PARQUE NACIONAL DE YBYCUÍ

This national park is one of the most visited in Paraguay. Access is relatively easy from the capital, 150 km away. With a surface area of 5,000 hectares, it was created in 1973 and offers a varied landscape, with hills and vegetation characteristic of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest. You can admire orchids and bromeliads, and it's easy to spot coatis or armadillos. The park's main attraction is its waterfalls, in particular Salto Mina and Salto Guaraní. Salto Mina is also called Salto Cristal by the locals, but should not be confused with the "real" Salto Cristal, much higher up, located towards La Colmena. It's a bucolic spot, with several waterfalls and pools, where you can cool off. Quiet during the week, it's very busy at weekends. A short, fairly steep walk (signposted) takes you up to a mirador, offering a fine view of the tropical selve. As for the Salto Guaraní, it can be found on the Mina arroyo, 900 metres from the camping area, along a path that is popular with butterflies. The park is also home to the old La Rosada (or Minas Cue) foundry. This was South America's first ferrous metal foundry. Commissioned in 1856 under Carlos Antonio López, it was destroyed by Allied troops in 1869. Tools, horseshoes, precision parts for the naval industry and, above all, weapons were produced here during the war. A museum explains how it worked.