Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Hydroelectric plant · Ciudad del Este, Alto Paraná
Central Hidroeléctrica Itaipu
The binational Itaipu plant seen from the Paraguayan side, in Hernandarias: the dam of almost 8 km, the 20 generators, the guided visits of the Complexo Turístico Itaipu and, on scheduled days, the nighttime illumination show.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Central Hidroeléctrica Itaipu
The dam is 7,919 meters long, the reservoir stretches about 200 km upstream, and the 20 generating units total 14,000 megawatts of installed capacity. Commercial production began in 1985, and the final two turbines entered operation in 2007.
On the Paraguayan side, visits are organized by the Complexo Turístico Itaipu, in Hernandarias, about 20 km north of Ciudad del Este. The tour shows the dam, the spillway and the lake, with explanations about the construction and the plant's operation. Visits have been offered since 1977 and have welcomed millions of people.
On scheduled days, the monumental illumination lights hundreds of floodlights along the dam, with music, in a nighttime show. The complex also includes the Modelo Reducido, a scale model of the plant, the reservoir and the course of the Paraná River, and the Museo de Itaipu Tierra Guaraní, a few kilometers away.
Schedules and the reservation system change; confirm before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1½ to 2 hours for the plant visit; the nighttime illumination lasts about 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning, on the first visits of the day. The monumental illumination takes place on certain days of the week, at night: check the schedule before going.
How to get there
It's in Hernandarias, about 20 km north of downtown Ciudad del Este, via the Supercarretera Itaipú. By car, taxi or rideshare, around 30 minutes.
Tip
Bring photo ID: it is usually requested at the visit registration. Combine the plant visit with the Museo de Itaipu Tierra Guaraní and, the same day or the next, with the Reserva Natural Tati Yupi.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Central Hidroeléctrica Itaipu
How to visit Itaipu from the Paraguayan side?
Through the Itaipu Tourist Complex, in Hernandarias, north of Ciudad del Este. Schedules and reservations change; check before you go and bring photo ID.
What is the monumental lighting?
A nighttime show in which hundreds of spotlights illuminate the dam, accompanied by music. It takes place on selected days; check the schedule.
How big is Itaipu?
The dam is 7,919 meters long, and the 20 generating units total 14,000 megawatts of installed capacity.