Ulises Icardi · CC BY-SA 4.0Villa Florida y las playas del río Tebicuary
White sand and the gentle waters of the Tebicuary: the closest river beach in the south, two hours from Asunción.
What it is
The Tebicuary River almost wraps around Villa Florida, the first stop in the south on Route PY01. In summer its white-sand beaches and calm waters welcome families who come for the day to swim, fish or paddle. From the 450-meter bridge you can watch the river open out between sandbanks, and a 31-meter statue of Christ towers over the landscape. The specialty is fish: surubí (river catfish) breaded, grilled or in soup, at the town's eateries.
What to see and do
- A beach day on the sands of the Tebicuary
- The view of the river from the 450 m bridge
- The 31 m Christ monument
- A surubí lunch at local eateries
- The patron saint's festival of the Immaculate Conception (8 December)
Did you know…?
Fishing, once its main source of income, has declined due to overfishing; today responsible catch-and-release fishing is encouraged.
It is considered the gateway to Paraguay's Jesuit missions region.
History
Villa Florida was founded on 6 September 1880 beside the Tebicuary crossing, the natural boundary of the old missions; that is why it is called the gateway to the Jesuit circuit. The bridge over the river opened in 1968 and the Christ monument in 2020. The town lives from tourism, cattle ranching and, to a lesser extent today, fishing.
Tips
- The level of the Tebicuary varies a lot: after heavy rain there may be floods, so ask before swimming.
- Swim only in designated areas and keep an eye on children: there are sudden drop-offs and currents.
- On long summer weekends, arrive early to find some shade.
Best time: December to March for the beach; autumn for fishing.
What to try
- Surubí milanesa (breaded catfish)
- Chupín (fish stew) and fish soup
- Grilled surubí
Activities
Festivals and events here
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.