The Itaipu tourist complex, on the Paraguayan side, has received public visits since November after being suspended for seven months due to the pandemic. The reopening will be in accordance with the health protocol imposed by the Ministry of Health. In 2019, they totaled more than 900,000 visits to the bi-national, while they added just 230,000 people last year.
Rogelio Salabri, Itaipu Tourism Consultant, highlighted the visits to the Linear Park, the Hernandarias Waterfront, the Tierra Guarani Museum, the scale model of the dam, and the tourist visits to the hydroelectric power station and Tate Yobe Nature Reserve.
“We want to strengthen Alto Paraná and to have a large audience flow. Before the lockdown due to the pandemic, we had an influx of 900,000 visits to Itaipu in 2019. This has decreased dramatically. Now it is to start again with senator, government, municipalities and private businesses,” said Salbiri: “Tourism is not one institution or one company, it is a set of measures that we must develop.”
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The Itaipu Tourism Consultant pointed out that during the time when the bilateral company closed its doors, many works were carried out to improve the services of the tourist complex and provide more convenience to the visitors of the hydropower station. In addition, he highlighted the interconnection of the bridge being built in the landmark Tres Fronteras, on the side of President Franco and Foz de Iguazu, in Brazil.
Itaipu has invested a lot despite the pandemic. He has invested a lot in Alto Paraná. What is done directly affects the tourist activity. The bridge will be both a commercial and a tourist thing. Salberi said in a call with La Nación newspaper that he will make people come to Alto Paraná.
Salberry explained that the number of people who will enter the different places will be restricted to avoid overcrowding and possible infection with COVID-19. Health conditions permitting, they hope to restore the large influx of people between January and February and March next year.
“If this returns to normal we will recover soon, visit January and February. We are limiting the flow of people a bit to be careful not to get crowded. We have a call center where people make reservations. Once the quota is full we inform you. There are attractions we serve from both To Monday The illuminated hydroelectric power station operates Friday and Saturday The Linear Park and the waterfront are open Monday to Monday.
In this sense, the Costanera will allow entry to 500 people per hour, while the Tatí Yupí complex will be able to receive up to 100 people per day. The Tierra Guaraní Museum will be enabled for 10 people per tour, the tourist visit to the hydroelectric power station will be for groups of 50 people per hour, while the linear park can receive up to 300 people per hour.
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“Previously, we had 1,000 or 2,000 people for lighting, but now that is not yet allowed by sanitary measures, we do everything based on previous bookings. We do itinerary based on people’s availability and all visits are guided,” Salberry stated.
Other provisions for visiting bi-national tourist sites to take into account are the use of masks, respect for physical distance and sanitary measures such as hand washing and taking a temperature. In addition, visitors must complete a form with their data, as indicated in the protocol established by the health portfolio.
Salberry emphasized that to see all the attractions of Itaipu, they should go with a time of 1-2 days. In this sense, he stated that Itaipu is waiting for them “keen” to show the work done, because the facilities are available to the general public and the only condition is advance scheduling for better service and that the visit is safe.
“We want you to get to know Itaipu, we want you to get to know Alto Parana. Visits to all binary sites are free. The most visited place is the hydroelectric power station, and this is categorical. For the whole Itaipu tour, you need two days to enjoy the places calmly,” said the counselor.
As for the hours available for visits, access to the Costanera de Hernandarias and Lineal Park will be from Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The Tatí Yupí Nature Reserve will receive visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM and from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. The tour to see the hydroelectric power station is set at 9:00, 10:00, 10:30, 13:10 and 13:30.
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People eager to come began to come. There is a recovery in the tourism sector. Hopefully it will continue like this and we will have the movement we had before. We must overcome the locals and the strangers so that the Alto Parana becomes a symbolic tourist place as it was before,” he declared.
They highlight that all visits are based on reservations, except for access to the Costanera de Hernandarias and the Linear Promenade. Those interested can contact phone numbers 061599-8040 / 8094, or by e-mail: [email protected]. The Ib-Tur mobile app is also available for making reservations.
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