Friendship Bridge (Brazil–Paraguay)

The Friendship Bridge is an arch bridge connecting the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este. The bridge construction treaty was signed on May 29, 1956, by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay. On November 14, 1956, the commission responsible for the project’s design and execution was established. At the time of its construction in 1962, the bridge held the world record for the longest span for a reinforced concrete, fixed-arch bridge, at 290 meters. The bridge is now supplemented by the new Integration Bridge, opened nearby in 2025.

The bridge is very busy with the local traffic being supplemented by tourists who are visiting the Iguaçu falls. Ciudad del Este is one of the largest shopping centers in South America, offering a wide variety of electronics, perfumes, clothing and imported products. Paraguay does not impose import duties and therefore attracts a lot of Brazilian and Argentinian customers. In theory Brazil is clamping down on smuggling but in practice there are limited checks and transit is free flowing, so much so on our first trip across the bridge we missed the passport control and simply walked across from Paraguay into Brazil. I visited this area as part of the IBRG SATEX -25 expedition.

Click on map above for the Google maps location

Paraguayan side

Both sides were slightly chaotic, with people and traffic coming from all directions. Ciudad del Este is one big shopping centre.

Crossing the Bridge and the border

There are pedestrian walkways on either side of the bridge which are one way in orientation. I travelled in both directions on different days. On the first occasion we just followed the locals and found ourselves entering Brazil without clearing immigration, on the second occasion we were much more aware of where things were and exited Brazil and entered Paraguay correctly. Traffic was busy and chaotic throughout.

Looking north – the island belongs to Brazil

Looking south with the pylons of the Integration Bridge just visible in the distance

The Brazilian side

Perhaps a little less chaotic, although we might have been getting used to it. A quick meal in a local restaurant before heading off to the final tripoint marker (of 3).