Ruta de la Yerba Mate (Bella Vista)
From plantation to gourd: factories, immigrant museums and a mate bar in Paraguay's National Capital of Yerba Mate.
What it is
Bella Vista, a colony founded by German immigrants, bills itself as the National Capital of Yerba Mate, the herbal tea that is Paraguay's national drink. Two yerba producers open their doors: Pajarito, with the Casa Raatz museum and its Guyra'i Rape circuit, and Selecta, with its processing plant, a 173-hectare nature reserve and the country's first Mate Bar. You'll see how the leaf goes from plantation to drying and packaging, and taste it in sweet and savory dishes. The Mate Róga interpretation center, at the Route PY06 roundabout, is a good place to get your bearings.
What to see and do
- A tour of Pajarito's plant and plantations and the Casa Raatz museum
- Selecta's Adventure Circuit, nature reserve and Mate Bar
- The Mate Róga interpretation center
- The Immigrant Museum, with belongings of the first families
- The giant swings promenade and the Hunting and Fishing Club beach
Did you know…?
The Mate Bar serves yerba-infused sausages, yerba mate ice cream and even yerba beer.
An international ferry runs from Bella Vista across the Paraná to Corpus Christi, Argentina.
History
Bella Vista was founded in 1918 by Joseph Bohn and Erdmann Fischer as a colony for immigrants of German origin, several of whom arrived from Brazil via the Paraná River. Yerba mate became its economic engine. The Pajarito company was founded in 1956 by Lauro and Sara Raatz; Selecta's Mate Bar opened in November 2020.
Tips
- Visits to the yerba producers run mainly Monday to Friday, mornings and afternoons; Saturdays and holidays by reservation.
- Tours cost roughly ₲10,000-40,000 per person depending on the producer and option (check before you go).
- Book by phone or social media; large groups need to arrange in advance.
Pajarito: Monday to Friday 7:00-10:30 and 14:00-16:30, Saturdays 7:00-10:30 (admission ₲10,000). Selecta: morning (plant) and afternoon (reserve) tours. Check before you go and book ahead.
Best time: Year-round on weekdays; the main yerba harvest takes place in the colder months.
What to try
- A yerba mate-based menu at the Mate Bar
- German cooking from the colonies
- Tereré (iced yerba mate) made with freshly processed yerba
Activities
Where to stay
Festivals and events here
Nearby
Hohenau · Itapúa
Colonias Unidas: Hohenau y Obligado
Immigrant colonies with community festivals, Choppfest, parks and pioneer museums.
Trinidad · Itapúa
Misión Jesuítica de la Santísima Trinidad del Paraná
Paraguay's best-preserved Jesuit reduction: reddish stone, musician angels and an evening light show.
Jesús · Itapúa
Misión Jesuítica de Jesús de Tavarangue
A colossal church that was never finished: trefoil arches in the middle of the countryside, a World Heritage Site.
Capitán Miranda · Itapúa
Capitán Miranda
A melting pot of settlers about 15 km from Encarnación, famous for its festival of food cooked on plow discs.
Cambyretá · Itapúa
Cambyretá
Encarnación's neighbor, the 'land of milk': a quiet riverside promenade, sports and sunsets over the Paraná.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Encarnación
The Pearl of the South: riverfront promenade, river beaches, carnival and the perfect base for the Jesuit missions.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 9 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.