📌Department
Cerro Corá National Park is in the department of Amambay, in northeastern Paraguay, within the Amambay range, not far from the city of Pedro Juan Caballero and the border with Brazil. It's one of the most emblematic national parks in the country, for its dual condition as a protected natural area and a historic site: here, on March 1, 1870, Marshal Francisco Solano López fell, ending the War of the Triple Alliance.
📌Service city
The nearest service city is Pedro Juan Caballero, capital of Amambay, on the border with Brazil, where hotels, shops, restaurants and services are concentrated. From there you reach the park by road. The northern region in general can also be used as a base. The park has public-use and administration areas, but it's worth bringing supplies and water, since the offering of services within the park is limited.
📌Best time to go
The best time to visit is autumn and winter (April to September), with milder, drier weather, ideal for hiking and outdoor tours, and with roads in better condition. Summer is hot and humid. The park has special patriotic significance around March 1 (Heroes' Day), the date of Marshal López's death, when commemorations are held; it's worth keeping this in mind when planning the visit.
📌Suggested days
With half a day to a day you can tour the park's main historic sites (memorials and monuments tied to Marshal López's death and the end of the war) and do some trails to appreciate the nature: hills, savannas, forests and, at some points, petroglyphs. It's worth combining the visit with nearby Pedro Juan Caballero and, with more time, integrating it into a tour of the north of the country and the Amambay region.
📌Hours
Open every day, 7:00 to 17:00 h (source: MADES, verified July 2026). Administered by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades).
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🌤️ Clima en Cerro Corá National Park
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Cerro Corá National Park is one of the most important and moving places in Paraguay. Located in the Amambay range, in the northeast of the country, not far from Pedro Juan Caballero, this park brings together two great values in a single space: that of nature —with its characteristic hills, savannas, forests and watercourses— and that of history, for it was here that the last and tragic chapter of the War of the Triple Alliance was written.
On March 1, 1870, in these hills, Marshal Francisco Solano López, president and commander of the Paraguayan forces, fell in combat, ending the war that devastated the country. That's why Cerro Corá is a sacred site for the national memory, a place of homage to the heroes and of reflection on one of the most painful episodes in South American history. The date is commemorated as Heroes' Day.
This guide covers Cerro Corá National Park with a practical eye: what this place means in Paraguayan history, what to see among its memorials and its natural landscapes, how to get there from Pedro Juan Caballero, what trails and attractions it offers, and how to combine the visit with the north of the country. A destination that unites respect for memory with the beauty of the nature of Amambay.
📖 History of Cerro Corá National Park
Cerro Corá is, above all, a place of historical memory. In this spot of the Amambay range, on March 1, 1870, Marshal Francisco Solano López, president of Paraguay and commander of its army, was reached and died in combat, in the final act of the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870). With his death, that war against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay ended, leaving the country ravaged and with an enormous loss of population. For its significance, the date of March 1 is commemorated in Paraguay as Heroes' Day. In 1976 the area was declared a national park, protecting both the historic sites —memorials and monuments of the end of the war— and a valuable natural setting of hills, savannas and forests of Amambay, which also holds petroglyphs of native peoples. The full history is on our history page.
Read the full history →🗺️ What to see
1
Historic site of Marshal López's death
The place where Francisco Solano López fell on March 1, 1870, the symbolic heart of the park and of the national memory.
The historic heart of the park is the site where Marshal Francisco Solano López fell in combat on March 1, 1870, ending the War of the Triple Alliance. It's the most meaning-laden place in Paraguay, a space of homage and patriotic memory that each year receives visits, commemorations and pilgrimages, especially around Heroes' Day.
In the area are memorials and monuments recalling the marshal and those who fell in that final episode of the war. Paraguayan tradition associates this place with the last words attributed to López —'I die with my homeland'—, which became a symbol of resistance and national sacrifice. Touring the site, reading the plaques and understanding what happened here lets you glimpse one of the most dramatic chapters of the country's history.
Getting there: within the park, accessible via its internal roads. Best time: year-round; especially significant around March 1. Tips: it's worth going with a guide or prior information to understand the historical context; during the March commemorations the place fills with visitors and official ceremonies. It's the central visit of the park, which gives meaning to the whole.
