Ciudad del Este, Paraguay: travel guide
Paraguay's second-largest city in Alto Paraná, a major tax-free border-shopping hub at the Triple Frontier. Gateway to the colossal Itaipú Dam, the Saltos del Monday waterfall and (across the border) Iguazú Falls.
- Country
- Paraguay
- Currency
- PYG
- Time zone
- America/Asuncion
- Nearest airport
- AGT
Top places to visit in Ciudad del Este
Saltos del Monday
Waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry PYG 90,000
Three-tier ~45 m waterfall in a forest park near Presidente Franco — a striking, easier-to-reach alternative to Iguazú.
Puente de la Amistad
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h
The Friendship Bridge over the Paraná to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil — an iconic, frantic border crossing.
Hito Tres Fronteras
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
Paraguayan marker at the Triple Frontier where the Paraná and Iguazú rivers meet Brazil and Argentina.
Represa de Itaipú (Itaipú Dam)
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 2 h
One of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, on the Paraná between Paraguay and Brazil; guided panoramic tours and a periodic night illumination show.
Microcentro shopping district
Market · about 2 h
Ciudad del Este's famous tax-free shopping zone of malls and stalls selling electronics, perfumes and more.
Things to do
- Itaipú Dam Guided Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from PYG 50,000 per person
- Saltos del Monday Visit Nature · 2 h · from PYG 120,000 per person
- Iguazú Falls Day Trip Nature · 8 h · from PYG 450,000 per person
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Experience Sightseeing · 3 h · from PYG 50,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Itaipú Dam & Saltos del Monday Tour 6 h · from PYG 180,000
- Iguazú Falls Cross-Border Day Trip 10 h · from PYG 450,000
Where to stay in Ciudad del Este
- Microcentro about PYG 450,000 per night
Ciudad del Este's central shopping core, convenient for the markets and the Friendship Bridge.
Hotels
- Apart Hotel Austria 3-star · PYG 280,000 to PYG 480,000 per night
- Hotel Convair 3-star · PYG 250,000 to PYG 420,000 per night
- Gran Nobile Hotel & Convention 4-star · PYG 450,000 to PYG 800,000 per night
- Hotel Casino Acaray 4-star · PYG 400,000 to PYG 750,000 per night
Where to eat
- Patussi Paraguayan, Grill · about PYG 95,000 per person
- Restaurante Oriental Chinese, Asian · about PYG 80,000 per person
- Confitería Microcentro Café, Bakery · about PYG 45,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Counterfeit electronics
Microcentro shopping district near the Friendship Bridge
"Brand-new" phones, watches and gadgets turn out to be clones, refurbished or non-functional once you get home.
How to avoid it: Buy from established stores, test items before paying, and keep the receipt and warranty.
Counterfeit currency at the border
Friendship Bridge and informal exchangers
Street money-changers at the tri-border pass off fake guaraní or reais, or give deliberately bad rates.
How to avoid it: Use authorised exchange houses and inspect notes; avoid changing large sums on the street.
Pickpocketing in the shopping crowds
Microcentro and the Friendship Bridge approach
Dense shopping crowds and the bridge bottleneck are prime spots for bag-slashing and pickpocketing.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front, and don't flash cash or new purchases.