Alvnarvaja · CC BY-SA 3.0Hernandarias
The city of energy: dams, a beach on the Itaipú reservoir and a Way of the Cross lit by candles.
What it is
Hernandarias, once known as Tacurú Pucú, is home to both Itaipú and the Acaray power plant, which is why it bills itself as the capital of energy. Beyond the dam, it offers Itaipú's Tacurú Pucú Park, with a beach, barbecue shelters (quinchos), sports fields and playgrounds on the shores of the reservoir, plus guesthouses and country houses on Lake Acaray. Its calendar has two big moments: Good Friday, when the Great Way of the Cross (Vía Crucis Mayor) winds for about 3 km between bottles holding lit candles, and the patron-saint festival in August, with an entrepreneurs' fair and a popular music festival.
What to see and do
- The Good Friday Great Way of the Cross, from the Las Américas neighborhood to the Our Lady of the Assumption parish church
- Itaipú's Tacurú Pucú beach and park on the reservoir
- The patron-saint festival of Our Lady of the Assumption, with a fair and a serenade
- A getaway to the guesthouses and country houses on Lake Acaray
Did you know…?
The Great Way of the Cross has been declared of cultural and tourist interest; its route is lit by some 6,800 bottles holding candles.
Two hydroelectric plants operate within its territory: Itaipú, on the Paraná, and Acaray, on the river of the same name.
History
Its Guaraní name, Tacurú Pucú, refers to a "tall termite mound". The city grew alongside the great hydroelectric projects: the Acaray plant has been running since 1968, and the construction of Itaipú, begun in 1975, transformed the area completely. According to the 2022 census it has some 83,000 inhabitants, and it lies about 15 km from Ciudad del Este.
Tips
- For Good Friday and the August patron-saint festival, book accommodation well in advance: in 2025 hotels were 100% full.
- Tacurú Pucú Park: free admission, 6:00 to 21:00 according to Itaipú (check before you go).
- It's the closest base for Itaipú, Tekotopa and the Tatí Yupí reserve.
Best time: Holy Week and mid-August for its festivals; summer (December to March) for the reservoir beach and Lake Acaray.
Activities
Where to stay
Festivals and events here
Nearby
Hernandarias · Alto Paraná
Tekotopa Centro Ambiental (Sendero del Jaguareté y Museo de Itaipu Tierra Guaraní)
Jaguars, tapirs and harpy eagles of the Atlantic Forest, plus Itaipú's great museum of nature and Guaraní culture.
Hernandarias · Alto Paraná
Reserva Natural Tatí Yupí
Itaipú's forest closest to the dam: horse-drawn carts, bikes, a giant peroba tree and birds everywhere.
Hernandarias · Alto Paraná
Central Hidroeléctrica Itaipú
One of the world's largest hydroelectric plants, free and guided: colossal engineering on the Paraná River.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Ciudad del Este
The great shop window of the Triple Frontier: shopping, a cosmopolitan buzz and the gateway to Itaipú and the Monday Falls.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Lago de la República
Ciudad del Este's green lung: laps around the lake, caimans, craft beer and the city's biggest festivals.
Presidente Franco · Alto Paraná
Saltos del Monday (Cataratas del Monday)
Three main drops of about 40 meters amid Atlantic Forest, just minutes from the bustle of Ciudad del Este.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 9 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.