Monday Falls, or Saltos del Monday, is a striking waterfall located in Presidente Franco, Paraguay, near the border with Brazil and Argentina. The falls drop approximately 45 meters and are part of the Monday River, which feeds into the Paraná River. Set within a small ecological reserve, the site offers walking paths, a viewing platform, and even a glass-floored elevator for closer access to the cascade. While it stands in the shadow of the far more massive and globally famous Iguazú Falls just a short drive away, Monday Falls still holds its own charm—less crowded, easier to navigate, and with a more tranquil, up-close experience. It may not rival Iguazú’s jaw-dropping scale, but for those in the region, it’s a scenic and rewarding detour that highlights Paraguay’s underrated natural beauty.
Just after visiting Iguazú Falls, we crossed into Ciudad del Este to wrap up our five-month overwintering trip in South America with a few days in Paraguay. Before continuing on to Villarrica and Asunción, we squeezed in a quick early morning visit to Monday Falls. Here’s our trip report, complete with all the useful information you might need to do the same.
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The falls sit on the southern edge of Ciudad del Este, about seven kilometers from the center. Our Uber from downtown took just twenty minutes and cost 28,000 guaraní (roughly $3.70), a fair trade for the easy escape from traffic into the greenery of Presidente Franco.
Admission was $12, with an extra $4 if you wanted to take the elevator down to the waterfall’s base. No thanks, we passed on that option—it looked old and dodgy anyway. The entrance hall also included a souvenir shop, offering everything from carved wooden animals to magnets and keychains, but we moved straight toward the path.
From there, it was a short, easy 200-meter walk through dense, deep-green forest. The air was heavy with the smell of damp earth, and the sound of rushing water grew louder with each step until the falls revealed themselves in full force. The Monday River plunged in thick brown torrents, churning with silt and spray as it split over jagged rocks and moss-covered islets. Above it all, an eagle traced lazy circles, scanning the scene below like it owned the place.
Crowds were nonexistent. The only other visitors were a group of local firefighters, taking selfies in uniform along the railing. With no one else around, the place felt strangely personal, like we’d stumbled on a natural wonder for the first time, like real explorers. If you can, visit as early in the morning as possible. The reserve opens at 5 am.
A small café on the viewing platform offered coffee with a front-row seat to the cascade. We grabbed a cup and sat to enjoy. As the wind swirled, it intermittently carried the fall’s spray on us like rain.
A short stairway uphill leads to a restaurant with a waterfall view. It was still closed until 9 am, but it looked like it would make a fine lunch spot later in the day. Further up in the reserve’s grounds stands NatuCenter Hospedaje, a pretty economical, nature-immersed lodge perfect for those who want to wake up to the sound of the falls.
The first visitors arrived just as we left the place. After picking up our stuff from our room in the center, we left straight for Villarrica.
Photos
View (and feel free to use) all my photographs from Monday Falls in higher resolution.
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