South America > Paraguay > Ciudad del Este (AGT)
The Car or no Car advice for Ciudad del Este can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Ciudad del Este ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Ciudad del Este ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Ciudad del Este?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚶♂️ Getting around without a car
Ciudad del Este’s central area is dense and frenetic, but it is also possible to navigate on foot. Taxis, moto-taxis, and ride-hailing services are widely available and inexpensive. Buses link the centre with neighbourhoods, the dam, and the border crossing at Foz do Iguaçu. Because the city functions more like a commercial hub than a tourist town, its most-visited spots are grouped in a way that makes car-free movement fairly simple.
Crossing the Friendship Bridge is usually better without a car. Pedestrians and buses can move through more quickly than private vehicles, and you avoid the long border queues that often form during peak shopping hours.
🌊 Visiting Itaipu Dam and nearby sights
The enormous Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is the region’s headline attraction. It is easy to visit from Ciudad del Este by taxi or tour bus. Self-driving is allowed, but it rarely offers extra convenience because the dam complex has controlled entry points and fixed tour schedules.
Many travellers also combine Ciudad del Este with a visit to Iguazú Falls on the Argentine side. Even here, hiring a taxi or joining a cross-border tour simplifies the experience. You avoid border paperwork, insurance add-ons, and the risk of unexpected delays.
🚗 When renting a car might make sense
A rental car can help if:
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You are travelling deeper into rural Paraguay
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You want to connect Ciudad del Este with Asunción on your own schedule
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You are experienced with chaotic urban driving
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You do not plan to cross into Brazil or Argentina with the car
Cross-border car rental from Paraguay is extremely restricted. Most agencies simply will not permit it. Therefore, even if you rent a car, you still will not be able to drive to Iguazú Falls or Foz do Iguaçu. This eliminates one of the main reasons visitors think they might need a car here.
✈️ Airport arrivals
Guaraní International Airport (AGT) lies about 25 km outside the city. Taxis and transfers are easy to arrange, and rental cars are technically available, though fleets are small. Many visitors simply land at Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) in Brazil instead, where rental options are far bigger — but you must check insurance, border rules, and paperwork if crossing into Paraguay.
🛃 Border realities worth knowing
Ciudad del Este is famous for heavy traffic, informal commerce, and complex border flows. Driving here can feel stressful even for seasoned travellers. Because of this, locals and tourists alike tend to rely on:
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Taxis for short hops
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Buses for the bridge crossing
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Tours for Itaipu and Iguazú
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Walking for the central commercial zone
This pattern makes a rental car less useful than it first appears.
🧭 Conclusion – Should you rent a car in Ciudad del Este?
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🚫 No for most visitors. The border chaos, cross-country restrictions, and the city’s layout all favour buses, taxis, and organised tours.
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❔ Maybe if you are travelling only within Paraguay and want to explore rural areas on your own timetable — but avoid border crossings with a rental car entirely.
