Ybycuí National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Ybycuí National Park (officially Parque Nacional Ybycuí) is a protected natural area in the Southern Paraneña region of Paraguay. The park is a serene wooded forest with hiking trails, waterfalls, and natural pools. There's also a scenic old iron foundry that makes a great photo backdrop.

Popular for its waterfalls, but also features a historic area and museum about the time when the place was used for metal production using a melting furnace. Fauna-wise it features guatambú, black laurel, cancharana, cedar and rosewood. It can be done as an overnight trip from Asunción, since there are official camp sites in the park. It is probably best to go in rainseason when there is much more water to enjoy the waterfalls. You probably should get a guide, in case you want to see animals—or you read about how to spot them.

Map of Ybycuí National Park

The nearest major city with a commercial airport is Asuncion.

From Asuncion, it is about a 3-hour drive (150 km) to the park. Note that roads in the park are suitable only for 4WD trucks. A standard small car will have problems on the very rough dirt roads. From Asuncion, drive south on route 1 for about 75 km to the city of Carepegua where you will continue south by following route 18 about another 75 km until your reach the park. The park entrance is on route 18 and is open daily 08:00 - 18:00.

In Asuncion, go to the Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción and find the bus operated by Salto Cristal that is going to Ybycui or Salto Minas. The bus leaves every 4 hours and costs about GS.25/30,000 (US$4). The village of Ybycui has places to eat and sleep, but is about 20 km from the park. You can get there by bus or take a local taxi to the park (about 25 minutes away from town).

If you are not coming from Asunción, these buses can also be boarded in -25.76692-57.237221 Carapeguá, along the Asunción-Encarnación route (1.5 hr, GS.10,000, as of 2018). Ybycuí village is 23 km from the park entrance, but about 4 of these buses go to Mbuyapey, and you can get off at -26.1075-56.916341 this junction, about 8 km before the park entrance (+ GS.5,000). From the junction buses return to Asunción at 09:30, 11:30, 12:30, and 16:00. From/to the village or the junction, take a (motorbike) taxi.

It costs GS 10,000 per person to enter the park plus GS 15,000 to park a car. Camping: 20,000 per tent. (2018)

Hours: 07:00-17:00.

• Museo de Parque Nacional Ybycui
• Ruins of old iron works

The park is known for its abundant waterfalls and clear freshwater pools. Salto is a waterfall, and there are plenty of them to see, most connected via shaded trails through the forest.

• Salto Minas
• Salto Yruvu Kua
• Salto Kuñatai
• Salto Mbocaruzu - two waterfalls, with the whimsical names 1 and 2

• Hiking
• Birdwatching
• Swimming (natural pools in the park, in-ground pools at lodges)

• -26.09713-56.8984181 Rancho Doña Eloisa - Ybycui, Caaguycupe, Ybycuí, ☏ +595 971 923154. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Guest house set on a ranch with views of fields amid a mountain backdrop. Rooms are generally spacious, but vary in amenities (but priced accordingly). Room rates include an excellent full breakfast and an option is available for dinner (GS 20,000). Outdoor swimming pool available. Pavilion with hammock available. GS 60,000 (single, shared bath). (updated Jul 2025)

• -26.07981-56.9693772 Posada la Catalana, Ruta Carapegua - Acahay, ☏ +595 984 426591. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Rustic mountain lodge set on a working farm with pigs, chickens, ducks and more. 9 guest rooms and a couple A-frame cabins available. Outdoor swimming pool available. Pavilion with hammock, picnic tables, outdoor grills. Breakfast included in room rate. (updated Jul 2025)

Camping spots are available near the Salto Minas waterfall. Sites cost GS 20,000 per tent. Minimal amenities are provided.

• New Australia
• Asuncion