The department of Itapúa is preparing to host the WRC Rally of Paraguay 2026 from 26 to 30 August, an event set to draw international attention to the region. The rally, which will start on 27 August, take place on the area’s distinctive red-earth roads, offers a significant opportunity for national and foreign visitors to explore the department’s rich tourist, cultural, and gastronomic offerings.
The competition route will traverse numerous districts, including Encarnación, Cambyretá, Carmen del Paraná, Capitán Miranda, and Nueva Alborada. The event will also pass through Bella Vista, Hohenau, Trinidad, and General Artigas, with each locality providing various options to enhance the sporting experience and encourage longer stays for visitors.
A hub of activity in Encarnación
Encarnación, the departmental capital and the event’s primary centre of activities, will serve as a base for many rally attendees. The city boasts a nice hotel and gastronomic infrastructure, alongside attractions such as the San José, Mbói Ka’e, and Pacucuá beaches. Other notable sites include the Costanera waterfront, a variety of shopping opportunities, the Railway Museum, the San José Mill, the Memoria Viva Museum, and the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Itacuá.
From Encarnación, visitors can also easily access the Jesuit Missions of Jesús de Tavarangue, Trinidad, and San Cosme y Damián. These historical sites are a cornerstone of Paraguay’s cultural heritage. In nearby Cambyretá, the technical and high-speed sections of the rally will be complemented by green spaces, a riverside promenade, the El Mirador art gallery, and various rural tourism options, including country lodging and camping.
Diverse experiences across the department
Carmen del Paraná will host the pre-competition Shakedown, allowing spectators to see the vehicles during their final preparations. The district also offers activities such as sport fishing and kayaking. The districts of Capitán Miranda and Nueva Alborada will present rural landscapes and nature-based adventure activities, including cabins, recreational areas, hiking, abseiling, and camping.
The region’s productive heritage will be highlighted in Bella Vista, a town closely linked to the culture of yerba mate (a traditional herbal tea) and the Colonias Unidas, a collective of immigrant-founded agricultural communities. Visitors can explore circuits like Guyra’i Rape, visit the Casa Raatz Museum, and participate in experiences such as “Yerbatero por un día” (Herbalist for a day) and the “Mate Bar”.
In Hohenau, the legacy of immigration is evident in its customs, cuisine, and architecture, with attractions including the Edwin Krug Historical Cultural Centre and several parks.
Historic sites and Rally Of Paraguay 2026 schedule
Trinidad is home to one of the country’s most significant heritage sites, the Jesuit Mission of La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Meanwhile, General Artigas will provide a glimpse into the rural landscapes and hospitality characteristic of Itapúa’s interior.
Rally activities will commence on Thursday, 27 August, with the Shakedown in Carmen del Paraná. Later that day, Encarnación will host the ceremonial start, the service park, the Civic Centre, and the arrival ramp on the Costanera. The first competitive stage on Friday, 28 August, will cover sections in Cambyretá, Nueva Alborada, and Capitán Miranda, concluding with a super special stage at the Alfredo Scheid Autodrome.
Final stages and official guidance
On Saturday, 29 August, the second stage will travel through Bella Vista, Bella Vista Sur, Hohenau, and Trinidad, featuring routes through rural areas and landscapes typical of the Colonias Unidas. A night-time super special stage is also scheduled to take place in Encarnación at the Paseo de los Teros.
The rally concludes on Sunday, 30 August. The final stage will feature the Power Stage in the Ype Kuru area of Encarnación and sections through agricultural lands in General Artigas. The competition will end with a prize-giving ceremony at Encarnación Beach. The National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur) advises visitors to plan their trips in advance and to use officially registered establishments, which can be verified through its Registur platform.
