A short, intense road trip across Paraguay that weaves together cities, colonial history, nature, and Iguazú Falls. Over seven days, we’ll visit the capital, Asunción; head south to Encarnación; dip into Argentina and Brazil; and go from UNESCO-listed Jesuit missions to one of the greatest natural spectacles on Earth. The pace balances sightseeing, driving, and downtime.
Day 1 – Arrival in Asunción (PRY)
After landing in Asunción, Paraguay’s capital and one of South America’s oldest cities, we head to our accommodation. The rest of the day is for rest and a gentle acclimatization to both the local weather (hot, humid summers; mild winters) and the time change. In the evening, over dinner, we’ll run through the plan for the coming week in Paraguay, including a short foray into Argentina and Brazil.
Day 2 – Exploring Asunción
We devote the second day to the capital. In the center we won’t miss one of its most striking buildings—the Presidential Palace, Palacio de los López—along with the Metropolitan Cathedral, Museo Casa de la Independencia, and other highlights. We’ll stop by the La Recova craft market and stroll the Costanera promenade along the Paraguay River. Along the way we’ll sample local staples: sopa paraguaya (cornbread), chipa (cheese bread), and tereré (cold mate). If you’ve still got energy come evening, head to the Villa Morra or Carmelitas neighborhoods for excellent restaurants and bars.
Day 3 – From Asunción to Encarnación
On day three, after an early breakfast, we drive southeast. Our first stop is Villarrica, about 170 km from Asunción, where we’ll grab a coffee and a quick bite in the colonial center. Villarrica is also a good jumping-off point for Paraguay’s highest peak, Cerro Peró (also known as Cerro Tres Kandú, 842 m) in the Cordillera del Ybytyruzú, but we’ll save that for another time and continue south to Encarnación, the country’s third-largest city. In the evening, no matter how road-weary we feel, we’ll stretch our legs along the riverside promenade with views of the Argentine city of Posadas across the Paraná. Expect good street food and a drink.
Day 4 – Posadas (ARG) – Jesuit Missions
In the morning we’ll visit the Argentine city of Posadas on the opposite bank of the Paraná, a quick train ride across the bridge. We’ll soak up the city vibe over coffee on Plaza 9 de Julio. Then we return to Encarnación and head for the UNESCO-listed Jesuit missions—La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue. In the evening, treat yourself to dinner at one of the local all-you-can-eat spots.
Day 5 – Onward to Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este is about a five-hour drive from Encarnación. We’ll sleep in a bit, have breakfast, and set off late morning. The city sits on the borders with Brazil and Argentina, is among the world’s three largest duty-free shopping zones, and hums with organized chaos. For us, it’s chiefly the gateway to Iguazú Falls, which we’ll visit the next day.
Day 6 – Iguazú Falls and the Itaipú Dam (BRA)
Iguazú Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, sit on the borders of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. They form the largest waterfall system on Earth, and we’ll view them from the Brazilian side. From Ciudad del Este we cross the Friendship Bridge into Foz do Iguaçu; the national park is only a short drive away. We won’t skip Parque de Aves, a bird park focused on protecting rainforest species. To finish the day, we’ll stop at the Itaipú hydroelectric dam, the world’s third largest, built on the Paraná River.
Day 7 – Return to the Capital
On our final day we drive back to Asunción. Depending on the crew’s mood and energy, we can stop for a hike up Paraguay’s highest peak, Cerro Tres Kandú (842 m). The trail is of moderate difficulty and takes roughly 4–6 hours, depending on pace.
Route overview
- Duration: 7 days
- Start: Asunción (Paraguay)
- Finish: Asunción (Paraguay)
- Pace: moderately fast—several drives, but with enough time for the key sights
- Type: road circuit—a road trip that returns to the starting point