In this guide
Laguna Blanca is not a day trip from Asunción: it is about 285 km away (InfoNegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab)), in Santa Rosa del Aguaray (San Pedro), and the round trip would eat most of the day on the road. Treat it as a weekend: leave early on Saturday with a couple of stops on the way, spend the afternoon at the lagoon, sleep there and use Sunday morning before heading back. If you are already in Santa Rosa del Aguaray or nearby, then it does work as a day out.
The route from Asunción
- Route PY03 north: it passes Limpio (km 23), Emboscada (km 36), Arroyos y Esteros (km 65), 25 de Diciembre (km 118) and San Estanislao (km 151). At km 171 it meets the PY08 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Route PY08 to Santa Rosa del Aguaray: the town is about 250 km from Asunción, and its bus terminal is on the PY08 at the PY11 junction (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Route PY11 (Juana María de Lara) east: the lagoon is about 28–30 km from Santa Rosa, in the Santa Bárbara area. In 2018 that stretch was already paved and took about 20 minutes (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
By coach, La Santaniana, La Ovetense and La Sampedrana run from Asunción to Santa Rosa (Plataforma 10 (opens in a new tab)). The last leg to Santa Bárbara has an infrequent local bus (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so arrange it with the resort in advance.
Stops on the way up
- Emboscada (km 36). The church of San Agustín, from around 1774, keeps Franciscan-style altarpieces and 18th-century carved walls, doors and windows (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It makes a short leg-stretch early in the drive.
- Arroyos y Esteros (km 65). It calls itself the "Valle Orgánico" and holds a Saturday-morning market with fruit, vegetables and local produce (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If you leave early on a Saturday, buy your road-trip fruit there.
- Santa Rosa del Aguaray. Fill up with fuel and withdraw cash in town before taking the PY11. The Aguaray Guazú river, which runs through the district, is navigable by small boats (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Afternoon at the lagoon: beach, clear water and sunset
The lagoon covers about 147 hectares and is more than 7 m deep. Its bed is calcareous sand, which is why the water is clear enough to see fish and plants several metres down (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The busiest visitor access is Ecotur Laguna Blanca (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab); InfoNegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab)):
- Designated, signposted beaches with nets marking how far you can swim and staff keeping an eye on children (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
- A pool overlooking the lake, islands to relax on, kayaks and boats, added in a late-2023 upgrade (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- A wooded park for hammocks and grills for a barbecue (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
In 2018 the resort opened from 7:00 to 19:00 (InfoNegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). The prices published in the press date from that year, so ask for current rates on (0976) 401-792 (InfoNegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab); visitparaguay.travel (opens in a new tab)).
Day 2 morning: birds, snorkelling and kayaking
- Birds at dawn. About 283 bird species have been recorded here; it is one of Paraguay's most studied birding sites and represents the Cerrado ecosystem (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Head out with binoculars before the crowds arrive.
- Snorkelling. The bottom is easiest to see when the water is calm in the morning. Bring your own mask.
- Kayaking. Paddle along the shore before the heat sets in.
- Drive back in daylight. Leave after lunch so you do the road while it is still light.
Safety and looking after the lagoon
- Do not feed the fish. In January 2023 six swimmers were bitten by piranhas. Ecotur's owner blamed people feeding fish on the beach and put staff with nets to work removing them (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Swim inside the marked area.
- It is a protected area. Decree 3893 of 2010 declared it a privately owned protected wildlife area covering 804 hectares (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Take your rubbish with you and only light fires in the grills.
- Season. December to February is high season (InfoNegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab)), so book a room early or come at another time of year for peace and quiet.
When to go
- First week of January: the resort held a festival with Paraguayan and international artists on 7 January 2024 and a cultural gathering on 1 January (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Dates change each year.
- Outside summer: fewer people and better birding.
- A Saturday departure: lets you stop at the Arroyos y Esteros market.
FAQ
Can you visit Laguna Blanca as a day trip from Asunción?
It is not advisable: it is about 285 km each way. Plan at least one night at the lagoon or in Santa Rosa del Aguaray.
What is the route to Laguna Blanca?
PY03 north to the PY08 junction (km 171), PY08 to Santa Rosa del Aguaray, then about 28–30 km east on the PY11 to Santa Bárbara.
Are there piranhas in Laguna Blanca?
Yes. In January 2023 six swimmers were bitten after people had been feeding fish on the beach. Do not feed the fish and swim inside the netted area.
What stops are there on the way?
The San Agustín church in Emboscada (km 36), the Saturday market in Arroyos y Esteros (km 65), and Santa Rosa del Aguaray to refuel before the last leg.
