telling the driver that you need to get the stamp at the checkpoint.
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