In this guide
Altos sits about 60 km from Asunción, high in the Cordillera de los Altos hills, which makes it an easy, relaxed day trip (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The plan that works best: drive up through San Bernardino, stop at the woodcarving workshops at the town entrance, walk the plaza and church, take a green break at Arroyo Saldívar and head back down to the lake for sunset.
How do you get to Altos from Asunción?
- By car: most people take the Luque–San Bernardino road; the alternative is the PY02 highway to the San Bernardino turn-off (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). From San Bernardino the road climbs to Altos, and that is where the first craft workshops appear (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Watch the San Bernardino junction: the traffic light where the town meets the road to Altos causes a bottleneck that gets worse in summer (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). On a January weekend, leave early.
- Where you are: Altos sits at 207 m and about 9 km from Lake Ypacaraí, which is why it is nicknamed the "Terraza del País", the country's terrace (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Morning: woodcarving workshops at the entrance
Altos is a town of carvers. The timbó-wood masks worn at the San Pedro y San Pablo festival come from these workshops.
- The Escobar family workshop. It is the first stop when you drive up from San Bernardino: a corner full of carved, brightly painted parrots, macaws and hummingbirds, plus pombero goblins, chipa sellers and musicians (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). ABC Color placed it at the Yvu turn-off on the edge of Altos, open daily 7:00–20:00 in 2023 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). In 2025 the carver's son, José Gabriel Escobar, was running it; small pieces cost around G. 20,000 and large ones up to G. 100,000 (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: bring cash and something to wrap your purchases in; painted wood travels better protected.
Midday: the town centre on foot
Park near the plaza; everything central is walkable:
- Plaza de los Héroes. The heart of town, shaded by lapacho trees more than fifty years old (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If they are in bloom, that is your photo of the day.
- San Lorenzo Mártir church. The parish church by the plaza (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Step inside if it is open.
- José Asunción Flores monument. The creator of the guarania music style was born in Altos, and the town honours him with a monument (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Luis Alberto del Paraná's house. It stands in the historic centre (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); you will also see carvings of the singer, another famous local, in the workshops.
The town is small, so for lunch ask around the plaza what is serving that day, or eat in San Bernardino on the way back. Altos is known for its sausages; locals are even nicknamed "choriceros" (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Afternoon: Arroyo Saldívar or Atyrá
- Arroyo Saldívar. A nature reserve of more than 4 hectares about 800 m from the centre (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is the green break of the day: wear closed shoes and bring insect repellent.
- Atyrá option. If you have time left, Atyrá is close to Altos (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)), and its leather-craft pedestrian street opens every day. Do not try to add Caacupé and Tobatí as well; with the heat and hill traffic, two towns a day is plenty.
Sunset: down to the lake at San Bernardino
Finish in San Bernardino. In the 2025 season the La Rotonda park was free to enter and offered catamaran rides (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Sunbathe or take the boat, but stay out of the water: the environment ministry (MADES) says the beach licence does not mean the lake is fit for swimming (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
When should you go?
- 28–30 June: the San Pedro y San Pablo festival in the Itá Guazú community, with the masked Kamba ra'anga. The main acts started at 19:00 at the chapel, 1.5 km off Altos' main road, with signs in town (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). It happens at night, so it turns the trip into an afternoon-and-evening plan; avoid driving back tired.
- Good Friday: the "Kurusu Rape Rendy", a 3 km torchlit walk from the church plaza to the cemetery, at 18:30 in 2025 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Rest of the year: any day works, but summer highs reach 39 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Do the walking early.
FAQ
How far is Altos from Asunción?
About 60 km. Take the Luque–San Bernardino road or the PY02 to the San Bernardino turn-off, then climb up to Altos.
What can you see in Altos in one day?
The woodcarving workshops at the entrance, Plaza de los Héroes, San Lorenzo Mártir church, the José Asunción Flores monument and Arroyo Saldívar.
When is the Kamba ra'anga festival in Altos?
From 28 to 30 June, for San Pedro y San Pablo, at the chapel in the Itá Guazú community. The main performances are at night.
Can you combine Altos with Atyrá or San Bernardino?
Yes, they are close. It is most comfortable to add just one: Atyrá in the afternoon or the San Bernardino lakefront at sunset.
