In this guide
In Bella Vista, the plan is yerba mate: a tour of a yerba mill (Selecta or Pajarito), the two settler museums, and sunset over the Paraná at the hunting and fishing club. Start at Mate Róga, the tourist office on the roundabout, and if you can, come in October for the Yerba Mate Festival.
Start at Mate Róga, on the roundabout
Mate Róga is the Colonias Unidas tourist information centre, on the Route PY06 roundabout at the entrance to Bella Vista, next to the town hall (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). They hand out maps and leaflets on places to visit, eat and stay. In 2021 it opened Monday to Friday 8:00–17:30 and weekends 8:00–16:00, all year (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Ask there which mill tours are running that day.
The yerba mate route: Selecta and Pajarito
Yerba mate is Bella Vista's main crop (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and the town's two big brands open their doors:
- Aventura Selecta (Yerba Mate Selecta). Its Mate Bar, billed in 2021 as the country's first, serves food and drinks made with yerba; there is also the "Yerbatero por un día" production tour in the morning and a visit to its nature reserve in the afternoon (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). The booking number listed by Visit Colonias Unidas is 0982 700-116.
- Guyra'í Rape at Yerba Mate Pajarito. A tour of the factory, nursery, organic yerba field and the Raatz museum in the founders' old house; it takes about an hour and a half. It cost G. 15,000 per person (G. 10,000 for one area), free for under-10s. Book about 24 hours ahead on (0981) 259 659. It is on Avenida Marcial Samaniego (Pajarito (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
With only a morning, pick one: Selecta for the bar and nature, Pajarito for the museum and history.
The settler museums
- Museo de los Inmigrantes y Casa de la Cultura. On the plaza, with over 100 objects, furniture and stoves from the first families (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Museo Los Fundadores. Ernesto Fischer's collection of about 7,000 items, from old Bibles to carts and motorbikes (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). Call ahead to check it is open.
River and outdoors
- Club de Caza y Pesca Bella Vista. On the Paraná, with fishing, a swimming area, water sports, grill shelters and sunset views (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). The best place in town to end the day.
- Paseo de las Hamacas. Hammocks to rest in at five spots: the roundabout, the Parque Urbano, the Tajy Pytã in barrio Niño Jesús, the club's port and the Fordi municipal river beach (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Giant trees. A canafisto (yvyra pytã) 21 m tall and 7.67 m around, and a tajy declared of tourist interest (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). Ask at Mate Róga for directions.
Where to eat
- Hotel Restaurant Papillon. On PY06 at about km 50, known for German cooking (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). It is also a hotel.
- Selecta's Mate Bar. For something quicker, food and drinks with yerba (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
When to go: Bella Vista's festivals
- Yerba Mate Festival and town anniversary: October; in 2025 it was on 11 October (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- International Fishing Contest: September; the 58th edition was announced for September 2026 (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Navidad en Bella Vista: several December nights of dance, music and food, run by the town hall and the Mate Róga committee (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In 2025 it ran on 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21 December (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Fiesta del Chopp (beer festival): February; in 2025 it was on 8 February (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
Summers are hot and winter can bring frost near the river; October is the wettest month (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Getting to Bella Vista
Bella Vista is about 48 km from Encarnación and 410 km from Asunción on Route PY06 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), at km 48 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Buses link the district with Encarnación and the capital (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and buses head north on PY06 from Encarnación's terminal (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). It is a day trip from Encarnación; from Asunción (about 7 hours by bus to Encarnación, per Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)), stay overnight.
On the way are Hohenau, with its museum and Parque Manantial (things to do in Hohenau), and Obligado, with its port on the Paraná (Obligado travel guide).
FAQ
What is there to do in Bella Vista, Itapúa?
A yerba mate tour at Selecta or Pajarito, the Inmigrantes and Los Fundadores museums, and sunset at the hunting and fishing club on the Paraná.
How much is the Yerba Mate Pajarito tour?
It cost G. 15,000 per person for the full tour and G. 10,000 for one area, free for under-10s. Book about 24 hours ahead.
When is Bella Vista's Yerba Mate Festival?
In October, together with the town anniversary; in 2025 it was on 11 October.
How far is Bella Vista from Encarnación?
About 48 km on Route PY06, easy as a day trip.
