Museo Histórico Salvador Garozzo Simón Bouvier
Villa Hayes municipal museum with about 3,000 pieces: Chaco flora and fauna, war objects, sacred art and founding documents.
What it is
The municipal history museum of Villa Hayes is named after Salvador Garozzo Simón Bouvier and now holds about 3,000 pieces. There are displays of Chaco flora and fauna, objects from the two wars fought by Paraguay, old everyday artefacts, sacred art, images of notable figures and a gallery of portraits of former presidents. It also shows Paraguayan and foreign banknotes, coins and stamps, along with documents about the founding of the city. It is the easiest cultural stop for anyone crossing the bridge into the Chaco.
What to see and do
- About 3,000 pieces
- Objects from the Great War and the Chaco War
- Coins, banknotes and stamps
- Gallery of portraits of former presidents
Did you know…?
The museum keeps documents on the founding of Villa Hayes.
Entry is free according to the official listing.
History
The city was called Villa Occidental and Nueva Burdeos before receiving its present name, by decree of 13 May 1879, in honour of US president Rutherford B. Hayes, who signed the award in Paraguay's favour on 12 November 1878.
Tips
- Combine it with a stroll along the waterfront and the pier-lookout, a few blocks away.
- Check hours ahead: it is a municipal museum.
Check hours before you go.
Best time: Year-round.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nearby
Villa Hayes · Presidente Hayes
Embarcadero y mirador de Villa Hayes
A pier and promenade on the Paraguay River at the north end of the Villa Hayes waterfront, with 400 m² of rest area.
Villa Hayes · Presidente Hayes
Villa Hayes
The gateway to the Chaco, half an hour from Asunción, named after a president of the United States.
Villa Hayes / Limpio · Presidente Hayes
El Peñón del río Paraguay
A rocky rise on a small island in the Paraguay River, between Villa Hayes and Limpio, topped by a small castle.
Limpio · Central
Limpio
Karanda'y palm hats, a church with colonial roots and lagoons of giant water lilies beside the Paraguay River.
Villa Hayes / Mariano Roque Alonso · Presidente Hayes
Puente Remanso
The 1978 bridge over the Paraguay River linking Mariano Roque Alonso with Villa Hayes and opening the door to the Chaco.
Del Puente Remanso a la frontera con Bolivia · Presidente Hayes
Ruta Transchaco (PY09)
A road trip of some 780 km through palm groves, marshes and thorny scrub, from the Paraguay River to Bolivia.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.