Mariscal Estigarribia

Mariscal Estigarribia is a town in central Boquerón department, the largest settlement in the Chaco's interior. Named after the hero of the Chaco War, it is an important military and administrative centre, with a large air base, a modest town centre, and a predominantly Mennonite and indigenous population mix. The town serves as a service hub for the surrounding cattle ranches and Mennonite colonies. The climate is tropical semi-arid, with hot summers and mild winters; the dry season (May–September) is the only comfortable time to visit.

By Plane

Mariscal Estigarribia Air Base (with a commercial terminal) receives flights from Asunción. LASER Airlines operates scheduled flights 1–2 times daily (1 hr, GS.400,000–600,000).

By Train

No passenger rail.

By Car / Road

Mariscal Estigarribia is on the Transchaco Highway (Route PY09), 420 km northwest of Asunción (5–6 hr drive) and 200 km northwest of Filadelfia (2 hr). Regular buses from Asunción run via Filadelfia (GS.80,000–120,000, 8–10 hr).

Local taxis and buses. The town is spread out along the highway.

• Chaco War Museum – A small museum dedicated to the Chaco War, with military artefacts and photographs.

• Air base – One of Paraguay's largest military airfields, with visible aircraft activity.

• Indigenous communities – Several Enxet and Guaraní communities in the surrounding area.

• Chaco War history tour – Visit the museum and nearby battlefield sites.

• Indigenous craft shopping – Handicrafts from local communities.

• Comedor del Centro – Inexpensive platos del día, GS.15,000–25,000.
• Parrilla Estigarribia – Grilled Chaco beef, GS.25,000–50,000.
• Comedor de la Comunidad – Indigenous-run eatery serving traditional foods.

Tereré and bottled drinks.

• Budget: Hospedaje Estigarribia, basic rooms from GS.50,000.
• Mid-range: Hotel del Chaco, air-conditioned doubles, GS.120,000–180,000.

Small shops and a market near the centre. Indigenous crafts including woven baskets and bags.

• Filadelfia (200 km southeast) – Mennonite colony and Chaco tourism hub.
• Teniente Agripino Enciso National Park (100 km north) – Chaco protected area.
• Defensores del Chaco National Park (250 km north) – Remote wilderness park.