The tripoint between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay was established following Paraguayan independence from Argentina in 1856. The tripoint is located at the confluence of the Paraná and Iguazú rivers, the closest cities are Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Presidente Franco /Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). ARBRPY is one of the most famous tripoints in the world primarily due to its proximity to the Iguazu Falls. Most wet tripoints lack a direct marker, some have indirect tripoint markers placed on land. I visited this point as part of the IBRG SATEX-25 expedition. This is Tripoint #38 for me. My other Americas tripoint visits are reported here.

If tourists visit the tripoint they tend to visit one of the tripoint markers and look at the confluence, we decided to go one (or two) steps further by visiting each of the tripoint markers. We started at the Argentinian tripoint marker, then to the Paraguayan one and finally the Brazilian one. Each were painted in the colours of their countries flag and offered different perspectives of the tripoint.

ARBRPY Tripoint

One of the advantages of us visiting each marker and taking the ferry from Puerto Iguazú, Argentina to Presidente Franco, Paraguay was that we were able to view the tripoint from different perspectives.

Argentina marker – Hito Tres Fronteras (Puerto Iguazú)

Hito Tres Fronteras features a scenic plaza with a fountain, artisanal markets, and a light show. It offers a direct view across the river to both the Brazilian and Paraguayan markers.

Paraguay marker – Hito Tres Fronteras (Presidente Franco)

The quietest and least developed of the three, offering a more serene, natural view of the river confluence. When we visited there were no other visitors. There were no shops or other facilities, the marker too differs from the other 2. Top Tip: There are steps opposite the passport control that appear overgrown but lead directly to the marker, avoiding a longer walk by the road.

Brazil marker Marco das Três Fronteiras (Foz do Iguaçu)

The most highly developed and commercialized site. It requires an entry fee and includes a visitor complex, historical exhibits, a restaurant, and nightly cultural dance performances.

The Journey

Click on the images below to access the reports with maps and further information on these border POI’s.

Travelling between each of the tripoint markers took time and some planning:

• Taking a small ferry that operates across the Paraná River, connecting Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, directly with Presidente Franco, Paraguay. It is amazingly scenic, and it passes directly across the tripoint (making it a Class B visit, highly unusual for a wet tripoint). Details here

• Crossing the busy and slightly chaotic Friendship Bridge connecting the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este. Details here

• The final border crossing was the Tancredo Neves Bridge, better known as Fraternity Bridge connects the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu with the Argentine Puerto Iguazú, spanning the Iguazú River. Details here

The markers

Visiting the markers and gaining different perspectives of the tripoint was a great experience, some tourists visit one, few visit 2 and we found no reports online of visiting all three. As they are all different it is really worthwhile.