Cafés in Caaguazú: how to choose where to get coffee

In Caaguazú, the right café depends on why you are stopping: a quick coffee on the way along Route PY02, an afternoon snack in the centre, or a couple of hours with Wi-Fi to study or work. Decide that first, then message the place on WhatsApp to confirm today's hours, seating and payment. It takes two minutes and saves you from walking into a closed kitchen.

Where to look for a café in Caaguazú

• Downtown: Plaza Bartolomé Aquino and the Church of the Inmaculada Concepción are the easiest landmarks to meet someone (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Search the map around the plaza and pick something a few blocks away.
• On the highway: Caaguazú sits on Route PY02, about 180 km from Asunción and 144 km from Ciudad del Este (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you only want to break the drive, look for a place near the road with parking instead of heading into the centre.
• In your neighbourhood: the city has many barrios, from San Roque and María Auxiliadora to Santa Librada and Villa Industrial. If you live far from downtown, filter the map by your area first.

Caaguazú grew as a commercial town because it sits on a crossroads of national highways (Infonegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Many people just stop on their way through, so confirm hours rather than assuming places stay open late.

What kind of café do you need?

• Coffee to go: any busy spot works. What matters is that it is open when you arrive and you can park close by.
• Breakfast or an afternoon snack: ask what food is available at that time. The mayor describes the local food scene as ranging "from fast food on every corner to traditional dishes" (Infonegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), so the café is often also where you grab a sandwich or something savoury.
• Study or work: you need working Wi-Fi, a power outlet and a place that does not mind you staying two hours. Caaguazú is slowly becoming a university town (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), so during exam season it pays to arrive early if you want a table near an outlet.
• Business meeting: ask for a quiet table away from the door and the TV, and book it by message if it is around lunchtime.

What to ask before you go

A short message covers almost everything:

• Today's hours: and whether the kitchen or pastry counter is still open at your time. Sometimes the café is open but the kitchen has closed.
• Wi-Fi and outlets: if you bring a laptop, ask for a table near a plug.
• Seating: indoors with air conditioning or outside, depending on the time and the heat.
• Parking: especially if you are driving in from the highway.
• Payment: QR is now the most common electronic payment in Paraguay; on the Bancard network it accounts for 68.1% (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Carry some cash in case the system goes down.

Cafés with Wi-Fi for studying or working

• Go at quiet times, mid-morning or mid-afternoon, and avoid lunchtime.
• Order something every so often if you stay for hours; it keeps you welcome.
• Test the connection as soon as you sit down. If it is slow, your phone's data is the backup.
• Bring a charger and headphones; not every table has an outlet.

If you are passing through on PY02

• Save two options on the map before you reach the city, in case the first one is closed or full.
• Ask whether they can prepare your order to go while you park.
• If you travel early or late, confirm hours by message: the hours on the map are not always up to date.