Summary
The Saltos Del Monday, also known as Monday Falls, is an impressive waterfall in Paraguay, not too far from the famous Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil. Saltos Del Monday is one of the best natural sights in Paraguay, yet it remains relatively unknown to international tourists, and many visitors to the nearby Iguazu are often unaware of this beautiful waterfall.
Visiting Monday Falls is easy, safe, and inexpensive via a day trip from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina or from Foz Do Iguacu in Brazil. Along with enjoying the impressive waterfall, travelers can also enjoy the novelty of visiting another country.
This travel guide will provide insights on how to visit Saltos Del Monday on a day trip from Argentina, Brazil, or Paraguay, along with some interesting information about the waterfall itself!
How To Get To Saltos Del Monday In Paraguay
The Saltos Del Monday waterfall is located on the outskirts of Ciudad Del Este city, in southeastern Paraguay. It’s very close to Paraguay’s borders with Argentina and Brazil, making it ideal for a half-day trip from either country.
I hired a private driver to take me across the river on a half-day trip to see the Monday Falls, with a total cost of around $100 USD for the trip. My local driver, Roxana, assisted in getting the ferry tickets necessary for this visit. You can contact her via WhatsApp at ☎ +54 937-6486-2512.
Your hotel in Puerto Iguazu can also facilitate arranging a driver. While this is the easiest method, budget travelers can choose to save costs by exploring other options, detailed below.
• From Puerto Iguazu (Argentina)
When in Argentina, visit the Saltos Del Monday waterfall as a day trip from Puerto Iguazu, which is Argentina’s side of the famous Iguazu Falls.
From Puerto Iguazu, you have two options: cross the river by ferry or drive into Brazil (to Foz Do Iguacu) before crossing the bridge into Paraguay. There isn’t a direct bridge from Puerto Iguazu into Paraguay; hence, if you drive, you must first go through Brazil.
With the ferry, you can travel both by vehicle or on foot. Visit the ferry terminal in Puerto Iguazu (map here) for processing through immigration, followed by a short ride across the Parana River.
The ferry operates from Monday to Saturday, departing every 30-60 minutes, although it is not always punctual, so arrive when possible to catch the next available departure.
The river crossing is scenic. After a 15-minute ferry ride, you’ll arrive in Paraguay, where you will pass through Paraguayan immigration before reaching Presidente Franco, just south of Ciudad Del Este.
Should you choose to walk across the ferry, a taxi may be needed on the Paraguayan side, which could be a challenge if no taxis are present near the ferry terminal.
• From Foz Do Iguacu (Brazil)
Travelers in Brazil can enjoy a day trip to Saltos Del Monday from Foz Do Iguacu, known as Brazil’s side of the famous Iguazu Falls.
The border between Brazil and Paraguay is connected via a bridge, making it easier to travel by bus, taxi, or on foot. You might consider taking a taxi to the bridge, walking across if there’s heavy traffic, and then catching another taxi on the Paraguayan side after immigration.
The bridge can be crossed on foot within 5-10 minutes, though you should account for the immigration process, which may vary in duration. Similar to Argentina, Uber services are accessible in both Foz Do Iguacu and Ciudad Del Este, providing an affordable means of transport to and from the waterfall.
Post-bridge crossing, it’s about a 20-minute drive to the falls. Consider negotiating a driver to wait for you at the waterfall, as finding taxis in the area can be challenging.
• From Ciudad Del Este (Paraguay)
If starting from Paraguay, catch a flight from the capital Asuncion to Guarani International Airport (AGT), close to Ciudad Del Este. The flight takes approximately 40 minutes with several departures weekly. Check Skyscanner for flight options.
Upon arrival, hire a taxi for a ride into town or negotiate transport to the waterfall. Alternatively, Uber is readily available in Ciudad Del Este, making it convenient for visiting the falls.
Saltos Del Monday: What To Expect
The nature park at Monday Falls is compact and easy to explore. After purchasing your tickets and walking along a paved trail, you’ll reach an upper platform near the waterfall’s edge. There are two viewpoints at the waterfall—one above and another below—both offering unique perspectives of this stunning natural site.
The lower platform, accessible by an elevator included with your entrance ticket, allows you to stand close to the cascading waters of Saltos Del Monday. While not comparable to the massive Iguazu Falls, the falls boast a remarkable flow, especially during the rainy season, with a height of approximately 45 meters (150 feet) and a width of 120 meters (400 feet).
Fortunately, unlike the bustling Iguazu, Monday Falls sees fewer crowds, providing a serene visit. The site’s facilities are basic yet functional, including restrooms, souvenir shops, and a dining area.
Parque Aventura Monday: Alternate Viewpoint
After enjoying Monday Falls, consider visiting the nearby adventure park, ‘Parque Aventura Monday,’ located just 500 meters from Saltos Del Monday, easily reachable within 2 minutes of driving. Note that this is a separate park, so an additional entrance fee is required.
This park offers various activities like zip-lining, archery, and paintball; however, I visited solely for the alternate views of Saltos Del Monday. It features multiple viewpoints, including a scenic frontal view that showcases the entire waterfall from a distance.
In some ways, I preferred this perspective to the ‘official’ view at Monday Falls! There’s also a path leading down to the river near the waterfall’s base for an intimate experience of the natural beauty.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
Current entrance fees and opening hours for Saltos Del Monday can be checked on this website or their official Instagram page.
For the Parque Aventura Monday, find updated fees and hours on their website here. Both parks accept credit cards, though it’s good to have cash on hand in case the card machine is inoperative. They accept all local currencies and US Dollars.
What Is The Border Crossing Like?
Traveling to Paraguay from Argentina or Brazil is relatively straightforward. As a US citizen, I didn’t require a visa for any of these countries, making this day trip practical; nevertheless, it’s important to check visa requirements specific to your nationality and ensure your passport is on hand.
Border crossings typically proceed swiftly, with short queues and smooth procedures. My experience suggested that immigration processes took less than 10 minutes on either side of the border.
Is Paraguay Safe?
Although Paraguay may not have a flawless safety reputation, the area around the waterfall is secure, as it is a ticketed zone. I felt comfortable carrying my camera, and I observed other travelers doing the same.
While many tourists visit this waterfall without incident, it’s wise to exercise normal precautions. In Ciudad Del Este, it’s advisable to conceal valuables, although reports of tourist issues in this area are minimal.
Thank you for exploring this travel guide! I hope you found it valuable for planning a visit to Saltos Del Monday waterfall on a day trip from Argentina or Brazil. Explore other travel guides for South America, including a dedicated post for Iguazu Falls for additional insights.
Happy travels!