Top Things to Do in Paraguay | Best Places to Visit in 2026

Paraguay sits quietly in South America, shaped kind of like a heart. It mixes old Guarani roots with traces of Spanish rule and wild nature that’s still untouched. While folks often skip it for busier countries nearby, this inland spot surprises you - huge falls roar here, ancient mission ruins hide in the trees, festivals burst with color, and swamps teeming with animals.

A report by Asuncion Times states that more than 1.5 million travelers show up each year just to feel something real. Inside this guide, we break down things to do in Paraguay, where to go, oddball experiences most miss, plus smart shortcuts so your trip hits harder than those packed-out destinations everyone else runs to.

Things to Do in Paraguay: Asunción, the Vibrant Heart of the Country

Asunción, the busy heart of Paraguay since 1537, kicks off any trip to this country just right. It's one of the best places to visit in Paraguay, sitting by the river and mixing old-world buildings with vibrant markets, along with trendy coffee spots. You’ll get a real feel for how people live here thanks to its warm, humid climate, and the best time to visit Paraguay is for that authentic street energy. Stick around a while, catching up on stories from the past, tasting local food, also feeling the pulse of the streets, then head off to quieter countryside spots.

Palacio de los López and National Pantheon

The pinkish Palacio de los López, where Paraguay’s government meets, grabs attention with its old French look and neatly trimmed lawns, an ideal sight after dark when glowing lights highlight its beauty. A short walk leads to the National Pantheon of Heroes, a tall marble tomb honoring those who fought for freedom or died in the Triple Alliance conflict, marked by never-dimming fires and detailed stone carvings. Together, these sites reflect enduring pride, pulling visitors keen on stories from turbulent pasts during walkthroughs focused on 1800s warfare, key things to do in Paraguay for diving into the nation's soul.

Near the plaza - a staple in every Paraguay travel guide - you’ll spot the cathedral’s two tall towers watching over where freedom was announced back in 1811. Instead of walking, hop on the old-style Simón Bolívar train to see the whole town from above. This one honors how trains once shaped Paraguay.

Mercado 4 and Culinary Delights

No trip’s complete without stopping by Mercado 4, a lively mess of a market in Asunción where vendors shout over piles of warm chipa, dense sopa paraguaya, and frosty tereré served in hollow gourds. Bargain hard for delicate ñandutí lace or hand-carved trinkets - just watch out for zooming scooters; this place thrums with Paraguay’s mixed roots. Craving something smoother? Slide into Lido Bar for flaky empanadas chased with icy Pilsen straight from the bottle, essential things to do in Paraguay for tasting the real street vibe.

One of the top places to visit in Paraguay is Museo del Barro holds old Indigenous clay work alongside fresh pieces by Guarani artists, showing how native creativity shaped today’s Paraguayan styles. Asunción’s market scenes do more than sell stuff; they teach you about life here, says Shahzeb Shaikh, who started SimCorner.

Costanera Riverside and Nightlife

Walk the 25-km riverside path by the Paraguay River, packed with outdoor activities in Paraguay like running, biking, or grabbing grilled meat from roadside stands. Nearby, Paseo La Galería gives you cool indoor shopping with big-name stores while local harp tunes play in the background, a fresh take among tourist attractions in Paraguay. When night hits, head to Villa Morra’s spots where traditional dances meet modern beats. Stay online using a local eSIM so you can easily call rides through apps such as Uber or InDriver.

Jesuit Ruins: UNESCO Treasures of Faith and Fusion

The Jesuit Guaraní Missions - named UNESCO spots in '93 - are key stops in Paraguay, showing how people lived together back in the 1600s and 1700s top things to do in Paraguay for uncovering layered history. They came in 1609, not just to shield the Guarani from slave traders but also to create tight-knit communities. Instead of relying on outside help, they set up villages with homes, craft areas, plus farmland all run locally. When Spain kicked them out in 1767, the system collapsed. Still, these remains reveal more about blended cultures than most old colonial places ever do.

Trinidad de Paraná: Restored Grandeur

La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, the biggest mission site, spreads out over hills close to Encarnación - stone churches, cloisters, and old school bits have been fixed up, making it one of the top things to do in Paraguay for history immersion. When the sun goes down, light-and-sound events (Wed through Sun) bring scenes to life: folks at mass under high arches or craftsmen making bells and pipe organs. Inside a new museum, you’ll find things such as sundials and carved figures of saints, proof that these places once shaped culture across South America.

Historians point out these places thrived on their own, shipping yerba mate to Europe - rephrased agreement: "Jesuit missions worked like ideal communities mixing belief, learning, yet trade," pulled from studies of old records.".

Jesús de Tavarangüé: Echoes of Ambition

Near Jesús de Tavarangüé, one of the best places to visit in Paraguay, you’ll see massive red sandstone walls never finished because workers were forced out. These ruins were aimed to become a giant church, but construction stopped suddenly. Tours explain clever designs, such as water channels that once powered fruit gardens. Instead of rushing through one spot, try linking them up via the "Ruta Jesuítica," leaving from Asunción by bus - it takes around 4 or 5 hours. Along the way, drop into quieter spots like San Ignacio Miní, where sound-based guides pull you right into history.

