Thinking about walking from Brazil to Paraguay seemed interesting, so I did a lot of research online before our trip. But, after looking into it, I decided not to do it. Google search pages said that Ciudad del Este is the most unsafe city in Paraguay and that there’s not much to do there – just a big market. Still, I had the idea of visiting in my mind. On our way back from Foz do Iguaçu, where we spent a busy day on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, I asked our guide if it was possible to do a half-day trip to Ciudad del Este the next morning, and he said, “Absolutely.” I also asked if it’s safe, and he said, “With me, you are safe.” Here is how to walk from Brazil to Paraguay and my thought on whether it worth the visit.
So, after spending two super busy days around Iguazu Falls, my family decided to spend a day at the pool before our flight back home. Well, I decided to walk to Cuidad de Este, Paraguay from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil with a private guide.
Bridge between Brazil and Paraguay
The bridge connecting Brazil and Paraguay was built a while ago, around the end of the 1900s. It’s about 500 meters long and has paths on both sides for people to walk. Initially, there used to be strict checks at the border when you crossed the bridge. But in 2023, things changed – the border control was removed. Now, when you walk across the bridge, you can move freely between Brazil and Paraguay.
Bridge crossing from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil to Cuidad de Este, Paraguay.
We drove to the border in Foz do Iguaçu, parked a car, and walked through the bridge to Cuidad de Este. The border is open, and there is no passport control there. So, if you like collecting passport stamps, there won’t be one. You still need to make sure you have your passport with you. The bridge is about 500 meters and has a walkway on both sides. The car line at the border is crazy long, so the easier way to get to Ciudad del Este is to walk via the bridge.
Brazilians walk there to shop because prices are much lower in Paraguay, especially for electronics. So, we walked over to Paraguay, took a couple of pictures on the way there. There’s not much to do or see in the city, but once you cross over to Ciudad del Este, you can see the difference right away, similar to crossing the border from San Diego to Tijuana.
Is it safe in Cuidad de Este?
As far as safety goes, yes, I have to agree, it is a huge market, and you need to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Nevertheless, I did not feel unsafe there.
We walked a little around the market and went into the mall. The mall is a huge five-story building with all kinds of stores. We wandered around a bit, stopped for coffee, which was great as usual. I never had bad coffee in South America. Then we had early lunch and started walking back to the bridge.
On our way back, we stopped in a small park, walked cobblestone streets, and then walked back on the other side of the bridge to Brazil.
So, was it worth the trip?
For me, yes, 100%! I’m glad I went. The difference is significant, and just like every trip, it gives you perspective on how people live in certain countries. For me, it was more of a cultural experience than a sightseeing trip. So, if you are questioning whether you should walk to Ciudad del Este from Foz do Iguaçu, this article should give you a good perspective on whether you should do it or not.
