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From ancient ruins and colourful festivals to wild national parks and bustling city markets, things to do in Paraguay are far more diverse than most people expect. The country may not be the first name on a typical South American itinerary, but it rewards you with authenticity, fewer crowds, and deep-rooted charm. Whether you’re walking through history in the Jesuit ruins or relaxing by Lake Ypacaraí, every experience feels personal and unfiltered. Enjoy the top activities that let you explore the country’s culture, landscape, and everyday life in a way you won’t forget.
10 Interesting Things To Do In Paraguay
The best things to do in Paraguay combine cultural heritage, outdoor adventure, and local charm. Here are the top 10 activities that show you the real side of the country.
1. Explore The Ruins Of Jesuit Missions
Photo: Falk2 / Wikimedia Commons
Walking through the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad and Jesús de Tavarangue gives you a direct link to Paraguay’s 17th-century colonial past. The layout of the ruins is church facades, courtyards, schools, and workshops that remain structured, even in their weathered state. You can stand under the vast stone arches of Trinidad and still see detailed carvings preserved on sandstone, some depicting religious motifs and indigenous symbols. These were full settlements built to educate and convert native Guaraní communities. You can join a guided tour with explanations in both Spanish and English, or simply walk through on your own if you prefer a slower pace.
Location: Trinidad and Jesús, Itapúa Department
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Average Cost: ₲25000 / ₹280
2. Visit The Itaipú Dam
Photo: Falk2 / Wikimedia Commons
Spanning the Paraná River between Paraguay and Brazil, the Itaipú Dam is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects and an engineering marvel you can tour. What makes it impressive isn’t just the sheer scale, this dam produces a major share of Paraguay’s electricity, but also how well it’s adapted for public visits. You can start at the visitor centre in Hernandarias, where displays explain the structure’s design, environmental impact, and binational cooperation between Paraguay and Brazil. A panoramic bus tour takes you to specific viewpoints overlooking the massive turbines and reservoir. This experience offers both learning and great photo opportunities as one of the most impactful things to do in Paraguay.
Location: Hernandarias, Alto Paraná
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
3. Hike In Ybycuí National Park
Photo: Jonas_Fehre / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
If you want to experience native forest trails, waterfalls, and wildlife all in one place, Ybycuí National Park in the Paraguarí region is where you should head. The park offers several marked hiking routes, with varying difficulty levels, cutting through the thick Atlantic Forest. As you follow the trails, you might notice howler monkeys overhead, colourful butterflies crossing your path, and native birds calling from the trees. Several of the routes lead to scenic spots like Salto Mina or Salto Cristal, where the waterfalls form clear pools that are perfect for a rest or a quick dip if the water level is safe. Inside the park, there’s also a preserved iron foundry called La Rosada.
Location: Paraguarí Department
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Average Cost: ₲10,000 / ₹110
4. Shop At Mercado Cuatro
Photo: pixifant / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Mercado Cuatro in Asunción is a massive open market where most locals go for everyday essentials. It gives you a genuine look into how people shop, eat, and trade across the capital. The layout is dense, with vendors packed into narrow corridors selling fruits, vegetables, cheap electronics, work clothes, and household tools. Many stalls specialising in traditional items like Paraguayan lace, tereré gourds, and natural remedies are sold in specific corners. The market’s scale can feel overwhelming at first, but that energy is exactly what makes it one of the most grounded things to see in Paraguay.
Location: Asunción
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM (Monday to Saturday)
5. Cruise The Paraguay River
Photo: aranha / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
A daytime cruise on the Paraguay River gives you a clear view of Asunción’s riverside districts and offers a rare chance to see how the capital opens up from the water. Boats usually depart from the main port near Costanera de Asunción, and the ride takes you past commercial docks, houseboats, small fishing canoes, and patches of forested wetlands. The two-hour circuit stays within city limits but covers a mix of built-up zones and natural banks. Some routes cross under the Remanso Bridge, while others turn at the bay depending on water level and current. You might see egrets, kites, and other water birds, especially near the quieter banks north of the port.
