📍 Paraguay

PARAGUAY DISCOVERY: JESUIT RUINS, RIVERS AND HIDDEN WONDERS

Jesuit ruins rising from canopy, rivers carving red earth, border towns guarding forgotten stories. Paraguay rewards the curious.

≈ 20
Days
2285
Km
4
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Asunción and its colonial patios by the river, then reach Encarnación and its Jesuit ruins where red stone meets jungle. Cross wetlands toward Concepción, before approaching Iguazú and its spray. An unexpected Paraguay, between memory, nature and living borders.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Asunción: Plaza de Armas, National Pantheon of Heroes, López Palace (exteriors)
2
Walk along the Costanera of Asunción and views of the Paraguay River
🎯

Activities

→
Colorful neighborhood of Loma San Jerónimo (alleys, viewpoint)
2
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Museo del Barro (folk art, archaeology)
2
Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción (botanical sections)
🎯

Activities

→
Avenida Palma and local markets (crafts, atmosphere)
3
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to Areguá: historic center and pottery workshops
2
Shores of Lake Ypacaraí (viewpoints, promenade)
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to Areguá viewpoint and walk through the flowered streets
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 60 km
Travel time: 1h30
4
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Caacupé: Basilica of Our Lady of Caacupé and esplanade
2
San Bernardino: lakeside walk (Ypacaraí) and center
🎯

Activities

→
Cordillera scenic route between Caacupé and San Bernardino
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 85 km
Travel time: 2h
5
Day

Encarnacion

jesuit trinidad ruins carnival beaches riverside

Encarnacion - Photo 1Encarnacion - Photo 2Encarnacion - Photo 3Encarnacion - Photo 4Encarnacion - Photo 5Encarnacion - Photo 6Encarnacion - Photo 7Encarnacion - Photo 8Encarnacion - Photo 9Encarnacion - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Journey Asunción → Encarnación (RN1)
2
Encarnación: Costanera and urban beaches on the Paraná River
🎯

Activities

→
Costanera viewpoints at sunset
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 370 km
Travel time: 6h
6
Day

Encarnacion

jesuit trinidad ruins carnival beaches riverside

Encarnacion - Photo 1Encarnacion - Photo 2Encarnacion - Photo 3Encarnacion - Photo 4Encarnacion - Photo 5Encarnacion - Photo 6Encarnacion - Photo 7Encarnacion - Photo 8Encarnacion - Photo 9Encarnacion - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Jesuit ruins of Jesús de Tavarangüe (UNESCO)
2
Jesuit ruins of Santísima Trinidad del Paraná (UNESCO)
🎯

Activities

→
Jesuit Missions Interpretation Center (Trinidad)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 75 km
Travel time: 2h
7
Day

Encarnacion

jesuit trinidad ruins carnival beaches riverside

Encarnacion - Photo 1Encarnacion - Photo 2Encarnacion - Photo 3Encarnacion - Photo 4Encarnacion - Photo 5Encarnacion - Photo 6Encarnacion - Photo 7Encarnacion - Photo 8Encarnacion - Photo 9Encarnacion - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
San Cosme y Damián: former Jesuit college and astronomical observatory
2
Viewpoints over the Paraná and San Cosme dunes (depending on access)
🎯

Activities

→
Return through the rural landscapes of Itapúa
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 145 km
Travel time: 2h30
8
Day

Ciudad Del Este

border chaos iguazu gateway duty free

Ciudad Del Este - Photo 1Ciudad Del Este - Photo 2Ciudad Del Este - Photo 3Ciudad Del Este - Photo 4Ciudad Del Este - Photo 5Ciudad Del Este - Photo 6Ciudad Del Este - Photo 7Ciudad Del Este - Photo 8Ciudad Del Este - Photo 9Ciudad Del Este - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Route Encarnación → Ciudad del Este (Route 6)
2
Ciudad del Este: center, views of the Friendship Bridge and Paraná River
🎯

Activities

→
Lago de la República: urban park and trails
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 300 km
Travel time: 5h30
9
Day

