Crossing The Border From Argentina To Brazil At Iguazu Falls On Your Own
If you want to visit both sides of Iguazu Falls, then you have to cross the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Many travellers reach Iguazu Falls in Argentina as they are visiting from Buenos Aires.
But after seeing this crazy, beautiful waterfall, they are hooked and wonder how to get to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls.
I also have many questions, and I stressed myself way too much about this entire process, so I will share all you need to know so you don’t feel stressed when you visit on your own.
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What’s the best way to cross the border between Argentina and Brazil at Iguazu?
The best way to cross the Iguazu River and the border from one country to another is by local bus.
In May 2024, the price for one ticket from Argentina to Brazil, with Rio Uruguay company, was AR$3,500 (~$3.5).
Note that the prices might change in Argentina as the economy is going through some hard times. I recommend checking out my Blue Dollar exchange rate guide, if you are travelling to Argentina.
There are multiple bus companies that run between the two cities, Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil).
I used the Rio Uruguay bus company and bought my tickets directly at the bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu (Arg) by card.
Remember to keep those tickets in a safe place until you arrive.
The bus is more of a city bus, not a long-distance bus.
Other options to cross the border
If you don’t have time to wait for the bus to get over the border, you have a few different options.
You can also choose to cross the border with:
- A taxi (it might be worth it if you are a group of 3-4 people to slip the cost)
- Private driver (you can hire a driver for the day to get you from one site to the other if you are visiting both sides of Iguazu).
- Private tour to see both sides of Iguazu in one day. (if you want everything organised for you and want to see both sides in one day).
Note that one of the main attractions around these cities is a day trip to the three countries—Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
This is a famous spot for travellers because it is the intersection of three different countries, known as the “Three Frontiers”.
These private tours get you in all three countries, so that involves crossing borders too. I guess you can ask them to drop you off in one of the countries, at the end, but they probably don’t have space in the car for a big luggage, so it might not be an option.
What are the bus stations in Argentina and Brazil?
The bus station in Argentina is at Puerto Iguazu Bus Station, which is the main bus terminal. Here is the Google Maps location.
The bus terminal in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) is called Urban Bus Station. Here is the Google Maps location.
The total distance between the two bus terminals is about 16 kilometers and should take less than one hour, but the border crossing might take a bit if there’s a busy day.
Also, the bus leave you there and you need to wait for the next bus at the Brazilian border (important information, don’t panic like I did).
As I arrived in Brazil, the bus stops at several stations in the city, as any city bus would stop. You can ask the driver (or push the STOP button) if you want to get off before it reaches the bus terminal in Foz do Iguaçu.
The bus functions the same way if you want to do the reverse trip from Brazil to Argentina.
Crossing The Border From Argentina To Brazil At Iguazu Falls by bus: step-by-step
1. There are multiple bus companies doing this route every day, multiple times per day.
2. I used the Rio Uruguay bus company, starting from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). I simply showed up at the Bus terminal and bought a ticket for the next bus. They depart every hour. I paid with a card.
3. The bus stops at the Argentinian border (before the bride). You need to get off the bus and get your passport stamped (April 2024). The bus waits for you.
4. The bus crosses the bridge and then stops again at the Brazilian border. You need to take all your luggage with you and get off the bus. The bus doesn’t wait for you.
5. You get off the bus and walk to the immigration office to get your passport stamped.
6. You wait for the next bus from the same company to stop at the border. You show the driver the initial ticket you bought for their bus (it must be the same company), and you can get on.
Note: You have to wait at the border for about 30-40 minutes for the next bus from the same company because the original bus will not wait for you in Brazil.
7. The bus stops at multiple stations in Foz do Iguaçu. You can ask the driver to stop where it suits you. The entire itinerary can be found on the bus company’s website.
How to get to Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls?
You can easily travel on your own, using the public buses between the two cities (Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, to/from Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil).
The trip should only take about one hour. However, it might depend on the traffic at the time of the crossing.
After you reach the city, in each of these countries, you can take another local bus that will drop you off exactly at the entrance of the Park, or you can go there by taxi or Uber.
Basically, both sides are really similar in the way things work, it’s almost like a mirror trip, because the falls is in the same spot, but it’s divided by the Iguazu River.
So, if you were to hire a driver for the day, this is the drive you’d have to make.
However, I find this entire experience a bit too much for just one day, so my personal recommendation is to spend at least one day on each side of Iguazu.
That way you can also get a vibe of the town/city and so some other activities around, such as visiting the monument for the three frontiers on each side, go on the boat ride on the border line and explore the cities.
Check out my complete guide for visiting each side of Iguazu – Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Iguazu Falls in Brazil.
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