ℹ️ Location: Within the park, accessible via the internal roads · Best time: Year-round; especially significant around March 1 (Heroes' Day) · Admission: Included in general admission (adults Gs. 20,000; source: MADES, verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2
Memorials and historic monuments of the park
The set of monuments, symbolic tombs and plaques that honor the heroes of the War of the Triple Alliance.
Besides the specific site of the marshal's death, the park houses a set of memorials, monuments and plaques that make up a true space of homage to the heroes of the War of the Triple Alliance. These elements —erected at different times— pay tribute to López and to the Paraguayan soldiers who fought and died in that war that decimated the country.
Touring this set lets you understand the patriotic dimension of the place: Cerro Corá is not just a historical setting, but a site of national identity, where Paraguay honors its memory and reflects on the enormous cost of the war. The monuments are usually located at significant points of the landscape, integrating with the hills and the savanna that serve as a natural frame.
Getting there: within the park, around the historic area. Best time: year-round. Tips: take your time to read the plaques and understand the meaning of each monument; combine the historical tour with the nature trails. The solemnity of the place invites a respectful, reflective visit.
ℹ️ Location: Historic area of the park · Best time: Year-round · Admission: Included in general admission to the park · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
3
Hills and landscapes of the Amambay range
The characteristic hills, savannas and forests that give the park its natural beauty and its name.
Cerro Corá is not only history: it's also a park of notable natural beauty. It's nestled in the Amambay range, a chain of hills of particular shapes that rise over savannas and forests, forming a singular landscape within Paraguay. The name 'Cerro Corá' (which evokes a 'corral of hills' in allusion to the way the heights surround a valley) describes its geography very well.
The hills, the savanna plains, the forests and the watercourses that cross the park create diverse environments, home to wildlife and flora typical of northern Paraguay. The natural viewpoints offered by the heights let you appreciate the breadth of the landscape, and the combination of relief, vegetation and water makes the park an attractive place for those who enjoy nature and grand panoramas.
Getting there: within the park, touring its roads and trails. Best time: autumn and winter for the milder weather; the morning for better light and temperatures. Tips: bring water, sun protection, a hat and suitable footwear; the landscape invites walking and photographing. Combine the hills with the historical dimension of the park for a complete visit.
ℹ️ Location: Amambay range, within the park · Best time: Autumn and winter (April to September); the morning for the light and the weather · Admission: Included in general admission · Duration: Half a day
4
Trails and wildlife of the park
The park's trails and paths for observing the nature, wildlife and flora of Amambay.
The park has trails and paths that let you tour its different environments —hills, savannas, forests and watercourse banks— on foot, in direct contact with the nature of northern Paraguay. These tours combine the historical interest with the chance to observe wildlife and flora typical of the Amambay region.
Among the wildlife you can find woodland and savanna birds, mammals and reptiles characteristic of these ecosystems, while the vegetation varies between the open savanna grasslands, the forests and the hill vegetation. For lovers of nature and birdwatching, the park offers a calm setting of great ecological value, an ideal complement to its historical dimension.
Getting there: within the park, following the open trails. Best time: autumn and winter for the weather; early morning for wildlife watching. Tips: ask the park administration which trails are open and whether it's best to go with a guide; bring repellent, water, a hat and trekking footwear. Respect the protected-area rules and leave no litter.
ℹ️ Location: The park's open trails · Best time: Autumn and winter; early in the morning for wildlife watching · Admission: Included in general admission to the park · Duration: Half a day
5
Petroglyphs and traces of the native peoples
The rock carvings of the park, testimony of the presence of indigenous peoples in the region.
Beyond the recent history, Cerro Corá also holds much older traces: the park houses petroglyphs, that is, rock carvings made on the stone by native peoples who inhabited the region long before the war and the arrival of the Europeans. These archaeological remains add a deeper layer of time to the meaning of the place.
The petroglyphs are testimony of the long human occupation of the Amambay range and of the life of the indigenous communities that left their symbols and representations on the stone. For the visitor, they're a chance to connect with a remote past and to understand that these hills were significant for different cultures across the centuries.
Getting there: at the marked sites of the park; it's worth asking about their location and accessibility at the administration. Best time: autumn and winter for the weather. Tips: to visit the petroglyphs it's usually advisable to go with a guide, who helps locate and interpret them; respect the carvings without touching or damaging them, as they are fragile archaeological heritage. Check at the destination which sites are open to visits.
