In this guide
San Alberto is a small farming town about 90 km north of Ciudad del Este, so families make the most of it in two ways: the town's festivals, with the San Alberto Magno feast in November as the biggest, and day trips down Ruta PY07 to the Itaipú reserves, the Hernandarias waterfront and the waterfalls of Alto Paraná. Here is what to do, where and when.
What to do as a family in San Alberto
San Alberto Magno patron saint festival (mid-November). The liveliest week of the year. In 2021 it included nine days of prayers, an arts festival with about ten local groups, a Sunday-night serenade to the saint, a procession, a central mass and a Costillón or Costelão, the traditional rib barbecue, with around 350 people. The mayor declared a local holiday (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Tip: the Costillón is the one to bring the whole family to; arrive early.
Main square. During the anniversary the plaza hosts a farm, motor and general trade fair with local exhibitors (Última Hora, 2012 (opens in a new tab)). It is the shop window for the town's family businesses and a good moment to meet them.
Eat like southern Brazil. The first settlers were all Brazilians from Paraná and Santa Catarina (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and it shows on the table: at festivals you will find cuca and streuselkuchen, German-rooted cakes that arrived via Brazil (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Look for them at bakeries and festival stalls.
Nature nearby for kids
Limoy Biological Reserve. It lies within San Alberto district on the bank of the Paraná and is one of Itaipú's protected areas. It offers guided tours, environmental education talks and photo safaris; the Azul, Abanico and Santa Teresa rivers run through it (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Visits are arranged with Itaipú, so ask before you go.
Itabó Biological Reserve. In neighbouring Mbaracayú district, about 80 km north of Hernandarias. It has guides, interpretive trails and self-guided trails with a leaflet explaining the route (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Bring repellent, water and closed shoes.
A day out in Hernandarias
Hernandarias is 15 km from Ciudad del Este, so it pairs well with a trip south (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Hernandarias waterfront (Costanera): walking paths, bike lane, beach, playground and catamaran rides on the Itaipú lake (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). At the end of 2021 it opened 14:00 to 21:00 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so plan it for the afternoon.
- Refugio Tatí Yupí: recreation areas on the lake and river with photo safaris, guided tours and boat rides (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Museo de la Tierra Guaraní: Paraguay's first interactive multimedia museum, at Itaipú's Environmental Centre (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ideal for the hot middle of the day.
- Itaipú Dam: the city's headline attraction (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
A day in Ciudad del Este and the waterfalls
- Lago de la República (Ciudad del Este): steps from downtown, almost 4 km of lake with an amphitheatre for shows, entrepreneur fairs and more than 60 bird species (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Playa Ñande Renda: at km 8 Acaray, San Juan neighbourhood, on Lake Acaray. Free entry, accessible water entry, bike lane and outdoor gym (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Saltos del Monday (Presidente Franco): two parks, Aventura Monday and Saltos Monday, with zip lines, treetop trails and a panoramic lift. In 2023 entry was G. 40,000 for Paraguayans and activities cost G. 30,000 to G. 100,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Salto Ñacunday: falls of about 40 metres inside Ñacunday National Park, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este, including 16 km of dirt road. In 2023 entry was free up to age 10, G. 5,000 for ages 11 to 17 and G. 20,000 from 18 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
Tip: do not try to fit it all into one day. Pick Hernandarias or Ciudad del Este, and save the waterfalls for another trip.
Getting there and around
San Alberto sits on Ruta PY07, its main road, which links it to Ciudad del Este; it is about 411 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)) and about 90 km north of Ciudad del Este (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). You need a car for the reserves and waterfalls; the Salto Ñacunday access, for example, includes 16 km of dirt road, so avoid it after heavy rain.
FAQ
What can families do in San Alberto?
Join the San Alberto Magno festival in November, with its rib barbecue and arts festival, visit the Limoy Biological Reserve and take a day trip to the Hernandarias waterfront or Ciudad del Este.
When is San Alberto's patron saint festival?
In mid-November, honouring San Alberto Magno, with a novena, serenade, procession and central mass.
How far is San Alberto from Ciudad del Este?
About 90 km north along Ruta PY07. From Asunción it is about 411 km.
What is there to see near San Alberto?
Itaipú's Limoy and Itabó reserves, and on a day trip the Hernandarias waterfront, Lago de la República, Ñande Renda beach and the Monday and Ñacunday falls.
