In this guide
Shopping and errands in Santa Rita revolve around route PY06, which runs north to south through the town centre (opens in a new tab): that is where you find the banks, cooperatives, farm machinery and supply dealers, and most everyday shops. If you are coming to shop or sort out paperwork, plan the morning in the centre, pay by QR or cash, and keep the afternoon for a stop at the Túnel Verde or, in season, the Expo.
Where are the shops in Santa Rita?
- Centre, along PY06 (Dr. Juan León Mallorquín): home to branches of the main public and private banks, credit cooperatives, insurers and freight firms (opens in a new tab). This is where to handle banking, payments and quick shopping.
- Farm trade: the centre also has dealers for tractors, combines and implements, plus seed, agrochemical and fertiliser distributors (opens in a new tab). Santa Rita's economy still rests on soy, maize and wheat (opens in a new tab).
- Neighbourhoods: Esquina Gaucha, where the first settlement formed (opens in a new tab), Centro, Sinuelo and San José are common reference points. Always ask for a map pin: the town has 42 barrios, 22 urban and 20 rural (opens in a new tab).
Where to handle paperwork
The Municipalidad de Santa Rita (town hall) is on Avenida De Los Pioneros between Adela Speratti (opens in a new tab), phones +595 673 220 470 and +595 673 220 043. Its website posts notices, public accounts and a job board. Call ahead to confirm opening hours.
For banks and cooperatives, go early: the heat is real, with highs up to 38 °C (opens in a new tab), so the cooler hours go further.
What to see between errands
- Túnel Verde: about 1 km of trees forming a tunnel over Ruta 6, roughly 2 km from the centre towards Naranjal, near barrio 14 de Mayo (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). The town presents it as the best-known spot in the district (opens in a new tab). Pull over somewhere safe: it is a busy highway.
- Parroquia Santa Rita: the town-centre church, part of the municipal tourism route (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). The patron feast is on 22 May, with processions, outdoor masses and community lunches (opens in a new tab).
- Trentina 1875 craft brewery: a small Santa Rita brewery that in 2022 produced up to 11,000 litres a month (opens in a new tab) and was a stop on the Craft Beer Route (opens in a new tab). If you want to buy at the source, message them on social media first.
- Gaúcho tradition centres (CTG): Santa Rita keeps gaúcho culture alive, with chimarrão and folk shows at its CTGs (opens in a new tab).
When is the town busiest?
- Expo Santa Rita: the town's agribusiness and trade fair at the CTG Indio José grounds. The last edition covered by Infonegocios had 500+ exhibitors and 120,000+ visitors (opens in a new tab); the 2026 fair ran 25 April to 3 May (opens in a new tab). Beyond machinery, there are shows, rodeo and a funfair (opens in a new tab). Hotels and parking fill up on those dates.
- January anniversary: the programme includes a serenade, an arts festival and a Corrida del Toro (opens in a new tab).
How to pay in Santa Rita
- QR: the most-used electronic method; in April 2026 68.1% of electronic payments on the Bancard network were by QR (opens in a new tab).
- Pix: Bancard merchants can accept Pix from Brazilian accounts (opens in a new tab), handy since many residents have Brazilian roots. Ask first; not all do.
- Cash: carry some guaraníes for small shops.
- Invoices and sales: consumer agency Sedeco reminds that every sale must be invoiced (opens in a new tab) and that sale signs must show the previous price, the discount percentage and the current cash price.
On the street you will hear Spanish, Guaraní and plenty of Portuguese (opens in a new tab), so ask in whichever suits you.
Getting there
Santa Rita is about 70 km from Ciudad del Este and about 340 km from Asunción, via routes PY02 and PY06 (opens in a new tab). From Ciudad del Este, take PY02 and then PY06 south.
FAQ
Where is Santa Rita's town hall?
On Avenida De Los Pioneros between Adela Speratti. The phones listed on its website are +595 673 220 470 and +595 673 220 043.
Can I pay with Pix in Santa Rita?
Merchants on the Bancard network can accept Pix from Brazilian accounts, but not all have it enabled. Ask before you buy.
When is Expo Santa Rita?
Between late April and early May at the CTG Indio José grounds; in 2026 it ran from 25 April to 3 May.
Where is the Túnel Verde?
On Ruta 6, about 2 km from the centre towards Naranjal, near barrio 14 de Mayo. It is roughly 1 km long.
