If you want to visit Iguazu... and other Paraguay Warning Or Danger Tips

If you want to visit Iguazu falls from Asuncion and you can afford it, try to fly there. The problem is crossing the border. Ciudad del Este, a town that boomed with the construction of Itaipu dam and smuggling, have the only bridge connecting Brazil and Paraguay. The problem is the bridge traffic collapses with thousands of pedestrians who take the bridge slowing traffic to a point of desperation. We arrived aroun 9.30 AM and took us almost 4 hours to advance our car the last mile or so. When we returned back to Paraguay in the evening, the bridge was virtually empty. The reason: Shopping hours were over.
Your only options to avoid this is either plan this as a two day trip (Leave Asuncion in the afternoon, cross the border in the evening and stay overnight in Brazil) or leave during the night and cross to the other side very early in the morning (beware of cattle, carts and other dangers on the road, it's pitch black outside and just a 2-way highway!!)

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You can find panhandling kids on every major traffic light or people who will offer you to keep an eye on your car or even wash it while it's parked. It's a little confusing for the tourist but relax. Just give a few coins maybe 200-500 guaranies (about $0.05-0.10) and the kids will be more than happy. It's unlikely any refused 'park attendant' will actually try to damage or enter your car. My rule? If you plan to leave your car for a while, accept the offer. If you give him 1000-2000 Gs (less than half a dollar) he will be more than pleased.

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