In this guide
Tobatí is an easy day trip from Asunción: it is about 74 km away, on Route PY02 to Caacupé and then 17 km along the branch road (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The route that works: in the morning, the Virgen del Camino lookout and the Castillo Caballero Templario on the road into town; at midday, Cerro Tres Caras and the Villa Artesanal craft centre; in the afternoon, a hill, the stream, or Caacupé on the way home.
Getting to Tobatí
- By car: Route PY02 to Caacupé (54 km from Asunción), then the paved branch road to Tobatí (Wikipedia, Caacupé (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Along it you will see the olerías, small family kilns making bricks and roof tiles, the district's main trade (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- By bus: the Villa Serrana company serves Tobatí (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the terminal for the last bus back before you leave.
- After rain: the roads across the plain to outlying communities become almost impassable (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). After heavy rain, stick to the town and the paved road.
Morning: the lookout and the castle on the road in
1. Mirador Virgen del Camino. A grotto-chapel under a rock outcrop with five viewpoints representing stations of the cross (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)) and a panoramic view of the town (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). At its foot is a craft gallery with wood carvings, saint figures, thermoses and guampas. In December 2025 it opened daily from 7:00 to 17:00, with saint figures at G. 150,000 to 200,000 and personalised keyrings from G. 10,000 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
2. Castillo Caballero Templario. About 100 metres from the lookout (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)): a medieval-style building with trails climbing to viewpoints on the ridge, a stream and a camping area (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Entry: G. 25,000 per person; under-12s free. Includes parking, toilets and the trails (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Hours: sources disagree (Tuesday to Sunday in 2022, Monday to Friday in 2023, both 7:00 to 18:00), so call ahead on (0992) 917-287 (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: climb to the viewpoints before 10:00 in summer; Paraguay's Health Ministry advises outdoor activity before then or after 17:00 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)).
Midday: the town and its crafts
3. Cerro Tres Caras. Officially Cerro Mirador Tres Américas, it is the rocky hill that greets you at the edge of town. At weekends artisans display their work on its slopes (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)); the artisans' association holds free weekend and holiday fairs there (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If you can choose, go on a Saturday or Sunday.
4. Villa Artesanal (Fundación Tobatí). The main place to see and buy crafts: more than 80 artists show here (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)), on consignment (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). InfoNegocios listed hours of 8:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00 in 2018 (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), so avoid the early-afternoon break.
5. Jaikatu and the church. Jaikatu, a 12-metre wrought-iron sculpture by Juan Pablo Pistilli, has a base modelled on the brick kilns (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). The Inmaculada Concepción parish church keeps hand-carved wooden altars (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
Have lunch in the centre and carry small notes for craft purchases.
Afternoon: pick one
- Adventure on Cerro Tobatí. Young local guides run eco-adventure outings (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). In 2018 the offer included rappels of 12, 25 and 40 metres (from age 7), climbing, 1–3 km trails and the Mbopi Kua cave, priced G. 25,000 to 150,000 (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). Book days ahead.
- Cerro Kavaju. Off the Caacupé–Tobatí road and then a dirt track: a 3 km circuit of about two and a half hours with terraces and the Moñái cave. In 2024 guided walks ran Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). If you choose it, do it first thing and shift the rest of the plan.
- Karumbe Ykua. A waterfall on the Karumbey stream, on the border with Atyrá, falling into a natural pool with sandy edges, popular in summer (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Continuing to Atyrá? See our Atyrá day trip.
- Caacupé on the way back. It is on your route; ideas in places to visit in Caacupé.
Dates that change the day
- 6 January: San Baltasar festival in the Rosado community, with masks carved from timbó wood (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Holy Week: the Misión y Vida youth group stages a living Way of the Cross from the church forecourt to the hilltop lookout; in 2023 it was on Holy Wednesday at 19:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- 8 December: feast of the Virgen del Camino chapel, the same day as Caacupé's pilgrimage, with all its traffic (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
How far is Tobatí from Asunción?
About 74 km: Route PY02 to Caacupé, then 17 km along the paved branch road.
How much is entry to the Castillo Caballero Templario?
G. 25,000 per person, with under-12s free, according to ABC Color (2023 and 2025). It includes parking, toilets and the trails to the viewpoints.
Where can I buy crafts in Tobatí?
At the Fundación Tobatí's Villa Artesanal, at the gallery below the Virgen del Camino lookout and, at weekends, at the artisans' fair on Cerro Tres Caras.
Can I get to Tobatí by bus?
Yes, the Villa Serrana company serves the town. Check the last bus back at the terminal before you set off.
