Visiting Monday Falls in Paraguay (Salto del Monday)
During my time living in Paraguay, I’ve had the chance to explore some beautiful spots throughout the country—places like Areguá for a quiet, artsy daytime getaway, or Loma San Jerónimo in Asunción, known for its colorful streets and views.
But one place that really surprised me (in a good way) was Monday Falls—also called Salto del Monday—just outside of Ciudad del Este.
If you’re already planning a visit to Ciudad del Este, which I cover in detail here some of the best things to do in city, Monday Falls is the perfect add-on adventure to your day.
It’s a quick and easy trip, and less crowded than other waterfalls in the area, like Iguazu Falls. And while it’s not as big as Iguazu Falls, it’s still an impressive force of nature to visit—especially if you’re into nature or photography.
What Is Monday Falls (Salto del Monday)?
Monday Falls is a waterfall just 15-20 minutes from downtown Ciudad del Este, located in an area called Presidente Franco. It’s one of the cities that locals know well, but most tourists skip—unless you’re staying in the area for a few days, or doing your research in advance.
The waterfall is made up of three main drops, all of which are surrounded by trees and green space. Its inside a small park with walkways and a few different viewing platforms, and if you go on a weekday, you might even have the place almost to yourself – we went on a Monday and there were almost no people.
I found it wasn’t a huge hike throughout the park, but there are different trails you can take, some that are a few hours long throughout the park, and one that just goes directly to the Falls in about five minutes… perfect if you aren’t a hiker.
I found out while I was there that the name “Monday” actually comes from the Guaraní language—“Mond-eh-uh”—which roughly translates to “stolen water.” I thought this was interesting, especially since so many places in Paraguay (like Nu Guazú Park) have names that come back to the country’s indigenous roots.
If you’re trying to compare Monday Falls to something like Iguazu Falls—which I also wrote about here—just know that this is a much smaller experience, but still something I would highly recommend checking out – actually maybe even moreso than Iguazu, simply for the experience of having so few people in the park.
War History + What Else to See Nearby
While Monday Falls is mainly known for its natural beauty, the area nearby has an interesting history that’s worth noting. During the Paraguayan War (1864–1870), also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, Paraguay had a conflict against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
This war had a profound impact on the country, leading to many territorial losses and a serious decrease in the male population, which you will often hear about from the locals, still to this day.
The falls themselves were once part of a path used by the Guaraní people, adding cultural significance to the site, and a great reason why a guide for the Falls may be worth it.
Monday Falls full day private tour
Monday Falls, Three Borders (Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina) and Itaipu Dam tour
If you’re already in the area, there are a few other attractions worth visiting on the Paraguayan side, including:
- Itaipu Dam: About 14 km from Ciudad del Este, the Itaipu Dam is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants. Tours are available, offering insights into the dam’s construction and operation.
- Ciudad del Este city center: Known for its busy morning and afternoon markets and grand shopping centers, it’s a great place to experience the local culture and cuisine of Paraguay. I’ve previously shared my experiences in this post of the best of CDE!
Getting To Monday Falls from Ciudad del Este
I found getting to Monday Falls from Ciudad del Este was honestly pretty easy, and you have a few different options depending on your preference and budget.
I found getting to Salto del Monday much easier than navigating from Paraguay to the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, which I document the full journey here (and yes, it was a journey).
By Bus
Local buses run from Ciudad del Este to the Presidente Franco district, where the falls are located. The fare is affordable, and the journey takes about 30 minutes in total. Once you arrive in Presidente Franco (the neighbouring city south of Ciudad del Este), it’s about a 1 km walk to the entrance of the falls. Not my recommended method, but one way to get there.
By Taxi or Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-share services like Bolt or Uber are always available in Ciudad del Este (and easily available through the entire country – I use them everyday)!
The ride to Monday Falls takes about 15-20 minutes depending on your location, and fares for this journey can range between $5 to $8 USD, depending on traffic and exact pickup location. I find Bolt fares in Paraguay to be extremely affordable (more on prices in Paraguay here).
By Private Tour
If you are looking for an easy and fast way to get to and from the Falls, while also fitting in other adventures into your day, I recommend the below tours with private drivers.
These tours are worth it if you only have a few days in the city and really want to take in all Ciudad del Este has to offer.
Monday Falls full day private tour
Monday Falls, Three Borders (Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina) and Itaipu Dam tour
Is Monday Falls Worth It?
If you’re visiting Monday Falls (Salto de Monday as the locals call it) in Paraguay for the first time, you’re in for a treat.
I thought the Falls were beyond beautiful—not huge, but not nearly built up to the level that Iguazu Falls is… and way less tourism!
We went during the weekday, and there weren’t many people there, so I’m sure on the weekend it is much busier.
For a small additional fee at the entrance of the park, you can also add on the elevator experience, where you take the elevator down to be right at the base of the Falls. I would highly recommend this, as this was such a fun experience, and of course, there were even less people at the base of the Falls. A must-see experience for sure.
When you arrive to Salto del Monday, you’ll find the well-maintained park area surrounding the falls. I found it easy to navigate, there is a map before the entrance and inside, and there is a parking lot right outside for easy parking access. You can also find:
- Clean bathrooms
- A small picnic area if you want to bring snacks or lunch
- A little café with drinks and light food – think empanadas and basic burgers
- Walking paths and raised viewing platforms with great photo spots
- Gift shop – definitely foreigner prices (I paid around 10 USD for a keychain and magnet), but they have some nice items. Beware: they only take cash (all three currencies are accepted)
There’s also a bird-watching area that nature lovers will really enjoy.
