Pedro Juan Caballero is a border town of 116,000 (2016) in Northern Paraneña region of Paraguay. It is across the road from Ponta Porã in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Understand
[edit]The two towns are divided by an avenue, with free transit between the two sides of the border. You must present yourself for immigration formalities, and the Paraguayan and Brazilian sides are in different buildings — both are walking distance from PJC center. There are reports the Brazilian side is only open from 09:00-16:00. If you have an early bus, considering doing the border formalities the day before.
Get in
[edit]- From Asunción, 3 buses per day 13:00, 23:30, 23:45, 8 hr, GS.110,000 (GS.140,000 for a "leito" seat, Sep 2021).
- From Concepción, between 05:00-16:00, 4 hr, GS.35,000.
All these buses go by Yby Yaú, which can be a convenient transfer point.
Get around
[edit]There're no local buses in Pedro Juan Caballero, only taxis. So it's about 2 km walk along PY-05 from the corner PY-05/Av. Fernando de la Mora to the Paraguay Migration Office. Most buses stop there. Don't go to the bus terminal, that's 3 km further away.
Ponta Porã has a few commuter bus lines by Medianeira Ponta Porã, check the time tables.
See
[edit]Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]The town is a shopping destination for Brazilians due to its offer of cheaper imported goods. If you need to resupply on camera or camp gear, what can be found in Paraguay is much cheaper than in Brazil.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]The border is open, you can sleep in any side of the border regardless of immigration formalities. But do get your stamps before onward travel.
Go next
[edit]- Concepción – boat trips along the Paraguay river
- Ciudad del Este – the gateway to the Iguaçu Falls. Straight bus services daily from Pedro Juan Caballero terminal, 6 hr.
- Bonito – river snorkeling in Brazil. Straight bus service M-Sa 06:00, 6 hr, departing from the Ponta Porã bus station. Do your border formalities the day before.
- Campo Grande – major nearby city. Either cross into Ponta Porã and catch one of the many daily services, or take the 8am direct service from Pedro Juan Caballero terminal (advantage: walking distance from city center). In any case, do your border formalities before boarding.