In this guide
With children, Limpio works on two fronts: the river, with the Yacaré Yrupé water-lily garden and canoe rides at Piquete Cué, and Route PY03, where Plaza Norte shopping centre has games, food and air conditioning for the hottest hours. Add a stop at San José church and the town square and you have a full day about 20 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Canoe among giant water lilies (Piquete Cué)
The Jardín del Yacaré Yrupé is at Hernandarias and Calle 18 in Piquete Cué. Entry is paid, kayaks and boats are for hire and there is parking; canoe guides work 6:30–19:00, and rides use the safety gear required by the Naval Prefecture (Bienvenido a Paraguay (opens in a new tab)). The plant's giant leaves appear mainly in December and January (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and the flowers open in the evening with a pineapple scent (Bienvenido a Paraguay (opens in a new tab)).
- With kids: make sure everyone wears a life jacket, and explain beforehand that the plant is protected: picking leaves or flowers is illegal collection (MADES (opens in a new tab)).
- When: early morning or late afternoon; summer midday sun on the water is harsh.
See Castillo El Peñón and the river
From the water you can see Castillo El Peñón, a 1932 lighthouse built on a rock in the Paraguay River near Piquete Cué, and the Río Salado, which carries water from Lake Ypacaraí to the Paraguay River (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ask the canoe guides whether the ride goes that far. Piquete Cué was once one of the country's main ports and the starting point of the Trans-Chaco Highway (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), a good story for kids watching the river.
A loop around the centre: church, square and palm crafts
- Parroquia San José: the main church, with an 1850 façade (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); its grounds hold the country's first ecological sanctuary (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Plaza Silvestre Aveiro: the central square where town events take place (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), with room for kids to run around.
- Karanday palm crafts: Limpio is known for hats, bags and baskets woven from karanday palm leaves (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A karanday hat is a practical souvenir for the day's sun.
Plaza Norte: games, food and air conditioning
Plaza Norte opened on 19 July 2025 on Route PY03 opposite Abasto Norte, with about 30 units in its first stage, including Sky Games, Pizza Hut, Don Vito, Café Martínez and La Clementina (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). It has parking for 320 cars and 30 motorbikes (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Winter holidays: in July 2026 it ran a holiday club with afternoons of games, painting and workshops, and showed matches on a giant screen in the food area (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Check its social media before the holidays to see if it returns.
- Fast food with kids: Limpio's first McDonald's opened in April 2024 at km 22.5 of PY03, opposite Abasto Norte, with a drive-through (InfoNegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Dates for family outings
- December and January: water-lily season (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- 19 March: feast of Saint Joseph, Limpio's patron (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- September: in 2026 Abasto Norte held the Paseo de las Flores plant fair from 17 to 21 September, 7:00–17:00, with free parking and plants from G. 2,000 (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Let the kids pick their own plant.
How to plan the day
- An order that works: canoe at Piquete Cué first thing, lunch and an air-conditioned break at Plaza Norte, then the town square in the late afternoon.
- Heat: summer highs approach 40 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); bring water, hats, sunscreen and insect repellent for the lagoons.
- Getting there: from Asunción, take Route PY03 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Plaza Norte and Abasto Norte are on the route; for Piquete Cué, continue towards the riverside area.
FAQ
What can families do in Limpio?
A canoe ride at the Jardín del Yacaré Yrupé in Piquete Cué, a walk around San José church and Plaza Silvestre Aveiro, and Plaza Norte on PY03 for food and games in air conditioning.
When can you see the giant water lilies in Limpio?
Mainly in December and January, in the Piquete Cué lagoons. Canoe guides work 6:30–19:00.
Where is Plaza Norte?
On Route PY03 in Limpio, opposite Abasto Norte. It opened in July 2025 and has parking for 320 cars.
How far is Limpio from Asunción?
About 20 km, via Route PY03.
