In this guide
Shopping for clothes in Presidente Franco comes down to two options: the shops in your own barrio for everyday wear, or downtown Ciudad del Este next door for more choice. Before you pay, try it on, ask whether it can be exchanged and get an invoice, because the law does not give you an in-store return right.
Shop in Franco or in downtown Ciudad del Este?
Franco borders Ciudad del Este to the north (opens in a new tab) at the Saltito stream, and most residents live north of the Monday River. From CDE you drive in along Route PY02 and, at the km 4 roundabout, a stretch of PY07. In practice:
- Your barrio (Centro, Santa Clara, San Juan, Las Mercedes) works for everyday clothes, school uniforms, alterations and quick exchanges, since you can pop back the next day.
- Downtown CDE has more variety but bigger crowds. Every November it holds Black Friday CDE, "Descuentos sin fronteras" (opens in a new tab), which in 2024 filled hotels and drew shoppers from Brazil and from around Paraguay.
Will they exchange it if it doesn't fit?
That is up to the shop. Paraguay's consumer law (Ley 1334) gives you seven days to cancel only when the sale happened outside the store (opens in a new tab), for example by phone or at home, and only if the item is unused and undamaged. For an over-the-counter purchase, an exchange is shop policy, not an automatic right. So:
- Try everything on before paying, especially jeans, shoes and uniforms.
- Ask how many days you have for an exchange and whether tags must still be attached.
- Keep the invoice or receipt.
How can you tell a sale is genuine?
Paraguay's consumer agency Sedeco (opens in a new tab) says a sale sign must show the previous price, the discount percentage and the current price. On instalment plans, the shop must state the cash price, the interest and the rate. The law also requires (opens in a new tab) prices, taxes included, to be shown in guaraníes. If something is wrong, file a complaint through Sedeco's online form (opens in a new tab).
How do you pay?
Bring your phone: QR is now the most used electronic payment, 68.1% of payments on the Bancard network (opens in a new tab) in April 2026. Small shops may still prefer cash, so ask first. Shops on the Bancard network can accept Pix from Brazilian real accounts since February 2024 (opens in a new tab), though not all have it switched on.
Coming over from Foz do Iguaçu?
The Puente de la Integración links Franco with Foz. From 14 September 2026, private cars of border-zone residents may cross 7:00 to 13:00 with the Documento de Tránsito Vecinal Fronterizo, and the Presidente Franco–Foz urban bus runs 7:00 to 19:00 (opens in a new tab). Back in Brazil, the Receita Federal sets a US$ 500 allowance every 30 days for land arrivals, and for items over US$ 5 a maximum of 10 units, no more than 3 identical (opens in a new tab). Count carefully if you buy several identical T-shirts.
One tip on timing
Franco gets between 2,700 and 3,000 visitors a week, mostly at weekends (opens in a new tab). If you want to try things on in peace, go on a weekday.
FAQ
Do shops in Paraguay have to refund clothes that don't fit?
Not necessarily. Ley 1334 gives seven days to cancel only for sales made outside the store, such as by phone or at home. In-store exchanges depend on shop policy, so ask first and keep the invoice.
Can I pay with Pix in Presidente Franco?
At Bancard merchants that have it switched on, yes, since February 2024. Local QR is the most used electronic payment; ask at the till.
When is Black Friday in Ciudad del Este?
Every November, under the name 'Descuentos sin fronteras', in downtown CDE, a short drive from Franco.
How many clothes can I take back to Brazil tax-free?
Arriving by land, the Receita Federal allows US$ 500 every 30 days, and for items over US$ 5 up to 10 units with no more than 3 identical.
