In this guide
In San Cosme y Damián, in southern Itapúa, the things to do are: walk the Jesuit mission, look at the sky at the Buenaventura Suárez Astronomy Centre (a solar telescope by day, night telescopes after dark), follow the forest trail of the Mbya Guaraní Pindó community, and spend the hottest hours at the municipal beach on the Paraná. That fills a day; if you add the night session, sleep in a village guesthouse.
History: what to look for at the Jesuit mission
The reduction was founded in 1632 and, after moving four times, settled on its current site in 1718 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Don't miss:
- The Jesuit college, the best-preserved building on the site.
- The church, damaged by fire in 1899 and restored in 1977. Mass is still held on Sundays, so a Sunday visit shows it in use.
- The 22 carved wooden statues, the sundial and the cistern (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
The Jesuit Buenaventura Suárez worked here as an astronomer in the early 1700s; the astronomy centre next door is named after him. There is no separate museum (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so the explanations come at the astronomy centre.
The sky: Buenaventura Suárez Astronomy Centre
It opened on 24 March 2010 within the mission grounds. It has a multimedia room on Guaraní beliefs about the stars, a gnomon that marks solstices and equinoxes, a "galactic slide", a miniature solar system, an armillary sphere, a planetarium and an observatory with one solar and two night telescopes (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
According to ABC Color (January 2025):
- Day visits: every day 7:00–19:30, with the solar telescope.
- Night visits: every day 19:30–21:00, with the night telescopes.
- Entry: G. 40,000 foreigners, G. 25,000 Paraguayans, G. 12,500 over-65s, free up to age 12. Also valid for 72 hours at Trinidad and Jesús (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Tip: check the forecast; under cloud, the night visit loses its best part.
River and nature
- Municipal beach. Clear water, paths, benches, toilets, parking and grills to rent, with free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2020 (opens in a new tab)). In summer, Paraguay's Health Ministry advises outdoor activity before 10:00 or after 17:00 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)), so find shade at midday.
- Fish-farming station. Raises fry of native species such as boga, pacú, surubí, dorado, river salmon and sábalo to restock the rivers (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). A good stop with kids.
- Kurupa'y trail, in the Yacyretá binational entity's Guasu Puku nature reserve, with native animals carved in sandstone, benches and signs (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Atinguy wildlife refuge, also Yacyretá's, on the road towards Ayolas, with local mammals, birds and reptiles; the favourite is Chiqui, a jaguar (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
What about the dunes? They are gone: in July 2023 they went under water (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). The full story is in San Cosme dunes under water.
Mbya culture: the Pindó community
The Mbya Guaraní Pindó circuit is a forest trail where you learn about traditional medicine, hunting traps, seeds and wild yerba mate, ending with woven and wooden crafts and a tasting of traditional food (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2020 (opens in a new tab)). UN Tourism also mentions craft demonstrations and a performance by the Teko Marae'y choir (UN Tourism (opens in a new tab)). Bring cash for crafts and shoes for the forest path.
Where to stay and when to go
- Village guesthouses (posadas turísticas). UN Tourism counts 15: family homes where you sleep and eat traditional dishes made with vegetables from their organic gardens (UN Tourism (opens in a new tab)). The easiest way to stay for the night session without driving in the dark.
- Fish Festival. Held every year by the riverside fishermen's association (UN Tourism (opens in a new tab)); in 2025 it fell on the long weekend in September, with river dishes and family activities (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Check this year's date with the municipality.
Getting there
San Cosme is 87 km from Encarnación and 53 km from Ayolas (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)), and about 330 km from Asunción (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). A 25 km paved access road leaves Route PY01, and buses run from Encarnación, Ciudad del Este and Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). To choose a starting point and plan the day, see our San Cosme y Damián day trip.
FAQ
What is there to do in San Cosme y Damián?
Walk the Jesuit mission, visit the Buenaventura Suárez Astronomy Centre by day or night, do the Pindó Mbya community trail and spend the afternoon at the municipal beach.
What time is stargazing in San Cosme?
According to ABC Color (January 2025), night visits run every day from 19:30 to 21:00 with the night telescopes.
How much does the San Cosme y Damián mission cost?
According to ABC Color (January 2025): G. 40,000 foreigners, G. 25,000 Paraguayans, G. 12,500 over-65s, free up to 12. Valid 72 hours at Trinidad and Jesús too.
Is there anywhere to stay in San Cosme y Damián?
Yes, the town has guesthouses in family homes (posadas turísticas); UN Tourism counts 15.
