In this guide
Entertainment in Pedro Juan Caballero comes down to three plans: cinema, bowling and the food court at Shopping Dubai; dinner, live music and the casino at the Amambay Hotel Casino; and, by day, Laguna Punta Porã, the border avenue with Ponta Porã, Brazil, and Cerro Corá National Park about 35 km away. Here is what each place offers and how to fit them together.
Where can you catch a film or go bowling?
Shopping Dubai. The big mall on the border has a cinema, a bowling alley, a food court and parking (Campo Grande News, 2026 (opens in a new tab); mall website (opens in a new tab)). When it was announced, the local chamber of commerce pitched it as comparable to the large malls in Asunción, with a cinema and parking for more than 1,600 cars (Infonegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Cinema: CineX, with three screens. In October 2026 the programme listed films dubbed into Spanish, in 2D, with children's titles in the afternoon (mall website (opens in a new tab)).
- Food court: open daily until 22:00, usually with live music on weekends and public holidays and screens showing football (same source).
- Tip: the mall itself warns that Paraguay and Ponta Porã are one hour apart. Check which clock a showtime uses before you leave.
Where is there a show and a casino at night?
Amambay Hotel Casino. It sits on Avenida Dr. Francia at José Berges, right on the border line (Hotels.com (opens in a new tab)). According to Infonegocios (2025) (opens in a new tab), it has a bar with live shows Tuesday to Sunday, a casino and a Mediterranean restaurant that is open to non-guests. It is the easiest night out if you want dinner, music and no need to move on. Bring ID.
What can you do in town during the day?
- Laguna Punta Porã. The city's landmark: a lake of about 18,850 m² ringed by lapacho and quebracho trees. Local legend says anyone who walks all the way round ends up staying in Pedro Juan (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go in the late afternoon.
- Avenida Internacional Dr. Francia. This is a dry border with Ponta Porã: no river, no bridge, you simply walk across (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is the classic stroll, lined with shops and people from both countries.
- Casa Museo de la Historia de la Frontera. At Mariscal López and José de Jesús Martínez, about 100 m from the avenue, with objects, photos and documents on the city and the War of the Triple Alliance. Entry was free in 2016 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A good indoor stop in the midday heat.
What is there on the Ponta Porã side?
- Parque Estadual dos Ervais: Ponta Porã's large urban park, best for a morning walk ([Wikipedia PT](PThttps://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/PedroJuanCaballero_(Paraguay))).
- Museu da Erva-Mate: the story of the yerba mate cycle in Mato Grosso do Sul ([Wikipedia PT](PThttps://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/PedroJuanCaballero_(Paraguay)); Campo Grande News (opens in a new tab)).
- Exporã: Ponta Porã's agricultural fair, held in August, with shows ([Wikipedia PT](PThttps://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/PedroJuanCaballero_(Paraguay))).
Brazilian law and opening hours apply across the avenue. Guaraníes, reais and dollars all circulate on the border (Smargiassi (opens in a new tab)), so ask which currency a price is in before you pay.
What can you do on a weekend out of town?
Cerro Corá National Park. About 35 km away on route PY05 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). It has a history trail from the visitor centre to the spot where Marshal Francisco Solano López died, a trail of about 7 km to Cerro Muralla, caves with rock paintings and recreation areas on the Aquidabán River (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Start early and carry water.
Chacurrú. A private reserve of about 25 hectares in Colonia Fortuna Guazú, about 15 km from the centre, with a zip line, hanging bridges, a 30 m rappel beside a waterfall and camping (Última Hora, 2016 (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios, 2019 (opens in a new tab)). Those reports are old, so call ahead to confirm it is open and what it charges.
When does the city fill up?
During the big sale weeks: Crazy Week (25 to 28 June in 2026) and Black Friday Frontera (18 to 20 September in 2026) bring in thousands of shoppers (ABC Color (opens in a new tab); ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If you want a quiet film or dinner, avoid those dates or book ahead.
Rules for a night out
- Age: Law 1642 bans selling or serving alcohol in public venues to anyone under 20 and bans drinking in the street (Law 1642 (opens in a new tab)).
- Driving: Paraguay has zero tolerance for drink-driving; fines run from 3 to 20 minimum daily wages, and the vehicle is held (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Take a taxi or go with someone who is not drinking.
- Fog: night fog is common here (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); drive slowly if you head back by road.
FAQ
Is there a cinema in Pedro Juan Caballero?
Yes, CineX at Shopping Dubai, with three screens; in October 2026 its films were dubbed into Spanish and shown in 2D. The mall also has bowling and a food court.
What is there to do at night in Pedro Juan Caballero?
The Amambay Hotel Casino on Avenida Dr. Francia has a bar with live shows Tuesday to Sunday, a casino and a restaurant open to non-guests. Shopping Dubai's food court is open until 22:00.
What can you do on a weekend near Pedro Juan Caballero?
Visit Cerro Corá National Park, about 35 km away on PY05, for its history trail and the hike to Cerro Muralla, or the Chacurrú reserve, about 15 km out, for zip lining and rappelling.
What is the drinking age in Paraguay?
Law 1642 bans selling or serving alcohol in public venues to anyone under 20, so carry ID.
