On November 5th, we arrived in Iguazú, Argentina (AR), where we checked in to the Pirayú Hotel & Resort, a comfortable base for exploring one of the region’s most fascinating geographical landmarks: the tripoint of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

This tri-border point, a so called 'wet tripoint', lies exactly where the Río Iguazú meets the Río Paraná, forming the natural borders between the three countries. Unique is that each country has its own monument placed directly on the riverbank—something that exists in only a handful of places worldwide. The only similar examples I personally recall are the BE–DE–LU tripoint at Ouren and the AT–CZ–SK tripoint at Hohenau an der March.

Our plan for the day was ambitious but exciting: to visit all three monuments in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. We began just 500 meters from our hotel, at the Argentinian Hito Tres Fronteras, a colorful landmark offering beautiful views across the rivers.
You can find a full report with additional photos on our dedicated page about the AR–BR–PY tripoint.

From the Argentinian side, our journey continued as we headed toward the international ferry at Puerto Iguazu (AR) to Presidente Franco (PY).

After swapping badges with authorities, we got free tickets for the ferry!

From the Ponte da Amizade, we continued our journey by taxi to the Marco das Três Fronteiras, the Brazilian monument marking the tri-border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

For more details and photos, visit my webpage about the Tres Fronteras AR–BR–PY tripoint.

You can also find additional information on my Brazilian webpage.

After saying goodbye to Lars, who was heading back home, Jonna, Steen, Barry, and I took a taxi from Pirayú Hotel & Resort to a car rental office at Aeroporto Internacional de Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. Once we picked up the car, we drove directly to the world-famous Itaipu Dam.

Visiting the Itaipu Dam

The Itaipu Dam is a binational hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River, located on the border between the Brazilian state of Paraná and Paraguay. Construction began in 1971, and the dam was completed in 1982. It has been operational since 1984 and is managed by Itaipu Binacional, a joint Brazilian–Paraguayan company.

The name Itaipu comes from a nearby island and means “the sound of a stone” in Guaraní. The dam’s cultural significance is notable as well—American composer Philip Glass even wrote a symphonic cantata called “Itaipu” in its honor.

Key Facts About the Itaipu Dam

• Length:7.7 km

• Height:196 meters

• Status:Second-largest dam in the world (surpassed only by China’s Three Gorges Dam)

• Reservoir:Covers 1,350 km² and stretches 170 km

• Hydroelectric Capacity:20 generators, each 700 MW, with a combined output of 14 GW

• Operational Limitation:By agreement between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, only 18 generators may operate simultaneously

• Water Flow:Each of the 20 water inlets has a diameter of 10 meters—two of them together carry the same volume of water as the entire Iguazú Falls

• Spillway:483 meters long with 14 gates capable of releasing up to 62,000 m³ of water per second

• Annual Production:Almost 100 billion kWh

  • ~90% of Paraguay’s electricity consumption

  • ~15% of Brazil’s electricity consumption

In 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers named the Itaipu Dam one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. The dam is located close to Iguaçu National Park and is connected to Foz do Iguaçu via the BR-600 highway.

Crossing the Friendship Bridge into Paraguay

Although we hoped to join the inner tour of the dam, it was unfortunately fully booked. After our visit, Jonna and Steen dropped Barry and me off at the Friendship Bridge (Ponte da Amizade), where we crossed on foot from Brazil into Paraguay. At that moment, we had no idea of the enormous adventure awaiting us on the other side—an experience that would become one of the most memorable parts of our entire journey.

On the final infographic, you can see an image of two officials shaking hands to mark the armistice. The photograph was taken at a border marker — 'Hito' in Spanish — which, has obviously no identifying number.

Interestingly, later in our journey we came across the same picture again, displayed in a local restaurant (10-11-2025).

The National Pantheon of Heroes in Asunción is one of Paraguay’s most important historical and architectural landmarks. Its origins date back to October 1863, when President Francisco Solano Lópezordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The design was created by Italian architect Alejandro Ravizza, together with builder Giacomo Colombino.

A Project Interrupted by War

Construction came to a halt during the War of the Triple Alliance, leaving the building unfinished and surrounded by scaffolding for more than 70 years. It wasn’t until after the Chaco Warthat the structure was finally completed. On October 12, 1936, the chapel was officially inaugurated—by presidential decree—as the National Pantheon of Heroes.

A Mausoleum Honoring Paraguay’s Heroes

Today, the National Pantheon serves as Paraguay’s state mausoleum, honoring some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history. Among those buried here are:

• Carlos Antonio López, the country’s first constitutional president

• Francisco Solano López, president during the War of the Triple Alliance

• José Félix Estigarribia, hero of the Chaco War, together with his wife

• The child martyrsof the Battle of Acosta Ñu

• Two Unknown Soldiers, representing all unidentified heroes of Paraguay

Symbolism and International Recognition

Inside the Pantheon, visitors can see numerous honorary plaques sent by foreign rulers, kings, and dignitaries. These inscriptions express admiration and gratitude for Paraguay’s armed forces, including the Navy and Air Force.

