In this guide
Nueva Colombia sits about 48 km from Asunción in western Cordillera (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)), so a day trip is easy: leave in the morning, stop at Emboscada's Franciscan church, have lunch in Nueva Colombia and add Altos or Loma Grande in the afternoon. It is a small town of low hills, streams and stone quarries, better for slowing down than for ticking off sights.
How do you get to Nueva Colombia from Asunción?
- By car: take Ruta PY03 towards Emboscada. At km 39 of the PY03 a paved road branches off into Nueva Colombia and continues to Loma Grande (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Sources put it at 40 to 50 km from Asunción; allow an hour or a little more depending on traffic out of the city.
- Neighbours: Nueva Colombia borders Emboscada to the west, Loma Grande to the east, San Bernardino to the south and Arroyos y Esteros to the north, across the Piribebuy stream (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). That makes Emboscada the natural first stop.
- Tip: download an offline map before leaving the main road; the roads to the rural settlements (Quirayty, Ciraty, Isla Alta, Inglés Cué, Boquerón) are country lanes.
Morning: Emboscada, the stone town
Emboscada is 39 km from Asunción and right on your way (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- San Agustín church: a Franciscan church from around 1774, with 18th-century carved altarpieces, walls, doors and windows. It is one of the less-known examples of its type and well preserved (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go early, before the heat.
- Plaza de los Héroes: in the centre, with a monument to the town's Chaco War veterans.
- Quarries: Emboscada is nicknamed "the stone town" because so many residents work in the quarries; you will see the stone in houses and walls along the road.
On 24 July the town celebrates San Francisco Solano with masked dancers, drums and traditional food; 28 August is the main San Agustín feast (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Midday: what to do in Nueva Colombia
- Plaza Central 29 de Setiembre and San Miguel Arcángel parish church: the heart of town (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Walk the square and the surrounding streets with their old houses.
- Streams and springs: the district's main draw is its countryside, with many streams and springs that make it popular in summer (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The Piribebuy marks the northern edge; the Santa Rosa and Arasa streams run through the district.
- Guesthouses for the day: there are five Senatur-licensed establishments plus a hotel (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Several guesthouses have a pool, barbecue area and trails; ask first whether they take day visitors and what they charge.
- Local guide: the town is part of the "Circuito de Cordillerita" and the "Camino de las ciudades franciscanas", and under an agreement with Senatur each municipality has its own tourist guide (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the Municipalidad.
Afternoon: Altos or Loma Grande
Pick one; both are next door.
- Altos: about 60 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). See the Plaza de los Héroes with lapacho trees over fifty years old, the San Lorenzo church and, behind it, the Escuela Patria of the German colony that arrived from 1879. About 800 m from the centre, the Arroyo Saldívar reserve (over 4 hectares) is a shady place to end the day.
- Loma Grande: home to the Parque Histórico Nacional, where Marshal Estigarribia died in 1940 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). A short stop if you want some history before heading back.
When to go
- Summer: the busy season, because of the streams (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Book ahead if you want a guesthouse at the weekend.
- Festivals: the town celebrates on 16 July (Virgen del Carmen) and 29 September (San Miguel Arcángel) (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The patron saint's festival brings together farmers, craftspeople and traders (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Holy Week: in 2025 there was a living Way of the Cross at the parish church and a procession to the cemetery on Good Friday; Altos held a 3 km torch-lit walk from the church square (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Check that year's programme before you go.
Suggested timing
Time · Stop
07:30 · Leave Asunción on the PY03
08:30 · San Agustín church and square, Emboscada
10:30 · Nueva Colombia: square, church and streams
15:00 · Altos (square and Arroyo Saldívar) or Loma Grande
17:30 · Head back to Asunción
Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and some cash for the small stops.
FAQ
How far is Nueva Colombia from Asunción?
About 48 km according to La Nación (2025); other sources give 40 to 50 km. You get there on Ruta PY03 via Emboscada.
Can you do it as a day trip?
Yes. With about an hour each way there is time for Emboscada, Nueva Colombia and Altos or Loma Grande, back before dark.
What is there to see in Nueva Colombia?
The Plaza Central 29 de Setiembre, the San Miguel Arcángel parish church, old houses and the streams that make it a summer destination.
When are Nueva Colombia's festivals?
On 16 July for the Virgen del Carmen and on 29 September for San Miguel Arcángel.
