The most beautiful natural sites to discover Paraguay

Villa Florida has beautiful beaches, with facilities for playing volleyball, horseback riding, or camping... They fill up quickly in the summer, between December and March, but especially during Holy Week, which here is all about big parties, with lots of reggaetón and lots of alcohol! For more peace and quiet, fishermen can take you for a peaceful stroll on the river (make sure they are not drunk!). Punta Arena is located before the bridge leading to Villa Florida (coming from the north), in the territory of Caapucú. The other beaches are on the other side of the bridge: for Caracol, take the ^2nd left after the bridge (coming from Asunción). The beach is 5 km upriver. Playa Paraíso is located 1.5 km west of the city. Turn right after the bridge, then right again at the first intersection, and finally left when you reach the river. This is the most popular beach and there is usually a charge for access. It has showers and toilets, a bar and a camping area. Horse riding is possible. Continuing southwest, Yvága is a long, quieter beach. Take the ^2nd right after the bridge (Calle Profesor Feliciano Orué), then follow the dirt road to the beach (5 km). Finally, Centú Cué is the furthest beach from Villa Florida, 7 km to the east. It can be reached by a track that leaves on the left as you leave the town (Calle Narciso Corrales). You can stay overnight (cabañas and camping) and fish on site.

This national park is one of the most visited in Paraguay. Access is fairly easy from the capital, 150 km away. With an area of 5,000 hectares, it was created in 1973 and offers varied landscapes, with hills and vegetation characteristic of the Atlantic Forest of High Paraná. Orchids and bromeliads can be admired, and it is easy to spot coatis or armadillos. The main attraction of the park is its waterfalls, especially Salto Mina and Salto Guaraní. Salto Mina is also called Salto Cristal by locals, but should not be confused with the "real" Salto Cristal, much higher up, located towards La Colmena. It is a bucolic place, with several waterfalls and pools, where you can refresh yourself. Quiet during the week, it's very crowded on weekends. A short (indicated) steep walk takes you to a watchtower, which offers a beautiful view of the tropical selve. As for the Salto Guarani, it is located on the Arroyo Mina, 900 metres from the camping area, along a path popular with butterflies. Also in the park is the old foundry La Rosada (or Minas Cue). It is the first ferrous metal foundry in South America. Put into service in 1856, under Carlos Antonio López, it was destroyed by allied troops in 1869. It produced tools, horseshoes, precision parts for the naval industry and especially weapons during the war. A museum explains how it works.

An elegant 42-metre high waterfall amidst lush vegetation. Downstairs, a deep natural swimming pool, with very fresh water (it is advisable to come between 11am and 4pm to get some sun while bathing!). A quiet place during the week, minus the weekends. The descent of a hundred meters, once very sporty, is now done by a staircase. Following a dispute between two neighbours (access to the waterfall is via private property), please check before going to the site whether it is open to the public.

Yvága is a new 2 km long beach, southwest of Playa Paraíso. From the bridge, access by the second street on the right.

This is the most popular beach. It has showers, toilets, a bar and a campground. You can go horseback riding.

The beach is 5 km upstream from the river. Camping possible.

The beach of Punta Arena is located on the right bank of the river on the other side of the bridge, on the territory of Caapucú.

With 2,245 ha of preserved Atlantic forest, this nature reserve is home to 39 species of mammals and 247 species of birds. A beautiful site with trails, including one leading to a magnificent waterfall (access often closed from November to March), the Salto Kañimby. A nice view of the lake as well and a beach. Numerous activities are available, including carriage rides (sulky), horseback riding or cycling. Facilities for free camping on site, with water and electricity.

One of the main attractions of Ayolas is its sandy beach on the Paraná river. There are volleyball courts, a small restaurant, games for children... The bathing area is limited, for safety reasons, due to the strong currents of the river. From the beach you can reach, in a few minutes by boat, Isla Paraiso, a 5 hectare island in the middle of the river. The "Isle of Paradise" is ideal for a day of sunbathing. On site, a camping area with parrillas, a wooden bungalow, toilets and electricity.

Atyrá has several pleasant rivers where you can swim. To the east of Atyrá, in the direction of Tobatí, the Karumbey River has a waterfall about 5 metres high. The Chorro Karumbey, or Salto Karumbé, flows into a large natural swimming pool surrounded by a sandy beach. A pleasant, peaceful place during the week, much less on weekends. For a refreshing swim, maybe with turtles (karumbé in Guarani)! It is easily accessible from Atyrá (6 km) or Tobatí (5.6 km), by car, on foot or by bike.

The highest waterfall in the country, at 60 m high. It is more beautiful after a few days of rain, but it is precisely there that the track is the most difficult (1 hour in 4x4). So the best way to get there is by bike. In the dry season, the waterfall is just a trickle, a little disappointing. The site has been laid out with iron stairs and guides available on site. A zip line (200 m long and 80 m high) awaits the most daring (another is planned). The viewpoint of Cerro de la Cruz (555 m high) is 1 km away.

