Fun Things to Do in Paraguay

Paraguay is an often-overlooked gem located in the heart of South America. You won't find crowds of bustling tourists here like you might in Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires. Instead, you'll find lots of unspoiled nature and waterfalls. It's a nature lover's paradise. Explore the nature reserve of Tati Yupi or take a leisurely ride down the Rio Paraguay in a canoe. If you like history, you can visit the ruins of Jesús of Tavarangue, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Tati Yupi

Tati Yupi is a wildlife reserve located near Ciudad del Este that covers more than 5,000 acres. Situated on Itaipu Lake, it contains lush subtropical rain forest, which serves as home to 247 species of bird, 21 species of mammal and hundreds of species of plant life. For those interested in more active things to do, bicycle tours of the reserve are available, as well as volleyball nets. You can even go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

The Monday Waterfalls

The Monday Waterfalls are located on the Monday River near Ciduad del Este. Although it seems as if both the waterfalls and the river are named after a day of the week, the word "Monday" means "stolen" in Guarani (an indigenous language spoken by most Paraguayans) and has no connection to the calendar. The Monday Waterfalls flow over a 131-foot cliff and into the Monday River. It's a great place to have a picnic as well since there are many gardens near the falls.

The Ruins of Jesús de Tavarangue

The ruins of Jesús de Tavarangue are located near Encarnacion, a city in southern Paraguay. They consist of the remains of a church founded during the Jesuit colonization of South America during the 16th century. Explore the ruins and marvel at the history and architecture there. In 1993 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) named these ruins a World Heritage site, meaning the ruins hold special cultural and physical significance.

The Rio Paraguay

The Rio Paraguay runs from north to south and splits the country into almost equal halves. There are plenty of activities available on the Rio, including rafting, canoeing and kayaking. For those preferring to relax without much physical effort, there are also plenty of areas to engage in fishing. In addition, you can have a tour guide lead you up and down the Rio while you sit back and take in the scenery and warm temperatures.