Location: From Asunción Port
Average Cost: ₲100000 – 150000 / ₹1100 – 1700
6. Experience Fiesta De San Juan
Photo: Jonathan Alexis G / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Fiesta de San Juan is one of Paraguay’s most widely celebrated festivals, and taking part in it offers an energetic mix of food, folklore, and fire-based games that reflect both rural and urban traditions. The festival is usually held in June, with the biggest events happening in towns like San Juan Bautista and neighbourhoods throughout Asunción. Temporary fairgrounds are set up with food stalls selling mbeju, chicharõ trenzado, and pastel mandi’o, dishes that are made only during this time of year. The entertainment is what sets this festival apart. You’ll see live music, traditional dance, and a lineup of chaotic games like pelota tatá (fireball football) and toro candil (bull costume chase with fireworks).
Location: Nationwide (especially San Juan Bautista and Asunción)
Average Cost: ₲5000 – 100000 / ₹1000 – 20000 (entry fee)
7. Relax At Lake Ypacaraí
Photo: Cmasi / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Ypacaraí, stretching over 20 kilometers, is a must-visit spot when considering what to do in Paraguay. Its peaceful shoreline offers space for relaxing walks and weekend leisure without crowds. On weekends, locals gather with chairs and snacks while live bands perform near the promenade. Visitors can rent pedal boats and kayaks to enjoy the calm waters. Although swimming is usually avoided due to contamination, food stalls nearby serve grilled meats, desserts, and fresh drinks. As evening falls, people unwind by the water’s edge with tereré, soaking in beautiful sunsets.
Location: San Bernardino, Cordillera Department
Timings: 24*7
8. Explore The Chaco Region
Photo: Valerio Pillar / Wikimedia Commons
The Chaco Region covers nearly 60 per cent of Paraguay’s land but remains one of the least populated parts of the country. Visit this remote and rugged area and see the dry forests, salt flats, and wildlife reserves that are unlike anything in the East. The towns of Filadelfia and Loma Plata are the main bases, known for their Mennonite heritage and agriculture-focused communities. Roads through the Chaco are long and mostly unpaved, so trips here are best done with a guide or private vehicle. You can visit nature reserves like Defensores del Chaco or Teniente Enciso, where armadillos, tapirs, and foxes live among dry scrub and cactus groves.
Location: Western Paraguay (Filadelfia, Loma Plata)
Average Cost: ₲150000 – 300000 / ₹1700 – 3400
9. Walk The Streets Of Barrio Loma San Jerónimo
Photo: Tobias Bjørkli / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Barrio Loma San Jerónimo is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Asunción and has been transformed into a colourful, street-level art project without losing its original character. The streets are narrow and built along a slope, with houses painted in bold shades of red, yellow, blue, and green. Walls are decorated with hand-painted signs, poetry, and community murals. Unlike commercial art districts, this area is still home to long-time residents, and the transformation was largely done by locals. You’ll find small home-based eateries tucked between stairways, serving empanadas, mandioca fries, and sweet cocido.
Location: Asunción
Timings: 24*7
10. Visit Museo Del Barro
Photo: Alex Martinez / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Museo del Barro holds over 3,000 objects that document Paraguay’s cultural, artistic, and social evolution through different periods. The museum brings together archaeological pieces, religious art, and contemporary works under one roof. You’ll find original pre-Columbian pottery made by early indigenous groups, with some vessels and masks still showing traces of the red and black pigments used in ritual settings. One entire section is dedicated to colonial-era sculptures, mostly wooden saints and crosses crafted between the 17th and 19th centuries, many still painted with natural dyes. The folk art gallery showcases tools, clothing, musical instruments, and household items that reflect everyday rural life in different regions of the country.
Location: Asunción
Timings: 2 PM – 8 PM (Tuesday to Saturday)
Average Cost: ₲15000 / ₹170
Things to do in Paraguay are tied to everyday places like markets, lakes, old town streets, and cultural sites still in use. These spots aren’t just attractions—they’re part of local life and traditions. At Lake Ypacaraí, locals unwind, while the Chaco shows isolation and self-reliance. Museums, food stalls, and neighborhoods offer authentic experiences. Plan your trip with TripXL to discover the real things to do in Paraguay, one place at a time.
Cover Photo: aranha / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
