In this guide
With kids, Pedro Juan Caballero works at two speeds: short afternoons around Laguna Punta Porã and the town squares, and a full day in Cerro Corá National Park, about 35 km away, with a river, painted caves and the spot where the Paraguayan War ended. For a rainy or very hot day there is the cinema at Shopping Dubai, and across the avenue, the parks of Ponta Porã in Brazil.
An afternoon in town: lagoon and squares
- Laguna Punta Porã. The city's emblem: a lake of about 18,850 m² ringed by lapacho and quebracho trees, with a path all the way round (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Local legend says whoever walks the full loop ends up living in Pedro Juan, which makes a fun challenge for kids. Go late in the afternoon with snacks and a flask of tereré.
- Town squares. The municipality has 16 landscaped squares, including Plaza Pedro Juan Caballero, Plaza Ernesto Winkler and Plaza Leonardo Franco (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Good for a break so the kids can run around.
Border history, the short version
Casa Museo de la Historia de la Frontera. At Mariscal López and José de Jesús Martínez, about 100 metres from the border line, it holds objects, photos and documents on the city and the War of the Triple Alliance from historian Sacha Aníbal Cardona's collection; in 2016 entry was free (Última Hora (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A half-hour visit that sets kids up for Cerro Corá. Call ahead to check opening hours.
A day in Cerro Corá National Park
The park protects about 5,600 hectares and saw the war's last battle on 1 March 1870 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is about 35 km away on Route PY05 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- Visitor centre and history trail. Start at the visitor-centre museum and walk to the place where Marshal Francisco Solano López died and his monument (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Short and fine for any age.
- Rock art. Caves with pre-Columbian paintings, one of the park's most visited sights (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Kids love spotting them.
- Aquidabán River. There are recreation areas on the bank; in 2016 camping was free (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the visitor centre where it is safe to paddle.
- Cerro Muralla trail. About 7 km with a view from the top (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Only for older kids who like walking: start early and carry plenty of water.
Pack lunch and repellent, and head back before dark.
Adventure for older kids: Chacurrú
A private reserve of about 25 hectares in Colonia Fortuna Guazú, some 15 km from the centre, with waterfalls, a zip line, hanging bridges, a 30 m rappel beside the main fall, and camping (Última Hora, 2016 (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios, 2019 (opens in a new tab)). Published prices are old, so call ahead to check rates, the minimum age for the zip line and whether it is open that day.
If it rains or it is too hot
Shopping Dubai has a cinema, a food court and air-conditioned spaces (Infonegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab); Campo Grande News, 2026 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). It is the easiest backup plan with small children.
Watch the sale dates: Crazy Week (25 to 28 June in 2026) and Black Friday Frontera (18 to 20 September in 2026) fill the city (ABC Color (opens in a new tab); ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), and days before Black Friday most of its roughly 2,000 hotel rooms were already booked (Prensa Mercosur (opens in a new tab)). With kids, pick another week.
Across the avenue: Ponta Porã
Avenida Internacional Dr. Francia is an open land border, with Pedro Juan on one side and Ponta Porã on the other (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Parque Estadual dos Ervais. Ponta Porã's main city park (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A good morning for running around or cycling.
- Museu da Erva-Mate. Tells the story of the yerba mate boom in Mato Grosso do Sul (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Campo Grande News (opens in a new tab)).
Carry everyone's documents in case you continue into Brazil.
When to go and how to get there
- Weather: night fog is common, summer storms can be heavy, and winter brings steady drizzle (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From June to August, pack warm layers for the evening.
- By bus: from Asunción's bus terminal via routes PY09 and PY05 through Concepción, about 9 hours (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). With kids, take an overnight service or break the trip in Concepción.
- By car: about 452 km, arriving on PY05 from Concepción or PY17 from Salto del Guairá (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- By plane: Dr. Augusto Roberto Fuster airport is about 20 km from the centre, with weekday flights to Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
What can kids do in Pedro Juan Caballero?
Walk around Laguna Punta Porã at sunset, stop at the town squares and the border history house-museum, and spend a day at Cerro Corá National Park, with a river and painted caves.
How far is Cerro Corá from Pedro Juan Caballero?
About 35 km on Route PY05. It has a visitor centre with a museum, a history trail, rock art and recreation areas on the Aquidabán River.
What is there to do in Pedro Juan on a rainy day?
Shopping Dubai has a cinema, a food court and air-conditioned spaces. Avoid sale weeks such as Crazy Week and Black Friday Frontera, when the city is packed.
Can you cross into Ponta Porã with children?
Yes, Avenida Internacional is an open land border. On the Brazilian side are Parque Estadual dos Ervais and the Museu da Erva-Mate; carry everyone's documents.
