📌What it is
The Monday Falls (also written Saltos del Monday) is a spectacular waterfall formed by the Monday River a few kilometers from Ciudad del Este, in the district of Presidente Franco, department of Alto Paraná. Its waters plunge in a drop of more than 40 meters, in a subtropical-jungle setting, shortly before flowing into the Paraná River. It's one of the great natural attractions of eastern Paraguay and, along with the Itaipú Dam and the Iguazú Falls, part of the unmissable Triple Frontier circuit.
📌Service city
The base for visiting the Monday Falls is Ciudad del Este, Paraguay's second city, about 10 km from the falls. There you'll find hotels of every category, dining, a bus terminal, banks, hospitals and Guaraní International Airport (AGT), in Minga Guazú. The falls are in the neighboring municipality of Presidente Franco. It combines perfectly with the Itaipú Dam in a single day and with the Iguazú Falls on a getaway to Brazil.
📌Best time to go
The Monday Falls can be visited year-round, with hours of 8 to 17 h every day. Winter (May to August), mild and drier, is the most comfortable time to tour the area. The flow of the falls is greater after rains, when the waterfall is more imposing, while in dry periods its intensity drops. The best light for photos is usually in the morning. It's always worth checking the weather conditions, since the walkways can get wet and slippery.
📌Suggested days
The visit to the Monday Falls takes between 1 and 3 hours, so it combines very well with other attractions. The ideal is to devote a day to the area, adding the Itaipú Dam in the morning and the falls in the afternoon (or vice versa). If you include a visit to the Iguazú Falls, crossing into Brazil and/or Argentina, it's worth devoting 2 to 3 days or more to the whole Triple Frontier region, based in Ciudad del Este.
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🌤️ Clima en Monday Falls
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A few kilometers from the commercial bustle of Ciudad del Este, nature offers one of its best spectacles in eastern Paraguay: the Monday Falls. There, the Monday River plunges over a rock step in a waterfall of more than 40 meters, raising a permanent mist and a constant roar, right in the heart of the subtropical jungle. It's one of those scenes that surprise with their beauty and how close they are to the city.
Although it's usually overshadowed by its famous neighbor —the Iguazú Falls, on the other side of the border—, the Monday Falls has a charm of its own and the advantage of being much calmer and less crowded. The municipal park that protects it, of 1.6 hectares, has walkways and viewpoints that let you approach the waterfall from different angles, feel the force of the water and enjoy the natural setting, with lush vegetation and local wildlife.
This guide covers the Monday Falls with a practical, warm eye: what the park and its viewpoints are like, what activities you can do (including its famous zipline), when the falls look at their fullest, how to get there from Ciudad del Este and how to combine it with the Itaipú Dam and the Iguazú Falls. It's an unmissable natural stop to balance the shopping and the engineering of the area with a bath of jungle, water and green.
📖 History of Monday Falls
The Monday Falls is a natural formation of the Monday River, whose name comes from Guaraní and is usually associated with the idea of 'water theft' or related to Guaraní-language expressions tied to the river (there are different interpretations of its origin). The falls are in the district of Presidente Franco, very close to Ciudad del Este, shortly before the Monday River pours its waters into the Paraná River. For a long time it was a natural spot known by the area's inhabitants; with the tourist development of Alto Paraná —spurred by the growth of Ciudad del Este, the construction of the Itaipú Dam and the proximity of the Iguazú Falls—, the falls were prepared as a tourist attraction, with the creation of a 1.6-hectare municipal park that protects it and allows visits via walkways and viewpoints. Today it's one of the natural icons of eastern Paraguay and a natural complement to the Triple Frontier circuit. The detailed history of the falls and the region is on our history page.
Read the full history →
🗺️ What to see
1
Main waterfall viewpoint
The balcony facing the waterfall, the point where you appreciate all the force and height of the falls.
The great protagonist of the visit is, of course, the Monday Falls itself seen from its main viewpoint. From there, the visitor comes face to face with the imposing waterfall of more than 40 meters, which plunges with a roar raising a cloud of mist that, on sunny days, usually forms rainbows. It's a natural spectacle that impresses with its force and the contrast between the green of the jungle and the white of the water.
The viewpoint lets you contemplate the whole of the falls, which is actually formed by several arms of water falling almost in parallel, separated by rock outcrops and vegetation. Depending on the river's flow, which is greater after rains, the waterfall can look like a continuous and powerful curtain of water or like several more defined jets. In all cases, the feeling of being before the force of the Monday River is memorable.
