Cerro Cora National Park

Cerro Cora National Park (Parque Nacional Cerro Corá) is a protected natural area in the Northern Paraneña region of Paraguay. It protects forested hills, the most prominent of which is Cerro Cora. Destructive de-forestation was a problem prior to the park's establishment. It is also an important historical site that was where the last battle of the Paraguayan War took place on March 1, 1870. Travelers interested in anthropology will enjoy visiting caves where petroglyphs bear testament to the presence of ancient human ancestors. == Understand == The park was established as part of the Paraguay national parks system in 1976. It is Paraguay's largest national park, covering an area of more than 5,500 hectares. === History === Between 1864 and 1870, Paraguay was embroiled in a bloody war with the "Triple Alliance" of its neighbors, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. There's disagreement about the causes of the war and at whom the fingers of blame should be pointed, but basically, the story is that after Brazil and Argentina got done bullying Uruguay, Paraguay decided to move into a contested territory figuring that Brazil would be too busy licking its wounds from battles against Uruguay. Brazil and Argentina saw an opportunity to do more bullying and to steal some territory from Paraguay, so they attacked. Why Uruguay joined the alliance with Brazil and Argentina is a question that could only be answered by reading more of the history than this Wikivoyage editor wanted to read. To make a very long, very complicated story short, the war ended in the battle of Cerro Cora. Then President, Francisco Solano López Carrillo, was killed in action during the battle. Paraguay lost about 40% of its national territory to its land-grabbing neighbors. The park has several monuments, memorials and museums that explain the events of 1870 and its impact on the country. === Landscape === === Flora and fauna === === Climate === == Get in == The nearest city with commercial airlines service is Asuncion (ASU IATA). From Asuncion, it is a 6- to 7-hour bus ride to Pedro Juan Caballero, the nearest city. Pedro Juan Caballero does have a small, regional airport, but there are no scheduled commercial flights there. === By bus === One daily bus from Asuncion to Pedro Juan Caballero is operated by Nueva Asunción S.A. (NASA), leaving from the Terminal Ovnibus de Asuncion. The 6-hour trip costs about US$15. From Pedro Juan Caballero, a taxi can make the short 30 km ride to the park entrance. The bus does pass by the park and you can ask the driver to let you off at the park entrance. From there you will need to walk to the monuments and museums. == Fees and permits == There is no park entrance fee. == Get around == Walk. == See == Cerro Muralla - hill with sheer walls that appear man-made Immolation Site of Francisco Solano López - place where the President and Marshall died, plaques, bust and inscriptions, walkway around the site Cerro Cora Monument - contemporary art sculpture Petroglyphs - ancient rock paintings estimated to be 5,000 years old, the paintings are in caves and under rock overhangs throughout the park Gran Cross - large cross == Do == Recreation areas - next to the Rio Aquidabán == Buy == == Eat == == Drink == == Sleep == === Camping === A campground with toilets, showers, covered shelters, picnic tables and cleared sites is in the park. There is no fee to camp. == Stay safe == == Go next == Pedro Juan Caballero Concepcion