These spots in Paraguay show deep belief, hard work, or sorrow - good for those who like to think while traveling, and prime things to do in Paraguay for reflective journeys.

Itaipú Dam and Ciudad del Este: Power and Pulse

Ciudad del Este sits near Brazil, a busy spot in Paraguay where taxes are low. It circles the Itaipú Dam, one of Earth’s biggest power sources at 14,000 megawatts. They built it between '75 and '84, even though both countries didn’t always agree. Some see progress; others worry about nature. Adventure lovers come here first for things to do in Paraguay, mixing huge structures, cheap shopping, and wild landscapes.

Dam Tours and Engineering Feats

Bus trips offer plenty of what to do in Paraguay, taking you through spillways, then on to control areas - also check out the fish pathways helping animals move safely. At info spots, hologram displays break down how this place makes about one-tenth of the world’s green power. You’ll find old gear at the outdoor museum, like giant cranes moved after work ended. High season fills up quickly, so grab tickets early; go in the morning if you want fewer people around.

Triple Frontier and Shopping Frenzy

One of the best places to visit in Paraguay is where three countries meet: Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. You can see two big rivers join; it’s a cool spot to fly drones or just relax with food outdoors. Stores like Monalisa near Shopping del Este sell gadgets way cheaper, sometimes half price, though some stuff might not be a real brand. If you’re after action, try flying down a zip line above Itaipú Lake or ride a twin-hull boat across the water.

Head to Saltos del Monday - a 40-meter waterfall just half an hour away. Walk paths that end at foggy lookouts inside pockets of Atlantic forest. Spot howler monkeys swinging near rare orchids along the way.

Waterfalls, Parks, and Wildlife Wonders

Paraguay’s wild side shines through best places to visit in Paraguay - rivers that tumble over rocks, green spaces where animals roam free, just as stunning as famous falls but way less crowded. Thick forests in the east mix with dry brushlands out west, creating homes for big cats, shy tapirs, plus hundreds of feathered kinds you can spot if you’re quiet. Nature lovers who want real outdoor vibes will find plenty here, no hype needed.

Saltos del Monday and Yaciretá

On Mondays, the horseshoe drop at Falls makes rainbows appear; rope bridges and lookouts work well for kids. The lake by Yaciretá Dam lets you fish for golden dorado or go boating instead, while Corpus Christi’s shores give a quiet spot to unwind.

San Rafael and Ybycuí National Parks

Explore San Rafael’s huge swamps by kayak - spot big otters or crocodile-like caimans near drifting isles; reserve trips through SENATUR rangers classic things to do in Paraguay for wetland thrills. Over at Ybycuí, find three-tiered Salto Acahay falls, forest paths, plus an old metal workshop built in 1850 where Paraguay made its earliest artillery. In Cerro Corá park, remember President Solano López’s loss in 1870 - walk routes leading to cascades and signs showing war spots.

Out in Ñeembucuí, the Esteros del Iberá wetlands let you ride horses while spotting birds - around 400 kinds live there, like the tall jabiru.

Encarnación: Carnival Capital and Southern Charms

Encarnación - called the Pearl of the South - comes alive every February when Carnival hits, drawing a million people; it’s the continent’s second-biggest after Rio, packed with parades and samba groups dancing along the Paraná shores. When the party ends, you can still enjoy its calm beaches and old-town charm any time of year.

Playa San José and Riverfront Bliss

White-sand Playa San José’s got volleyball courts - kitesurfers also hit the waves there while others ride bikes or grab a kayak to paddle at dusk. Along the walkway, chipa vendors park their trucks, dishing out warm snacks.

Southern Cultural Hotspots

Head to Posadas in Argentina for a day using the Friendship Bridge - alternatively, check out Hohenau, where folks with German roots serve up sausages and throw parties like Oktoberfest. Just around the corner, you’ll find the Mbororé Jesuit site, part of what’s called the Golden Circuit.

Capture Your Paraguay Journey with SimCorner eSIM

From Asunción’s busy market stalls to the quiet dirt roads of the Chaco, solid signal keeps you moving - navigating old Jesuit sites using Google Maps, spotting birds during a jungle hike near San Rafael, even posting pics at Saltos del Monday the moment you take them. With SimCorner’s eSIM, tap into 4G or 5G anywhere, load up on endless data, go live from Itaipú cliffs or mid-dance in Encarnación, no extra charges, no dropouts.

Pick the South America Data eSIM if you're jumping between countries - it gives you as much as 50GB across 7 to 45 days, perfect when crossing into Foz do Iguaçu during a trip through Paraguay’s top spots. While regular SIMs at airports work fine for calling, this digital option handles heavy stuff like streaming videos or booking on the fly without slowing down.

Paraguay eSIMs give fast internet to check maps, translate stuff, or post online - so you stay connected without hassle; it works right away once you land

• Local SIM options: Cost-effective calls and SMS backups

• Regional South America plans: Unlimited coverage for cross-border trips

• Extra benefits: Get cash back on buys - plus round-the-clock help if you need it

• Keep in touch while exploring Paraguay’s favorite destinations - ancient ruins, clear riverbanks - with ease. Travel smarter without missing a beat.