9 Things to Do in Paraguay

You’ll discover Paraguay’s authentic charm through nine unforgettable experiences: explore Asunción’s colonial plazas and neoclassical palaces, walk through UNESCO-listed Jesuit mission ruins at Trinidad, join Encarnación’s vibrant riverside carnival celebrations, marvel at massive Itaipú Dam‘s engineering prowess, chase waterfalls at Saltos del Monday, shop duty-free electronics in Ciudad del Este, hike Ybycuí National Park’s forest trails and historic ironworks, visit Cerro Corá’s battlefield memorials, and venture into pristine Atlantic Forest reserves for wildlife encounters that’ll reveal this hidden gem’s full potential.

Explore Asunción’s Colonial Heart and Government Palaces

Since Asunción’s colonial heart radiates from the central Plaza de Armas, you’ll want to start your exploration at this historic square where the city’s 16th-century founding still echoes through its mix of colonial, neoclassical, and modern architecture.

The Madre de Ciudades Monument commemorates Asunción’s role as “Mother of Cities” in the Río de la Plata region.

Walk the surrounding streets to discover colonial-era facades and arcades that create an open-air architectural museum.

Don’t miss the imposing Palacio de los López, the presidential palace showcasing 19th-century neoclassical design with its illuminated nighttime façade.

Visit El Cabildo’s cultural center for independence history exhibits, then explore Manzana de la Rivera‘s nine restored colonial houses, including the mid-18th-century Casa Viola. The area also houses the Catedral Metropolitana, a striking colonial remnant that highlights the enduring Spanish architectural influences throughout the historic center.

Walk Through the Jesuit Mission Ruins at Trinidad and Jesús

Beyond Asunción’s urban colonial treasures, Paraguay’s most remarkable historical sites await in the countryside near Encarnación, where the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue offer an extraordinary glimpse into 18th-century Jesuit missionary life.

You’ll find Trinidad 25 kilometers north of Encarnación along Route 6, featuring the region’s largest mission church with its striking stone altar carved from a single block. The complete urban layout reveals workshops, schools, and housing arranged around a central plaza.

Jesús de Tavarangue, 10 kilometers away, showcases an unfinished church planned as a replica of Rome’s Saint Ignatius. The site displays distinctive trefoil arches reflecting the rare Mudéjar architectural style that characterizes this remarkable ruin. Both sites demonstrate the Jesuits’ ambitious vision for self-sufficient Guaraní communities before their 1767 expulsion.

Experience Encarnación’s Riverfront and Carnival Culture

You’ll find excellent food stalls serving traditional Paraguayan snacks alongside the promenade’s restaurants and cafes.

Visit during January-February for Carnaval Encarnaceno, Paraguay’s premier carnival celebration featuring samba parades at the dedicated Sambadrome.

The festival draws crowds from across Paraguay and Argentina, creating an electric atmosphere that perfectly captures Encarnación’s unique cross-border energy and festive spirit. The Costanera promenade offers stunning scenic views of the Paraná River and Argentina’s coastline, making evening strolls particularly memorable with its vibrant nightlife and lively atmosphere.

Marvel at the Engineering of Itaipú Dam

From Encarnación’s carnival energy, head north to witness one of South America’s most impressive feats of engineering. Itaipú Dam stretches 7,235 meters across the Paraná River, standing 196 meters high—equivalent to a 65-story building. This binational marvel between Paraguay and Brazil generates 14,000 megawatts through 20 massive turbines.

Book guided tours to explore the power generation hall and control areas, where you’ll grasp the dam’s incredible scale. The spillway alone can discharge 62,200 cubic meters per second—forty times Iguazú Falls’ average flow. Construction required 12.3 million cubic meters of concrete and seven years to complete.

Beyond its technical prowess, Itaipú supplies 87% of Paraguay’s electricity, making it both an engineering wonder and economic lifeline worth experiencing firsthand. The dam has generated over 1.6 billion MWh of energy throughout its operational life, cementing its status as a global hydroelectric powerhouse.

Chase Waterfalls at Saltos Del Monday

After exploring Itaipú’s concrete magnificence, Paraguay’s natural power takes center stage at Saltos del Monday, where three thunderous waterfalls cascade 45 meters into a basalt gorge just outside Ciudad del Este.

You’ll find multiple viewpoints within Municipal Park Monday‘s protected Atlantic Forest, offering frontal and side perspectives of the 120-meter-wide horseshoe falls.

The adventure park provides rappelling and canopy experiences along rocky basalt walls, while scenic trails lead to panoramic overlooks. The 9-hectare natural reserve protects dense vegetation and diverse wildlife as part of the remaining Alto Paraná Atlantic forests.

