In this guide
Going out in Mariano Roque Alonso comes down to two strong plans: by day, a fish lunch on the Paraguay River at Remanso; by night, the food court and cinema at Shopping Mariano on Ruta PY03 (the old Transchaco). If your visit lines up with the July Expo or the city's anniversary in late August, the night plans itself, with shows and street food.
Where to go at night in Mariano Roque Alonso
Shopping Mariano food court. It sits on Ruta Carlos A. López (ex Transchaco) at the corner of Manuel Irala Fernández, 150 metres from the main Expo gate. The food court opens Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 23:00 and until midnight on Friday and Saturday, which makes it the safest bet for a late dinner (Shopping Mariano (opens in a new tab)). It has more than 14 outlets and seats for over 1,000 people (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so it works for big groups where everyone wants something different.
Shopping Mariano cinema. It was the city's first cinema: four screens of 200 seats each, Dolby 7.1 sound and wheelchair access (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Easy plan: a film, then dinner in the food court without moving the car.
La Rural Shopping. The city's other big mall: together with Shopping Mariano it drove the city's growth and is a meeting point for local families and groups of friends (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Use it as a backup when Shopping Mariano is packed on a Saturday.
Where to eat river fish
Remanso (San Rafael neighbourhood). Next to the Remanso Bridge on the Paraguay River, a row of fish shops and eateries serves surubí broth, fish milanesas, romanitas, stews, chupín and empanadas. They open Monday to Sunday, holidays included, from 07:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so this is a lunch plan, not a night one. Several places have Paraguayan musicians playing polkas and ballads while you eat (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Cost: in November 2024, dishes such as surubí broth, stews or fish milanesa cost between G. 20,000 and G. 40,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- When not to go: during the fishing ban, which starts in early November and runs into December, the eateries stop serving river fish and reopen once it lifts (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: arrive before 13:00 at weekends, and buy fresh fish to take home from the stalls on the same strip.
What happens at Plaza Libertad
Plaza Libertad is the main square and the stage for the city's celebrations. For the anniversary on 30 August, the 2024 programme included a serenade with food stalls from 19:00, a thanksgiving mass at the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús parish, a big music festival and a Karu Guasu (public barbecue) on 1 September (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If you are in town that week, it is the liveliest free night out of the year.
Is the July Expo worth it?
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, with general entry at G. 25,000 and free entry for children up to 11. There were Saturday concerts (Néstor en Bloque, Wisin, Kchiporros at the close), a night motocross show in the central ring and the Expo Asador barbecue area with a gourmet zone and stage (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Big concerts are ticketed separately by section.
Tip: the Transchaco jams badly during the Expo. If you live nearby, walk or take the bus, and park well away from the main gate.
Concerts and events outside Expo season
The Polideportivo Dr. Alberto Marecos hosts futsal, basketball and volleyball as well as concerts, with room for about 3,000 people (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Check the municipality's or organisers' social media for the month's line-up.
Getting there and back
Mariano Roque Alonso is about 18 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and almost everything runs along Ruta PY03 (ex Transchaco) and the Remanso Bridge, which links eastern Paraguay with the Chaco (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Friday evenings that road fills up; coming from Asunción, leave before 18:00 or after 20:00.
If you are drinking, let someone else drive: the Patrulla Caminera has a zero-tolerance policy on drink-driving and runs breathalyser checks (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). For a late return from the mall, a ride-hailing app is easier than waiting for a bus.
FAQ
Where can I go out at night in Mariano Roque Alonso?
The Shopping Mariano food court is open until 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and the mall has a cinema. In July the Expo adds Saturday concerts.
What are the opening hours of the Remanso fish eateries?
According to ABC Color (2023), the fish shops and eateries open every day, holidays included, from 07:00 to 17:00. It is a lunch plan, and river fish stops during the November–December fishing ban.
How much is entry to the Mariano Roque Alonso Expo?
In 2026 general entry cost G. 25,000 and children up to 11 got in free. Big concerts are paid separately.
Are there bars near me in Mariano Roque Alonso?
Most evening options cluster around the malls on Ruta PY03, especially the Shopping Mariano food court. For a wider choice of bars, Asunción is about 18 km away.
