In this guide
You can tour the Yacyretá Dam for free from Ayolas, a river town in the Misiones department about 305 km south of Asunción on Route PY01. You book at the visitor center run by the Entidad Binacional Yacyretá (EBY), the Paraguay–Argentina agency that operates the dam, then ride the agency's buses with a guide. Plan to arrive in the morning: tours leave early, and the rest of the day fits a museum, a wildlife refuge and a river beach.
How to book and when tours run
All EBY tourist circuits are free. In January 2026, ABC Color reported they run every day from 07:00 to 15:00 and that the visitor center answers on +595 987 210001 (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). A December 2024 report says plant tours leave between 07:00 and 13:00, always booked ahead at the reception center, then on EBY buses (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Message or call the day before and ask for your group's departure time.
- Arrive early at the reception center in Villa Permanente.
- Bring ID: the EBY has asked for an identity document, and minors without one entered with a birth certificate (Última Hora, 2010 (opens in a new tab)). Foreign visitors: carry your passport.
- Large groups (schools, companies) should send a note in advance listing names and ID numbers.
What the tour shows you
The Yacyretá hydroelectric plant sits on Yasyretá island in the main channel of the Paraná, with 20 turbines and 3,200 MW of installed capacity (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). The guided circuit covers:
- The plant and its powerhouse, about 808 m long, with fish lifts at each end (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- The navigation lock next to the plant, which works day and night.
- The Aña Cuá branch works, about 32 km away (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- A panoramic view of the vegetated dunes and the island lagoons (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Tip: grab a window seat on the bus, since much of the tour is viewpoints.
More to do in Ayolas after the tour
Museo Histórico Ambiental. In Villa Permanente, founded in 1984 with finds from the dam works: pre-Columbian pieces used by the Mbya Guaraní, mounted animals such as the marsh deer and maned wolf, and relics of old Ayolas. Open 07:00–15:00 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)), with a free guided visit (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). It is close to the reception center, so slot it in before or after the bus.
Refugio Faunístico Atinguy. EBY's wildlife refuge, about 12–13 km from the Ayolas turn-off on the road to San Cosme y Damián. It keeps mammals, birds and reptiles from the region; the star is Chiqui, a jaguar rescued in the Chaco about 18 years ago (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Over Easter 2023 it opened 08:00–15:00 with guided rounds at 08:00, 09:00, 10:30 and 13:00; you need your own vehicle, and food, alcohol, pets, loud music and camping are not allowed (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Phone: +595 72 222 276 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Akuti Po'i trail. A 2,700 m trail on Yasyretá island led by EBY staff, with sandstone carvings of Guaraní myth figures (Jasy Jatere, Kurupi, Teju Jagua) beside springs (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Ask when booking whether it is open, and wear closed shoes and bring water and repellent.
Plaza de los Pescadores. At the entrance to the San José Mí, Santa Rosa de Lima and San Antonio neighborhoods, with statues of a dorado, a pacú and a surubí: the town's classic photo stop (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
River beaches for the afternoon
- Playa San José Mí: camping, grills, outdoor gym equipment and a big playground; boat rides and horseback rides too (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Playa municipal Corateí: about 12 km from town, with camping, electricity, toilets and space to grill fish (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Swimming areas are marked with buoys and watched by lifeguards and the naval prefecture (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Stay inside them: the Paraná has a current.
What to eat
Ayolas is a fishing town, and most visitors come for dorado (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Try pira chyryry (fried fish), declared national intangible cultural heritage, plus surubí milanesa, boga empanadas or bagre stew (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Restaurants and inns in town cook mostly river fish.
Getting there and when to go
- By car from Asunción: about 305 km south on Route PY01 (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). With a morning tour, sleeping in Ayolas the night before is the easy option.
- Around Ayolas: you need your own vehicle for the refuge and EBY reserves (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Weather: summer highs reach 41 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Do the dam early, rest through the midday heat and hit the beach late afternoon.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Yacyretá Dam?
Nothing. All EBY tourist circuits in Ayolas are free, but you must book ahead at the visitor reception center.
What are the Yacyretá tour hours?
In January 2026 the circuits ran daily from 07:00 to 15:00, with plant tours leaving between 07:00 and 13:00. Confirm your slot on +595 987 210001.
Where does the Yacyretá tour start?
At the EBY Visitor Reception Center in Villa Permanente, Ayolas. Agency buses take groups to the plant with a guide.
Can I see the Atinguy wildlife refuge the same day?
Yes. It is about 12–13 km from the Ayolas turn-off on the road to San Cosme y Damián, and you need your own vehicle.