ℹ️ Location: Marked sites of the park; ask about the location at the administration · Best time: Autumn and winter (April to September) · Admission: Included in general admission; advisable to go with a guide · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
6
Camping and camping area of the park
The area open for camping within the park, ideal for extending the visit and enjoying the night sky of Amambay.
Cerro Corá National Park has a camping area open by the administration, an attractive option for those who want to extend the visit beyond daytime hours and enjoy the tranquility of the place at sunset and at night, far from the light pollution of the cities. It's an interesting alternative for adventure travelers and for those who visit the park during the Heroes' Day commemorations or a long weekend.
The camping has basic services administered by Mades; it's worth bringing your own gear (tent, mat, warm clothing for the night, since temperatures drop considerably in winter) and coordinating the booking in advance, especially on high-demand dates.
Getting there: within the park, in the area designated for camping. Best time: autumn and winter (cool nights, clear skies). Tips: book in advance in high season; bring warm clothing for the night and respect the protected-area rules on fire and litter.
ℹ️ Location: Designated camping area within the park · Best time: Autumn and winter (cool nights, clear skies) · Admission: Camping Gs. 20,000 per night per person (2025; check when booking with Mades) · Duration: 1 night or more
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| General admission to Cerro Corá National Park (adults, 18+) | Gs. 20,000 per person (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Admission for children (11-17 years) | Gs. 5,000 (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Vehicle — car | Gs. 15,000 (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Vehicle — combi/van | Gs. 35,000 (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Vehicle — motorcycle | Gs. 5,000 (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Vehicle — bus | Gs. 60,000 (source: MADES, verified July 2026) |
| Camping (per night) | Gs. 20,000 per person (2025; check when booking with Mades) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Historical tour of the memorials of the end of the war | Included in general admission (G. 20,000, 2025) | Half a day | Park administration (Mades) / local guides |
| Hiking and nature observation in the hills | Included in general admission (G. 20,000, 2025) | Half a day | Independent visit or local guides from Pedro Juan Caballero |
| Guided visit to the petroglyphs | US$ 15–25 per person with a specialized guide (2025; check when you visit) | 1-2 h | Local guides of the Amambay region |
| Bird and wildlife watching in Amambay | US$ 20–35 per person with a nature guide (2025) | Half a day | Local nature guides |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
| Mode | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| Private or rental car | Parking G. 15,000 (car, 2025) | Variable | The most practical way to reach the park from Pedro Juan Caballero and to get around its internal roads |
| Taxi or hired transfer | About G. 60,000–100,000 round trip from Pedro Juan Caballero, in cash (2025; check when you visit) | Variable | An option for those who don't drive; hired from Pedro Juan Caballero. There's no Uber/Bolt in the region or transport app covering the trip to the park (Moovit/Google Maps don't map it); it's coordinated by phone or at the taxi rank. The long-distance bus that goes to Concepción/Asunción can drop you at the access on the road, but it's worth arranging the return |
| Organized excursions | US$ 30–50 per person (full day with transport and guide, 2025) | Half a day to a day | Agencies and guides of the region offer excursions that include transport and a tour of the park |
| On foot along the park's trails | Free (included in admission) | Variable | Within the park, the historic and natural sites are toured on foot along the open trails |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Pedro Juan Caballero → Cerro Corá National Park by road | Private car, taxi or organized excursion | About G. 60,000–100,000 by taxi round trip (2025) | Short trip by road from the city (about 30-40 km) |
| Asunción → Pedro Juan Caballero (bus) | NASA (Nueva Asunción S.A.), La Santaniana, La Ovetense and others | About US$ 19–26 (2025; check when you visit) | About 6 to 7 h 20 min |
| Concepción → Amambay region → Cerro Corá | Regional services and transfers | About US$ 10–20 by bus depending on company (2025) | Depending on the route through the north of the country (about 3 to 4 hours from Concepción) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
| Category | Price | Recommended options |
|---|
| Lodging in Pedro Juan Caballero (base) | $$$$$ | US$ 40–90 a night; the most practical thing is to stay in Pedro Juan Caballero, the nearest city, which offers hotels of various categories, and do the park visit as a day trip (2025; check when you visit) |
| Mid-range hotels and guesthouses in the area | $$$$$ | US$ 28–45 a night; mid-range hotels and guesthouses in Pedro Juan Caballero and the region, with good value for money, handy as a base for seeing the park and the north (2025) |
| Budget / simple guesthouses | $$$$$ | US$ 20–30 a night; budget lodging in Pedro Juan Caballero for budget travelers, around the main square (2025) |
| Camping within the park | $$$$$ | G. 20,000 per person per night; camping area administered by Mades, with basic services (2025; check when you visit) |
🍴 Where to eat
| Type | Price | Options / signature dish |
|---|
| Dining in Pedro Juan Caballero | $$$$$ | US$ 6–15 per dish; the restaurant offering is concentrated in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero, with Paraguayan cuisine and strong Brazilian influence due to the border (2025) |
| Supplies for the park visit | $$$$$ | US$ 3–8 in snacks and drinks; it's worth bringing water, fruit and something to eat, since within the park the offering of services is limited |
| Grills and churrascarias of the region | $$$$$ | US$ 10–20 per person; a grilling tradition across the whole area, with Brazilian influence (churrasco) (2025) |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Why is Cerro Corá National Park important?+
Cerro Corá is one of the most important places in Paraguayan history: here, on March 1, 1870, Marshal Francisco Solano López fell in combat, ending the War of the Triple Alliance. It's a site of national memory and, at the same time, a protected nature park (since 1976), with hills, savannas, forests, wildlife and petroglyphs of native peoples.
