In this guide
Bella Vista, Itapúa's "yerba mate capital", is an easy day trip from Encarnación: it sits at km 48 of Route PY06 (Wikipedia, Route 6 (opens in a new tab)), and the plan is two yerba mate mills, a drink at a mate bar, the settlers' museums and sunset at the port on the Paraná. From Asunción it is not a day trip: it is about 410 km away (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)), so stay overnight in the area.
Getting there and stops on PY06
- From Encarnación: take Route PY06; Bella Vista is about 50 km away (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Stops on the way: Trinidad, the best-preserved Jesuit mission, is about 30 km from Encarnación (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); Hohenau is at km 35 and Obligado at km 38 (Wikipedia, Route 6 (opens in a new tab)). If you add one, make it Trinidad on the way back: see our Trinidad day trip.
- First stop in Bella Vista: the Mate Róga tourist office, at the PY06 roundabout at the town entrance, next to the town hall. In 2021 it opened Monday to Friday 08:00–17:30 and weekends 08:00–16:00 (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). It coordinates visits on the Yerba Mate Route (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Morning: two yerba mate mills open to visitors
Pajarito, the Guyra'i Rape tour. It covers the factory, the nursery, the organic yerba plantation and the museum, and takes about an hour and a half. According to the company's website it costs G. 15,000 per person (G. 10,000 for a single area) and is free for under-10s; book on +595 981 259 659, ideally 24 hours ahead (Pajarito (opens in a new tab)). The museum is in the founders' old house (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). It is on Avenida Marcial Samaniego.
Selecta, Aventura Selecta. Four options: the Mate Bar, "Yerbatero por un día" (yerba farmer for a day), the nature reserve and a full day; enquiries on +595 982 700 116 (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). Its Mate Bar was the first in Paraguay, opened in November 2020; the morning tour shows the whole yerba process and the afternoon tour goes to the reserve (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). To do both mills, take Selecta's factory tour in the morning and Pajarito after lunch.
Midday: the settlers' museums
- Museo de los Inmigrantes: on the main plaza, with more than 100 pieces, furniture and stoves from the first families (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Contact: +595 984 054 608 (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Museo Los Fundadores: Ernesto Fischer's collection of about 7,000 items from the early Colonias Unidas, from old Bibles to carts and motorbikes (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). It is private, so call first on +595 985 726 258 (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
The town was founded in 1918 by German immigrants (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)), and both museums show it.
Afternoon: swings, giant trees and the port
- Paseo de las Hamacas: swings at the roundabout, the Parque Urbano, the pink lapacho (Tajy Pytã) in barrio Niño Jesús, the port and the Fordi municipal beach (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). Fun with kids.
- Giant trees: a canafisto tree (yvyra pytã) 7.67 m round and 21 m tall, and a tajy declared of tourist interest (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)). Ask at Mate Róga for directions.
- Club de Caza y Pesca at the port: an open-air space with shelters on the Paraná, known for its sunsets (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). End the day here and drive back to Encarnación in daylight.
Can you cross to Argentina from Bella Vista?
Yes, by ferry to Corpus in Misiones province. The service started in 2015, on weekdays (ABC Color, 2015 (opens in a new tab)). In July 2023 the ferry left from Puerto Maní, Monday to Friday only: last crossing from Paraguay between 08:00 and 11:30, last from Argentina between 14:00 and 17:00; a car with driver paid G. 50,000 and a foot passenger G. 15,000 (Primera Edición, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). There is no weekend service. Carry your passport or ID: there are customs and immigration checks at the crossing.
When to go
- October: in 2025 the Fiesta de la Yerba Mate was on 11 October, the eve of the town's anniversary on the 12th (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- September: the international fishing contest; the 58th edition is listed for 11 September 2026 (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- December: "Navidad en Bella Vista", several evenings of events; in 2025 they ran between 7 and 21 December (Visit Colonias Unidas (opens in a new tab)).
- Weekdays: to see the mills working or use the ferry, go Monday to Friday.
Staying longer? See things to do in Bella Vista and our Obligado guide.
FAQ
Can you visit Bella Vista as a day trip?
From Encarnación, yes: about 50 km on Route PY06. From Asunción it is about 410 km, so stay overnight in the area.
How much is the Pajarito yerba mate tour?
According to Pajarito's website, G. 15,000 per person for the full tour and G. 10,000 for one area, free for under-10s. Book on +595 981 259 659, 24 hours ahead.
What is the Yerba Mate Route?
A rural tourism circuit coordinated by the Mate Róga office in Bella Vista, with visits to mills such as Selecta and Pajarito, museums and outings around the Colonias Unidas.
Is there a ferry from Bella Vista to Argentina?
Yes, to Corpus in Misiones, on weekdays only. In 2023 it crossed from Paraguay in the morning and from Argentina in the afternoon; check times before you go.
