Filadelfia
South America · Paraguay
Did you know?
- The Jakob Unger Museum pairs Mennonite history with Chaco fauna.
- A midday siesta shapes business hours, alongside Saturday-afternoon and Sunday closures.
- Peccaries can be seen at the Centro Chaqueño de Conservación e Investigación.
See also
Loma Plata
Paraguay22.38°S 59.85°W · 133 m
Neuland
Paraguay22.65°S 60.13°W · 122 m
Mariscal Estigarribia
Paraguay22.03°S 60.60°W · 151 m
Concepción
Paraguay23.40°S 57.43°W · 44 m
Overview
Filadelfia has museums devoted to Mennonite history, industry and hospital life. The Jakob Unger Museum adds Chaco fauna to the town's historical collections.
Languages: Guaraní, Spanish
Why go?
Filadelfia is the largest and most important Mennonite colony in Western Paraguay, offering a unique blend of German heritage, cooperative economy, and high standard of living. The city is surrounded by the harsh, sparsely populated Chaco desert, yet boasts excellent historical museums, nature reserves within easy reach, and good lodging and dining. It serves as a welcoming base for exploring the central Chaco and other Mennonite settlements.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Overland is the only way to reach Filadelfia. Buses arrive at the bus terminal on the Transchaco highway. From Asunción, buses depart daily and take approximately 6-7 hours. For onward travel to Bolivia, you can purchase a ticket from Stel Turismo agency in Filadelfia for the Asunción-Bolivia bus, which passes through Mariscal Estigarribia.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
The town sprawls several kilometers but is mostly flat. There is no public transportation except a few taxis; the only taxi stand is near the bus terminal. Most attractions are along or close to Avenida Hindenburg and are easily reached on foot.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Summer (November to March) brings severe heat, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing due to the desert environment. The annual Transchaco Rally in late September or early October fills hotels, so book ahead. Bring appropriate clothing and drink plenty of water.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Hotels in Filadelfia are mid-range. Newer rooms have air conditioning; older rooms are cheaper but lack a/c and are not recommended in summer. The only budget option is the camping ground run by the tourist office (GS.30,000 per person per night). Reserve early during the Transchaco Rally.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Restaurants serve a variety of options, from pizza (GS.55,000, feeds two) at Hotel Florida to buffet meals sold by the kilogram (around GS.50,000) at places like Restaurante Honda and Girasol Churrasquería. Most businesses close for siesta (12:00-14:00) and on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. After dark, small bars in the indigenous and Latino neighborhoods south of the Fernheim supermarket offer drinks.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Visit the Jakob Unger Museum for Mennonite history and Chaco fauna, the Knelsen-Haus for a colonial home, the industrial museum, and the hospital museum. See the three monuments symbolizing the colony, and relax in Parque de la Memoria or Parque Urundey. For nature, the Centro Chaqueño de Conservación e Investigación (30 km west) offers peccary viewing and a guesthouse, and nearby Fortín Toledo is a Chaco War historic site. The tourist office arranges guided visits in English, German, and Spanish.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connect
Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi for guests. Claro and Tigo have decent 3G coverage in the area. The post office at the Fernheim supermarket sells postcards (GS.4,500) and stamps for abroad (from GS.15,000).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Nearby Mennonite colonies include Loma Plata (25 km west) and Neuland (37 km south), both with their own attractions. Mariscal Estigarribia (75 km northwest) is a gateway to the northern Chaco. Fortín Toledo (30 km west) and the Centro Chaqueño para la Conservación e Investigación are ideal for history and nature enthusiasts. Bolivia is reachable via bus from Mariscal Estigarribia (US$65 to Santa Cruz).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Filadelfia is a good base for visiting the Central Chaco, including the other Mennonite colonies of Loma Plata and Neuland, and national parks. For longer journeys, continue to Bolivia (via Mariscal Estigarribia) or Peru. The Transchaco highway connects to Asunción and Concepción.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Camping ground of the Tourist Office
It is the only backpackers-priced accommodation in the whole Chaco region. It offers a nice grass area under some big trees, bathroom and electric plugs. The check-in is done through the tourist office, so you have to arrive there while it is open (M-Sa 07:00-11:30, M-F 14:00-16:00, Su closed).
Recorded price: GS.30,000 per person per night
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Estancia Iparoma
An estancia (ranch) converted into a 45-bed lodging facility by a family of Russian origin who has owned the place for 80 years. Horse riding and hiking tours into the wilderness that surrounds the premises. Swimming in natural pool (tajamar). English and German spoken. Booking required. It offers half and full day excursions to tourist sites and nature reserves in the area. Transfer from Filadelfia bus terminal can be arranged for 100,000Gur.
Recorded price: GS.200,000 (US$35) per person includes full board and some activities and tours
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Florida
Generally agreed to be the best hotel in Filadelfia. Centrally located at walking distance from tourist attractions in the city. Good service, pool & a pleasant inside courtyard. Rooms in old section are cheaper. Good restaurant. Evening dinners are good quality and reasonably priced.
Recorded price: Single US$48; double US$65; triple US$72; quad US$84; suite US$102
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Golondrina Avenida
Recorded price: Single GS.105,000; double GS.170,000; cheaper rooms with fan, shared bath and no breakfast
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Safari
Good breakfast, comfortable, clean. Hans might help you to find a motorbike rental.
Recorded price: Single GS.120,000; double GS.195,000; rooms with TV from GS. 160,000. Possibly cheaper without a/c, shared bathroom and no breakfast
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Touring Club Filadelfia
Run by the Touring and Automobile Club. Modern hotel with pool and a good restaurant. Rooms are comfortable and well appointed. Good value even though is quite far from the city, so it's only practical if you are in a private vehicle.
Recorded price: Double US$32; triple US$36; quad US$42; 10% discount for automobile club card holders
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
El Rincón
Extensive menu. On Saturday nights and Sunday lunch they offer asado and buffet.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Girasol Churrasquería
A popular restaurant specializing heavily in meat, beef in particular (no surprise in this part of the world). Does buffet lunches, sold by the kilogram.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Mid-range hotels; camping ground at tourist office for budget travelers (GS.30,000/person/night). Book ahead during Transchaco Rally (late Sep/early Oct).
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi in most hotels. Claro and Tigo have 3G coverage. Post office sells stamps and postcards.
Food
Most restaurants close 12:00-14:00 for siesta, and all day Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Hotel Florida restaurant is open daily.
Language
Mennonites speak German (Plautdietsch and Standard German). Others speak Spanish and Guaraní. English is widely understood among the young.
Money
Bring cash; credit cards are only accepted at hotels, major restaurants, and the cooperative supermarket. Two banks on Av. Hindenburg exchange US dollars and Brazilian reais. Itaú has an ATM that accepts international cards.
Transport
No public transport within town; taxis available at the bus terminal. Most attractions are walkable along Av. Hindenburg.
Weather
Summer (Nov-Mar) severe heat; winter can drop below freezing. Drink plenty of water and bring layers.