Ciudad Del Este

border chaos iguazu gateway duty free

Ciudad Del Este - Photo 1Ciudad Del Este - Photo 2Ciudad Del Este - Photo 3Ciudad Del Este - Photo 4Ciudad Del Este - Photo 5Ciudad Del Este - Photo 6Ciudad Del Este - Photo 7Ciudad Del Este - Photo 8Ciudad Del Este - Photo 9Ciudad Del Este - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Iguazú National Park (Argentine side): walkway circuits and Garganta del Diablo
2
Saltos del Monday (Presidente Franco, PY): waterfalls and viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Cross-border crossing AR↔PY (formalities)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 60 km
Travel time: 2h
10
Day

Ciudad Del Este

border chaos iguazu gateway duty free

Ciudad Del Este - Photo 1Ciudad Del Este - Photo 2Ciudad Del Este - Photo 3Ciudad Del Este - Photo 4Ciudad Del Este - Photo 5Ciudad Del Este - Photo 6Ciudad Del Este - Photo 7Ciudad Del Este - Photo 8Ciudad Del Este - Photo 9Ciudad Del Este - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Iguaçu National Park (Brazilian side): panorama over the waterfall amphitheater
2
Viewpoints of Foz do Iguaçu (BR) and return to Ciudad del Este
🎯

Activities

→
Free time on the Costanera do Rio Paraná (CDE/Presidente Franco area)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 1h30
11
Day

Concepcion

river frontier colonial architecture cattle country

Concepcion - Photo 1Concepcion - Photo 2Concepcion - Photo 3Concepcion - Photo 4Concepcion - Photo 5Concepcion - Photo 6Concepcion - Photo 7Concepcion - Photo 8Concepcion - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Journey Ciudad del Este → Concepción (via Coronel Oviedo)
2
Concepción: Costanera on the río Paraguay and historic center
🎯

Activities

→
Calle Palma of Concepción and cathedral
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 460 km
Travel time: 9h
12
Day

Concepcion

river frontier colonial architecture cattle country

Concepcion - Photo 1Concepcion - Photo 2Concepcion - Photo 3Concepcion - Photo 4Concepcion - Photo 5Concepcion - Photo 6Concepcion - Photo 7Concepcion - Photo 8Concepcion - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to Vallemí: limestone formations and caves (cuevas de Vallemí)
2
Banks of río Paraguay at Vallemí (viewpoints)
🎯

Activities

→
Return to Concepción via the northern Chaco route (eastern shore)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 320 km
Travel time: 7h
13
Day

Concepcion

river frontier colonial architecture cattle country

Concepcion - Photo 1Concepcion - Photo 2Concepcion - Photo 3Concepcion - Photo 4Concepcion - Photo 5Concepcion - Photo 6Concepcion - Photo 7Concepcion - Photo 8Concepcion - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Belén: village on the banks of río Paraguay and river viewpoint
2
Local museum or interpretation center (depending on opening hours)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the riverbanks and return to Concepción
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 1h
14
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Journey Concepción → Asunción (RN5/RN3)
2
Cerro Lambaré: climb to the viewpoint and panorama over Asunción
🎯

Activities

→
Final free visits in the center (galleries, historic facades)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 330 km
Travel time: 6h
15
Day

Asuncion

colonial mansions river promenade guarani heritage

Asuncion - Photo 1Asuncion - Photo 2Asuncion - Photo 3Asuncion - Photo 4Asuncion - Photo 5Asuncion - Photo 6Asuncion - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Asunción: free time (urban parks, final viewpoints)

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Winter (May-September): Ideal dry season with pleasant temperatures (15-25°C), minimal rainfall, and excellent conditions for outdoor activities. Best time for exploring natural areas, cultural sites, and participating in traditional festivals.

Spring (October-November): Warming temperatures with moderate rainfall, blooming landscapes, and comfortable conditions. Good value season with pleasant weather for sightseeing and fewer crowds than peak periods.

Autumn (March-April): Cooling temperatures after summer heat with decreasing humidity and stable weather patterns. Excellent for cultural exploration and outdoor activities with moderate conditions.

Summer (December-February): Hot, humid conditions (25-35°C) with heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Challenging weather for extensive travel but authentic tropical experience with lush green landscapes.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 16 and 24 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Paraguay?

South American authenticity with traditional culture, beautiful landscapes, and genuine hospitality. Experience traditional crafts, natural beauty, and authentic South American experiences. The country offers cultural immersion with natural preservation and traditional authenticity. Paraguay provides genuine South American experiences with cultural depth and natural beauty.