National park · Paraguay
Ybycuí National ParkParque Nacional Ybycuí
Enter Ybycuí for a half‑day waterfall hike (≈2 h, GS 20 000) or a full‑day trek to multiple falls (≈5 h, guide GS 30 000); go in the rain season for best flow.
- 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.
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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
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–May
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.
- Southern Paraneña ↗Bring guaraní cash for buses, park entries and small towns; cards work in Asunción and Encarnación but not everywhere else.
- Southern Paraneña ↗Regional buses leave from Asunción's terminal; buy at the window, keep small notes, and expect stops along the way.
At a glance
- Country
- Paraguay
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Asunción
Ybycuí National Park is a tranquil forest reserve in Paraguay’s Southern Paraneña, known for its series of waterfalls, natural pools, and historic iron‑works museum. Visitors can enjoy short family‑friendly waterfall loops or a guided full‑day trek across multiple falls, with camping sites near Salto Minas. The rain season (December–May) offers the strongest water flow, while the park provides basic facilities and requires guides for longer routes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1970
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Asunción.
Why go
- Waterfalls and natural pools along shaded forest trails.
- Historic iron‑works museum and old foundry ruins.
- Birdwatching in a mixed‑forest environment.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanRain season, waterfalls full.
- FebRain season, good flow.
- MarRain season, trails green.
- AprPeak water, mild temps.
- MayWarm, waterfalls strong.
- JunHot, some trails muddy.
- JulHot, water lower.
- AugHot, dry.
- SepTransition, occasional rain.
- OctEarly rain, cooler.
- NovRain returning.
- DecRain season, waterfalls full.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest birds (toucans, tanagers)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Small mammals (opossums, armadillos)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Drive south on Route 1 (≈75 km (47 mi)) to Carapeguá, then Route 18 another 75 km (47 mi); 4WD recommended for rough sections.Drive south on Route 1 (≈47 mi (75 km)) to Carapeguá, then Route 18 another 47 mi (75 km); 4WD recommended for rough sections.
3 h
Open the page →
From Asunción
Bus by Salto Cristal from Terminal de Ómnibus; every 4 h, cost ~30 000 PYG; alight at Ybycuí village then taxi 25 min to gate.
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance gate | Ticket office, visitor map, basic facilities. | Open daily 08:00–18:00.Open daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. |
| Waterfall trail network | Salto Minas, Salto Yruvu Kua, Salto Kuñatai, Salto Mbocaruzu. | Marked paths; guide recommended for longer routes. |
| Historic iron‑works area | Museum and ruins of the old foundry. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 based on park centre; individual points approximate.
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 | check |
| Guide for full‑day trek | PYG 30,000 | group | recommended |
| Camping site (Salto Minas) | PYG 20,000 | tent | basic amenities |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- PYG 30,000
- PYG 20,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated sites near Salto Minas; no wild camping.check
- Guides
- Required for the full‑day waterfall trek and any off‑trail exploration.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills at campsites.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins only at the entrance area.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.check
Where to stay
In the park
Rancho Doña Eloisa – Ybycuí
Guesthouse with rooms, breakfast, pool; 60 000 PYG per night.
In the park
Posada la Catalana
Rural lodge with cabins, breakfast included.
Near the park
Asunción
Hotels and hostels; 2‑hour drive to park.
Safety
Slippery rocks near waterfalls medium
Getting lost on long trek high
Heat in summer 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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks on flat ground.
- Longer trails steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated camping sites and fire pits.
- Hire local guides to support park staff.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ybycuí National Park?
Entry is free; fees apply for guided treks (≈30 000 PYG) and camping (≈20 000 PYG per tent).
What are the best hikes in Ybycuí National Park?
The short Salto Minas loop (≈2 h, easy) and the full‑day waterfall trek covering Salto Yruvu Kua, Kuñatai and Mbocaruzu (≈5–7 h, moderate, guide required).
When is the best time to visit Ybycuí National Park?
Rain season (December–May) gives the biggest waterfalls; early summer (June) is hotter and some trails drier.
Can I camp inside Ybycuí National Park?
Only at the designated site near Salto Minas; you must pay a fee and use provided facilities.
Do I need a guide for any activities?
A guide is mandatory for the full‑day waterfall trek and recommended for wildlife spotting; short walks can be done solo.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ybycuí National Park
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