San Cosme y Damián turns the spotlight on the former Jesuit mission, astronomy and varied waterside landscapes. Each destination offers a different focus: the Dunas de San Cosme y Damián are known for their white sand formations in the Yacyretá Reservoir, while Playa Municipal is a recreational area on the Río Paraná. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between cultural history, skywatching and a seasonal riverside destination.

Dunes by the reservoir, beach on the Paraná

The Dunas de San Cosme y Damián are white sand formations in the Yacyretá Reservoir and can be reached by boat. Specific access arrangements may vary, so check boat options before your visit. Reaching the dunes by boat is a separate planning consideration from the explicitly seasonal use of the beach.

On the banks of the Río Paraná lies Playa Municipal de San Cosme y Damián, a recreational area. During the summer season, it is a gathering place for leisure activities, water sports and community events. Individual events and operating conditions may vary. If you are going for a particular event, check its current dates in advance. If you are generally interested in water sports, the summer season is the key information; for a specific event, its exact date matters.

Mission, history and astronomy

The former Jesuit mission of San Cosme y Damián is considered one of Paraguay’s best-preserved missions. Its condition is described as excellent. The church of the reduction of the Misión Jesuítica Guaraní de San Cosme y Damián was damaged by a fire in 1899 and restored in 1977 with support from Adveniat and the Archdiocese of Cologne.

The Centro de Interpretación Astronómica Buenaventura Suárez is located at the mission. Visitors can explore a scale model of the solar system there. At the observatory, solar and nighttime telescopes complement the model with skywatching by day and night. The mission site thus brings together the historical heritage of the former reduction and a distinct focus on astronomy.

A gnomon is used to measure the solstices and equinoxes. Equinoxes are the times when day and night are approximately equal in length; solstices mark the longest and shortest days of the year. An armillary sphere illustrates the Earth’s movement around the Sun. A galaxy slide depicts our galaxy with a black hole at its center. The Centro also includes a presentation room on Guaraní astronomy.

Padre Buenaventura Suárez and Indigenous people jointly built a rudimentary telescope, an astronomical quadrant and a sundial.

A nature destination nearby

The Guasu Puku Nature Reserve is nearby, 22 kilometers from San Cosme y Damián. One section of the trail in the reserve crosses a natural watercourse via a suspension bridge. The 22-kilometer distance helps you consider Guasu Puku as a separate nature destination alongside places in town.

Discover more destinations: Natalio, Encarnación, Trinidad, Obligado, Bella Vista Sur, Capitán Miranda.

Go to the overarching travel guide: Itapúa.