Rodney Damián · CC BY-SA 3.0Ayolas
Paraguay's dorado capital: sport fishing, white-sand beaches and the Yacyretá dam next door.
What it is
Ayolas went from fishing village to modern town with the construction of Yacyretá, and today it blends both worlds. Its fishing holes on the Paraná draw anglers from all over the country, as well as from Argentina and Brazil, in pursuit of dorado, surubí (river catfish) and pacú, with guides and boats. The white-sand Corateí beach fills up in summer. It is the base for visiting the dam, the Isla Yacyretá Reserve, the Atinguy Wildlife Refuge and the Jesuit towns of Santiago and San Cosme.
What to see and do
- A guided boat trip fishing for dorado
- Corateí beach in summer
- The Dorado and Mixed Species Fishing Contest and the 'Paraná costa pe' festival (September)
- The Arary Festival (September)
- A trip to the Yacyretá dam and the Atinguy Refuge
Did you know…?
The Dorado and Mixed Species Fishing Contest is catch-and-release: every fish goes back to the river.
In 2026 the contest reached its 24th edition, from 24 to 27 September, with teams from Brazil and Argentina.
History
It was founded on 12 September 1899 by settlers from Santiago at the old Jesuit port of San Josemí, and its name honors the conquistador Juan de Ayolas, companion of Pedro de Mendoza. It changed in scale from the 1980s with the Yacyretá works, which brought new neighborhoods for workers, services and tourism. The Yacyretá Fishing Club has organized its international fishing contest for more than two decades.
Tips
- Respect the fishing closed season (usually November-December) and minimum size limits: check with MADES (the environment ministry).
- Hire licensed fishing guides and wear a life jacket.
- Check the Yacyretá Fishing Club calendar (0975 613 443) for contests and events.
Best time: September for the fishing contest; December-March for the beach; avoid the year-end fishing closed season.
What to try
- Grilled dorado and surubí
- Surubí milanesa (breaded catfish)
- Pira caldo (Paraguayan fish soup)
Activities
Festivals and events here
Ayolas Catch-and-Release Dorado and Mixed-Species Fishing Tournament
Teams from Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil compete for dorado on the Paraná, releasing every fish they catch.
SportAyolas, Misiones19MarSan José · Ayolas
Procession from the Plaza del Pescador and Mass on the Juan de Ayolas plaza, followed by a communal lunch.
Patron saintAyolas, MisionesNearby
Ayolas · Misiones
Represa de Yacyretá, Isla Yacyretá y Refugio Atinguy
One of the continent's great hydroelectric dams, with guided tours, a wildlife refuge and an island reserve.
Santiago · Misiones
Santiago: museo jesuítico y Fiesta de la Tradición Misionera
Jesuit carvings, a complete altarpiece and, every January, the great gaucho festival of Misiones tradition.
San Cosme y Damián · Itapúa
San Cosme y Damián: misión y Centro de Interpretación Astronómica Buenaventura Suárez
The mission where a Jesuit studied the stars in 1703; today, a planetarium, telescopes and dark skies beside the Paraná.
Santa Rosa · Misiones
Santa Rosa de Lima y la Capilla de Loreto
A Jesuit chapel with Guaraní frescoes and a painted starry ceiling, beside a red-stone bell tower.
San Ignacio · Misiones
San Ignacio Guazú y su Museo Diocesano de Arte Jesuítico
Paraguay's first Jesuit reduction keeps thirty Guaraní Baroque carvings in a living museum.
San Ignacio · Misiones
Tañarandy y la procesión de Viernes Santo (Yvága Rape)
Paraguay's most beautiful Good Friday: thousands of candles, traditional Passion chants and a living altarpiece.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 4 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.