In this guide
Going out in Santa Rita is really about its big dates: the Expo Santa Rita in May, the Santa Rita feast on 22 May and the anniversary celebrations in January. The rest of the year, the plan is dinner in town, a sunset stop at the Green Tunnel and, at weekends, a day trip to the waterfalls.
Which dates shouldn't you miss?
1. Expo Santa Rita (May). Alto Paraná's big agro-industrial fair and one of the busiest in the country: its last edition before 2025 drew more than 120,000 visitors and over 500 exhibitors (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). At night there are shows by Paraguayan and Brazilian acts, a food fair and an amusement park; in 2022 it ran 7–15 May (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: book accommodation early and go for the evening shows, when the Expo fills up.
2. Santa Rita feast (22 May). The patron saint's day, with processions, open-air masses and community lunches (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). It falls in the same month as the Expo, so you can combine both in one trip.
3. City anniversary (January). In January 2025 there was a serenade with the Municipal Symphony Orchestra and Municipal Ballet, a festival with Francisco Russo and Los Verduleros, and the Corrida del Toro for the second year (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Follow the municipality's social media for this year's line-up.
What to do in town on any weekend?
4. Green Tunnel (Túnel Verde). The municipality's best-known sight: a tree-covered stretch of Ruta PY06 (La Nación (opens in a new tab)), in the Barrio 14 de Mayo area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go at sunset for photos and park off the carriageway: it's a highway.
5. Classic car hall (Cerro Largo). A display of vintage cars in the Cerro Largo community, the highlight of the 2022 tourism tour (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Great if you travel with a car fan.
6. Santa Rita parish church. The patron saint's church and a stop on the municipal tourism circuit (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Drop by before dinner, especially in May.
7. Esquina Gaúcha and gaúcho culture. Santa Rita was settled mainly by Brazilian migrants from Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, and Esquina Gaúcha is one of its oldest neighbourhoods (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Folk performances take place at the CTGs, gaúcho tradition centres (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)): ask whether there's a dance or churrasco that weekend.
Where to eat and go out at night?
The city has restaurants and nightclubs, with a modest but good nightlife (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Food is one of Santa Rita's calling cards, and the 2022 tourism tour included its restaurants and the Staufemberg and Monza hotels (La Nación (opens in a new tab)), a good base if you stay over. The same tour visited a local craft brewery: ask at your hotel whether it opens to the public.
- Friday and Saturday are the busiest nights; on weeknights many places close early.
- For a bigger night out, Ciudad del Este is about 70 km away via PY06 and PY02 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); its main dining areas are Paseo Palmetto in Villa Bancaria and Avenida Mariscal Estigarribia (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
Which day trips can you do?
8. Saltos del Monday (Presidente Franco). A drop of more than 45 metres, trails, viewpoints, zip line and tree-top course (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). In 2022 it opened 08:00 to 17:00 and entry for Paraguayans cost G. 25,000–30,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
9. Salto Ñacunday. Inside Ñacunday National Park, a protected area surrounded by forest (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)); entry was G. 20,000 in 2022 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Bring water and walking shoes.
How do you get to Santa Rita?
Santa Rita is about 340 km from Asunción and about 70 km south of Ciudad del Este. From Asunción take PY02 and then PY06 south; PY06 continues towards Naranjal and Encarnación (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). If you're out at night, don't drive after drinking: the highway is the only way back.
FAQ
What is there to see in Santa Rita, Paraguay?
The Green Tunnel on Ruta PY06, the classic car hall in Cerro Largo, Santa Rita parish church, and the Esquina Gaúcha neighbourhood with its gaúcho tradition centres.
When is the Expo Santa Rita?
In May, for about ten days; in 2022 it ran 7–15 May with evening shows, a food fair and an amusement park.
Is there nightlife in Santa Rita?
Yes, modest: restaurants and nightclubs, busiest on Friday and Saturday. For a bigger night, Ciudad del Este is about 70 km away.
What can you do near Santa Rita at the weekend?
Visit Saltos del Monday in Presidente Franco, with trails and a zip line, or Salto Ñacunday inside its national park.
