In this guide
To choose a hotel in Ciudad del Este, start with why you are going. If you are there to shop, stay downtown (the microcentro), a few blocks from the Friendship Bridge, so you can walk your bags back. If you want to rest, look at the hotels on the Paraná River, a few minutes' drive from the centre. And if your dates fall on Black Friday CDE week, book weeks ahead: the city fills up.
Which area should you stay in?
- Downtown, near the bridge. This is the heart of shopping tourism. The centre slopes down from Avenida Bernardino Caballero to the port, traffic is heavy and walking it loaded with bags is hard work (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A hotel two or three blocks from the stores lets you drop purchases and head back out without moving the car.
- On the Paraná riverbank. Quieter, with views of the water and the bridge, a few minutes by car from downtown. Good for families or for a trip that is more rest than shopping.
- Towards Lago de la República. The local bar and restaurant association calls the area the city's dining hub (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). If good dinners and an evening walk matter to you, look there.
Two well-known hotels to start comparing
- Hotel Casino Acaray. On the Paraná, minutes from downtown, with more than 100 rooms facing the garden or the river, a spa, pool, restaurant and casino (InfoNegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Built in 1965 and renovated in 2008, it bills itself as the only five-star hotel in Alto Paraná (Última Hora, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Choose it if you want to spend time at the hotel, not just sleep there.
- Rio Hotel by Bourbon. Right downtown on Calle Boquerón between Adrián Jara and Abay, with 116 rooms, its own parking and a top floor overlooking the Triple Frontier (ABC Color, 2017 (opens in a new tab); InfoNegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). It puts you close to the main shopping blocks.
For anything else, compare on two booking platforms, read the most recent reviews and check that the map pin is in Ciudad del Este, not in Foz do Iguaçu across the river.
When do hotels fill up?
The city has about 68 lodging establishments with 2,438 rooms (Prensa Mercosur, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), and they go fast during sales:
- Black Friday CDE. The 2026 edition runs 19 to 22 November, and organisers expect hotel occupancy of 95 to 100% on the busiest days (same source). In 2024 the hotel association already reported full occupancy on day one (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
If your trip falls in those weeks, book as soon as you have dates and get the confirmation in writing.
What to ask before paying a deposit
- Parking: is it on site, enclosed, and will a pickup fit? Street parking downtown is tough.
- Real walking distance: ask for the exact location and count the blocks to the stores you plan to visit.
- Check-in hours and late arrival: if you cross the bridge at night, tell them when.
- Currency and payment: ask which currency the rate is quoted in. Since 2024, merchants on the Bancard network can take Pix from Brazilian tourists, starting with border cities such as Ciudad del Este (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), but not every hotel has it switched on.
- Invoice: on a business trip, give your company's tax ID (RUC) when booking.
How to check that a place is licensed
Paraguay's tourism ministry, Senatur, runs the national tourism register (Registur), which lists licensed providers, hotels included, and any sanctions (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). If you rent an apartment through an app or social media, hosts who rent habitually for tourism must be registered there under Law 2828/05 (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Ask the host before you transfer money.
Getting there and getting around
From Asunción it is 327 km on Route PY02 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From Foz do Iguaçu you cross the Friendship Bridge, which jams on shopping days: if you are driving in from Brazil, cross early and leave the car at the hotel. At night, call a ride-hailing car to the door instead of walking with your purchases.
FAQ
What is the best hotel in Ciudad del Este?
It depends on the trip. For a restful stay, Hotel Casino Acaray on the Paraná bills itself as Alto Paraná's only five-star hotel; for shopping on foot, Rio Hotel by Bourbon is downtown on Calle Boquerón.
Where should I stay for shopping?
Downtown, a few blocks from the Friendship Bridge. It is noisier, but you can walk to the stores and back with your bags.
When should I book furthest ahead?
Black Friday CDE week (19 to 22 November in 2026), when occupancy can reach 95 to 100%.
Can I pay my hotel with Pix?
Possibly: since 2024 Bancard-network merchants can accept Pix from Brazilians, but not all have it active. Ask when you book.
