How to Visit Saltos del Monday, Paraguay

Eleanor Roosevelt famously declared “Poor Niagara!” when she first saw Iguazu Falls, but I have to say “Poor Monday!”

Because if it weren’t for the powerful Iguazu Falls stealing their thunder, los Saltos del Monday would be a major destination.

It’s hard to be next door neighbors with one of the world’s new 7 natural wonders.

But if you have extra time in your itinerary after exploring Iguazu in Argentina and Iguazu in Brazil, why not add in a third country and discover Paraguay’s Monday Falls?

A lot of travelers and passport stamp collectors hop across the Paraguayan border here to Ciudad del Este for a bit of shopping.

But I wanted to see something more beautiful than a mall and was convinced Paraguay MUST have something to offer, and boy did it.

Here’s how to plan your day trip to Monday Falls in Paraguay.

How to Get to Monday Falls, Paraguay

Planning how to get to Monday Falls depends on where you’re coming from.

We were staying in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina and chose the easy way – going to Paraguay for the day with a private driver or taxi.

It isn’t the cheapest option and will probably cost give or take $100 US for the day depending on your itinerary but I feel like is more than worth it for the convenience.

Guillermo de la Rosa was our driver for our entire Iguazu stay and I highly recommend him. He speaks English and you can reach out to him on WhatsApp: +5493757673892

Guillermo picked us up at our hotel and we crossed from Argentina into Brazil and then from Brazil we drove across the bridge to Ciudad del Este.

From Ciudad del Este it’s just a 15 minute drive to Monday Falls.

For our day we left bright and early at 8 am and didn’t get back to our hotel until 5 pm.

We spent the morning in Ciudad del Este doing a bit of shopping (curiosity killed the cat) then the entire afternoon at Monday Falls (which included a very long, lazy lunch).

You could skip Ciudad del Este’s shopping and try to combine Monday Falls with your visit to Brazil’s side of Iguazu Falls. If you do go that route, go with a taxi or driver to manage it.

This personalized private tour is another option for a full day in Paraguay including shopping and the falls.

WHEN TO VISIT MONDAY FALLS? Hot tip from our driver, going on a Sunday will save you a LOT of time in immigration in and out of Ciudad del Este. We flew through with no line on a Sunday and the shopping centers were also empty. If you can go on a Sunday you’ll have the most efficient experience.

Ferry to Monday Falls from Argentina

Another option is to take the ferry (balsa) from Puerto Iguazu to Paraguay.

You can go as a pedestrian or with a driver you’ve hired for the day and their car.

Going with a car requires you to pay for the car and each passenger separately but even then it is very cheap at around a few dollars (at the moment just 4,000 pesos) per person. For a car (as of August 2024) the fee is 12,000 pesos (10 dollars).

Check their website for information but for the most accurate information it would be best to go in person.

The terminal is just down the hill from the Hito 3 Fronteras monument and the boat will leave at regular intervals each hour in theory, but in reality they will wait until they have enough passengers to fill it.

And while going on your own via ferry for $3 US is extremely tempting, it’s unlikely you’ll find a taxi when you get to the other side since the ferry goes to Presidente Franco (versus busier Ciudad del Este).

It’s best to go with your own driver, and ask if they’d prefer to go by balsa or via Brazil like we did.

Read next: Things to do in Iguazu Falls

TIP: Our driver told us you (being them, the driver) cannot enter Paraguay by the ferry and return by land/the bridge. If they enter one way, they must exit that way. If you pick one way with a driver, you’ll finish your day the same way

How to get to Saltos del Monday from Brazil

To get to Monday Falls from Foz do Iguacu in Brazil is a bit easier than from Argentina since you’re close the bridge connecting the two countries.

I still recommend going a tour like this or hiring a driver to simplify your life, but if you’re on a budget or want to go on your own you can.

One option would be to take an Uber or taxi to the bridge and to walk across its pedestrian path. Be sure to go through immigration for both Brazil and Paraguay.

Once in Ciudad del Este you can use Uber or find a taxi to get to the falls.

Arrange a pick up time with your taxi to come get you as you won’t be able to get a taxi as easily once you are out at Monday Falls.

You can also take a bus from Foz do Iguaçu to Ciudad del Este, check Rome2Rio for schedules and companies. But to risk sounding like a broken record, it will be easier to just hire a taxi.

Saltos del Monday, Paraguay: Know Before You Go

First, know that it isn’t pronounced Monday like the day of the week. It is pronounced Monda-oo.

These falls played a mythological role for the local Guarani natives and we even saw people having what seemed to be a religious experience while we were there, cleansing themselves at the falls with open arms.

Here are a few must know details to know before you go:

• Monday Falls are in Presidente Franco, just to the south of Ciudad del Este. It took us 15 minutes to drive there from the border.
• The park is open daily (Monday-Sunday) from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Entrance costs $12 US for foreigners, $6 for children under 12 and citizens of neighboring cities.
• It was cash only. No credit or debit cards were accepted so bring US dollars with you (or pay in local Paraguayan currency). I’ve seen older blog posts say they could pay with a card, but they wouldn’t let us. Come prepared with cash, just in case.
• Their official website and Instagram page are both helpful.

If visiting after Iguazu, the park will feel very small but it is beautiful and being nearly alone here away from the crowds made for a very unique experience.

There is a short walk through the park and by the river to reach the viewpoint of the falls. It leads you to the top edge of the falls and then there is an elevator to the bottom of the falls.

There are two places to eat in the park – a snack bar at the upper viewpoint and a nicer restaurant just above. Like the entrance for the park it was cash only so come prepared.

We couldn’t resist eating at the park since the views were unbeatable and there was basically no one here.

The menu at the snack bar was actually had a lot more to offer than the restaurant, Acqua, so we headed back down there to order a picada (snack tray) of local Paraguayan dishes which we enjoyed directly on the viewing platform of the falls.

It was also very affordable. We spent under $25 US for a platter that fed us three adults, a milanesa for my toddler, 3 sodas and 2 beers. But note that service was slow.

Unless you order a quick to fry Milanesa expect to wait 30 minutes for your food. At least the view made it worth it, we just relaxed with a drink.

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Parque Aventura Monday: Adventure park & Viewpoint

Parque Aventura Monday is an amusement/nature park just up the hill from the main Monday Falls park.

It’s definitely worth visiting to see another view of Saltos del Monday from afar.

After our long lazy lunch we didn’t have enough time, dollars, or energy left. I have to admit to a bit of regret now, after the fact. But you can’t do it all.

This park costs another $13 US for adults, $6 US for kids (but 5 and under are free). I’ve read cards are accepted but their website isn’t clear, bring cash just in case.

There are a lot of activities here from ziplining to water rafting on the river. For the smaller travelers there’s a playground and for all of us, there’s a restaurant on the grounds.

There are two viewing platforms to see Monday Falls from afar, giving you a more panoramic view than the up close and personal view you get at the falls’ official park.

Plan your Iguazu Trip

Keep reading about the area to plan your Iguazu Falls itinerary.

• A Practical Guide to Iguazu Falls, Brazil Side
• A Practical Guide to Iguazu Falls, Argentina Side
• Where to Stay in Iguazu Falls
• How to get from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls
• Los Saltos del Mocona: A Guide to Argentina’s Mocona Falls
• Exploring Misiones: A Northeast Argentina Road Trip Itinerary
• 9 Things to Know Before Going to Misiones, Argentina