In this guide
Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú is in Villa Ygatimí, Canindeyú department, about 315 km from Asunción (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)), so a same-day round trip from the capital is exhausting. The trip that works: arrive, do one or two guided trails, a canoe ride or the Salto Karapá waterfall, and sleep in the cabins of Mbaracayú Lodge inside the reserve. If you are already in the area, you can visit for the day and pay for activities separately (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
Can you do it as a day trip?
From Asunción, we would not: it is about 315 km and the last stretch is dirt. In 2015, Última Hora reported that rain made that road impassable, with even buses stuck until a tractor pulled them out (Última Hora, 2015 (opens in a new tab)). Ask about road conditions when you book, and don't set off with storms forecast.
If you are already in Canindeyú or passing through, a day visit is possible: the lodge welcomes non-staying visitors and charges activities separately (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Arrive early to use the daylight.
Booking and when to go
- Book ahead. The reserve is run by the Fundación Moisés Bertoni, reachable on +595 985 191 000 (phone and WhatsApp), with a booking button for the lodge on its website (Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)).
- Peak periods. For Easter week, the winter school break, Christmas and New Year, the lodge recommends booking at least six weeks ahead (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Guided visits. Park rangers accompany visitors (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). This is low-impact, small-scale tourism (Hosteltur, 2015 (opens in a new tab)): don't expect to wander any trail on your own.
What to do at Mbaracayú
Forest trails. The reserve protects over 64,000 hectares, the largest continuous remnant of Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in Paraguay (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The lodge offers guided and self-guided trails (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)). Go early in the morning, when animals are most active.
Salto Karapá and the Morotî stream. The reserve's classic waterfall outings (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab); InfoNegocios, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Wear shoes that can get wet.
Canoeing the Jejuimí river. Canoe and kayak trips on the river that crosses the reserve (InfoNegocios, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)). The calmest option for the hot early afternoon.
Birds and wildlife. Over 400 bird species, including the red-and-green macaw, plus jaguar, tapir, maned wolf and neotropical otter (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Camera-trap monitoring shows it holds more threatened species than anywhere else in Paraguay (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Seeing a jaguar is very unlikely; birds are a sure thing.
Meeting the Aché community. The lodge arranges knowledge exchanges and craft workshops with the Aché (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)); the model keeps visitor contact at the reception center, not in the community's private spaces (Hosteltur, 2015 (opens in a new tab)). Money from crafts you buy stays with the community.
Suggested plan with one night
- Day 1, morning: early start from Asunción.
- Day 1, afternoon: arrive at the lodge, check in, canoe on the Jejuimí.
- Day 1, evening: home-style dinner made with local produce (Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)); rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Day 2, morning: early guided trail and Salto Karapá.
- Day 2, afternoon: workshop or talk with the Aché, then drive back in daylight.
Where to stay and what to bring
Mbaracayú Lodge has three cabins with twelve rooms and a camping area; the cabins used to be the rangers' homes (Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)). Students of the Centro Educativo Mbaracayú do their hospitality training there, so your stay helps fund their education (Fundación Moisés Bertoni (opens in a new tab)).
Bring repellent, a flashlight, long sleeves for the forest, closed shoes, a dry change of clothes and cash for crafts.
Not to be confused with Itaipú's Refugio Biológico Mbaracayú
Itaipú runs a Refugio Biológico Mbaracayú in Saltos del Guairá, which had 11,031 visitors in 2025 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). It is a different place, managed by Itaipú, not the Moisés Bertoni foundation. If you want the Villa Ygatimí forest, book with the foundation.
FAQ
Where is Reserva Mbaracayú?
In Villa Ygatimí, Canindeyú department, about 315 km from Asunción. It is managed by the Fundación Moisés Bertoni.
Can you visit Mbaracayú as a day trip?
Yes, the lodge accepts day visitors and charges activities separately. From Asunción, given the distance and the dirt road, staying one night is better.
How do I book Mbaracayú Lodge?
Through the Fundación Moisés Bertoni on +595 985 191 000 or its website. In peak periods, book at least six weeks ahead.
What can you do at Mbaracayú?
Guided forest trails, Salto Karapá waterfall, canoe trips on the Jejuimí river, birdwatching and workshops with the Aché community.
