In this guide
Saltos del Monday (Monday Falls) sit in Presidente Franco, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este, and fit comfortably into a morning: trails, viewpoints over a drop of more than 40 metres and, if you like, a lift down to the river. Before you go, pick which of the two parks to enter, bring cash, and arrive early to beat the heat and the weekend crowds.
What will you see at Monday Falls?
The Monday River drops into a canyon just before it meets the Paraná. There are three main falls of roughly 40 metres along a front of about 120 metres, plus several smaller ones (C5N, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From the viewpoints you get the mist and the canyon; from the bottom, the force of the water.
Flow depends on rain (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and after a few rainy days the falls are far more dramatic (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). If your dates are flexible, check the forecast for the week before.
Municipal park or Parque Aventura Monday?
There are two separate entrances to the falls, side by side (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)):
- Parque Municipal Monday (9 ha). Run by a private concession. Entry covers trails and viewpoints. In 2022 it cost G. 10,000 for Presidente Franco residents, G. 25,000 for other Paraguayans and USD 10 for foreigners; the panoramic lift to the riverbank, the zip line and the treetop course were extra, G. 30,000 each. There was an asado buffet at weekends (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). A travel blogger who visited in August 2024 paid USD 12 as a foreigner, cash only, in dollars or guaraníes (Sol Salute (opens in a new tab)).
- Parque Aventura Monday (private, 7 ha). The adventure option: a 275-metre zip line towards the falls, rafting, abseiling, archery, and camping facing the falls. In 2022 it opened daily from 8:00 to 17:00; the zip line was G. 60,000 for Paraguayans, USD 15 for Mercosur visitors and USD 18 for everyone else, and camping G. 100,000 a night (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). It is also listed on Trip.com (opens in a new tab).
If you only want to see the falls, the municipal park is enough. With teenagers, or if you want adrenaline, add the private one. The Monday area also has cabins and camping if you want to sleep next to the falls (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
When should you go?
- Opening hours: in 2018 the municipal park opened daily from 7:00, until 15:30 in winter and 19:00 in summer (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)); the 2024 blog noted 8:00 to 17:00. Check before you go, as hours shift with the season.
- Early: summer midday is hot, and the climb back from the lift is noticeable.
- Weekdays: Presidente Franco gets 2,700 to 3,000 visitors a week, with Saturday and Sunday the busiest (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Time needed: two to three hours covers viewpoints, trails and the lift; half a day with the zip line and lunch.
How do you get to Monday Falls?
- From Ciudad del Este: from the Friendship Bridge (Puente de la Amistad) it is 2 km on PY02, then about 3 km on PY07, Avenida Guaraní and Calle Saltos del Monday to the gate; around 25 minutes by car (C5N, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Taxi or ride-hailing: agree a pick-up time with your driver, as taxis are hard to find at the park (Sol Salute (opens in a new tab)).
- From Asunción: it is 327 km on PY02 to Ciudad del Este (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)) and the bus takes 5 to 6 hours (Rome2rio (opens in a new tab)). This is not a day trip from the capital: stay overnight in Ciudad del Este or Presidente Franco.
- From Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú: Puerto Iguazú is about 32 km away (C5N, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Since 14 September 2026, private cars may cross the Integration Bridge (Puente de la Integración) only if they belong to border residents with a local transit document, from 7:00 to 13:00 (Paraguay's Foreign Ministry (opens in a new tab)); otherwise use the Friendship Bridge.
What should you bring?
- Cash in guaraníes or US dollars for entry and activities.
- Shoes with good grip: the viewpoint stone stays wet from the mist.
- Water and a hat in summer, a light jacket in winter, when mornings can be foggy.
- ID or passport if you are coming from Brazil or Argentina.
What can you add the same day?
- Hito Tres Fronteras: the viewpoint where the Paraná and Iguazú rivers meet, with Brazil and Argentina across the water, about 3 km from Presidente Franco's centre (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). There is no food on the Paraguayan side (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), so bring a drink and go at sunset.
- Monumento Científico Moisés Bertoni: the Swiss scientist's house-museum, about 16 km south of Presidente Franco (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). It reopened to visitors in January 2025 after four years closed (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Call ahead to confirm days and hours.
For more days in the area, see things to do in Ciudad del Este and family plans in Presidente Franco.
FAQ
How much does Monday Falls cost?
In 2022 the municipal park charged USD 10 for foreigners and G. 25,000 for Paraguayans; a foreign visitor paid USD 12 in August 2024. The lift, zip line and treetop course cost extra.
What are Monday Falls' opening hours?
The municipal park opened from 7:00 until 15:30 in winter and 19:00 in summer (2018); Parque Aventura Monday opened 8:00 to 17:00 (2022). Check before you go.
How do I get to Monday Falls from Ciudad del Este?
By car or taxi, about 25 minutes from the Friendship Bridge via PY02, PY07, Avenida Guaraní and Calle Saltos del Monday. Arrange your return ride in advance.
Can I visit Monday Falls from Foz do Iguaçu?
Yes, it works as a day trip. Without a border-resident document, cross by the Friendship Bridge, since the Integration Bridge is limited for private cars from September 2026.