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If you’re looking for a bit more adventure during your visit, the park sometimes offers zip-lining, rappelling, and other outdoor activities—so if that’s your thing, it’s worth asking at the entrance to purchase the zip-lining, or call beforehand to ensure its on for that day.
Monday Falls and Iguazu Falls: Which is Better?
Okay… let’s talk about how Monday Falls compares to Iguazu Falls, because I’ve done both—and I know a lot of travelers wonder if one is better than the other.
To be honest, Iguazu Falls (I went to the Argentine side) is absolutely breathtaking. If you get the chance to go, especially to the Argentinian side, go! Heck, even go to the Brazilian side if you have enough time, why not? It’s one of the most powerful and beautiful places I’ve ever seen, and it’s a full-day adventure. You can check out my full guide of Iguazu Falls from Paraguay here.
But Salto del Monday is a different kind of experience. It’s much smaller and doesn’t have the same initial wow-factor as Iguazu Falls, but that’s not a bad thing.
I found that Monday Falls is a nice easy day trip, and one you must see, especially if you are staying in Ciudad del Este. It was special because there were so few people there, as though it’s still a hidden gem in Paraguay.
Plus, you are able to use a drone at Monday Falls, unlike in Iguazu Falls park. That’s a huge win if you’re a drone owner.
Here’s how I would compare them based on my trip:
- Iguazu Falls – Huge, dramatic, and unforgettable. But it takes time and planning to get there, especially if you’re coming from Paraguay and want to visit both the Brazil and Argentina sides.
- Monday Falls – Smaller, more low-key, and easy to access if you’re already in Ciudad del Este. It doesn’t take a full day and can be combined with other nearby spots like the Itaipú Dam and Tres Frontiers (the three borders – Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil).
So no—they’re not the same. But that’s what makes both worth visiting for different reasons. If you’re trying to decide, my advice would be do both if you can. But if you only have half a day and you’re already in Ciudad del Este, Monday Falls is seriously worth it.
Practical Information for Visiting Monday Falls
Best Time to Visit
In my experience, visiting Monday Falls on a sunny day made the trip nicer, and the Falls looks stunning in photos with a nice blue sky background.
However, if you prefer a quieter experience, consider going on a cloudy weekday. During these times, the park is often less crowded, allowing you to enjoy the serenity of the falls almost to yourself.
The dry season, typically from May to September, is going to be your best time to visit. During this time, the weather is cooler, in all of Paraguay, not just here, and there’s less chance of rain, making the trails more accessible and the views clearer.
Trust me, you don’t want to be touring Paraguay in the summer months (October-March), as its extremely hot and humid. Its my least favourite time of year.
Park Hours & Entry
The park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Yes, even on Sundays.
It’s best to arrive early to make the most of your visit and to avoid the midday heat, and I recommend spending between 1-3 hours in the park, depending if you want to do some hiking, or just head straight to the Falls.
Activities
Beyond simply admiring the falls, the park has various activities, including:
- Bird Watching: The area is rich in birdlife, making it a haven for bird enthusiasts.
- Adventure Sports: For the more adventurous, activities like zip-lining and rappelling are available, giving a different perspective and view of the Falls.
Should You Visit Monday Falls in Paraguay?
If you’re already in Ciudad del Este, this is hands down one of the easiest nature escapes you can do. Monday Falls in Paraguay is just a short ride from the city, and it surprised me in the best of ways. It’s not massive or overly touristy like Iguazu, but it’s calm, green, and refreshing.
If you can, I recommend paying the few extra dollars (around $10-20 USD extra if you aren’t Paraguayan) to do the elevator experience. It was something I didn’t expect, but being able to be right up close and personal at the base of the waterfalls was something else, and there were a few benches there to sit and marvel at the view. 1000% worth it.
Whether you’re based in Ciudad del Este or just passing through, I definitely recommend making time to check out Salto del Monday—it’s one of those easy wins when it comes to natural sights in Paraguay.
FAQ – Visiting Monday Falls in Paraguay
It’s located in Presidente Franco, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Ciudad del Este. You can take a Bolt, taxi, or a local bus and walk a short distance to the park entrance.
Entry is usually around $12 USD for adults. Prices may vary slightly depending on age or if you’re booking a tour with extras like ziplining or rappelling.
The park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so it’s best to visit in the morning or early afternoon to enjoy the full experience and avoid the midday heat.
Yes, absolutely. They’re both located near Ciudad del Este. If you start early, you can visit both in one day—Monday Falls for nature, and Itaipú Dam for something more structured and informative. You can read more about Itaipú in my Ciudad del Este blog post.
Iguazu is world-famous for a reason—it’s massive, powerful, and unforgettable. I highly recommend seeing the Argentina side, which I cover in detail here.
But Monday Falls is a totally different vibe. It’s smaller, more chill, and way easier to visit—no border crossings, no crowds. It’s perfect for a relaxed half-day trip close to the city.
It’s very accessible. There are viewing platforms and paved walkways, plus shaded areas and a small café. It’s not a long hike, but there’s space for walking and relaxing.
Yes! There are restrooms near the entrance, a picnic area, and a small café that serves light snacks and drinks. It’s simple but all you need for a few hours.
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