In this guide
In Filadelfia, start at the Gran Chaco Interpretation Centre, walk the Fernheim colony museums in the town centre, and give another half day to a Chaco War fort such as Boquerón. Filadelfia is about 470 km from Asunción along the Trans-Chaco highway, so plan at least two days rather than a there-and-back trip.
Where should you start in Filadelfia?
Gran Chaco Interpretation Centre (Centro de Interpretación del Gran Chaco). It sits at the entrance to town and is the best first stop: it covers the Indigenous peoples, wildlife, plants and Chaco War sites, so everything you see afterwards makes more sense. According to La Nación (2025) (opens in a new tab), it opens Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00, and entry is free. If you arrive on a Monday or Tuesday, save it for the end.
Fernheim Cooperative tourist office. It runs the town's museum circuit and is the starting point La Nación recommends. Ask which museums are open that day and whether any need booking.
Which museums are worth it in the centre?
They are close together, so you can walk them in one morning:
- Jakob Unger Scientific Museum: the best introduction to the Chaco, with mounted wildlife including about 210 bird species, glyptodont and mastodon fossils, and pre-Columbian objects, according to InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab). Great with kids.
- Knelsen-Haus (Home Museum): a 1948 family house, restored in 2002, showing how the first settlers lived. It was once the town's only hotel.
- Casa de la Colonia (Koloniehaus): the history museum, with objects from the pioneer years. The "Gatter" sawmill, the colony's first saw, stands in the garden of the old administration building (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- School Museum (Museo Escolar): the restored first central school, where classes began in 1936.
- Industrial Museum: the region's industrial history; ask at the tourist office whether you need to book.
Afterwards, walk Avenida Hindenburg, the main street, and stop at the Parque de las Memorias and the Faith, Unity and Courage monument.
Which Chaco War forts can you visit?
The forts are the other reason to come. You need your own car or a tour, as they are far from the centre:
- Fortín Boquerón: one of the best-preserved forts in the Chaco, with a museum of weapons and wartime photos, trenches and a soldiers' cemetery (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). It is the most visited and is part of the Ruta Chaco Boreal.
- Fortín Isla Po'i: Marshal Estigarribia's former command post, renovated, with a lookout that is lovely at sunset. Take the Trans-Chaco, then the Bioceanic Highway from the Loma Plata junction.
- Fortín Toledo: trenches and bunkers (tucas) still almost intact; about 15 km off the Trans-Chaco via the Toledo junction.
Some forts require booking, so call ahead. For the Ruta Chaco Boreal, SENATUR answers on (021) 494-110 (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)).
What about nature, shopping and food?
- Laguna Salada Capitán: salt lagoons with flamingos and coscoroba swans. Filadelfia hotels run trips that combine it with a Mennonite village (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). Bring binoculars, water and insect repellent.
- Kultura, in Parque Eucalipto: a café and craft shop selling work from Indigenous communities and all over Paraguay: poyvi and ñandutí textiles, baskets, palo santo, ceramics and hammocks. A good place for souvenirs.
- Churrasquería Florida: run by Hotel Florida, with grilled meat and a lunch buffet.
When to go and which events to catch
Chaco summers are tough: temperatures pass 40 °C and it is the rainy season (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Winter is cooler and drier and the best time for forts and lagoons. In any month, head out early and keep the hottest hours for museums.
Dates worth knowing:
- Fiesta de las Tradiciones: late June or early July, with performances by the region's different peoples, traditional games and food.
- Expo Rodeo Trébol: almost 50 years old, the oldest agricultural fair in Paraguay (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). It is held at the Asociación Rodeo Trébol grounds in Loma Plata district (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Christmas markets and classical concerts at the local conservatory.
Hotels fill up during the fairs, so book ahead.
How to get to Filadelfia
- By car: about 450 to 470 km on Route PY09 (Trans-Chaco). Allow around 6 hours of driving plus the time to get out of Greater Asunción. Fill up before the long stretches and carry water.
- By bus: coaches leave from the Asunción bus terminal and arrive at the Filadelfia terminal on Avenida Hindenburg. Check departure times at the terminal before you travel.
- Getting around: forts and lagoons are tens of kilometres away. Without a car, book a tour through your hotel.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Filadelfia, Paraguay?
Visit the Gran Chaco Interpretation Centre, the Fernheim colony museums such as the Jakob Unger museum and Casa de la Colonia, and a Chaco War fort such as Boquerón or Isla Po'i.
How far is Filadelfia from Asunción?
About 470 km on the Trans-Chaco highway, roughly 6 hours of driving plus the time to leave Greater Asunción.
How many days do you need in Filadelfia?
Two days work well: one for the Interpretation Centre and museums, one for a fort or the salt lagoon. Add travel time from Asunción and plan a long weekend.
When is the best time to visit the Chaco?
Winter, because summer goes above 40 °C and brings the rains. Start early in any season and use midday for museums.
