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[ccal]

Am looking for advice on how to get to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina from Paraguay without going to Brazil (don't have visa and don't want to pay for one for me and my girls). Will be visiting in late August. My family in Asuncion will drive to Puerto Iguazu. I am considering a ferry, but believe it is closed on weekends and our resort stay begins Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Also have heard about a bus or taxi, but not sure what to do. Any ideas anyone?

[starlagurl]

How far away are you from Salta, Mendoza, Cordoba or Posadas?

Wikitravel says you can take a bus from any of these places.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Puerto_Iguazu

[ccal]

How far away are you from Salta, Mendoza, Cordoba or Posadas?

Wikitravel says you can take a bus from any of these places.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Puerto_Iguazu

I live in the state of Virginia in the U.S. My family lives in Asuncion, Paraguay. We will fly to Asuncion and then drive to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. I know the normal route is to go through Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, but I don't have and don't want to pay for a visa for Brazil.

[starlagurl]

Hmm... that is a pickle... Posadas is the closest to you, but that is a major detour... I don't see any information about ferries immediately, but perhaps Martin (mmbcross) will know. He knows a lot about South America.

[mmbcross]

Hi everyone,

I answered ccal yesterday with some info and sites or travellers with the same problem.

Hello CCal,

Not the best of news I'm afraid. Here is the text from a recent traveller to Iguaçu Falls in respect to the Brazilian visa.

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/latin-a...sa-requirements

Note the information in the last paragraph. I have also heard of Americans entering Foz do Iguaçu from the Argentine side for a day trip without visas, but there is always an inherent risk with this. I think you must play this by ear when you arrive, and asses the risk. I will be honest in that I do not know if the same can be said of an entry from Paraguay. Problem is that you have to go through Brazil to get to the Argentine side. Because there are road bridges between the three countries, I would imagine only smugglers now use boats to bring contraband and illegal immigrants over the borders by night.

So much confusing information. Here is another chap who entered from Argentina:

http://www.davidgualtieri.com/Argentina/Iguazu.htm

The point is, this is South America, not the USA, and very often you can get around the rules. Again, there is always a risk, but I think it would be better to get a gut feeling when you get there to see if the risk is worth the visit. Regrettably I cannot find any US citizens online who attempted this from Paraguay.

Frankly I would highly doubt (though I may be wrong) if there are any ferry services between Paraguay and Argentina now that the road bridges are built. I found this site which talks of a ferry, but I suspect it may be out of date:
http://www.iguassu-misted-falls-vacation.c...alls-ferry.html
Why not contact Lucas Antuna to see if he has any updated information in your respect?
http://www.iguassu-misted-falls-vacation.c...s-vacation.html

Failing this, Starlagurl is right in that you would have to drive all the way down to Encarnacion/Posadas and back up to Puerto Iguassu, a major detour.

[starlagurl]

Martin, you are my hero, thank you so much.

[mmbcross]

Here's Lucas Antuña's reply. This ferry will take you from Paraguay to Argentina without having to cross Brazil.

Hello Martin Crossland

Thank you for your kind words, makes me happy when visitors let me know they
like my website.

The ferry is a going-concern to the present day. It operates from Monday to
Friday and most of their customers are locals that smuggle Argentine produce
into Paraguay in small vans cramped with onions, tomatoes and beer. I
frequently take my customers on this ferry just for the local taste of
watching these people doing their business, most of them are Paraguayans who
speak in Guarani and the scenery is breath taking.

I will follow your recommendation and check travelpod.com

All the best,

Lucas Antuna
lucas@iguassu-misted-falls-vacation.com
+595 973 615642

I suggested he apply as a local expert for the Iguassu area. He has a great website.