How many of you have crossed the border by land while exploring South America, specifically at Iguazu Falls? Raise your hand!
As a world-class destination, both sides of Iguazu Falls are absolutely worth visiting. After exploring the Argentine side, you can conveniently cross the border into Brazil, or vice versa—visit the Brazilian side first and then head into Argentina to continue your journey.
The cities and airport codes for the Iguazu Falls area in both countries are as follows:
| Contry | City | Airport Code |
| Argentina | Puerto Iguazu | IGR |
| Brazil | Foz do Iguacu | IGU |
How can you cross from the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls to Brazil?
Route Options for Crossing from Argentina (Puerto Iguazu) to Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu):
- Fly from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu (IGR).
- Visit Iguazu Falls and travel from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil).
- Fly from Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or another destination.
How can you cross from the Brazilian side to Argentina?
Route Options for Crossing from Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu) to Argentina (Puerto Iguazu):
- Fly from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU).
- Visit Iguazu Falls and travel from Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) to Puerto Iguazu (Argentina).
- Depart from Puerto Iguazu (IGR) to Buenos Aires or another destination.
Some travelers ask whether it’s possible to fly directly from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) to Rio de Janeiro.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option, as there are no direct flights from Puerto Iguazu to Rio or São Paulo. The correct approach is to first cross the border from Puerto Iguazu to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and then fly to Rio or São Paulo.
Similarly, there are no direct flights from Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) to Buenos Aires. The proper way is to first cross the border from Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazu and then catch a flight to Buenos Aires.
Ways to Cross the Border Between Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) and Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil):
1. Private Car (Approx. 100USD):
This is the simplest and most hassle-free option. A car will pick you up directly from your hotel and take you across the border to your destination, whether it’s an airport or a hotel on the other side.
2. Taxi Crossing (Approx. 70-80USD):
This involves hailing a taxi on the street without prior booking. Summer suggests negotiating the price in advance to avoid any surprises before getting into the taxi.
3. Self-Driving Across the Border:
If you’re driving your own car or a rental, crossing the border is as easy as stepping on the gas. Just make sure all necessary vehicle documents are in order before crossing.
4. Join a 2-Day Cross-Border Tour
Cross-border tours are another convenient and efficient way to visit Iguazu Falls, with transportation across the border included in the tour price. Similar to tours from Chile’s Atacama Desert to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats, this option is hassle-free and highly efficient.
If You’re Staying in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina):
Day 1: Start with a hotel pick-up in Puerto Iguazu for a full-day tour of the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls. After the tour, return to your hotel in Puerto Iguazu.
Day 2: Again, get picked up at your hotel, bring your luggage, and cross the border to Brazil. Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls before being dropped off at your hotel in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil).
If You’re Staying in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil):
Day 1: Begin with a hotel pick-up in Foz do Iguaçu for a full-day tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. After the tour, return to your hotel in Foz do Iguaçu.
Day 2: Get picked up from your hotel, bring your luggage, and cross the border to Argentina. Visit the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls before being dropped off at your hotel in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina).
With this option, both sightseeing and cross-border transportation are handled seamlessly, and the price is usually very reasonable—offering excellent value for money.
5. Crossing the Border by Bus:
From Brazil to Argentina：
1. Start at the Bus Terminal (Terminal de Transporte Urbano, TTU): Board a bus heading toward the border. When you get on, inform the driver that you need to stop at Brazilian Immigration. If you don’t, the driver may skip the stop entirely.
2. Reaching Brazilian Customs: About 15 minutes after departure, the bus will arrive at the Brazilian customs checkpoint. Get off the bus here and make sure to collect a ticket from the driver before leaving.
3. Complete Immigration Procedures: Handle your exit formalities at Brasil Imigração. Once you’ve completed the process, wait for the next bus.
4. Board the Next Bus: When the next bus arrives, show the ticket you received earlier to re-board without needing to buy a new one.
5. Stop at Argentine Customs: After re-boarding the bus, you’ll arrive at Argentine Customs. Get off the bus again to complete your immigration formalities for entering Argentina.
6. Re-board the Bus: Once you’ve completed the entry process, get back on the bus. The ride to Terminal de Buses de Puerto Iguazu takes about 20 minutes.
From Argentina to Brazil:
To travel in the opposite direction, simply reverse the above steps:
- Start at Puerto Iguazu Bus Terminal.
- Inform the driver you need to stop at Argentina Immigration for exit formalities.
- Re-board the bus and stop at Brazilian Customs to handle entry procedures.
- Continue to Foz do Iguaçu’s Terminal de Transporte Urbano (TTU).
Bus Operators for Cross-Border Service
The main companies operating these routes are Rio Uruguay and Crucero del Norte, both offering reliable and affordable transportation across the border.
