The Saltos Del Monday waterfall, also called Monday Falls, is a stunning natural wonder in Paraguay, located near the renowned Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil.
Saltos Del Monday: A Hidden Gem in Paraguay, Unnoticed by Many International Tourists visiting Iguazu.
Exploring Monday Falls on a Day Trip from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina (or from Foz Do Iguacu in Brazil) is a Convenient and Affordable Option, Offering the Opportunity to Experience the Spectacular Waterfall and Visit a Different Country.
Exploring Saltos Del Monday: A Day Trip Guide from Argentina, Brazil, or Paraguay
2) • Traveling from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina)
3) • Traveling from Foz Do Iguacu (Brazil)
4) • Traveling from Ciudad Del Este (Paraguay)
5) What to Expect at Saltos Del Monday
6) Parque Aventura Monday: A Different Perspective
7) Hours of Operation and Admission Fees
8) What to Expect at the Border Crossing
9) Safety in Paraguay
10) Top Tours of Iguazu Falls
11) Additional Tips for Traveling in South America
Getting to Saltos Del Monday in Paraguay
The Saltos Del Monday waterfall can be found just outside the city of Ciudad Del Este in southeastern Paraguay, making it an ideal spot for a half-day trip from neighboring Argentina or Brazil.
I chose to hire a private driver to transport me across the ferry from Argentina to Paraguay for a half-day excursion to visit the Monday Falls, returning on the same day. The total cost for the trip was approximately $100 USD.
The local driver who assisted us was named Roxana, and she was extremely helpful in obtaining the ferry tickets and all other necessities for the trip to Monday Falls. You can reach her via WhatsApp at ☎ +54 937-6486-2512.
Get assistance from your hotel in Puerto Iguazu for arranging a driver. It’s the simplest and most convenient option, but if you’re looking to save money, you can also do it yourself (more information on that below).
Departing from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina
Explore the Saltos Del Monday Waterfall on a day trip from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina
You have two options from Puerto Iguazu: take a ferry across the river or drive into Brazil and then cross the bridge into Paraguay from there. Since there is no direct bridge from Puerto Iguazu into Paraguay, driving through Brazil is necessary if you prefer to drive.
Traveling to Puerto Iguazu? Take the ferry to cross the Parana River by vehicle or on foot. Head to the ferry terminal in Puerto Iguazu and go through immigration before enjoying a short and peaceful ride across the river.
Check out the La Balsa ferry website for photos and contact information. The ferry tickets are affordable, usually just a few US Dollars, and there’s usually no need to book in advance as the tickets don’t usually sell out.
They only accept cash for payment and they can take various currencies. They will accept Argentine Pesos and Paraguayan Guarani, as well as US Dollars and Brazilian Reals.
Operating Schedule and Frequency of the La Balsa Ferry
Enjoy a Relaxing and Scenic River Crossing with Calm and Safe Waters
Arrive in Paraguay after a short ferry ride and experience the unique opportunity to see three countries at once at the river junction known as ‘Tres Fronteras’.
Make sure to go through Paraguayan immigration before arriving in the small town of Presidente Franco, located south of Ciudad Del Este city.
It’s only a 7 kilometer drive to Saltos Del Monday waterfall from here if you have a vehicle, and it should take about 15 minutes.
Finding a Taxi on the Other Side of the Ferry May Pose a Challenge for Pedestrians
Another choice in Argentina is to drive or take a bus across the bridge from Puerto Iguazu to Brazil (to the city of Foz Do Iguacu), and then cross the bridge from Foz into Paraguay.
I would not suggest attempting this unless the ferry is not operating, as it requires crossing two borders in each direction, making the process more complex.
Affordable Bus Route from Puerto Iguazu to Ciudad Del Este with Hourly Departures
• Departing from Foz Do Iguacu (Brazil)
A day trip from Foz Do Iguacu to the Saltos Del Monday waterfall in Brazil is worth a visit, especially if you’re in the area to see the famous Iguazu Falls.
Traveling from Brazil to Paraguay is quite straightforward, with a bridge connecting the two countries and allowing for easy access by bus, taxi, or foot. This is unlike the situation in Argentina, where the connection is not as direct.
