Paraguay is one of the hidden gems in South America. Despite being enviously situated at the heart of one of the most thrilling continents on the planet, it is ignored by most travelers. Paraguay is a country that exhibits Some of the greatest examples of architecture with modern cities and vast exotic natural reserves with a total of 34 government-protected wildlife areas. It is home to a matchless biodiversity including 500 species of birds, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, crocodilians, jaguars, and pumas. Paraguay is the forgotten part of South America. Check out our list of the Top 6 place to visit in Paraguay.
Jesus and Trinidad Jesuit Ruins
Locally known as La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná and Ruinas Jesuiticas de Jesús de Tavarangué, these ruins were left behind by Jesuit colonies and built by 17th-century missionaries. The ruins are one of the most-visited places in Paraguay and offer an interesting peek into what life was like after the Guaraní War. There’s a museum here where you can learn about the site’s history and even a light show after dark. The Jesus and Trinidad Jesuit Ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and examples of some of the finest works of the Jesuits still standing today.
Paraguay River Promenade, Asuncion
The town of Asunción was founded way back in 1537, and it’s the capital city with a wealth of historic charm. Here you’ll find a lovely promenade, historical sites, and many restaurants to sample the local cuisine. It’s fun to go for a riverside walk on a nice day and head over to see the colonial-style mansions at Avenida Mariscal López. The Loma San Jeronimo neighborhood is a great place nearby to find traditional food and attend an event.
Palacio de López
The president of Paraguay’s official office is in the Lopez presidential palace, seat of the national government and one of the treasures of the Asunción’s cultural heritage. Lopez Palace is named after Francisco Solano Lopez, who was president of Paraguay at the end of the nineteenth century; having travelled around the world to recruit the services of the best architects and interior designers, choosing the best raw materials to build the Palace. Nowadays, it provides spectacular architectural lighting that is well worth seeing at night.
Itaipu Dam
Itaipu Dam was one of the seven Engineering Wonders of the World. Until China built a larger one, it was the biggest hydroelectric dam in the world. You can visit it and get a guided tour. The enormous construction stretches across the Parana River to Brazil and is shared by the two countries. But it’s Paraguay that gets the most from it.
Saltos del Monday
On the outskirts of Ciudad del Este lies one of Paraguay’s most spectacular natural wonders: Saltos del Monday. This thunderous series of waterfalls is an astonishing 45 metres tall and 120 metres wide. Adventurers can climb and abseil down the rocky walls, while observers keen to stay on dry land can watch the falls tumble into the depths below from wooden walkways snaking across the river.
Itá Letra
These ancient petroglyphs, carved into caves in the Amambay Hills near Villarrica, have recently been dated to between 5000 and 2500 BC. The carvings depict pawprints, fertility symbols and the constellations of our galaxy, and appear to move in flickering candlelight. Revered by the Pai Tavytera tribe, they’re considered one of the great mysteries of early Paraguayan settlement.
Itaipú Dam
This immense dam on the border with Brazil is one of the largest hydroelectric dams on the planet. It’s worth the trip to admire the colossal scale of this feat of engineering. The dam has its own mini ecosystem too – head out on a fishing excursion or a bird-watching tour to see the local residents.
Ybycuí National Park
Bursting with wildlife and crisscrossed with trickling brooks and gushing waterfalls, this exotic park is the perfect escape after a few days in the capital. Visit the old iron foundry to learn about munitions production during the Triple Alliance War. After a refreshing dip in the park’s many natural pools, wander along the winding paths to spot capuchin monkeys, tropical butterflies, peccaries and coatí among the trees.
Areguá
Areguá is a slice of Spain on the outskirts of Asunción’s suburbs. In this charming colonial town on the edge of Lago Ypacaraí, cobbled alleyways give way to leafy plazas, lined with quaint cafés and boutiques. Watersports are the main draw on the lake, while sunseekers can catch some rays on its sandy shores. Head just outside the town to see the geometric sandstone formations of the Kôi and Chororî hills.
Cerro Cora National Park
With some of the most dramatic scenery in Paraguay, Cerro Cora National Park is one of the country’s best ecotourism destinations. Surrounded by the eight mountains of the Amambay range, it was the stage for Francisco Solano López’s final battle during the Triple Alliance War. Today there are wooden trails through the forest, camping spots and plenty of opportunities to take a dip in the Río Aquidabán.
Fortín Boquerón
The Chaco War gripped Paraguay and Bolivia for three dark years in the early 1930s. The conflict’s most bitter and decisive battle was fought at Fortín Boquerón in the Gran Chaco – a stronghold in the wilderness. Here you’ll find a monument built from the trenches, the graves of the fallen and a museum detailing their sacrifice.
San Cosme y Damián
Looking for some sand and surf? The closest thing to the seaside in Paraguay is at San Cosme y Damián – a tiny town on the banks of the epic Río Paraná. The undulating sand dunes here could be plucked straight from Lawrence of Arabia’s Nafud Desert.