The Dino Aventura exhibition at Quinta Ykua Satí has become a roaring success, captivating families and dinosaur enthusiasts in Asunción. The event features life-sized dinosaur replicas and interactive activities that blend entertainment with learning about the prehistoric creatures. The exhibition was initially set to close on July 31, 2025, but due to the overwhelming public response, organisers confirmed to The Asunción Times that Dino Aventura will now extend its run throughout August.
35 animatronic dinosaurs in Paraguay
When Dino Aventura’s organisers from APY Live arrived at event venue Quinta Ykua Satí in Asunción for a routine business meeting, they had no intention of creating Paraguay’s most talked-about family attraction. The 35 animatronic dinosaurs, built in the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands, were installed in Uruguay, with plans to extend their stay there. But as the Dino Aventura team walked through the estate’s lush gardens, surrounded by tropical vegetation in the heart of Asunción’s urban landscape, inspiration struck.
“They could not believe such natural beauty could exist amidst Asunción’s buildings and asphalt,” says Melina Fernández, general coordinator of Dino Aventura. “Dinosaur exhibitions are typically held in tents, but with the unique natural setting of this venue, they knew it was the perfect place to bring the dinosaurs.”
The spontaneous decision meant redirecting shipping containers from Uruguay to Paraguay.
Record-breaking success
The 35 animatronic dinosaurs originated in Rotterdam, as part of a travelling exhibition that has toured multiple countries. The collection includes impressive specimens such as the 13-metre Tyrannosaurus Rex with various movements and roars, the 9-metre-tall Brachiosaurus featuring an articulated neck, the swift Velociraptor, the three-horned Triceratops, and the Pteranodon, which hangs suspended above visitors with moving wings.
Since opening in July, Dino Aventura has welcomed over 25,000 visitors, establishing itself as Paraguay’s most popular family attraction.
Installation challenges
Quinta Ykua Satí’s natural beauty came with unexpected obstacles. The humid grounds remained waterlogged after rainfall, causing machinery carrying tonne-heavy dinosaurs to sink into muddy terrain.
“It is a very humid area where if you dig a hole, clay or water appears,” Fernández explains. “When it rained, once the ground got wet, it took an incredibly long time to dry.”
The installation team faced additional complications navigating ancient tree roots and narrow pathways. Some dinosaurs were too large to fit between existing vegetation, forcing organisers to relocate certain specimens.
The largest dinosaurs arrived in four separate pieces, requiring welding and assembly using skylifts whilst preserving the estate’s natural beauty.
Dino Aventura’s educational experience
Each dinosaur features motion sensors that trigger movement and sound as visitors approach. The animatronic creatures move their heads, tails, and limbs whilst emitting species-appropriate sounds. Educational plaques carved to resemble stone provide scientific details including species names, measurements, geological periods, and dietary habits.
Argentine palaeontologist Diego Padovani leads daily training sessions for guides, many holding qualifications in natural sciences. Guides are evaluated regularly to maintain high standards.
“Visitors do not leave with the same information they entered with – they gain much more knowledge,” Fernández explains.
Daily visitor numbers average 2,500 to 2,800, with families comprising the primary audience, though international visitors including Russians and Brazilians have also discovered the attraction.
Extension through August confirmed!
The overwhelming response prompted organisers to extend Dino Aventura’s operations well beyond the originally planned July closing date. Fernández confirmed exclusively to The Asunción Times that the attraction will now remain open throughout August, responding to unprecedented public demand.
“Many people ask us to stay permanently,” she notes, describing children declaring visits “the best day of my life”, and requesting birthday celebrations amongst the dinosaurs. The extension decision was made to accommodate families during Paraguay’s Children’s Day celebrations and school holidays.
Night experience
Evening visits offer strategic lighting that creates dramatic shadows, particularly around the 13-metre Tyrannosaurus Rex illuminated from below. Beyond the 40-minute guided tour, Dino Aventura provides additional entertainment including rides (Gs. 20,000 each) and professional photography services with images presented in educational dinosaur fact books.
The park features a gift shop selling dinosaur merchandise, food trucks, and an on-site cantina. The venue also accommodates private birthday celebrations amongst the dinosaurs.
Visiting information
Dino Aventura operates daily from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Quinta Ykua Satí, with entrance via Víctor Haedo Street. General admission costs Gs. 89,000 (around US$12) per person, with children under two entering free of charge. Family packages for four people cost Gs. 290,000 (slightly onder US$40), with 15% discounts available for Itaú bank customers. Tickets can be purchased through the Tutti website or at the venue’s box office.
After completing the guided tour, visitors may remain in the facility’s recreational areas for an unlimited period of time. As Fernández summarises: “It is a Jurassic journey you cannot miss.”
Improving entertainment for young audiences
This year has also seen the success of other initiatives such as Circo y Aventuras al Rescate, an interactive theatre show designed for children and their families. Together, these events reflect a growing commitment to improving the entertainment landscape for young audiences in Paraguay, offering more opportunities for learning, imagination, and shared experiences in safe, and engaging environments.
For more information check Dino Aventura Park on Instagram, or APY Live on Instagram, the organiser’s social media account.
