In this guide
In Fuerte Olimpo, the capital of Alto Paraguay department on the Paraguay River, you climb its hills, visit the 1792 Fuerte Borbón and the stone cathedral, and take a boat out to see Pantanal wildlife. It's a small, remote town about 760 km from Asunción, so the key is choosing how to get there and when: rain cuts the dirt roads.
What to see in Fuerte Olimpo
The town sits between low hills, and most of what's worth seeing is on top of them (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Fuerte Borbón: built by the Spanish in 1792 to hold back Portuguese bandeirantes, it gave the town its first name. It's a national heritage site and received UNESCO's Blue Shield emblem in 2023, but its stone walls are deteriorating (ABC, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Look carefully and don't climb on the walls.
- María Auxiliadora Cathedral: built entirely of stone on top of one of the lower hills. Near the bell tower is a museum of objects from Alto Paraguay's Indigenous peoples (ABC, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
- Tres Hermanos hill: 537 steps lead to the top, with views over the Pantanal and the Paraguay River. A lookout with a nearly 20-metre Christ statue, Ñandejára Guasu, was under construction there, according to ABC in 2021 and 2022 (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Virgin of Caacupé: a statue about 5 metres tall on another high hill, reachable only on foot by trail.
- The Paraguay River: local boats and guides are available for fishing and sightseeing trips. Expect birds, caimans, capybaras and otters (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Ishir crafts: Ishir communities in the area weave items from karanday palm leaves (ABC, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
How to get to Fuerte Olimpo
- By car: the Transchaco to Loma Plata (about 430 km), then the Bioceanic Route about 200 km to the Carmelo Peralta / Puesto 65 junction, then 135 km of dirt road (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Fill up before leaving the asphalt.
- By bus: in 2022 the San Juan company left Asunción on Mondays and Fridays, returning Wednesdays and Mondays; the trip took about 11 hours and cost ₲200,000 (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Check current days at the bus terminal before planning.
- By plane: the SETAM military flight leaving Asunción on Wednesdays at 06:00 stops in Fuerte Olimpo on its way to Bahía Negra; request a seat 15 days ahead (Eco Pantanal/WWF guide, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Fuerte Olimpo's airstrip has been paved since 2018 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), but weather can still affect flights.
- By boat: the Fátima III cargo and passenger boat runs along the Alto Paraguay riverbank from Concepción, leaving Tuesdays at 11:30; it's a slow trip of several days (2025 guide (opens in a new tab)).
When to go and special dates
- Dry season: the best time to visit. The river drops and leaves sandbanks where birds, caimans and capybaras gather, though fishing can be poorer at low water (ABC, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
- Rainy season: avoid it if you're driving; the roads become difficult (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Heat: the climate is tropical savanna, with summer highs up to 45 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Climb the hills early or late in the afternoon.
- Easter week: the cathedral draws many Catholic pilgrims.
- Patron saint festivities: the main celebrations are on 15 and 24 May, honouring María Auxiliadora (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Christmas: the municipality decorates streets and squares for the holiday season (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
Where to stay and what it costs
Lodging is basic guesthouses. In 2022, ABC reported rooms from ₲50,000 a night without breakfast, ₲70,000 to ₲100,000 with breakfast, and lunch from ₲20,000, recommending Chaco beef and river fish (ABC, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). To find a room, look up the town's guesthouses on social media or ask at the municipality. Bring cash.
What to pack
- Extra water, a hat and sunscreen for the hills.
- Comfortable closed shoes: the steps and trails are steep.
- Insect repellent for the river and at dusk.
- An offline map: signal drops on the 135 km of dirt road.
Going further into the Pantanal
Bahía Negra is about 137 km further north, near the tri-border with Brazil and Bolivia (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From there you can reach the Los Tres Gigantes field station and Río Negro National Park.
FAQ
What is there to do in Fuerte Olimpo?
Climb the 537 steps of Tres Hermanos hill, visit Fuerte Borbón and the stone María Auxiliadora Cathedral, see the Virgin of Caacupé statue and take a boat on the Paraguay River for wildlife or fishing.
How far is Fuerte Olimpo from Asunción?
About 760 km. Via the Transchaco and the Bioceanic Route, the last 135 km are dirt road.
Is there a bus to Fuerte Olimpo?
Yes, the San Juan company runs the route; in 2022 it left on Mondays and Fridays and took about 11 hours. Check current days at the terminal.
When are Fuerte Olimpo's festivities?
The main celebrations are on 15 and 24 May for María Auxiliadora, and the cathedral draws many pilgrims during Easter week.
