Since we were in Foz do Iguaçu, it was an easy daytrip to hop across the border to Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. We were lured in by the temptation of the city being a tax free shopping paradise, with rumors of up to 50% off retail prices being advertised. Since we were keen on a buying a new GoPro, tablet and a few other electronic accessories, we were hoping Ciudad del Este would deliver but it was a huge disappointment to realize that prices back at home on Amazon were much better. So instead, we walked around the compact city with Mitch, Emily, Jason and Hanna and killed some time before our bus ride back to Brazil. Traffic across the Ponte da Amizade bridge linking the two countries was horrendous and it took us 3 hours to get from one end to the other! Needless to say, our first tiptoe into Paraguay was a colossal failure but we would be willing to give it another chance in the future.
Street vendor wearing a funny apron
Posing with Santa; Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este is touted as a "tax free town" in the tri-border area of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. We came here hoping to find a deal on electronics
Sad Robby, Emily and Mitch! We all quickly came to the conclusion that the tax free zone wouldn't save us any money as the prices were much higher than we are used to
Rifles for sale; Ciudad del Este
Wall mural in Ciudad del Este
Paraguayan Yerba Mate kit for sale
Paraguay flags at the circular plaza in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Park, Ciudad del Este’s Taiwanese Garden
Jason, Hanna, Becky, Mitch and Emily striking a pose in front of the Chiang Kai Shek statue (founder of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan); Ciudad del Este
Chinese gazebo at Chiang Kai Shek Park
Christmas decorations; Ciudad del Este
Battling the insane traffic from Ciudad del Este to Foz do Iguaçu (it took us 3 hours to cross the Ponte da Amizade bridge)