The two parks are in different countries, joined by one bridge: the Tancredo Neves international bridge between Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina. Each country runs its own control there: Argentina's border centre checks travel documents, customs and food, and Brazil runs its own immigration check. Carry a valid passport in good condition, the same one your park entries are issued to. Brazil's Federal Police offers a free online pre-registration for this bridge that speeds up the immigration check but does not replace the passport. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality, so check it before you travel.
In short
- One bridge between the two sides: Tancredo Neves, from Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazú
- Two controls: Argentina's border centre and Brazil's immigration check
- Carry a valid passport in good condition, the one your park entries are issued to
- Brazil's free online pre-registration speeds up the check; it does not replace the passport
Where you cross
Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú are joined by the Tancredo Neves international bridge over the Iguazú river. On the Argentine side the road is National Route 12; on the Brazilian side, the BR-469, the same road that leads to the Brazilian park.
- From Puerto Iguazú to the Brazilian park: cross the bridge into Foz do Iguaçu and follow the BR-469 to the park
- From Foz do Iguaçu to the Argentine park: cross the bridge into Puerto Iguazú and continue on National Route 12
- On the Argentine side, the border centre is open around the clock for private vehicles; cargo has set hours
How to reach each park once you are across, including the city bus to the Brazilian park, is in how to get to Iguazu Falls.
What each country checks
- Argentina: the national immigration office checks your travel documents, customs clears what you carry and the agricultural health service checks food and pets
- Brazil: its own immigration check at the bridge, for entering or leaving the country
- Your passport must be valid and in good condition; Argentina does not accept proof of a pending application or expiry extensions
- In Argentina, citizens of Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia can use their national ID instead of a passport
Brazil's online pre-registration
Brazil's Federal Police runs a free online form, the Pré-Cadastro Migratório, for tourist trips through the Tancredo Neves bridge. Foreign travellers can use it, and its purpose is to speed up the immigration check at the bridge.
- You choose the expected date of entry or exit, up to six days ahead, and use the form on that day or the next
- Each crossing needs its own form
- At the booth you show the QR code, printed or on your phone, together with your passport
- No appointment is needed; if the system is down, you go through the normal immigration booths
Children, food and pets
The Argentine border centre lists extra documents for minors, especially when they travel with only one parent or without their parents, and asks for originals or legalised copies. If you cross with children, check its requirements before the trip. Food and pets you bring into Argentina are checked by the agricultural health service.
Children under each park's age limit enter the parks free with a photo ID; the limits are in Iguazu Falls ticket prices.
Plan the crossing around your park days
- One park per day is the comfortable plan: cross on the day you switch parks; the first-time guide explains the order
- On the Brazilian side you go in at the time on your ticket, so leave a margin for the crossing; the times are in the opening hours guide
- Your park entries are issued in the name and passport you give us: cross with that same passport
With the Both Sides ticket you get both entries in one purchase, each for its own day and time. The table compares the three tickets.
| Ticket | Our price | What it includes | Time | How you buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil Side Ticket | US$ 49 | Falls Trail, park bus, lifts and 5 more routes | Half day | Online with us, day + entry time |
| Argentina Side Ticket | US$ 72 | Upper and Lower Circuits, Devil's Throat walkway and train | Full day | Online with us, day + time slot, up to 30 days ahead |
| Both Sides TicketTwo days · the full picture | US$ 115 | Everything in both, one entry per side | Two days, one per side | One purchase with us, one day per park |
Prices in US dollars per person, park entry and our service included. Scroll sideways on small screens.
Questions
Do I need my passport to go from one park to the other?
Yes. The parks are in different countries and you cross an international border, with a control on each side. Carry a valid passport in good condition; in Argentina, citizens of several South American countries can use their national ID.
Is the border open at night?
On the Argentine side, the border centre is open twenty-four hours for private vehicles; cargo has set hours. Plan your park days in daylight anyway: both parks close in the afternoon.
What is Brazil's pre-registration for?
To speed up the immigration check at the bridge. It is free, there is one form per crossing and you show its QR code with your passport. If the system is down, the normal immigration booths are used.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your nationality and on each country's rules, which change over time. Check with the Brazilian and Argentine consulates before you travel.
Can I take food across the border?
Argentina's agricultural health service checks food and pets entering the country at the border centre, so expect what you carry to be inspected.