In this guide
Itauguá is about 30 km from Asunción on route PY02 and fills a full day if you get the order right: the Museo San Rafael only opens on weekday afternoons, while the Estanzuela strawberry hall opens on weekends and public holidays. So pick your day first and, on the way, stop at the mythology museum in Capiatá, which sits on the same road.
The route from Asunción
The whole drive is on PY02 (Mcal. Estigarribia), which runs right through Itauguá (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), passing San Lorenzo and Capiatá. By bus, the lines heading east on PY02 drop you in the centre; get off near the church.
Watch out in December: in the run-up to 8 December the road fills with pilgrims heading to Caacupé, and traffic diversions are set up around Itauguá (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If you go in those weeks, leave very early or pick another month.
Stop on the way: Capiatá's mythology museum
On PY02 in Capiatá, about 19 km from Asunción, is the Museo Mitológico Ramón Elías (Visit Paraguay (opens in a new tab)). Opened in 1979, it has three rooms: Guaraní myths with figures such as the Pombero, Kurupí and Jasy Jateré; colonial religious art; and objects from the Triple Alliance and Chaco wars (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Tip: it's indoors, so it works as a first stop on a hot day. Call ahead to confirm hours.
Weekday plan: museum and old town
- Morning in Capiatá (the museum), then carry on along PY02 to Itauguá.
- Ñandutí lace along the road. Ñandutí shops cluster along PY02 and around the town hall (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). SENATUR recommends the Centro Cultural Tejedora del Ñandutí for buying crafts (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Bring cash.
- Lunch. The municipal market burned down in May 2026 and vendors moved to the street under awnings while it's rebuilt (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so don't plan on it for food.
- 14:00, Museo San Rafael. Behind the Virgen del Rosario church, with colonial pieces, a carved wooden Saint Michael and more than 300 ñandutí samplers; per ABC Color (2023) it opens Monday to Friday, 14:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- At dusk, Paseo de los Ilustres. On Gral. Bernardino Caballero street, a block from the church: murals of notable locals and a light walk after dark (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
Weekend plan: strawberries and the lake
- Morning in the centre: church, Paseo de los Ilustres and ñandutí shopping on the road. The museum is closed, so leave it out.
- Midday in Estanzuela. The Estanzuela strawberry growers' association sales hall is at km 33 of the Areguá–Patiño road and opens Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 8:00 to 19:00, with a playground, parking and toilets (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). They sell fresh strawberries plus sweet and savoury products. The harvest peaks in July and August, and prices change weekly (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Afternoon: Cerro Patiño or the lake. Patiño has the old railway station and the hill viewpoint (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); SENATUR (opens in a new tab)); Itauguá also has a municipal beach and pier on Lake Ypacaraí (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)), good for sunset.
Dates worth planning around
- National Ñandutí Day: the second Sunday of October, with a fair, folk music night and float parade (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Festival Nacional del Ñandutí: in 2025 the main night was a Saturday at Club Olimpia, km 32 of PY02, from 20:30, free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The date varies year to year.
- 27 June: the town's anniversary, with events on the Paseo de los Ilustres (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Winter: strawberry season in Estanzuela (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
The full day at a glance
Day · Morning · Midday · Afternoon
Monday–Friday · Mythology museum (Capiatá) · Ñandutí on PY02 · Museo San Rafael 14–17 and Paseo de los Ilustres
Weekend or holiday · Itauguá centre and ñandutí · Strawberries in Estanzuela (km 33) · Cerro Patiño or Lake Ypacaraí
Head back before 18:00 to dodge the PY02 rush hour into Asunción.
FAQ
Which day is best for a trip to Itauguá?
A weekday if you want the Museo San Rafael (Monday to Friday, 14:00 to 17:00, per ABC Color 2023); a weekend or holiday for the Estanzuela strawberry hall, open 8:00 to 19:00.
What can I stop at on the way to Itauguá?
The Museo Mitológico Ramón Elías on PY02 in Capiatá, with Guaraní myth figures, colonial art and war relics.
Where can I buy strawberries in Itauguá?
At the Estanzuela growers' hall, km 33 of the Areguá–Patiño road, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00 to 19:00. The harvest peaks in July and August.
When is Ñandutí Day in Itauguá?
On the second Sunday of October, with a fair, folk music and a float parade.
