1) Experience a seamless, visa-free adventure with a three-day, two-night round-trip bus journey from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, to Asunción, the capital of Paraguay. On April 4th at 4:30 PM, I hopped on a local bus destined for Ciudad del Este (CDE), departing from the stop featured in Picture 1—just across the road from the Urban Bus Station and marked by two national flags.
The driver charged me a modest 15 Brazilian reais, and after about 20 minutes, we crossed the iconic Friendship Bridge. I disembarked roughly 600 meters beyond the bridge and used the Bolt app to hail a taxi to the CDE Bus Terminal. There, I secured a ticket for a luxurious bus ride to Asunción, scheduled for 10:20 AM the following day, priced at 100,000 local currency.
For the night, I booked a cozy hotel room nearby for around $38, inclusive of breakfast. Dinner was a delightful affair at Moon Chinese Restaurant, where the flavors were exceptional.
2) The next day, after a scenic six-hour journey, I reached my destination and promptly purchased a return ticket for the 1:30 PM bus the following day at the same terminal. With my itinerary set, I embarked on a tour of the old city’s captivating landmarks and checked into a quaint hotel offering breakfast for approximately $36.
These smaller hotels are safer as they make it less likely for your passport details to be uploaded unnecessarily. The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, I departed the hotel at 8 AM to explore more attractions. By 11 AM, I returned to collect my backpack and enjoyed an extravagant all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue lunch at a nearby restaurant for 125,000 local currency (about $16 per person, receipt available).
Afterward, I took a taxi back to the bus station.
3) I boarded the bus punctually and arrived back at the terminal around 8 PM. Given the darkness, I opted for a Bolt ride costing about 80,000 local currency (around $10) to return to the Brazilian bus station. It’s advisable not to attempt walking across the Friendship Bridge before 6 PM or after noon, as random border checks can occur, potentially resulting in fines if you’re caught without a visa.
Additionally, steer clear of taxis displaying official signs; private car-hailing services like Bolt offer greater safety. Renting a car for self-driving tours is also discouraged due to numerous police checkpoints along the route, often targeting small vehicles. Buses and coaches, including those crossing the Friendship Bridge, are generally unchecked, making them a reliable and secure choice.
