The border between Brazil and Uruguay is one of the most relaxed and uniquely integrated in all of South America. Here, the international line often feels more like a suggestion than a hard boundary, with several “twin cities” where life, culture, and language flow seamlessly between the two nations. This open frontier is a testament to the close relationship between the two countries. You’ll find more than a dozen crossings, but the most unique are these binational urban areas. The crossing between Rivera (Uruguay) and Sant’ana do Livramento (Brazil) is marked by a simple plaza, the Praça Internacional, where you can stand with one foot in each country.
Other major crossings with this “twin city” characteristic connect Chuí (Brazil) and Chuy (Uruguay), where a single avenue separates the countries, as well as Artigas with Quaraí, and Rio Branco with Jaguarão, the latter featuring the historic Mauá International Bridge. In these towns, a unique bilingual dialect known as Portuñol has naturally emerged, blending Portuguese and Spanish. This open border policy means you can often walk or drive freely between the city centers, but remember to stop at the official immigration points (migración or polícia federal), usually located on the main highways just outside the towns, to get your passport stamped if you plan to travel further into either country.