As summer heat settles in over the long Christmas weekend, the Paraguayan city of Ayolas offers a refreshing change of pace. River breezes, quiet streets and expansive landscapes create the setting for a short escape that combines nature, history and one of Paraguay’s most impressive engineering achievements.
Located in the Misiones department, approximately 300 kilometres from Asunción, Ayolas sits on the banks of the Paraná River, along the border between Paraguay and Argentina. For families and friends travelling between 24 and 26 December 2025, and the following weekend, Ayolas offers an easy domestic escape.
The Yacyretá Hydroelectric Power Plant
One of Ayolas’ main attractions is the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Power Plant, located on Yacyretá Island in the main channel of the Paraná River. The facility houses 20 turbines, with an installed capacity of 3,200 megawatts, making it one of the most significant energy projects in the region.
Visitors can take a free guided tour by registering in advance at the Visitor Reception Centre. After registration, guests board institutional buses for a panoramic visit that includes the Navigation Lock, the Aña Cua expansion works, and the Aña Cua spillway, which features 16 gates, each capable of releasing up to 95,000 cubic metres per second.
Tours operate Monday to Sunday, from 07:00 to 15:00, and are free of charge. For further information, visitors may contact +595 987 210 001.
Yacyretá Historical and Environmental Museum
Next to the Visitor Reception Centre, in the Villa Permanente neighbourhood, lies the Yacyretá Historical and Environmental Museum, founded in 1984. The museum preserves cultural and historical items recovered during the construction of the dam and offers valuable insight into the region’s past.
Its collection includes Pre-Columbian Indigenous artefacts, geological samples, antique furniture and taxidermied animals, reflecting the daily life, traditions and natural environment of Ayolas and surrounding communities.
Atinguy Wildlife Refuge
About 13 kilometres from the city centre, on the road to San Cosme y Damián, lies the Atinguy Wildlife Refuge. Covering around 10 hectares, the refuge focuses on the conservation, reproduction and protection of native wildlife and vegetation.
The site is home to mammals, birds and reptiles native to the area surrounding the hydroelectric complex. Conservation specialists study behaviour, diet and reproduction, particularly among endangered species such as the marsh deer, maned wolf (aguara guazú) and bare-faced curassow (mytu).
Visitors may also see jaguars, pumas, capybaras and caimans.
Gastronomy and accommodation
Across the city, visitors will find restaurants offering high quality regional dishes and traditional Paraguayan cuisine.
Ayolas offers a range of accommodation, including hotels, tourist inns and family-friendly guesthouses, for visitors wishing to extend their stay. These services strengthen Ayolas position as an accessible and well-rounded destination for the long weekend.
Whether exploring wildlife reserves, regional history or the Yacyretá turbines, time in Ayolas unfolds at an unhurried pace. The mix of natural scenery, cultural spaces and modern infrastructure makes the city appealing for an extended Christmas break.. For travellers seeking something different without travelling far, Ayolas offers a holiday that feels both restful and quietly impressive.