It's the ideal spot for the classic photos of the falls and to pause and feel the power of the water and the coolness of the mist. In the morning the light is usually better for photographing and the atmosphere calmer. It's a perfect place for those seeking imposing nature without the crowds of other waterfalls in the region.
Getting there: the Monday Falls park is in Presidente Franco, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este (car, taxi or excursion). Best time: in the morning, with good light and fewer people; greater flow after rains. Tips: the walkways and the ground can be wet and slippery from the mist, so go with suitable footwear and protect the camera and phone from the water.
ℹ️ Distance: Park in Presidente Franco, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este (car, taxi or excursion) · Best time: In the morning; greater flow after rains · Admission: US$ 18 foreigners, US$ 15 Mercosur residents, Gs. 60,000 Paraguayans (cash only; verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 3 hours (the whole park visit)
2
Walkways and secondary viewpoints
A circuit of walkways that surrounds the falls and lets you see it from different angles and heights.
The Monday Falls park has a system of walkways and viewpoints that let you tour the surroundings of the waterfall and contemplate it from different perspectives. Beyond the main viewpoint, these elevated paths bring the visitor to the edge of the falls, the upper area of the river and points from which you can appreciate how the water plunges into the lower canyon.
Touring the walkways is part of the charm of the visit: they let you venture into the vegetation, listen to the sound of the water and the birds, and discover corners where the jungle and the river intertwine. Some stretches offer plunging views over the fall, others show the falls head-on or from the side, and all let you feel up close the cool mist the waterfall gives off.
It's a relatively short and accessible circuit, suitable for most visitors, that can be toured calmly in one or two hours. For photography lovers, each viewpoint is a different opportunity; for those seeking tranquility, it's a very rewarding natural walk a step from the city.
Getting there: within the Monday Falls park itself, in Presidente Franco. Best time: in the morning, with cool weather and good light; avoid days of intense rain because of the slippery floor. Tips: always follow the open walkways and the safety signs, bring water and repellent, and be careful with children near the edges.
ℹ️ Distance: Within the Monday Falls park (Presidente Franco) · Best time: In the morning; avoid days of intense rain · Admission: Included in park entry (US$ 18 foreigners; verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
3
Zipline over the falls
A 275-meter zipline at 30 km/h that flies over the surroundings of the waterfall, the park's star adventure activity.
For those seeking more than contemplation, the Monday Falls offers one of the most spectacular ziplines in Paraguay: a 275-meter run over steel cables, at an average speed of 30 km/h, with unique views of the waterfall from the air. Gliding with the roar of the water in the background and the vegetation at your feet is an exciting and very photogenic experience, ideal for the most adventurous.
The zipline operates with a maximum of 90 people per day, in two shifts (8 to 12 h and 13 to 17 h), and requires participants to weigh between 40 and 100 kg for safety reasons. It's an activity with a cost additional to the park entry, and it's worth arriving early in high season to secure the day's spot.
It's a good complement for those who want to combine the natural beauty of the falls with a bit of action, and one of the reasons many visitors choose to stay a full day at the park.
Getting there: within the Monday Falls park, in Presidente Franco. Best time: clear days; arrive early to secure a spot. Tips: check the minimum and maximum weight allowed, wear closed footwear and always follow the operators' instructions.
ℹ️ Distance: Within the Monday Falls park (Presidente Franco) · Best time: Clear days; shifts of 8-12 h and 13-17 h · Admission: US$ 18 foreigners, US$ 15 Mercosur, Gs. 60,000 Paraguayans (additional to entry; verified July 2026) · Duration: 15 to 30 minutes (includes preparation)
4
Monday Adventure Park (eco-adventure)
A circuit of height adventure activities, besides the zipline, within the park's setting.
Alongside the classic zipline, the complex known as Monday Adventure Park offers a broader eco-adventure circuit, with suspension bridges, hanging walkways and other height challenges among the trees, designed for those who want to prolong the adrenaline experience beyond the main crossing over the waterfall.
These activities are geared to both adults and families with children (depending on the activity and the height and weight requirements), and can be combined with the visit to the viewpoints to put together a full day of nature and adventure on the same grounds.
It's advisable to book in advance on weekends and in high season, since demand for these activities is high among visitors from Ciudad del Este and the region.
