In this guide
Pedro Juan Caballero works well in two days: one in town, around Laguna Punta Porã, the border history museum and the Avenida Internacional that separates it from Ponta Porã in Brazil, and one at Cerro Corá National Park, where Paraguay's great 19th-century war ended. With half a day more, add the Chacurrú adventure park or the parks on the Brazilian side.
Day 1: the city and the border on foot
Laguna Punta Porã. The city's symbol: a lake of about 18,850 m² lined with lapacho and quebracho trees; legend says whoever walks all the way round stays in Pedro Juan for good (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go early or at sunset.
Julio César Álvarez Sosa gallery. At Natalicio Talavera 604 and Aquidabán, two blocks from the lake, with work by Paraguayan and foreign artists, much of it made from recycled materials. In 2016 it opened daily 8:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
Casa Museo de la Historia de la Frontera. At Mariscal López and José de Jesús Martínez, about 100 metres from the border line: objects, photos and documents on the city and the War of the Triple Alliance, from historian Sacha Aníbal Cardona's collection. Entry was free in 2016 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). It sets you up for Cerro Corá the next day.
Avenida Internacional Dr. Francia. The dry border: Pedro Juan on one side, Ponta Porã on the other, with no river or bridge (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Electronics and phone shops cluster downtown (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), and Shopping China is one of the landmark stores, busy with Brazilian shoppers (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab); Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Avoid Brazilian holidays if you want it calm.
Dinner at Amambay Hotel Casino. On Avenida Dr. Francia at José Berges (Hotels.com (opens in a new tab)), with a Mediterranean restaurant open to non-guests, a bar with live shows Tuesday to Sunday, and a casino (InfoNegocios, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Day 2: Cerro Corá National Park
The park protects about 5,600 hectares and saw the last battle of the War of the Triple Alliance on 1 March 1870 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is about 35 km from town on Route PY05, according to Última Hora (opens in a new tab).
- History trail: starts at the visitor centre, which has a museum, and passes the spot where Marshal Francisco Solano López died, the monument and his grave (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- Cerro Muralla trail: about 7 km, with panoramic views from the top (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Start early and bring water.
- Rock art: caves with pre-Columbian paintings, one of the most visited sights (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Aquidabán River: riverside recreation areas; camping was free in 2016 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the visitor centre before pitching a tent.
Half a day more: Chacurrú or Ponta Porã
Chacurrú. A private reserve of about 25 hectares in Colonia Fortuna Guazú, some 15 km from the centre, with waterfalls, a zipline, suspension bridges, a 30 m rappel beside the main waterfall, and camping (Última Hora, 2016 (opens in a new tab); InfoNegocios, 2019 (opens in a new tab)). Published prices are old, so call ahead to confirm rates and opening.
The Brazilian side. Parque Estadual dos Ervais is Ponta Porã's big urban park, and the Museu da Erva-Mate tells the story of the yerba mate trade (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Campo Grande News (opens in a new tab)). Just cross the avenue.
When to go
- Sale weeks: Crazy Week (25–28 June in 2026) and Black Friday Frontera (18–20 September in 2026) pack the city (ABC Color (opens in a new tab); ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Days before Black Friday most of the roughly 2,000 hotel rooms were already booked (Prensa Mercosur (opens in a new tab)). If you are not shopping, avoid those dates.
- August: Exporã, Ponta Porã's agricultural fair (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Weather: frequent night fog, strong summer storms and persistent winter drizzle (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Pack a jacket for June to August.
Getting there
- By bus: from Asunción's bus terminal via routes PY09 and PY05 through Concepción, about 9 hours (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- By car: about 452 km, via PY05 from Concepción or PY17 from Salto del Guairá (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- By air: Dr. Augusto Roberto Fuster airport is about 20 km from the centre, with weekday flights to Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- From Brazil: Ponta Porã adjoins the city; the border is the avenue itself.
Money and shopping at the border
- Guaraníes, reais and dollars all circulate (Smargiassi (opens in a new tab)); ask which currency a price is in and what exchange rate applies.
- Shops on the Bancard network can accept Pix from Brazilian customers (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)).
- Ask for an invoice (factura) with every purchase (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Returning to Brazil overland, the duty-free allowance is US$500 per person, individual and non-transferable (Receita Federal (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
What is there to see in Pedro Juan Caballero?
Laguna Punta Porã, the Casa Museo de la Historia de la Frontera, the Avenida Internacional border with Ponta Porã and, about 35 km away, Cerro Corá National Park.
How long does it take from Asunción to Pedro Juan Caballero?
It is about 452 km; the bus from Asunción's terminal takes around 9 hours. There are also weekday flights.
What can you do at Cerro Corá?
Follow the history trail from the visitor centre to where Solano López died, hike about 7 km to Cerro Muralla, see caves with rock paintings and relax by the Aquidabán River.
When should I avoid Pedro Juan Caballero?
During sale weeks such as Crazy Week (June) and Black Friday Frontera (September), when hotels fill up, unless you are going to shop.
