In this guide
Cerro Akatí can be done in a day from Asunción, but it is a long one: about 172 km to Villarrica (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), a bit further to Independencia, then 13–17 km of dirt road to the summit (TripAdvisor (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2017 (opens in a new tab)). The round trip tops 400 km. Leave before dawn and you can fit in the viewpoint, Salto Suizo waterfall and a stop in Villarrica; if you want sunset at the top, stay the night.
The route from Asunción
- Asunción–Coronel Oviedo–Villarrica. Villarrica is linked to Coronel Oviedo by Route PY08 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Villarrica–Independencia. The district borders Villarrica to the west (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The hill road starts in Melgarejo, the urban area (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
- Melgarejo–Cerro Akatí. Rough dirt with loose stone and a steep finish. ABC recommends a 4x4, and there is paid parking about 2 km below the summit if you prefer to walk (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
Fill up with fuel and cash in Villarrica: you pay in cash at the top and there is nowhere to sort things out on the hill.
Suggested plan
When · Stop · What to do
Before dawn · Asunción · Drive towards Coronel Oviedo
Mid-morning · Melgarejo · Quick stop at San Vicente de Paul church
Midday · Cerro Akatí · Climb, bench viewpoint, mirador'i, picnic
Early afternoon · Salto Suizo · 1 km walk to the falls
Late afternoon · Villarrica · Ortiz Guerrero park and dinner
Night · Asunción · Drive home
Do the hill before the waterfall: the dirt road is the slowest part of the day and you want good light on the way down.
Stop 1: Cerro Akatí
At the top is the wooden bench facing the Guairá horizon and, along a short trail, the mirador'i looking towards Villarrica (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2017 (opens in a new tab)). Visitors reported an entry fee of G. 40,000 per person in 2023 and in March 2026 (TripAdvisor (opens in a new tab)). The person in charge, Roberto Cubas, answers on +595 982 379 706 (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab); Trip.com (opens in a new tab)); call ahead to ask about the road. Don't count on the canteen; bring water and food. The summit is slippery: closed shoes, and keep children back from the edge.
Stop 2: Salto Suizo
A waterfall of about 60 m on private land, now run as Parque Ecológico Salto Suizo (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Drive about 7 km via Tilinski and Wolfgang Greissel streets, then walk the last kilometre following lilac flags, over a log bridge and down stone steps (La Nación, 2017 (opens in a new tab)). It carries far more water after rain. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, swap this for Salto Mirian Mabel at Cerro León, which has an accessible viewpoint and a ramped trail (Última Hora, 2019 (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
Stop 3: wind down in Villarrica
- Parque Manuel Ortiz Guerrero. The big central park, with the Ykuá Pytã lagoon, capybaras and ducks; enter from Dr. Bottrel street (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). A good place to stretch before the drive home.
- Boulevard Vicente Mario. More than 50 food outlets, from burgers to Chinese (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Eat quickly and hit the road.
Should you stay the night?
Yes, if you can. Camping on the hill or taking one of its cabins (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)) gives you sunset and sunrise without driving the dirt road in the dark, and the next day you can do Salto Suizo and Villarrica at an easy pace. Or sleep in Villarrica and drive up early. In 2017 the hill's gate opened 07:00–18:00 (La Nación, 2017 (opens in a new tab)); if you plan to stay, tell the person in charge in advance.
FAQ
Can you do Cerro Akatí as a day trip from Asunción?
Yes, but it is a long day: over 400 km round trip, with 13–17 km of dirt road each way. Leave before dawn or stay one night.
How do you get to Cerro Akatí?
Via Coronel Oviedo and Route PY08 to Villarrica, on to Independencia, then the dirt road from Melgarejo up the hill.
What else can you see the same day?
Salto Suizo in Independencia, Salto Mirian Mabel if you need an accessible trail, and Ortiz Guerrero park in Villarrica.
Do I need a 4x4 for Cerro Akatí?
ABC recommends one. In a low car, leave it at the paid parking about 2 km below the summit and walk up.
