Ybycuí National Park

Ybycuí National Park, in the Paraguayan Atlantic Forest ecoregion, is a fusion of mountain ranges with rich crystalline streams and magnificent waterfalls, located about two and a half hours from Asuncion. A vista and the Guaran and Escondido waterfalls with cascades 10-12 meters high are accessible through trails. Both waterfalls are surrounded by thick flora and cascade over rocks covered in ferns, lichens, and other plant species. s.

Within the park stands La Rosada, one of the first, if not the first, iron foundries in South America. La Rosada, built in the late 1850s, was an important part of Carlos Antonio Lopez's big strategic plan for Paraguay's development and industrialization. All of the raw materials for the building and daily functioning of La Rosada came from the forests of what is now the Ybycui National Park. During the Triple Alliance War, much of the foundry was destroyed.

La Rosada has been partially repaired, and the former workers' quarters have been converted into a museum, which houses an interesting collection of the foundry's products. The park's entrance fee is around 1 EURO, and it is open every day from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.