One option is: “You can opt to take a taxi to the bridge, walk across if traffic is heavy, and then hail another taxi once you’ve crossed and entered Paraguay.”
Make sure to allow 5-10 minutes to walk across the bridge on foot, but keep in mind that you’ll need to account for the time spent at immigration and customs in Brazil and Paraguay. Remember to go through immigration on both sides of the border!
Uber is available in both Foz Do Iguacu and Ciudad Del Este, providing a convenient and affordable option for transportation to the border and the waterfall. Alternatively, there are also plenty of regular taxis in both cities.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive from the bridge to the falls. Consider discussing a price with your driver to wait for you at the waterfall and then bring you back to the bridge, as finding taxis near the falls can be challenging.
Finally, an additional choice for your day trip is to catch the bus from Foz Do Iguacu to Ciudad Del Este. The bus terminal is conveniently located near the town center and is both affordable and user-friendly.
• Originating from Ciudad Del Este (Paraguay)
How to visit the Saltos Del Monday waterfall in Paraguay from Asuncion
Multiple flights depart each week with an approximate duration of 40 minutes. Check for available flights to Paraguay on Skyscanner.
Transport options from airport to town and waterfall visit in Ciudad Del Este
What to anticipate at Saltos Del Monday
Monday Falls Nature Park: A Small and Accessible Park for Exploring
Monday Falls offers two stunning viewpoints – one above and one below the waterfall – both of which are definitely worth visiting. To reach the lower platform, visitors can take an elevator, which is typically included in the entrance ticket, and get up close to the powerful Saltos Del Monday.
Although not as impressive as the Iguazu Falls, the waterfall still boasts a strong flow and is quite impressive, particularly during the rainy season. It stands at around 45 meters tall (150 feet) and 120 meters wide (400 feet).
You won’t have to deal with crowds obstructing your view of the waterfall here, and it’s much quieter than Iguazu. The facilities are simple, but they include bathrooms, souvenir shops, and a restaurant.
Monday Adventure Park: A Different Perspective
Explore the adjacent adventure park for additional views of Monday Falls with minimal exertion.
The ‘Parque Aventura Monday’ is situated close to Saltos Del Monday, just 500 meters away. It is a distinct park with its own entrance fee, which you must pay to gain access.
Enjoying the Scenic Views of Saltos Del Monday While Visiting This Park
I prefer this view in some ways more than the ‘official’ view at Monday Falls! There is also a trail that allows you to walk down to the river, near the bottom of the waterfall, and get a close-up look at it.
Consider visiting this park for alternative views of the waterfall if you’re already at Monday Falls and don’t mind purchasing another entrance ticket.
Hours of Operation and Admission Prices
To access information on the entrance fees and opening hours for the Saltos Del Monday waterfall, visit their official website or Instagram page.
Here are the current entrance fees and opening hours for Parque Aventura on Mondays, which can be found on their website.
Both locations accept credit cards, but in case the card reader is not functioning, cash payment may be required. They will also accept local currencies or US Dollars.
What are the conditions at the border crossing?
Immigration is straightforward when visiting Paraguay on a day trip from Argentina or Brazil.
No visa required for US citizens to visit Argentina, Brazil, or Paraguay for a day trip, but be sure to check visa requirements for your nationality and don’t forget your passport.
My personal experience with border crossings was that they were efficient and had short queues. The process went smoothly and I was able to pass immigration in under 10 minutes on both sides of the border.
Is Paraguay a safe travel destination?
Despite Paraguay’s imperfect safety record, the waterfall is a paid area and appeared to be quite safe based on my experience. I brought my camera to the waterfall and observed other international travelers doing the same.
Many visitors come to view this waterfall, and as far as I know, there have been no negative incidents here, but that doesn’t guarantee it couldn’t happen. Just be cautious and you should be fine.
It may not be a good idea to openly display valuable items in the city of Ciudad Del Este, but I haven’t heard of any issues for tourists there.
Top Tours to Explore Iguazu Falls
Exploring South America: Additional Travel Advice
Appreciate your interest! I trust you found this guide helpful for visiting the Saltos Del Monday waterfall in Paraguay during a day trip from Argentina or Brazil.
Don’t forget to check out my other travel guides for South America, including a blog post about Iguazu Falls, before your trip!
Have a joyful journey!