Getting there: within the park complex, in Presidente Franco. Best time: dry, clear days. Tips: check the available circuit and the age, weight and height requirements before going; bring comfortable clothing and closed footwear.
ℹ️ Distance: Within the Monday Falls complex (Presidente Franco) · Best time: Dry, clear days · Admission: Additional fees depending on circuit, check with the operator (verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 additional hours
5
Access trail and jungle of the park
The wooded stretch leading to the viewpoints, with vegetation of the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest.
Before reaching the main viewpoints, the park route crosses a stretch of jungle that preserves species of the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems in South America. It's a good reminder of what the original landscape of this region was like before the urban development of Ciudad del Este and its surroundings.
This trail lets you observe the dense vegetation, listen to the birdsong and feel the contrast between the coolness of the jungle and the humid heat typical of eastern Paraguay. It's a short but pleasant walk, ideal as a prelude to the great spectacle of the waterfall.
Getting there: it's the access stretch within the park itself. Best time: year-round; cooler in the morning. Tips: bring insect repellent and water; observe the wildlife and flora with respect, without leaving the open trails.
ℹ️ Distance: Access stretch within the park · Best time: Year-round, cooler in the morning · Admission: Included in park entry · Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
6
Rest area and park refreshment stop
A services area to eat, have a drink and rest after touring the walkways and the zipline.
The park has a rest area and refreshment stop where visitors can eat something, have a cold drink and relax after touring the walkways or the adrenaline of the zipline. It's a good place to take a break, discuss the experience and plan the rest of the day, whether heading to Itaipú or returning to Ciudad del Este.
The food offering is usually simple, with typical Paraguayan options and cold drinks, ideal for the warm, humid climate of the east of the country.
Getting there: within the park's services area. Best time: year-round. Tips: bring cash in guaraníes for purchases; it's a good meeting point if the group split up to do different activities.
ℹ️ Distance: Services area within the park · Best time: Year-round · Admission: Purchases separate from entry; Gs. 15,000-35,000 per person (verified July 2026) · Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
What nobody tells you💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Access to the Monday Falls park — foreigners | US$ 18 per person (cash only, in guaraníes or dollars) (source: Monday Adventure Park / Cataratas365, verified July 2026) |
| Access to the Monday Falls park — Mercosur residents | US$ 15 per person (source: Monday Adventure Park, verified July 2026) |
| Access to the Monday Falls park — Paraguayans | Gs. 60,000 per person (source: Monday Adventure Park, verified July 2026) |
| Walkways and viewpoints | Included in park entry |
| Zipline (275 m over the falls) | US$ 18 foreigners, US$ 15 Mercosur, Gs. 60,000 Paraguayans (additional to entry; capacity 90 people/day, weight 40-100 kg) (source: Monday Adventure Park, verified July 2026) |
| Monday Adventure Park (eco-adventure circuit) | Additional fees depending on circuit, check with the operator (source: parqueaventuramonday.com, verified July 2026) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Tour of the falls' walkways and viewpoints | Included in admission (US$ 18 foreigners; verified July 2026) | 1 to 2 h | Monday Falls municipal park |
| Zipline over the falls (275 m, 30 km/h) | US$ 18 foreigners, US$ 15 Mercosur, Gs. 60,000 Paraguayans (verified July 2026) | 15 to 30 min | Park adventure operator; maximum 90 people/day, weight 40-100 kg |
| Monday Adventure Park circuit (eco-adventure) | Additional fees depending on circuit (source: parqueaventuramonday.com, verified July 2026) | 1 to 2 h | Monday Adventure Park |
| Combined Monday Falls + Itaipú excursion from Ciudad del Este | US$ 40-70 per person on a tour with guide and transfers (source: Civitatis / local agencies, verified July 2026) | Full day | Local agencies and guides of Ciudad del Este |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
| Mode | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| Private or rental car | Rental about US$ 40-70 per day in Ciudad del Este (source: local agencies / aggregators, verified July 2026) | Variable | The most comfortable way to get there from Ciudad del Este and combine the falls with the Itaipú Dam in a single day. The park has its own parking |
