Santa Elena y el Túnel Verde
The "mandarin city", with a tunnel of trees more than 2 km long at the town entrance.
What it is
Santa Elena is 101 km from Asunción, on the banks of the Yhaguy River, with a mild, dry climate. It is known as the "mandarin city" and has about 4,300 inhabitants (2022 census). Its patron saint festival is on 18 August, and San Blas (3 February), San Roque (16 August) and the Virgen de Caacupé (8 December) are also celebrated. One of its attractions is the Green Tunnel, a corridor of trees of all kinds more than 2 km long at the town entrance, which invites you to take the road slowly.
What to see and do
- The Green Tunnel, over 2 km long
- The Yhaguy River
- The August patron saint festivities
Did you know…?
Its productive identity revolves around the mandarin.
Local football tournaments run from November to February.
History
It was elevated to district status on 5 October 1936, splitting off from Itacurubí de la Cordillera.
Tips
- Take the tunnel slowly and respect traffic.
- Combine with Itacurubí and Piribebuy.
Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: All year; 18 August for the patron saint festival.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nearby
Itacurubí de la Cordillera · Cordillera
Itacurubí de la Cordillera
The "Garden of the Republic": a crystal-clear stream, stone springs and a natural park in the heart of Cordillera.
Isla Pucú · Cordillera
Isla Pucú y la batalla de Ka'aguy Juru
A Cordillera town where, in August 1869, around 1,200 soldiers covered López's retreat after Acosta Ñu.
Eusebio Ayala · Cordillera
Eusebio Ayala (Barrero Grande)
The republic of chipá: some fifty chipa bakeries and the memory of the child soldiers of Acosta Ñu.
Piribebuy (colonia Piraretã) · Cordillera
Salto Piraretã
A hidden waterfall in the Piraretã farming community, with a stream and fresh forest air.
Piribebuy · Cordillera
Salto Amambay
One of the Piribebuy-area waterfalls, on the road to Itacurubí, alongside Piraretã and Siete Caídas.
Caraguatay · Cordillera
Parque Nacional Vapor Cué
An open-air naval museum: the ships the Paraguayan fleet scuttled in 1869 beside the Yhaguy River.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 5 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.