In this guide
From Encarnación, Trinidad is an easy day trip: about 45 minutes by bus on Route PY06, the Jesuit mission first thing, Jesús de Tavarangüé around midday, and back in the afternoon. From Asunción it is not a day trip: Encarnación alone is about 370 km and some 7 hours by bus, so plan at least one night in the south.
How to get to Trinidad from Encarnación
- By bus: from the terminal take any bus heading to Ciudad del Este, Santa Rita or Buena Vista; they all pass Trinidad. Ask for the ruins and walk about 500 m up the road on the right. The ride takes about 45 minutes and cost G. 15,000 in May 2023 (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- By car: the mission is on PY06 at about km 31 (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab)), roughly 30 km from Encarnación (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A car lets you add Jesús and Hohenau without watching bus times.
- From Asunción: about 7 hours by bus to Encarnación (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Arrive the evening before and head to Trinidad in the morning.
A one-day plan: mission, Itá Cajón and Jesús
7:00 – Leave. Catch an early bus. The mission opens at 7:00 (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab)) and in summer you want to walk it before the worst heat.
8:00 – Trinidad mission. Buy your ticket at the visitor centre on the left just before the ruins (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Guided tours last 40 minutes to an hour and are first come, first served (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Allow one to two hours.
10:00 – Itá Cajón. In the centre of Trinidad, the old quarry that supplied the mission's stone, with the Paseo de los Mitos carvings and a lookout nearby (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). In April 2026 entry was G. 15,000 from age 13 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
11:30 – Jesús de Tavarangüé. About 12 km away (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Without a car: moto-taxi (about G. 30,000 in 2023, up to four people) or the small bus that leaves roughly hourly from the service station on the highway (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Pack lunch and eat in the plaza.
15:00 – Head back. At the Trinidad junction, buses to Encarnación stop at the shelter across the road (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
What does the ticket cost and cover?
In April 2026: G. 40,000 for foreigners, G. 25,000 for Paraguayans, G. 12,500 for Paraguayans aged 66+, and free up to age 12 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). One ticket is valid for 72 hours at Trinidad, Jesús and San Cosme y Damián, day and night (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Bring ID.
Is it worth staying for the night tour?
Yes, if you can sleep nearby or have a car. Trinidad's light-and-sound tour runs Wednesday to Sunday, at 19:00 in winter and 21:00 in summer (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)), and Jesús has 3D video mapping (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). If so, flip the day: Jesús in the afternoon, Trinidad after dark. Free camping is possible near the mission; ask when you buy the ticket (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). More on each stop in things to do in Trinidad.
By car: add Hohenau on the same road
Hohenau is at km 35 of PY06 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), minutes from Trinidad. After the ruins you can have lunch at the Parque Manantial restaurant or drive down to Hohenau's port on the Paraná (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Outside town many roads are dirt and get tricky after rain (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Full plan in the Hohenau day trip.
What to bring
- Hat, sunscreen and water: summer highs reach about 38 °C here (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Cash in guaraníes for the ticket, bus and moto-taxi.
- Comfortable shoes for stone and grass.
- Something to read about the missions: there is little written information on site (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
Can you do Trinidad as a day trip from Asunción?
Not realistically: Encarnación alone is about 7 hours by bus. Sleep in Encarnación and visit Trinidad the next day.
Which bus goes from Encarnación to Trinidad?
Any bus heading to Ciudad del Este, Santa Rita or Buena Vista. Get off at the Trinidad junction and walk about 500 m; the ride takes about 45 minutes.
Can you see Trinidad and Jesús in one day?
Yes. Trinidad in the morning and Jesús, about 12 km away, at midday by moto-taxi or local bus. One ticket covers both for 72 hours.
What time does the Trinidad mission open?
Daily from 7:00; it closes at 19:00 in summer and between 17:00 and 17:30 in winter.
