Things to do and see in and around Filadelfia:
- Jakob Unger Museum in Filadelfia chronicles Mennonite arrival and history, plus material about the Indian tribes of the Chaco. Don't miss the mural displaying one man's journey across several countries from Russia to Paraguay.
- Loma Plata in Menno colony is the oldest and most traditional of the Mennonitenkolonie. The museum exhibits detail early farming life with equipment, a pioneer house and photographs.
- Neu-Halbstadt in Neuland colony is the center of the colony and a good place to buy Indian handicrafts.
- Fortín Toledo to visit the reserve of Proyecto Tagua where once nearly extinct peccaries are nurtured and released into the wild.
- Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco, a wooded alluvial plain whose major feature is the 500m (1640ft) Cerro León. The dense thorn forest is home to jaguar, puma, ocelot and Geoffrey's cat. You may be able to get a ride from a ranger as there is no public transportation over the nearly impassable roads.
From Filadelfia, the Ruta Trans-Chaco continues to Bolivia. Be prepared for a dusty ride, in dry weather, with stops at Mariscal Estigarribia and Colonia La Patria, though don't expect any amenities. If you are there in September, take time for the Transchaco Rally.
Like many travelers, you'll just might leave the country saying, "I love Paraguay!"