In this guide
Santa Rita is a farming town in southern Alto Paraná, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este and 340 km from Asunción, where nearly everything happens along Route PY06 through the centre (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Visitors come for the Túnel Verde, the parish church and, in late April, the Expo; newcomers should first locate the town hall, the hospital and how payments work in a town where Portuguese is heard on the street.
How to get to Santa Rita
- From Asunción: take PY02 and then PY06 south, about 340 km (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- From Ciudad del Este: follow PY02 to km 30 and take PY06 towards Encarnación for about 40 km more (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- PY06 continues to Naranjal and Encarnación, so Santa Rita sits on the way between Alto Paraná and Itapúa.
Where to handle paperwork and shopping
- The centre, along PY06: branches of public and private banks, credit cooperatives, insurers and logistics firms, plus farm-machinery dealers and agricultural input distributors (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)).
- Town hall: Avenida De Los Pioneros between Adela Speratti; phone +595 673 220 470 or +595 673 220 043 (Municipality (opens in a new tab)). Its website posts notices, public accounts and a job board. Call ahead to check opening hours.
- Neighbourhoods: the district has 42, 22 urban and 20 rural; Centro, Esquina Gaucha, Campiña Verde, 14 de Mayo and Karaja are common reference points (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Always ask for a map pin.
Healthcare: where to go
- Hospital Distrital de Santa Rita (Ministry of Health, 10th health region): it has a laboratory and a gynaecology service (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). In September 2025 it was the only hospital in southern Alto Paraná with a 24-hour ambulance; the others ran theirs until 15:00 (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Family health units (USF): the one in the Fulgencio R. Moreno colony ran a "Salud en tu Barrio" day with 185 consultations and services in March 2026 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). If you move here, ask which USF covers your neighbourhood.
Studying and working
There are public and private schools, a branch of the Universidad Nacional del Este and several private universities, one with a medical degree (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). For jobs, check the town hall's job board (opens in a new tab). The economy runs on soy, maize and wheat, and the trade and services that grow with them (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)).
How people pay and which language to use
- QR: in April 2026, 68.1% of electronic payments on the Bancard network were made by QR (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Pix: Bancard merchants can accept Pix from Brazilian accounts (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)); ask first, as not all do.
- Cash: carry guaraníes for small shops and parking.
- Language: Spanish, Guaraní and a lot of Portuguese are spoken (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). Any of the three works.
What to do at the weekend
- Túnel Verde. Almost a kilometre of trees forming a roof over PY06, about 2 km from the centre towards Naranjal, in the 14 de Mayo neighbourhood (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). It is the district's best-known sight (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Park off the road: it carries heavy traffic.
- Parroquia Santa Rita. The patron saint's church, a stop on the municipal tourist circuit (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). 22 May is the patron saint's day, with processions, open-air masses and community lunches (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)).
- Expo Santa Rita. An agribusiness fair at the CTG Indio José grounds, with concerts, rodeo and a funfair (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)); in 2026 it ran from 25 April to 3 May (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Hotels fill up that week.
- Gaúcho culture. Chimarrão and folk shows at the Centros de Tradiciones Gauchas (CTG) (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)).
- Trentina 1875 brewery. A local craft brewery and a stop on the Craft Beer Route (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Message them on social media before going.
- Monday River. There are camping areas and riverside bathing spots (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Day trips
- Saltos del Monday (Presidente Franco): a drop of more than 45 m, trails, viewpoints and a zip line (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)); in 2022 it opened from 8:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Itaipú Dam (Hernandarias): the panoramic tour is free but must be booked in advance in the Itaipu app; buses leave the Visitor Reception Centre at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 10:30, 13:10, 14:00 and 14:30 (ITAIPU via Ahendu, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), and you must show ID or a passport (ITAIPU (opens in a new tab)).
Weather: what to expect
Highs reach 38 °C and lows drop to around 0 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), with summer highs of 31 to 33 °C and rain in every month, 1,800 to 2,000 mm a year (Wikipedia PT (opens in a new tab)). Do errands in the morning, keep an umbrella handy and, if you move here, bring a warm layer for winter nights.
FAQ
Where is Santa Rita, Paraguay?
In southern Alto Paraná, on Route PY06, about 70 km from Ciudad del Este and 340 km from Asunción.
What is there to do in Santa Rita?
See the Túnel Verde on PY06, visit the Parroquia Santa Rita, go to the Expo in late April or early May, and take a day trip to Saltos del Monday or Itaipú.
Is there a hospital with emergency care in Santa Rita?
Yes, the Ministry of Health's Hospital Distrital de Santa Rita. In September 2025 it was the only hospital in southern Alto Paraná with a 24-hour ambulance.
Is Portuguese spoken in Santa Rita?
Yes. Alongside Spanish and Guaraní, Portuguese is widely spoken because much of the population is of Brazilian origin.
