Ciudad del Este
Paraguay · Alto Paraná · 220 m
Description
Ciudad del Este is the second city of Paraguay and one of the largest duty-free trading centres in the world, a chaotic grid of electronics arcades and import stalls where Brazilians cross the Friendship Bridge in tens of thousands a day to shop. It is the Paraguayan corner of the triple frontier with Brazil and Argentina, and Iguazú Falls lie half an hour away on the Brazilian side. Monday market days are close to impassable. Outside the trading centre the Acaray river and Lake Itaipú offer beaches. Almost nobody comes here for the city itself, and most cross straight over.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Duty-free electronics arcades
- Friendship Bridge and the triple frontier
- Iguazú Falls from the Brazilian side(Day trip)
- Monday market and the street trading
- Monday falls at Presidente Franco
- Acaray river beaches
- Lake Itaipú shoreline resorts
- Triple frontier landmark at the river junction
Getting there
- Airports:
- AGT
- Border town:
- Paraguay