A municipal park in the middle of which is the lagoon of Ykua Pytá, "quiet lagoon" in Guarani. The park is named after the author of the famous guarania Panambi verá, who grew up in Villarrica. A monument shows the poet Manuel Ortíz Guerrero resting against a tree, under the wings of a huge butterfly, panambi in Guarani. Keep your eyes open, you may see one of the capybaras that live around the lagoon. The capybara, or carpincho, is the largest rodent in the world.

This vast green space of 25 hectares is located between Asunción and Luque, on the road to the airport. It has 5 km of tracks in good condition, where you can walk, run, cycle; sports fields (football, basketball, volleyball, tennis), as well as two artificial lakes to relax or meditate. Nothing extraordinary, but pleasant, and without security problems. A nice playground for expatriates, to exercise, or to go for a walk with the family. On July 12, 2015, Pope Francis gave Mass here before more than a million faithful.

The most remote beach from Villa Florida. There is a road that leaves on the left at the exit of the city. You can sleep there (rooms and camping) and fish on site.

The old wooden house presents Bertoni's scientific legacy and history. On display are microscopes, herbaria, insect collections, pedal press (where he printed his articles), books and manuscripts. Also worth seeing are the arboretum, made up of exotic species introduced by Bertoni, the family cemetery at the foot of a cypress tree, and trails that can be accompanied by a Mby'a Guaraní guide. Avá and Mby'a families who live here will offer you handicrafts. Contact the Senatur, or the Bertoni Foundation for the management of the visit.

This 55-hectare complex, located on top of a hill overlooking the Paraná River, is named after its mini-museum dedicated to trees. The Galería Casa de Madera is a hut with the Tronco de los Lamentos (Lament Tree Trunk) inside, representing trees that have been deforested, and different slices of tree trunks native to the region. There is also the poetic Árbolde losDeseos:write a wish on a piece of paper and hang it up. The idea of the complex created by Don Mario, is to make visitors aware of the importance of the forest, in one of the most deforested countries in the world. Through an easy trail (1300 m, 45 min), punctuated by watchtowers, one can find about thirty varieties of native trees, including the tajy (lapacho), the national tree. You can then have fun through eco-adventure activities, such as the "swing at the end of the world", or a chair that takes you over the void... The most impressive activity is the bicitirolesa (bicycle-tyrolesa), the first of its kind in Paraguay! At the entrance of the complex, don't forget to take a picture of yourself on the giant chair (silla gigante) which offers a splendid panorama. Camping possible (30 000 Gs per person) with its own equipment (showers, sanitary facilities and electricity available). Be careful, complexes in the same style have been set up along the access road to the Museo del Árbol. They rarely comply with safety standards and, above all, are of little interest compared to the original, the only one officially authorised.

Blond sand dunes in the middle of the crystal clear water of the Yacyretá Lake! You will probably be among the last privileged to be able to get there: the dunes are shrinking at high speed, due to the lack of vegetation on the island to hold back the impact of wind, rain and waves, which carry away the fine sand. At the end of 2019, the dunes were nearly 10 metres high over 3 hectares, but 20 metres high over 5 hectares in 2015, and 30 metres over 10 hectares in 2010... To get to the dunes, first ask at the tourist information point of San Cosme y Damián. You will be informed about the state of the dunes and the weather, and you will be put in contact with the right people to take you there (who will probably correspond with the numbers given above). The dunes are located 25 km from the naval base of San Cosme y Damián. Count between 45 minutes and 1 hour by motorboatfor the outward journey, a little less for the return journey. It can be a bit shaky when it is windy, and it is advisable to go there in the morning if the weather permits. The time on site is usually 2 to 3 hours. Transportation is expensive, so it is advantageous to form a group to divide the costs. To join other passengers, plan the excursion on a Saturday or Sunday, or during school holidays. There is nothing on the spot, so bring something to protect yourself from the sun, and something to drink and snack on (bring back your rubbish of course).

The area around the Bay of Asunción has been developed to relieve traffic congestion and provide a diversionary space for the inhabitants. Since 2013, an artificial sandy beach and areas for walking, running, rollerblading and cycling have been available. Kayak and pedal boat rentals and tours on small boats. Pleasant at sunset. La Costanera is illuminated at night and safe, but avoid it late in the week (shantytowns nearby). Unfortunately we can't swim due to pollution, too bad. Nice view on the Palacio de López.

This whaleboat is located about 30 kilometres from Cruce Santa Rosa, at the end of a track in good condition and accessible to all types of vehicles. At the edge of the lagoon, a sandy beach and well mowed lawns, with umbrellas to shelter from the sun and enough to prepare asados. Bar-restaurant service and air-conditioned rooms that can accommodate up to 60 people. Camping area too. You can play volleyball, go horseback riding, rent a kayak... Lots of people in the summer, the rest of the time you'll be alone in the world.

This complex, administered by Aqua Paraná Tour, is the closest to the falls. It has several watchtowers, one of which is just on the side of the falls, slightly overhanging them, and one descends by wide stairs (note the sign "no swimming"!). Another, even more impressive, is at the foot of the waterfalls. It is accessed by a glass lift (additional 20,000 Gs). There is a pleasant restaurant on the edge of the falls, and a souvenir shop at the entrance.