The Jejuí river and its tributaries provide the best outdoor recreation within reach of Santaní. On weekends and through the summer months, local families descend on the sandy stretches known collectively as "la playa" for swimming, barbecues, and the quintessentially Paraguayan pastime of drinking tereré — cold yerba mate — in large groups under whatever shade is available.
The swimming is safe and the atmosphere relaxed. Children wade in the shallows while adults occupy the banks. There are no formal facilities — bring your own food, drinks, and shade. The river gives you a glimpse of the forested countryside that surrounds the town, a welcome contrast to the flat agricultural grid you drove through to get here.