Friday and Saturday May 2-3, 2025
A few items on Clark's bucket list during our visit to Paraguay included visiting Brazil, Argentina, and the Iguazu Waterfall. Initially, Clark thought we would cross the international bridge from Asuncion to Argentina but after researching travel recommendations for Iguazu, he realized we could see the other countries during the same trip since Iguazu Falls is located in an area known as the "Triple Frontier".
There were a few difficulties which arose in planning this trip to the falls. First, we knew Brazil's visa laws were about to change and thought it was in May; however the new visa requirements went into effect on April 10. The visas we needed are e-visas, so we had time to get them but opted out of spending the 90$ per person. Once this decision was made, we had to plan for crossing only from Paraguay to Argentina and back, which isn't the average way. Most people cross the international bridge into Brazil and another bridge into Argentina. If we were taking a bus, the bus wouldn't stop in Brazil and then once we got to Argentina we could either skip immigration or risk the Argentinan's lecture and possibly a fine, for not stopping in Brazil. I guess many people just skip immigration, but we didn't want to take that chance. In addition, we decided to rent a car to have more flexibility. This added a layer of difficulty since we are foreigners driving a car from Paraguay into Brazil/Argentina. It was more likely we would be forced to stop by the police. Our Argentinan host told us if we had a car from Argentina, probably Brazil wouldn't stop us. Who knows? Better to keep things legal and honest.
We also had to decide where to sleep. The drive from Asuncion to Cuidad del Este, Paraguay is around 6 hours and we couldn't leave until 4 or 5 in the evening. At first, we wanted to stay in Cuidad del Este, on the Paraguayan border of Brazil, but then we thought if we had to book a tour and that would be easier, we were better off to go to Puerto Iquazu, on the Argentinan side of the borders. We opted for Puerto Iguazu because it got us very close to the falls for the next morning.
Friday came, we ate lunch at an ok Indian place and Clark went to teach. The plan was he would catch an Uber from the school to the rental company, except he realized he forgot his passport. Once he arrived to the rental place, the process became time consuming. A lady in charge of a document we needed had walked out and quit her job hours before. Clark had to wait for the salesman to leave and return with the proper proof we needed for being foreigners driving a Paraguayan car. It was at this time, the salesman told Clark that the ferry which operates between Paraguay and Argentina doesn't run after 3:30 pm. We had already missed the last ferry. Oops. We weren't making it to Argentina that night.
Once we got on the road around 6 pm (much later than planned), I found a hostel through Booking.com in Cuidad del Este for us except after the booking, I noted the check in time was only until 6 pm, but the booking was confirmed after that time? That seemed strange. Why confirm a booking if the check in time is passed? But I messaged the host and we hoped for the best.
Once we arrived after midnight, of course the place was dark and there had never been a response to my inquiry about our late arrival. Now were kind of up a creek in a foreign country wondering how to get a room and what the quality of that would be. Plus, I had lost my money for my first night on the Airbnb and now also risked losing the fee for this hostel. Yikes. We were nervous about the neighborhood, but Clark located a hotel, and they rented us a room. It wasn't so bad.
We arose the next morning, had our first continental breakfast in Latin America then proceeded on our way to the ferry dock. Thankfully, we were able to make it onto the first ferry. It was quite interesting actually. The ferry was very small and powered by a tugboat to the side. Also, the view where the three borders come together was fantastic.
We spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the Iguazu National Park. The falls are a sight to behold. Larger than Niagra and it wasn't high water season. Still, the amount of water coming together in this one place is incomprehensible. The water ways, rivers, creeks...we were surrounded by them. All the trouble we went through getting there was definitely as they say in spanish: valio la pena! It was worth it!
We passed this colorful looking club on our way out of Asuncion.
We couldn't make out this church very well, but it looked OLD.
This is the neighborhood of our hotel. I took this the morning we left.
These speed bumps were everywhere in Paraguay and Argentina. Some are more visible than others. They really work but if you aren't paying attention, you will "catch air" and damage your struts.
Looking north, the international bridge that crosses from Cuidad del Este, Paraguay into Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. We were told the line to cross the bridge would be long because there was the Labor holiday in progress.
Near the ferry dock.
Looking south. The other side is Argentina.
A closer view of the bridge from the ferry dock. Paraguay on the left, Brazil on the right.
A panorama of the Triple Frontier where the two rivers meet creating the borders of three countries.
The flat bottom ferry; a very small barge.
Looking back at Paraguay. The small building in the mid left is immigration. A Paraguayan flag flies from the top of another building near the top of the picture.
The tugboat pushing the barge.
This dog wandered onto the ferry for the ride. Maybe he belonged to one of the ferry attendants? He seemed very at home.
Left is Brazil, right is Argentina.
Exiting the ferry. Welcome to Argentina!!
It was a perfect day for some hiking.
These coati mundi families were everywhere.
On the train to get up to the trail to see the most intense part of the falls, la garganta del diablo, the devils throat.
We walked over alot of rivers and creeks.
Approaching the main falls.
Looking away from the Devil's Throat, down the river. The side on the left is in Brasil.
The Devil's Throat where all the water comes together at the top. I tried to insert a video. No go so I found this one. The water in the video is brown signaling there was a lot of rain before recording and when we were there it was the dry season, but you get the idea.
A view of an old washed out trail bridge.
We saw many butterflies and coati.
These birds live in Costa Rica too!
Trail we hiked to view some of the smaller side waterfalls.
Where's Waldo? There is a moth on this tree.
At the top of the waterfall.
Looking down on another trail. We were there before getting up to this point.
It has its own type of beauty.
Where does all this water come from??
An interesting hollow tree.
Mural
Name that butterfly! Below is are names and distances of different national parks from all over the world. Good ideas for a bucket list.
I love this emblem of the park.
Mural
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