Family-friendly places in Mariano Roque Alonso: parks and plans

In Mariano Roque Alonso, the best family plan pairs a big free park, such as Ñu Guasu, with something indoors close to home: the cinema and play area at Shopping Mariano. In July the Expo is the family outing of the year, and a fish lunch at Remanso, on the Paraguay River, rounds off any morning.

Which park is best for kids?

Ñu Guasu Park (Luque). It is a few minutes from Mariano, towards Silvio Pettirossi airport, which borders the city (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Entry is free, and it has swings, slides and seesaws, sports courts, a lagoon and a duck lake where children can watch fish and birds (Uber⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Usual hours are 05:00 to 21:30 (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

• When: early morning or after 17:00 in summer; at midday there is little shade on the open areas.
• Bring: water, hats and insect repellent.
• Heads-up: the Public Works Ministry (MOPC) closes the park during storms; after heavy rain, check its social media first.

Asunción Botanical Garden and Zoo. It sits at the end of the northern stretch of Asunción's Costanera (La Nación, 2021⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It has more than 70 animal species, mostly South American, trees over 150 years old and a natural history museum inside Carlos Antonio López's former country house (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). A good half-day: a shaded walk, animals and a museum on the same grounds.

What to do with kids when it is hot or raining

Shopping Mariano. On Ruta Carlos A. López (ex Transchaco) at the corner of Manuel Irala Fernández. Open Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 21:00, Sundays and holidays 10:00 to 21:00 (Shopping Mariano⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It has a children's play area, a cinema and a food court with more than 14 outlets (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

• The cinema has four screens with wheelchair spaces and a lift (Infonegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), handy with grandparents or a stroller.
• A plan that works: an afternoon film, a snack in the food court and home before the evening traffic.

Is the Expo worth it with children?

Yes, if you go on a weekday and early. The Expo runs every July at the Asociación Rural del Paraguay grounds during the winter school break. In 2026 it ran from 11 to 26 July: general entry G. 25,000, children up to 11 free, a funfair and food court every day, livestock shows in the central ring and a Kids Zone at the Expo Asador (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Students also had free morning entry on set days with their school.

• Tip: children enjoy the animals most, and those are best seen in the morning. Save the Saturday concert nights for adults-only outings.
• If you live near the grounds, walk: the Transchaco jams during the Expo.

Where to have a family lunch

Remanso (San Rafael neighbourhood). Next to the Remanso Bridge, riverside eateries on the Paraguay River serve surubí broth, fish milanesas, empanadas and stews every day from 07:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Milanesas and empanadas usually win over kids who skip the broth. In November 2024 dishes cost between G. 20,000 and G. 40,000 (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). During the fishing ban (November to December) there is no river fish.

What happens at Plaza Libertad

Plaza Libertad is Mariano's main square, with gardens, monuments and a library (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It fills up for the city's anniversary on 30 August: in 2024 there was a serenade with food stalls, a music festival and a Karu Guasu (public barbecue), and the municipal theatre company toured schools with a children's play (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). A free afternoon out with the kids.

A family Saturday, planned

• 08:00–11:00: Ñu Guasu, playground and a lap of the lake.
• 12:00: fish lunch at Remanso.
• Hot afternoon: film and a snack at Shopping Mariano.

Mariano is about 18 km from Asunción (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠); on a day when the kids want animals rather than swings, swap Ñu Guasu for the Botanical Garden.