| Taxi and apps (Bolt / MUV / Uber) | Gs. 40,000-70,000 the Ciudad del Este-Presidente Franco stretch (source: local fares, verified July 2026) | 15-25 min | The most practical for the round-trip transfer. In Ciudad del Este the Bolt, MUV and Uber apps work, which are usually cheaper and more transparent than a street taxi; payment is made via the app (card) or in cash as you choose when requesting the ride |
| Excursion / organized tour | US$ 40-70 per person (source: Civitatis / Ciudad del Este agencies, verified July 2026) | Half a day or full day | Ciudad del Este agencies offer transfers and guided visits, sometimes combined with Itaipú, the Three Frontiers Landmark and the Iguazú Falls |
| Urban bus toward Presidente Franco | About Gs. 4,000-6,000, cash payment to the driver (source: local lines, verified July 2026) | 20-40 min | There are urban lines from Ciudad del Este toward Presidente Franco, but none drops you at the park entrance, so you have to complete the last stretch (several km) on foot or by taxi. In Ciudad del Este the bus is paid in cash: the electronic ticketing with Jaha/Más cards is from the Asunción and metropolitan-area system, not Alto Paraná |
| App for getting around / seeing routes | Free (app) | - | To plan urban-bus routes it's worth using Moovit, the most-used public-transport app in Paraguay (with data loaded by local volunteers), or Google Maps. Still, due to the low frequency and the scattered route, for the Monday Falls most people opt for a taxi/app or car (source: Moovit, verified July 2026) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Ciudad del Este → Monday Falls (Presidente Franco) | Car, taxi/apps (Bolt, MUV, Uber), excursion or bus + taxi | Gs. 40,000-70,000 by taxi/app (verified July 2026) | About 15 to 30 min depending on starting point and traffic (about 10 km) |
| Asunción → Ciudad del Este (base for the falls) via Route PY02/PY07 | National bus companies (NSA, Rysa, Crucero del Este and others) | About Gs. 100,000-160,000 depending on service (source: Asunción terminal / companies, verified July 2026) | About 4.5 to 5.5 h by bus or car (about 320-330 km) |
| Guaraní International Airport (AGT, Minga Guazú) → Ciudad del Este / Presidente Franco | Taxis/apps and transfers | About Gs. 60,000-120,000 (verified July 2026) | About 30 to 45 min |
| Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) → Ciudad del Este → Monday Falls | Crossing via the Friendship Bridge and local transfer | Taxi/tour transfer separate from the border crossing (verified July 2026) | Variable depending on the border and traffic |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
| Category | Price | Recommended options |
|---|
| Budget guesthouses in Ciudad del Este | $$$$$ | US$ 18-40 a night; simple guesthouses and hotels in the center |
| Mid-range hotels in Ciudad del Este / Presidente Franco | $$$$$ | US$ 40-70 a night; a wide offering of mid-range hotels in Ciudad del Este and neighboring Presidente Franco, comfortable and well located for accessing the Monday Falls park |
| Upper-category hotels in Ciudad del Este | $$$$$ | US$ 56-110 a night; good-category hotels, some with a pool, in central and commercial areas. Ideal for combining the falls with shopping, Itaipú and the Iguazú Falls |
| Option on the Brazilian side (Foz do Iguaçu) | $$$$$ | US$ 50-130 a night; some visitors stay in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), with a large hotel offering, and cross into Paraguay to see the Monday Falls and Itaipú, adding it to the Iguazú Falls circuit |
🍴 Where to eat
| Type | Price | Options / signature dish |
|---|
| Traditional Paraguayan cuisine | $$$$$ | Gs. 30,000-60,000 per dish; asado, sopa paraguaya, chipa guazú, mbejú and cassava, at grills and traditional-food restaurants of Ciudad del Este and Presidente Franco |
| Arab and Middle Eastern cuisine | $$$$$ | Gs. 35,000-70,000 per dish; due to the strong presence of the Arab community in the Triple Frontier, there are good Lebanese and Syrian restaurants in Ciudad del Este |
| Park refreshment stop | $$$$$ | Gs. 15,000-35,000 per person; the park has a rest area to eat something, have a cold drink and relax after the tour |
| Food courts and budget options | $$$$$ | Gs. 15,000-30,000; the malls of Ciudad del Este have varied, budget food courts, handy to combine with a day visiting the falls and the dam |
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the Monday Falls?+
It's a waterfall of more than 40 meters formed by the Monday River, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este, in the district of Presidente Franco (Alto Paraná). The water plunges in a subtropical-jungle setting, shortly before the Monday River flows into the Paraná. It's one of the great natural attractions of eastern Paraguay and part of the Triple Frontier circuit.
