In this guide
In Trinidad, the main event is the Jesuit Mission of Santísima Trinidad del Paraná: walk it slowly by day and, if you can stay, come back after dark for the light-and-sound tour, which uses the same ticket. Spend the rest of the day at Itá Cajón park, the quarry that supplied the mission's stone, and at the sister mission of Jesús de Tavarangüé, about 12 km away.
What to see inside the Trinidad mission
Founded in 1706 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)), the mission sits on Route PY06 at about km 31 (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab)). It is the largest and best-preserved Guaraní reduction in Paraguay (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
- The main church and the great plaza. The heart of the mission town; look for the stone carvings made by Guaraní craftsmen under Jesuit direction (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Workshops, school, orchard and houses. The rest of the town, plus the cemetery and the bell tower beside the first church (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab)).
- The small on-site museum (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
Allow one to two hours. Guided tours last 40 minutes to an hour and run first come, first served, with no booking (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). There is little written information on site, so read up on Jesuit history before you go (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Craft sellers sometimes set up just outside the fence.
Tickets and opening hours
In April 2026 the Itapúa missions ticket cost G. 40,000 for foreigners, G. 25,000 for Paraguayans and G. 12,500 for Paraguayans aged 66+; children up to 12 go free (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). It is valid for 72 hours, covers both the day and night visits, and also gets you into Jesús and San Cosme y Damián (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Bring your passport or ID. You cannot buy a Trinidad-only ticket (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
The site opens daily at 7:00 and closes at 19:00 in summer and between 17:00 and 17:30 in winter (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab); Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
What is the night light-and-sound tour like?
It is the reason to sleep nearby. It runs Wednesday to Sunday, at 19:00 in winter and 21:00 in summer (Pilgrimaps (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). You walk the dark ruins with lighting, ambient sound and scenes of mission life, with members of the local indigenous community taking part (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Times change on holidays and over Christmas and New Year (Última Hora, 2021 (opens in a new tab)), so ask at the ticket office when you buy your day ticket.
In town: Itá Cajón and the lookout
- Itá Cajón ecological park. The old Jesuit quarry in the centre of Trinidad, source of about 80% of the mission's stone (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). In April 2026 entry was G. 15,000 from age 13 and G. 5,000 for ages 5–12 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Paseo de los Mitos. In the Itá Cajón amphitheatre, wood and stone carvings of Guaraní mythical figures such as the Kurupi, Jasy Jatere and Luisõ (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). Good with kids.
- Lookout. According to Última Hora (2018) (opens in a new tab), a two-storey lookout near Itá Cajón, at the district's highest point, looks over the Trinidad and Jesús missions and has a telescope for stargazing.
Getting to Jesús de Tavarangüé from Trinidad
Jesús is about 12 km away (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Its church was left unfinished when the Jesuits were expelled (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)), and at night there is 3D video mapping on the ruins (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
Without a car, take the left-hand road at the highway junction. Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab) (2023 prices) lists a moto-taxi at about G. 30,000 that takes up to four people, and a small bus roughly every hour from the service station on the highway just east of the Trinidad turn-off. Pack lunch and eat in the old plaza at Jesús.
Getting there and where to stay
Trinidad is about 30 km from Encarnación on PY06 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From the bus terminal take any bus to Ciudad del Este, Santa Rita or Buena Vista, ask for Trinidad, and walk about 500 m up the road on the right; the ride takes about 45 minutes. Return buses stop at the shelter across the road (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
There are a few places to eat on the street between the highway and the ruins, and free camping near the mission: ask when you buy your ticket (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). If you prefer a hotel, base yourself in Encarnación and come back for the night tour. Summers are hot, so do the day visit early with a hat and water.
Want just a timed plan with buses? See the Trinidad day trip. For the base city, see things to do in Encarnación.
FAQ
How much does the Trinidad ruins ticket cost?
In April 2026 it was G. 40,000 for foreigners, G. 25,000 for Paraguayans and G. 12,500 for Paraguayans aged 66+, with children up to 12 free. It is valid for 72 hours and includes Jesús and San Cosme y Damián.
When is the Trinidad night tour?
Wednesday to Sunday, at 19:00 in winter and 21:00 in summer. Times change on holidays, so check at the ticket office.
What else is there in Trinidad besides the mission?
Itá Cajón park, the old quarry for the mission's stone, with the Paseo de los Mitos carvings and a nearby lookout. The Jesús de Tavarangüé mission is about 12 km away.
How long do you need at the mission?
One to two hours. The guided tour lasts 40 minutes to an hour and needs no booking.
