Travel Guide Fuerte Olimpo

Fuerte Olímpo is the capital of the department of Alto Paraguay. Located at the eastern end of the Chaco, on the banks of the Paraguay River, the city is nicknamed the "Gateway to the Pantanal". A peaceful community of 5,000 people, named after a fort built on a hill in 1792. Fuerte Borbón, as it was called at the time (in homage to the Spanish royal dynasty), was to contain the incursions of the Portuguese bandeirantes into Spanish territory. It was renamed Fuerto Olímpo by Dr. Francia to mark the end of the colony. Fuerte Olimpo is an isolated, timeless town that lives from livestock, agriculture and fishing. It has a beautiful natural site, with three elevations that stand out in the landscape: los Tres Hermanos (the Three Brothers). The climb up to the viewpoint of Cerro del Medio, one of the three "brothers", offers a beautiful panoramic view: to the east, the Pantanal swamps and the distant Sierra de Bodoquena in Brazil, to the west, vast karanda'y forests. A visit to the old fort, the elegant María Auxiliadora Cathedral and the indigenous museum, exhibiting ishir, ayoreo and maskoy objects, can keep you busy for a good day. You can also take a few hours lancha trip and visit the Ishir community of "Virgen Santísima" in the south of the city. The Indians will show you their feather and wooden crafts, and can also take you on a canoe trip. The municipality's tourist office (+595 497 281 155) will tell you how to get there.