Puerto Iguazu Ferry

The ARBRPY tripoint is located at the confluence of the Paraná and Iguazú rivers, where the international borders of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet. Visiting a wet tripoint always presents challenges in locating the actual point. In theory it is the intersection of the 2 thalwegs, however without clear demarcation coordinates outlined in the border treaties it is difficult to be sure of the location. I visited this area as part of the IBRG SATEX -25 expedition.

This tripoint is marked by 3 respective markers, one in each country. We wanted to visit each one. Luckily there was an easy link between the Argentinian marker and the Paraguayan one. Argentina is the only country that does not a bridge linking with Paraguay in this area, the alternative is a small ferry that operates across the Paraná River, connecting Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, directly with Presidente Franco, Paraguay. Taking the ferry has several advantages, it is amazingly scenic, it passes directly across the tripoint (making it a Class B visit, highly unusual for a wet tripoint) and it avoids the busy road crossings, between Argentina and Brazil via the Tancredo Neves Bridge and Brazil and Paraguay via the International Friendship Bridge. At the time of my visit the Integration Bridge between Brazil and Paraguay was not yet open, although we did visit the Paraguayan side.

Click on the map above for Google Maps location

Argentinian side.

It was a short walk (1.4 km) from the Argentinian tripoint marker along the Av. Río Iguazú to the Puerto Iguazu, there was a restaurant, and the ferries went every 30 minutes. The atmosphere was relaxed but taking photos was disapproved of.

Looking up the Iguazú river towards the Tancredo Neves Bridge between Brazil and Argentina.

The Ferry and journey…

Paraguay was a new country for all of us. A short 15 minute journey across the tripoint area and onto the Paraguayan tripoint marker. Wonderful views of the derelict ships and the yet to be opened Integration Bridge between Paraguay and Brazil, which would have been a useful shortcut in our quest to visit the 3 tripoint markers.