Refugio Biológico de Mbaracayú (Itaipú)

The Mbaracayú Biological Refuge, managed by Itaipú, is in Salto del Guairá, on the reservoir, and protects Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, wetlands and restored areas. Depending on the source it covers between 1,356 and 1,436 hectares (Itaipú rounds it to about 1,400), with species such as the giant armadillo, puma and many birds. Do not confuse it with the Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve, a different protected area further south, run privately on a non-profit basis. The visit is usually made along the 970-metre La Esperanza interpretive trail, with stations and a guided walk of about 45 minutes. At the end you can visit the interpretation centre, the pier and a lookout for watching birds and other animals; along the way there are iron sculptures of local wildlife.

It is one of the wild protected areas Itaipú created in the 1980s around the reservoir. According to ABC, it reopened to the public on a July date (the article is from late 2021) after a closure.