The façade of the Pantheon bears a Latin inscription:
“Fides et Patria” — “My faith and my country.”

This powerful motto reflects the spirit of national pride and resilience that the Pantheon represents.

After a pleasant walk through Asunciónon Monday morning, we picked up our rental car to begin the next stage of our journey. Before heading toward Mariscal Estigarribia, where we had booked a stay at Otto Hotel & Suites, we made two final stops inside the capital.

Cerro Lambaré: A Scenic Viewpoint Over Argentina

Our first stop was Cerro Lambaré, one of Asunción’s well-known hills and a popular viewpoint. From the top, we enjoyed a clear panoramic view stretching all the way into Argentinaacross the Paraguay River.

Although Cerro Lambaré has a rich history, much of it is not directly related to borders—so for us, this visit was mainly about enjoying the scenery and taking a last look toward Argentina before heading deep into the Chaco.

A Visit to the Faro Almirante

From Cerro Lambaré, we continued to the Faro de Asunción (Faro Almirante), a lighthouse-style monument offering another interesting perspective on the city. It was a short stop, but a worthwhile one before leaving the capital.

Heading Toward Mariscal Estigarribia

After our quick visits, we finally left Asunción and started the long drive toward Mariscal Estigarribiato continue our adventure through the vast and remote Paraguayan Chaco.

A Visit to the Faro Almirante

From Cerro Lambaré, we continued to the Faro de Asunción (Faro Almirante), a lighthouse-style monument offering another interesting perspective on the city. It was a short stop, but a worthwhile one before leaving the capital.

What is the faro Almirante

The Faro Almirante is a tall, white monument built to honor the Paraguayan Navy and maritime traditions, despite Paraguay being a landlocked country. The structure resembles a naval lighthouse and represents Paraguay’s historical connection to its rivers, especially the Paraguay River, which has played a vital role in trade, transport, and military history.

Heading toward
Mariscal Estigarribia

After our quick visits, we finally left Asunción and started the long drive toward Mariscal Estigarribia to continue our adventure through the vast and remote Paraguayan Chaco, toward two remote and not easy to reach tripoints.

At arrival in Mariscal Estigarribia, we first had dinner after we checked in the hotel.

After a short overnight stay in Mariscal Estigarribia, we left early in the morning for the long drive toward Pozo Hondo, more than 200 kilometers away in the remote Paraguayan Chaco.

Our plan for the day was ambitious: to visit Hito Esmeralda (the former tripoint marker until 2016), the current official tripoint marker of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay (ARBOPY), and the international border bridge at Pozo Hondo.

Crossing the Chaco on Highway 15

The route to Pozo Hondo follows Highway 15, a long and dusty unpaved road that cuts through the vast landscapes of the Chaco. Although the highway is still entirely dirt at this stage, major construction projects are underway to transform it into a modern, fully paved route.

Driving conditions varied constantly: clouds of dust, deep potholes, and stretches where visibility dropped to nearly zero. Despite these challenges, we made steady progress across the Chaco wilderness.

Arrival at the Naval Base in Pozo Hondo

Eventually, we reached the naval base at Pozo Hondo, which controls access to the border zone and the remote tripoint area. Thanks to the official permission arranged by Barry through the Paraguayan Embassy in London, we were allowed to enter the military property and continue our research into the boundary markers.

For detailed photos and a full report of our visit to the border markers on the naval base, you can view my dedicated page linked here.

View the tripoint webpage to see more detailed pictures and learn more about this location

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After exploring Hito Esmeralda and the official tripoint marker at ARBOPY, we continued our journey toward Pozo Hondo, a small settlement located roughly 7 kilometers from the tripoint.

Our goal was to visit the international border bridge between Paraguay and Argentina, an isolated yet historically significant crossing point in the Chaco region.

Upon arriving at the border post, we experienced the same warm hospitality we had already encountered at many remote border locations. A very friendly border officer granted us permission to enter the bridge area so we could continue our border marker research and document the position of nearby boundary stones.

This rare opportunity allowed us to examine the Argentina–Paraguay border up close and gain a better understanding of how these remote crossings are managed in such sparsely populated areas of the Chaco.

Leaving Pozo Hondo, we decide not to follow the entire Ruta 15 back to Mariscal Estigarribia. Instead, we choose the alternative route marked in light blue on the map—an excellent decision. Although the road from Ruta 15 to the border crossing isn’t paved, it is still far more comfortable to drive than Ruta 15 itself.

This detour also gives us the opportunity to visit the Paraguay–Bolivia border crossing. Once again, we meet friendly border officers who allow us to walk right up to the actual border, explore the area, and take photos.

From the border, we continue along the paved route toward Mariscal Estigarribia. Somewhere along the way, we stop for a quick roadside burger before heading onward to Loma del Plata, where we had booked a hotel. We finally arrive around 23:00 hrs, tired but satisfied with the journey.

The next morning, after breakfast, we set off again—this time toward Bahía Negra, facing another 200 km of classic Chaco dirt road.

Coast guard

(Armada Naval)

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