Saltos del Monday (Monday Falls): Impressive waterfalls

The Monday Falls in Paraguay are a breathtaking natural spectacle in the Alto Paraná Department, very close to Ciudad del Este. The falls, approximately 45 meters high and 120 meters wide, located in the Monday Municipal Park (Parque Municipal Monday), offer not only spectacular views but also lush subtropical flora and fauna in the last remnants of the Atlantic Forest. They mark a historical stop on the routes of the Guarani people and are among Paraguay's top tourist attractions. Visitors can stroll along well-maintained walkways, participate in guided tours, or try adventure activities such as rappelling. The best time to visit is during the dry season (May–September), while the flow is especially dramatic during the rainy season (November–March). To get there, there are taxis, rental cars and guided transfers from Ciudad del Este.

🗺️ Location & Overview

The Monday Falls are located in Monday Municipal Park, in the Presidente Franco district, about 10 km from Ciudad del Este. The waterfall is part of the Monday River, which here, after descending through a tectonic basin of the Asunción–Sapucai–Villarrica Graben, flows with great force into the Paraná River.

📜 Historical context

The Monday Falls were already stops on the Guarani trade and pilgrimage routes before colonization. During the construction of the Itaipu Dam in the 1970s, they gained prominence as a tourist attraction, offering a counterpoint to the enormous hydroelectric infrastructure.

🌿 Geology & Hydrography

The waterfall plunges in three main drops, each 45 meters high and about 120 meters wide. The riverbed is surrounded by dense vegetation, one of the last remaining fragments of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest west of the Paraná River.

🌳 Flora & fauna

Monday Municipal Park (approx. 9 ha) is home to numerous species of birds, reptiles, and small mammals such as the anteater. The subtropical vegetation includes large trees, ferns, and lianas, characteristic of Atlantic forests.

🏞️ Tourist offers & activities

Platforms and walkways: a marked network of walkways allows safe views very close to the falls.
Guided excursions: local operators offer tours with geological and historical explanations.
Tirolesa & cañonismo: the more adventurous can book rappelling sessions on the rock walls.
Fototours: sunrise and sunset outings to capture the most dramatic light.

📚 Interesting facts about the name “Monday”

The name “Monday” does not come from the English “Monday”, but from Guarani: it is formed with “mondá” (to steal) and “y” (water), that is, “stolen water”.
Describes the power and speed of the Río Monday, whose current seems to "rob" its tributaries of water.
For the Guarani people, these waterfalls were a sacred place where the force of nature was especially evident, hence their distinctive name.

📅 Best time & weather

La estación seca (mayo–septiembre) ofrece temperaturas moderadas (media de 21 °C) y senderos en buen estado. En la estación lluviosa (noviembre–marzo) el caudal aumenta notablemente, haciendo las cataratas más imponentes pero también más resbaladizas. Las lluvias anuales en Alto Paraná son de las más altas del país.

🚗 Cómo llegar & accesibilidad

Desde Ciudad del Este: 10 km en taxi o auto de alquiler (15 min) por carreteras en buen estado.
Desde Foz do Iguaçu (Brasil): Cruzar la frontera por el Puente de la Amistad y un breve trayecto hasta Presidente Franco.
Horario: Diario de 08:00 a 17:00; acceso al Parque Municipal Monday mediante entrada de pago.

ℹ️ Consejos prácticos para visitantes

Equipment: Calzado antideslizante, impermeable o capa de lluvia en temporada de lluvias, protector solar y repelente de insectos.
Safety: Extremar precauciones en pasarelas mojadas; contratar actividades de aventura solo con proveedores autorizados.
Comida: Hay un café dentro del parque; para estancias largas, llevar picnic propio.

👉 Conclusion

Los Saltos del Monday son más que unas cataratas: combinan la historia cultural paraguaya con una naturaleza impresionante y actividades de aventura. Como excursión desde Ciudad del Este o parte de una ruta regional, ofrecen una experiencia inolvidable alejada de los caminos convencionales.

🖼️ Impressions

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