How much is admission and what are the hours?+
General admission costs Gs. 20,000 for adults and Gs. 5,000 for children aged 11 to 17. The park opens every day from 7:00 to 17:00 h (source: MADES, verified July 2026). There are vehicle fees (car Gs. 15,000, motorcycle Gs. 5,000, combi Gs. 35,000, bus Gs. 60,000) and camping (Gs. 20,000 per night per person; check when booking).
Where is it and how do you get to Cerro Corá?+
It's in the department of Amambay, in northeastern Paraguay, within the Amambay range, a short distance from the city of Pedro Juan Caballero. The most practical thing is to stay in Pedro Juan Caballero and reach the park by road, by private car, taxi or organized excursion. From Asunción you first reach Pedro Juan Caballero by bus (about 6 to 7 hours, US$ 19–26) and then the park.
What can you see in the park?+
You can visit the historic sites and memorials tied to the death of Marshal López and the end of the War of the Triple Alliance, tour trails through its hills, savannas and forests, observe wildlife and flora of northern Paraguay and see petroglyphs (rock carvings) of native peoples. It thus combines historical and natural value.
What's the best time to visit?+
The best time is April to September (autumn and winter), with milder, drier weather, ideal for hiking and with roads in better condition. Summer is hot and humid. The park has special significance around March 1 (Heroes' Day), with commemorations; it's worth keeping this in mind when planning.
What should you bring to visit Cerro Corá?+
It's worth bringing water, sun protection, a hat, repellent and suitable footwear for walking, since you tour outdoor trails. As the services within the park are limited, it's a good idea to also bring something to eat. For the historic sites and the petroglyphs, going with a guide or prior information greatly enriches the visit.
How do I get to the park and how do you pay?+
The park is about 30-40 km from Pedro Juan Caballero. There's no urban transport to the entrance or Uber/Bolt-type apps (Moovit and Google Maps don't map the route in this area), so the options are your own car, a taxi hired from Pedro Juan Caballero (about Gs. 60,000-100,000 round trip) or an organized excursion. The park admission and the taxis are paid in cash, in guaraníes; it's worth bringing change and planning the return, because from the park it's not always easy to find transport back.
Sources consulted (8)
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Parque nacional Cerro Corá»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_nacional_Cerro_Cor%C3%A1
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Amambay»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amambay
- Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (Mades) — Parque Nacional Cerro Corá: https://www.mades.gov.py/parque-nacional-cerro-cora/
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Batalla de Cerro Corá»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batalla_de_Cerro_Cor%C3%A1
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Francisco Solano López»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Solano_L%C3%B3pez
- ABC Color — «Parque Nacional Cerro Corá: naturaleza, historia y aventura para el feriado largo» (2025): https://www.abc.com.py/viajes/2025/02/27/parque-nacional-cerro-cora-naturaleza-historia-y-aventura-para-el-feriado-largo/
- Rome2Rio — Asunción → Pedro Juan Caballero: https://www.rome2rio.com/es/s/Asunci%C3%B3n/Pedro-Juan-Caballero
- Tripadvisor — Hotels in Pedro Juan Caballero: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g1420972-Pedro_Juan_Caballero_Amambay_Department-Hotels.html
