National park · Paraguay
Ñacunday National ParkParque Nacional Ñacunday
Enter Ñacunday National Park (entry fee check) and hike to the 35–40 m waterfall in the morning; best visit June–August, avoid peak heat in Dec–Feb.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
- Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
- Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
- Paraná Plateau ↗Cash (guaraní) is king outside Asunción; carry small notes for ruins tickets, buses and roadside food.
- Paraná Plateau ↗Ciudad del Este sits on the triple border; carry your passport if you cross to Brazil or Argentina, even for a day.
At a glance
- Country
- Paraguay
- Area
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- 2,000 ha (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Asunción
Ñacunday National Park, on the Paraná Plateau, protects a 2,000‑ha tropical forest and Paraguay’s largest waterfall (35‑40 m high, 110 m wide). The park offers short waterfall walks, birdwatching trails and cultural encounters with Mbya Guaraní communities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1975
2,000 ha (source: Wikivoyage).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Asunción.
Why go
- See Paraguay’s largest waterfall (35‑40 m high, 110 m wide).
- Explore tropical moist forest trails with abundant birdlife.
- Learn about Mbya Guaraní culture in the park’s buffer zone.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWarm, higher rain.
- FebWarm, higher rain.
- MarMild, start of drier season.
- AprMild, comfortable.
- MayCooling, less rain.
- JunCoolest, driest.
- JulCoolest, driest.
- AugCoolest, driest.
- SepMild, some rain.
- OctMild, increasing rain.
- NovWarmer, more rain.
- DecWarm, rainier.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macaws and other tropical birdsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Coatimundis, anteaters, porcupinesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar (rare sightings)Jun–Aug · Very rare; no guarantee. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Asunción
Bus from Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción to Ciudad del Este (≈5 h, $20), then taxi 1 h south to park.
6–7 h (check)
Open the page →
From Ciudad del Este
Drive south on Highway 7 for 50 km (31 mi), then left onto park access road for 12 km (7.5 mi).Drive south on Highway 7 for 31 mi (50 km), then left onto park access road for 7.5 mi (12 km).
≈1.5 h (check)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfall area | Main observation platform, island at base, short trails to viewpoints. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest trails | Network of cleared, marked paths through tropical forest. | Open, self‑guided. |
| Indigenous buffer zone | Area where Mbya Guaraní communities live and practice traditional activities. | Restricted; respect local customs. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the official park location; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Price unknown (check at gate or with INFONA, the national parks authority). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails; they disturb wildlife (check).
- Camping
- Camping availability and rules check with park authorities.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited (check).
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at the entrance (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
San Rafael town
Small hotels and guesthouses, 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the park.Small hotels and guesthouses, 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the park.
In the park
Camping site at park entrance
Basic facilities, requires permit (check).
Safety
Slippery rocks near waterfall medium
Heat and humidity low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main viewpoint reachable by a short, paved path suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer forest trails are uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodging and buy food from nearby vendors.
- Do not disturb wildlife; keep distance from animals.
- Respect Indigenous areas and follow guide instructions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ñacunday National Park?
Entry is around 5,000–10,000 PYG per person (2026 estimate; check official price).
What are the best hikes in Ñacunday National Park?
The short waterfall trail (2 h, easy) and the moderate forest birdwatching loop (3 h).
When is the best time to visit Ñacunday National Park?
June to August are the coolest and driest months, offering the most comfortable conditions.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in the designated site near the entrance with a permit.
Is there public transport from Asunción?
Take a bus to Ciudad del Este (≈5 h, $20) then a taxi or local transport to the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ñacunday National Park
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