Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Colonia Independencia
A German-founded colony at the foot of the Ybytyruzú: waterfalls, hills, grapes, ice-cold draft beer and Chopp Fest.
What it is
Independencia spreads across the slopes of the Ybytyruzú and is the best launch pad for adventure in Guairá. Houses with gardens, German surnames and an entrance arch proclaiming 'the land of wine and sun' sit alongside small farms growing grapes, sugarcane and yerba mate. From its town center, Melgarejo, dirt roads lead to waterfalls, lookouts and hills with trails, ziplines and horseback rides. You'll find long-established hotels, nature resorts and family guesthouses. From November to January fresh grapes are sold by the roadside, and between late October and early November comes Chopp Fest, the local beer festival.
What to see and do
- Chopp Fest, a German-style beer festival at the Deportivo Alemán club: the 2026 edition is on Saturday, November 7
- Salto Mirian Mabel: a waterfall on the Santa Librada stream, with a 30 m suspension bridge and four lookouts
- Salto Cantera (three drops, the tallest about 20 m) and more than 7 km of marked trails in the area
- Fresh table grapes in season (November to January) and wine made by the colonist families
- San Vicente de Paúl church; patron-saint feast on September 27
Did you know…?
On February 26, 1956, Independencia's winegrowers organized Paraguay's first National Grape Harvest Festival, held in Villarrica.
Chopp Fest has been held since 1978 at the Club Deportivo Alemán; its 46th edition in 2025 drew some 20,000 people.
The San Vicente de Paúl church (1939) was built with stones carried by hand or wheelbarrow from the Tacuaras stream.
History
The colony was officially founded on January 17, 1920, as Colonia Independencia Nacional, promoted by businessman Conrado Melgarejo, whose surname lives on in the name of the town center. The first settlers were Germans from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria who arrived after World War I; Austrians and Swiss followed. In the late 1920s an immigrant named Vogt planted the first vines. Over the years, some growers switched from wine to table grapes.
Tips
- Roads to the waterfalls and hills are dirt and rock: after rain, bring a 4x4 or wait for them to dry out.
- For Chopp Fest, buy your ticket in advance (2026 presale: ₲ 150,000, on sale until November 6) and book accommodation weeks ahead.
- Local buses run from Villarrica to Independencia, but to get between attractions you'll need your own vehicle or a hired one.
- The Expo Ecológica Independencia is usually held in October; the San Vicente de Paúl patron-saint feast is on September 27.
Best time: Spring and fall for trails and waterfalls in pleasant temperatures. From November to January there are fresh grapes; Chopp Fest falls between late October and early November; the San Vicente de Paúl feast is on September 27. After rain the waterfalls look their best, but the roads get tricky.
What to try
- Pork knuckle with sauerkraut and pretzels, classics of the German menu at Chopp Fest
- Cakes and kuchen baked by families of German descent
- Fresh grapes from the colony and local small-batch wine
Activities
Festivals and events here
Colonia Independencia Chopp Fest
Draft beer, German cooking and national bands at the foot of the Ybytyruzú, in the colony of grapes and wine.
Heritage communitiesIndependencia, GuairáFeatured27SepSan Vicente de Paúl · Independencia
A town with a strong German heritage, known for its November Chopp Fest; the patronal feast is a separate, religious celebration.
Patron saintIndependencia, GuairáNearby
Colonia Independencia · Guairá
Salto de la Cantera y Salto Pa'i (Ybytyruzú)
Waterfalls of the Ybytyruzú near Colonia Independencia: three drops, big rocks and petrified wood remains.
Independencia · Guairá
Salto Suizo
A waterfall of more than 60 meters deep in the Ybytyruzú forest, the highest in the country.
Colonia Independencia · Guairá
Cerro de la Cruz y su mirador
A hill with a cross and lookout in Independencia district, recommended for hiking and camping.
Colonia Independencia · Guairá
Salto San Pablo (Pozo Hondo)
A waterfall and pool in Independencia district, listed among Guairá's most visited falls.
Colonia Independencia · Guairá
Cerro Akatí, el «cerro canoso» del Ybytyruzú
A lookout at about 600 m in the Ybytyruzú range, with a trail to the Itá Letra inscriptions.
Villarrica (compañía Ytororó) · Guairá
Itá Letra, las «letras de la piedra» del Ybytyruzú
An archaeological site with pre-Columbian rock carvings at the eastern edge of Villarrica, discovered in the 1950s.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 17 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.