This 10-day Paraguay itinerary travels from Asunción through eastern forest and waterfalls to the Paraná River and the Jesuit missions near Encarnación. It combines city food, walking days and several long transfers. A local driver or carefully planned intercity transport helps connect places where the final kilometres may be on smaller roads.
What to know before you go
- For the road: Rain can make rural roads impassable. Plan long transfers in daylight, check the forecast and leave a buffer before your flight. Review current travel advice, including the guidance for Alto Paraná.
- For forest walks: Bring water, insect protection and shoes with grip. Arrange a local guide for Salto Suizo and ask how rain has affected the trail.
- For the missions: Confirm opening times and transport between Trinidad and Jesús before leaving Encarnación.
Day 1: Arrive in Asunción
Settle into Asunción and, if you arrive early, explore the historic centre in daylight. See the Palacio de López from an appropriate public viewpoint and ask locally which streets are suitable for a walk. Try chipa, a cheese bread made with starch, or share a Paraguayan meal.
Arrange a reliable transfer and ask your accommodation about getting around. Save a longer walk for tomorrow if the flight and airport journey leave you tired.
Day 2: Asunción and Cerro Koi
Start with a museum or a walk through the centre, then consider an afternoon trip to Cerro Koi near Areguá. Its sandstone columns are reached by a walking route; confirm access, a guide if needed, and the weather before setting out.
Return to Asunción for the night. Ask about tereré, the cold yerba-mate drink shared throughout Paraguay, and try it with a local host rather than treating the ritual as a performance.
Day 3: Ybycuí National Park
Travel towards Ybycuí National Park for forest trails and streams. Check opening hours, road conditions and trail access before leaving Asunción, especially after rain. Choose a walk that matches the time available and take water, insect protection and shoes with grip.
Spend the night in or near Ybycuí if accommodation and transport are confirmed. Watch birds quietly, keep to the trails and avoid feeding wildlife.
Day 4: Ybytyruzú and Salto Suizo
Continue towards the Ybytyruzú hills and arrange a local guide for the walk to Salto Suizo. The descent and return can be demanding on slippery ground, so ask about the actual trail, conditions, entry and the time required. Skip swimming or waterfall access if the guide advises against it.
Stay near the trail area or Villarrica, according to the route you have arranged. A day with fewer stops gives you time to enjoy the forest.
Day 5: Travel east to Ciudad del Este
Drive or take an intercity connection towards Ciudad del Este. This is a transfer day: plan departure in daylight, allow time for traffic and settle into your accommodation before choosing an evening meal. Rural roads can become difficult after heavy rain.
Ask a local operator about tomorrow’s visit to Saltos del Monday and confirm transport and opening hours. Check current travel advice for Alto Paraná before the trip.
Day 6: Saltos del Monday
Visit the overlooks at Saltos del Monday and hear the falls before you see them. Stay behind barriers, keep children close and ask about the current visitor route. The amount of water and weather will affect the experience.
Afterward, choose a relaxed lunch and return to your accommodation. Other activities may be available at the park; check operators and safety arrangements rather than committing to them in advance.
Day 7: Travel to Encarnación
Head south to Encarnación, allowing a generous day for the journey. Ask your driver or transport provider which road is practical and whether there are delays. Once settled, walk along the riverfront and enjoy a meal with views across the Paraná.
If you plan to use Playa San José, check local conditions and any notices about water quality or swimming. Stay in Encarnación for the night.
Day 8: Trinidad and Jesús missions
Visit La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue from Encarnación. The ruins are part of a UNESCO-listed Jesuit mission complex and show how Guaraní communities lived under the mission system. A local guide can explain the buildings and the wider history.
Confirm opening times and transport between the sites, then return to Encarnación. Allow time to walk respectfully through the archaeological areas and stay on marked paths.
Day 9: San Cosme y San Damián
If transport and opening hours fit, take a day trip to San Cosme y San Damián, another former Jesuit mission. Ask locally about guided visits and community activities, and allow for the return to Encarnación before dark. A locally arranged boat trip to the dunes may be possible when conditions permit.
Alternatively, use the day to explore Encarnación at a slower pace or as a buffer if rain has disrupted the route.
Day 10: Return to Asunción and depart
Return to Asunción with a substantial buffer before departure. This is a long road day, and traffic or weather can change the schedule. For an early flight, travel back on day nine and spend the last night near the airport.
If you have more time in Asunción, visit the Panteón Nacional de los Héroes or enjoy a final meal. Check opening hours and current local advice before heading out.
Read UNESCO’s description of the Jesuit missions for historical context before visiting.