How much does it cost to enter the Monday Falls?+
Admission costs US$ 18 for foreigners, US$ 15 for Mercosur residents and Gs. 60,000 for Paraguayans, payable only in cash (guaraníes or dollars) at the park ticket office (verified July 2026). The zipline has an additional cost identical to admission. It's worth verifying the values when you visit, as they may be updated.
Is it worth it if I'm already going to see the Iguazú Falls?+
Yes. Although it's smaller than the Iguazú Falls, the Monday Falls has a charm of its own, is much calmer and less crowded, and is very close to Ciudad del Este. It's visited in one or two hours and combines perfectly with the Itaipú Dam in a single day, so it adds very little effort to the itinerary and offers a different natural experience.
When does the falls look at its fullest?+
The falls' flow depends on the rains: after periods of rain the Monday River comes down with more force and the waterfall looks more imposing, while in dry periods the water drop decreases. In all cases the visit is worth it. The best light for photos and the calmest atmosphere are usually in the morning. The park opens every day from 8 to 17 h.
How do I get to the Monday Falls from Ciudad del Este?+
The park is in Presidente Franco, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este. You get there by car, taxi/app (Gs. 40,000-70,000), organized excursion or by bus (completing the last stretch by taxi). The most comfortable, especially to combine it with Itaipú, is to go by car or hire an excursion that includes both points.
What is the Monday Falls zipline like?+
It's a 275-meter run over steel cables, at an average speed of 30 km/h, with unique views of the waterfall from the air. It has a maximum of 90 people per day, in shifts of 8 to 12 h and 13 to 17 h, and requires weighing between 40 and 100 kg (children, over 10 years old). The cost is the same as park admission (US$ 18 foreigners; verified July 2026), additional to entry.
How do I get around and how do I pay for transport in Ciudad del Este?+
For the Monday Falls the most practical is to go by taxi or app: in Ciudad del Este Bolt, MUV and Uber work, paid via the app (card) or in cash. The urban bus toward Presidente Franco is paid in cash to the driver (about Gs. 4,000-6,000); note that the electronic ticketing with Jaha or Más cards is from the Asunción and metropolitan-area system, not Alto Paraná. To see bus routes, the most-used app in Paraguay is Moovit (or Google Maps). Anyway, no line reaches the park entrance, so most people opt for a taxi/app or car (verified July 2026).
Is it suitable to go with children?+
Yes, the tour of the walkways and viewpoints is accessible and suitable for families. You have to be careful with children near the edges and on stretches where the floor can be wet and slippery from the mist. The adventure activities, like the zipline and the Monday Adventure Park, have age, weight and height requirements.
Sources consulted (15)
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Salto del Monday»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salto_del_Monday
- SENATUR Paraguay (oficial): https://www.senatur.gov.py/
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Presidente Franco»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidente_Franco
- Iguazú Taxis Amambay — Saltos del Monday, entrada y tirolesa 2025: https://www.iguazutaxis.com.ar/2025/06/saltos-del-monday.html
- Yaguareté Transfer — Saltos del Monday: https://www.yaguaretetransfer.com.ar/2025/07/saltos-del-monday.html
- Parque Aventura Monday (oficial): https://www.parqueaventuramonday.com/ecoaventura
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Río Monday»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Monday
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Ciudad del Este»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_del_Este
- SENATUR Paraguay (oficial): https://www.senatur.gov.py/
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Triple Frontera»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Frontera
- Cataratas365 — Saltos del Monday (precios y horarios): https://cataratas365.com/excursiones/ciudad-del-este-paraguay/saltos-del-monday-paraguay/
- Civitatis — Saltos del Monday, Parque Aventura e Hito de las Tres Fronteras: https://www.civitatis.com/es/ciudad-del-este/saltos-monday-parque-aventura-hito-fronteras/
- ABC Color — Reforma del transporte público: pasaje con tarjeta o QR (2026): https://www.abc.com.py/economia/2026/05/08/reforma-del-transporte-publico-el-pasaje-se-podra-pagar-con-tarjetas-o-qr/
- Moovit — Transporte público en Paraguay (app de recorridos): https://moovitapp.com/
- Tarjeta Jaha (billetaje electrónico Asunción y área metropolitana): https://www.jaha.com.py/ayuda