Walking across the Friendship Bridge to Ciudad del Este
We drive you to the bridge, you walk across, and your driver waits for you on the Brazil side.
While you are in Iguazu, Paraguay is just one bridge away. The easiest way to visit is on foot: we drive you to the Brazil side of the Friendship Bridge, you walk across to Ciudad del Este in about 10–15 minutes, and your driver waits for you while you explore.
No traffic queues, no border lines in a car, and your luggage stays safe in the vehicle. You can add it to your visit to the Brazil side of the falls, or to your transfer to the airport.
Why walk instead of driving across?
The Friendship Bridge is the busiest land border in Brazil, and on many days the line of cars can add more than 2 hours each way. Walking gets you to Paraguay in about 15 minutes, whatever the traffic.
| Driving across | Walking across with us | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to cross | Often more than 1 hour each way, and over 2 hours on busy days | About 10–15 minutes on the pedestrian path |
| Same day as the falls | Not recommended | Yes, it fits easily |
| High season | We don’t drive into Paraguay | Yes, all year |
| Your luggage | Goes through the border checks with you | Safe in the vehicle on the Brazil side. The vehicle never stops for immigration or customs checks |
| Your flight | Risk of missing it | Your driver is waiting on the Brazil side |
In high season and on Brazilian long weekends, traffic on the bridge is at its worst. That is why we take our clients to the bridge and let them walk, instead of driving them into Paraguay.
Friendship Bridge live camera
Want to see the traffic right now? This live camera shows the Friendship Bridge, with traffic heading from Brazil into Paraguay. The camera moves between several views, so if you don’t see the bridge at first, wait a moment for it to come back to the bridge.
Video not loading? Open the camera on YouTube or see the camera at Paraguayan customs.
How to read it
- A long, still line of cars and buses means the bridge is jammed. Walking is much faster.
- Moving traffic means a quieter moment, but it can change within an hour.
- Pedestrians use their own path, so a jam on the road does not stop you walking across.
These cameras are run by others, not by us, so they can sometimes be offline.
How it works
Your driver takes you to the Brazil side of the bridge, you walk across, explore downtown Ciudad del Este for about 2 hours, and walk back to the same meeting point.
- Drop-off at the bridge. Your driver takes you to the Brazil side of the Friendship Bridge, about 40 minutes from the Brazil side of the falls.
- Agree your meeting time. Before you walk across, you agree a time and a meeting place with your driver for when you come back.
- Walk across. You cross on the pedestrian path in about 10–15 minutes. Just carry your passport: your luggage stays in the vehicle.
- Explore Ciudad del Este. Downtown starts right at the end of the bridge. Most of our clients spend 1–2 hours walking around the city.
- Walk back and continue your trip. You walk back at the agreed time and your driver takes you on to your hotel or the airport.
Meeting point
Prices and how to book
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and your driver waits for you on the Brazil side while you visit Paraguay (about 2 hours).
Round trip from your hotel
| Starting from | Car (1–4 passengers) | Van (5–12 passengers) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) | R$ — | R$ — |
| Hotel in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) | R$ — | R$ — |
Add it to another transfer with us
| Add Paraguay on foot to | Car (1–4 passengers) | Van (5–12 passengers) |
|---|---|---|
| Your visit to the Brazil side of the falls | + R$300 | + R$550 |
| Your transfer to the airport (IGU or IGR) | + R$300 | + R$550 |
| Any other transfer on the Brazil side | + R$300 | + R$550 |
How to book
- Fill in the request form below with your dates, hotel, flights and number of passengers.
- We reply with your itinerary, including the bridge stop and the total price.
- If all looks good, we send you a secure online invoice, and your booking is confirmed once it is paid.
Get your price
Tell us your plans and we will email your itinerary and price, usually within a few hours. This service is for international visitors to Iguazu.
Before you go
Bring your passport and some cash, wear comfortable shoes, and leave everything else in the vehicle.
- Passport: carry it with you. Each passenger is responsible for having the correct documents for Paraguay.
- No stamp needed for a day visit: Foz do Iguaçu and Ciudad del Este have an open border for day visitors, so you don't need to stamp your passport if you return to Brazil the same day.
- If you do want a stamp: it takes longer, and Paraguay asks for proof of yellow fever vaccination (except people over 59).
- Cash: US dollars, Brazilian reais and Paraguayan guaranies are all used downtown.
- Keep valuables close: the area by the bridge is very busy, so carry only what you need.
- Weather: the walk is in the open, so bring water and sun protection in summer.
This visit is not a good fit if you travel with a stroller or have reduced mobility: there are steps on the Brazil side and the pedestrian path is narrow and uneven in places.
If you want to see more of Paraguay, such as Saltos del Monday and the Itaipu Dam, ask us about our Ciudad del Este day tour.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk across the Friendship Bridge?
Yes. There is a pedestrian path on the bridge, and walking across takes about 10–15 minutes. On busy days it is much faster than crossing by car.
How long does it take to walk across the Friendship Bridge?
About 10–15 minutes each way. Plan around 2 hours in total, including your time in Ciudad del Este.
Do I need to stamp my passport to visit Ciudad del Este?
No, not if you return to Brazil the same day. Day visitors don't need a stamp. If you stay overnight or travel further into Paraguay, you must stamp your passport, and a yellow fever certificate and visas (for some nationalities) are required.
Can I do this on the same day as the falls?
Yes. The bridge is about 40 minutes from the Brazil side of the falls, so it fits well after your visit to the park.
Can I visit Paraguay on my way to the airport?
Yes, as long as the timing still works for your flight. Your luggage stays in the vehicle while you walk across, and we check the times for you when we plan your itinerary.
Where is my luggage while I am in Paraguay?
In the vehicle, with your driver, on the Brazil side of the bridge.
Is there a live camera of the Friendship Bridge?
Yes, see the live camera on this page and check the traffic before you go.
Why don't you drive into Paraguay?
On busy days, traffic on the bridge can add more than 2 hours each way. Walking is faster and keeps your plans, and your flight, on time.
What if I come back late?
Is the visit guided?
No. You explore Ciudad del Este on your own. If you prefer a full day in Paraguay with a driver, ask us about our Ciudad del Este day tour.