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Ciudad del Este, it’s easily accessible for day trips from Brazil or Argentina’s tri-border region.

Plan five-hour guided eco-tours during rainy season for maximum water volume, when Paraguay’s 2017-ranked top attraction displays its most dramatic power.

Shop Duty-Free in Ciudad Del Este

Beyond Paraguay’s natural wonders lies Ciudad del Este, South America’s bustling commercial powerhouse where tax-incentivized imports create a shopper’s paradise just minutes from the Brazilian and Argentine borders. You’ll discover everything from electronics and designer handbags to perfumes and cosmetics at markedly reduced prices compared to neighboring countries.

Head to Basan Shopping Mall or Shopping China for the broadest selection, while Cellshop and Mega Eletrônicos specialize in electronics and tech accessories. Most stores accept US dollars, Brazilian reais, and Paraguayan guaraníes, plus major credit cards.

Bring your passport for border crossings and duty-free purchases. Remember to respect international quota limits when making your purchases, as these regulations apply even in this tax-incentivized shopping environment. Typical shopping tours offer two hours of free time with roundtrip transfers from Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú, making it easy to combine retail therapy with your Iguazu Falls adventure.

Hike Through Ybycuí National Park’s Forest and Ironworks

While Paraguay’s commercial attractions draw crowds to the eastern border, Ybycuí National Park offers an entirely different experience where you’ll explore 5,000 hectares of pristine Atlantic Forest alongside fascinating 19th-century industrial ruins.

You’ll find well-marked trails leading to spectacular waterfalls like Salto Guaraní (1.5km) and the longer Ybycuí Waterfalls Trail (3km), where crystalline streams create natural swimming pools perfect for cooling off. The hiking conditions are considered easy trekking, making these trails suitable for families and casual hikers alike.

The park’s unique appeal lies in combining nature with history—La Rosada iron foundry ruins represent one of South America’s first iron smelters, destroyed during the War of the Triple Alliance. You can explore museum exhibits showcasing original machinery before hiking through butterfly-rich forest clearings.

Located 2.5 hours from Asunción, it’s an ideal day trip.

Discover Cerro Corá’s Battlefields and Natural Beauty

Though the War of the Triple Alliance devastated Paraguay between 1864-1870, Cerro Corá National Park transforms this somber historical site into a powerful destination where you’ll walk the actual battlefield where President Francisco Solano López made his final stand on March 1, 1870.

You’ll find monuments, sculptures, and an obelisk marking López’s death near Aquidabán-Nigüi creek, where he reportedly declared “Muero con mi patria” before falling. The park’s interpretive signage details troop movements and war timelines, making the tragic final battle comprehensible. The overwhelming Brazilian assault lasted only minutes, with approximately 2,600 troops under General José Antônio Correia da Câmara quickly surrounding and overrunning López’s weakened camp of 500 followers.

Beyond history, you’ll explore hill-surrounded valleys, rocky outcrops, and gallery forests characteristic of northeastern Paraguay’s Amambay region. The park’s streams offer peaceful picnic spots, while hiking trails wind through diverse wildlife habitats, creating a meaningful blend of remembrance and natural beauty.

Go Adventure Touring in Paraguay’s Lesser-Known Reserves

Paraguay’s adventure touring scene extends far beyond its well-known historical sites into pristine wilderness areas that offer world-class outdoor experiences without the crowds.

At Mbatoví Ecoreserve, you’ll tackle the Tapé Saingó circuit‘s zip lines and rappelling adventures through Atlantic Forest fragments.

For serious wilderness immersion, trek Mbaracayú’s 8-kilometer trail system, where jaguars and howler monkeys inhabit 64,000 hectares of protected forest. The reserve features elevated walkways that provide safe passage through the canopy while offering prime observation points for wildlife viewing.

The Campos Cerrados region offers unique Cerrado ecosystem exploration, combining snorkeling in Laguna Blanca’s crystal waters with birding among 400+ documented species.

In Paraguay’s remote Pantanal sector, wetland safaris deliver encounters with caimans, capybaras, and hyacinth macaws across seasonally flooded plains that rival Brazil’s famous wildlife viewing destinations.

The Sum Up

You’ll find Paraguay rewards curious travelers who venture beyond typical South American routes. Don’t miss the contrast between Asunción’s colonial elegance and Itaipú’s modern marvel. Pack comfortable hiking boots for national parks and waterfall trails. Time your visit for Encarnación’s February carnival or the cooler months of May through September. Bring cash for local markets and remote areas where cards aren’t accepted. Paraguay’s authentic culture and warm hospitality make every experience genuinely memorable.