In this guide
Santa Rita is a farming town in southern Alto Paraná, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este and 340 km from Asunción via routes PY02 and PY06 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Half a day covers it: the Túnel Verde, the parish church and a town centre shaped by settlers from southern Brazil. If you can, go between late April and May, when the Expo Santa Rita and the patron feast take place, and use it as a base for waterfalls and Itaipú.
What to see in Santa Rita
- Túnel Verde. A stretch of almost one kilometre where trees form a roof over Route PY06, by the 14 de Mayo neighbourhood, about 2 km from the centre heading towards Naranjal (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). It is the best-known sight in the district (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Tip: go in daylight and park well off the road; it carries heavy trucks.
- Parroquia Santa Rita. The patron saint's church was a stop on the town's first municipal tourism circuit (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Start your walk around the centre here.
- Esquina Gaúcha and the CTGs. Most early settlers came from southern Brazil, and Esquina Gaúcha is one of the oldest neighbourhoods (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Gaúcho culture lives on in the Centros de Tradiciones Gaúchas, with chimarrão (mate) and folk shows (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). Ask whether there is a dance or a churrasco that weekend.
- Cervecería Trentina 1875. A craft brewery with its plant in Santa Rita (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)) and a stop on Paraguay's Craft Beer Route (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). Message them on social media first if you want to buy at the source.
- Monday River. It marks the district's northern edge and has camping areas and river beaches (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A summer plan: ask on site where swimming is allowed.
When to go: Expo, patron feast and anniversary
- Expo Santa Rita. The town's agribusiness fair at the CTG Indio José showground, with live shows, rodeo and a funfair (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The 2026 edition ran from 25 April to 3 May (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), and an earlier one drew more than 120,000 visitors (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). Tip: go by day for machinery and livestock, at night for concerts, and book lodging weeks ahead.
- Feast of Santa Rita, 22 May. Processions, open-air masses and community lunches (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)).
- Town anniversary, January. In 2025 there was a serenade, an arts festival and a bull run, the Corrida del Toro (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)).
Weather shapes the day: summer highs are around 31 to 33 °C and can reach 38 °C, and it rains in every month (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). From December to February, head out early and keep midday for lunch and rest.
Day trips from Santa Rita
All are in the Ciudad del Este area, about 70 km away via the PY06 and PY02. Pick one per day.
- Saltos del Monday (Presidente Franco). Falls of more than 45 metres, trails, viewpoints, zip line and tree-top course (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). In 2022 it opened from 8 am to 5 pm and entry for Paraguayans cost G. 25,000 to 30,000 (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)); a panoramic lift goes down to the river (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Itaipú Dam (Hernandarias). The panoramic tour is free and runs in scheduled slots (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); bring photo ID (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- Salto Ñacunday. Inside Ñacunday National Park, about 40 m high and 70 m wide (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); entry cost G. 20,000 in 2022 (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Bring water and shoes that can get wet.
A plan for half a day, a day or a weekend
- Half a day: Túnel Verde in the morning, the parish church and a walk around the centre, then a churrasco lunch.
- One day: add an afternoon at a Monday River beach or a brewery visit, if it is open.
- Weekend: Saturday in Santa Rita; Sunday early to the Saltos del Monday or Itaipú, back before dark.
Where to stay and how to pay
The town has restaurants, nightclubs and hotels (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Hotel Staufenberg was part of the municipal tourism circuit (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)) and the lodging partner on the Craft Beer Route (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). Before paying, check any lodging in Registur, Senatur's official register (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
You will hear Spanish, Guaraní and a lot of Portuguese (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). Merchants on the Bancard network can accept Pix from Brazilian accounts (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), but not all do, so carry some guaraníes.
How to get to Santa Rita
From Asunción or Ciudad del Este, take the PY02 and, about 30 km before Ciudad del Este, turn south onto the PY06; it runs through Santa Rita's centre and on to Naranjal and Encarnación (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). That makes the town a natural stop between Ciudad del Este and Encarnación. If you go by coach, ask at the bus terminal which companies stop in Santa Rita before buying a ticket.
FAQ
What is there to do in Santa Rita, Paraguay?
See the Túnel Verde on Route PY06, the Parroquia Santa Rita and the Esquina Gaúcha neighbourhood, visit a Monday River beach and, in late April or May, the Expo Santa Rita. For a full day, the Saltos del Monday or Itaipú.
Where is Santa Rita, Paraguay?
In southern Alto Paraná, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este and 340 km from Asunción, via routes PY02 and PY06.
When is the Expo Santa Rita?
Between late April and early May at the CTG Indio José showground; in 2026 it ran from 25 April to 3 May.
Where is the Túnel Verde in Santa Rita?
On Route PY06 by the 14 de Mayo neighbourhood, about 2 km from the centre towards Naranjal. It is almost a kilometre long.
