In this guide
Laguna Blanca is a clear-water lagoon over pale sand in Santa Rosa del Aguaray, San Pedro department, about 30 km east of the town. You visit through a private site, Ecotur Laguna Blanca, which has marked beaches, kayaks, trails and camping (visitparaguay.travel (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). From Asunción it is close to 300 km each way, so it is not a day trip: plan at least one night.
What can you do at Laguna Blanca?
- Swim at the marked beaches. The site has two signed beaches, with nets showing how far out you can go (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). With children, stay inside that area.
- Snorkel. The bed is calcareous sand and the water is clear enough to see fish and plants several metres down; average depth is about 7 m (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Bring your own mask.
- Kayaks and boat rides. The site offers kayaks and boats on the lagoon (Infonegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
- Walk the forest trail. There is a hiking circuit inside the property's forest reserve (ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). Go early, before the heat.
- Birdwatching. About 283 species have been recorded, the area is an Important Bird Area, and it is one of the most studied sites in Paraguayan ornithology (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Bring binoculars and go out at dawn.
- Camp or stay in a bungalow. There is camping near the water, rooms and wooden bungalows, plus a restaurant and barbecue shelters for day visitors (Infonegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
How do you get there from Asunción?
- By car: leave on the northern access road towards Arroyos y Esteros and follow Route 3 to the Santa Rosa del Aguaray junction, about 270 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Then take the paved Juana María de Lara road (formerly Route XI); the lagoon is about 2 km off it, in the Santa Bárbara area (ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). Sources put it 25–35 km from Santa Rosa, around 20 minutes.
- By bus: La Santaniana, La Ovetense and La Sampedrana run from Asunción to Santa Rosa del Aguaray (Plataforma 10 (opens in a new tab)). The local bus to Santa Bárbara is infrequent (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so ask the site how to arrange the last leg.
- Address for your map app: Santa Bárbara, calle San Antonio, Santa Rosa del Aguaray (visitparaguay.travel (opens in a new tab)).
What does it cost, and how do you book?
There is a day-entry fee and separate rates for staying over, but the prices published in the press date from 2018 and are no longer useful. Ask the site for current rates on +595 976 401 792 (visitparaguay.travel (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)) or through its social accounts, listed as "ecoturlagunablanca". In summer, book accommodation well ahead: demand is high (ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). Carry cash in case the signal is too weak for card or QR payments.
When is the best time to go?
High season runs from December to February, and the owner expected around 50,000 visits in one summer (Infonegocios, 2018 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). For a quieter lagoon, go in March–April or October–November, or on a weekday. In midsummer bring sunscreen, a hat and water: there are trees for hammocks, but the sun on the beach is fierce (Última Hora, 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
Where to sleep if the lagoon is full
Santa Rosa del Aguaray, less than half an hour away, has hotels and restaurants (ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)). It is the natural base if you come by bus or the site is full: sleep in town and reach the lagoon first thing.
Looking after the lagoon
Laguna Blanca was declared a privately owned protected wildlife area by Decree 3893 of 2010 (ABC Color, 2018 (opens in a new tab)), and the land around it recharges the Guaraní Aquifer (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Leave no rubbish on the sand and light fires only in the site's barbecue pits.
FAQ
Where is Laguna Blanca?
In Santa Rosa del Aguaray district, San Pedro department, in the Santa Bárbara area about 30 km east of the town.
Can you visit Laguna Blanca as a day trip from Asunción?
Not sensibly: it is close to 300 km each way. Plan at least one night at the lagoon or in Santa Rosa del Aguaray.
How do you get there by bus?
La Santaniana, La Ovetense and La Sampedrana run from Asunción to Santa Rosa del Aguaray. Arrange the last leg with the site, as the local bus is infrequent.
Can you camp at Laguna Blanca?
Yes. Ecotur Laguna Blanca has camping near the water as well as rooms and bungalows. Ask for rates on +595 976 401 792.
When is high season?
December to February, when it is busiest. For a quieter visit, go in autumn or spring, or on a weekday.
