Pedro Juan Caballero is a unique city on the Paraguayan landscape: capital of the department of Amambay, founded on December 1, 1900, it forms with the neighboring Brazilian city of Ponta Pora a binational conurbation of over 200,000 inhabitants, with no materialized border between the two urban centers. It is the highest city in the country at 670 meters of altitude, and has lived for decades off cross-border trade with Brazil. It is also a city whose security situation has been the subject of international reports in recent years : a point it would be dishonest to overlook, and best addressed with documented data rather than cliches.
A city born on the border
Pedro Juan Caballero was founded on December 1, 1900 and owes its name to Captain Pedro Juan Caballero, a figure in the struggle for Paraguay's independence. It became the capital of the department of Amambay on July 10, 1945. Its position, exactly on the border with the Brazilian city of Ponta Pora (State of Mato Grosso do Sul), makes it a rare case of a binational conurbation with no clear urban separation between the two countries.
An economy built on border trade
In the second half of the 20th century, the city underwent rapid commercial development, becoming a major border crossing point with Brazil and a destination for duty-free shopping ("free shops") and international events. Britannica describes it as a border city, a commercial hub, and a tourist destination : a description that reflects the triple identity of Pedro Juan Caballero: a city of passage, a city of commerce, a city of binational daily life.
A security situation to be aware of, without exaggeration or denial
It would be dishonest to write a page about Pedro Juan Caballero without mentioning its security situation, documented by several serious journalistic investigations, especially those of Infobae, which describe a border area marked by drug trafficking and higher-than-average crime rates. This reality is real and documented, but should not make one forget that the vast majority of the city's inhabitants lead ordinary lives of trade, agriculture, and legal cross-border exchanges.
In practice, for a passing traveler: prioritize daytime visits, avoid solitary nighttime travel, check updated travel advisories before departure (see the scams and safety page), and do not hesitate to limit your stay to a short excursion, combining the visit with Cerro Cora rather than a long stay in the city.
Practical tips
| Useful information | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Approximately 520 km from Asuncion by paved road, or domestic flight to the local airport. |
| Safety | Check updated travel advisories before departure; prioritize daytime visits. |
| Combine with | Trip to Cerro Cora (10 km) highly recommended as a complement. |
| Border crossing | Ponta Pora (Brazil) accessible directly on foot from the city center. |
Sources
- Wikipedia - Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguay)
- Britannica - Pedro Juan Caballero
- Government of Amambay - Pedro Juan Caballero
- Infobae - Pedro Juan Caballero, the dangerous city dominated by drug traffickers (2022)
- France Diplomatie - Travel Advice Paraguay (2025)
- U.S. Department of State - Paraguay Travel Advisory (2025)
My method
This page is written from France, sourced as carefully as possible, but I can be wrong or miss on-the-ground detail. A price that changed, outdated info, a photo to share? Every correction is credited if you want.
Report an error or send info →Share