In this guide
The best day on Lake Ypacaraí starts early in Areguá, with ceramics, the Centro Cultural del Lago and the pier, and ends across the water in San Bernardino, with the lakeside promenade and sunset from the stairway lookout. Areguá is about 30 km from Asunción (La Nación (opens in a new tab)) and San Bernardino about 50 km (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so it fits into one day by car. The one thing that is not on the plan is swimming: the lake is not safe for it.
How to plan the day
- 08:30–12:30 · Areguá: historic centre, pottery fair, cultural centre and lake views.
- 12:30–14:30 · Lunch and transfer: eat in Areguá, or drive round the lake to San Bernardino.
- 15:00–19:00 · San Bernardino: La Rotonda, a catamaran ride, the promenade and the stairway at sunset.
- Return: after dinner, or before 16:00 on a long weekend (see below).
On a Saturday, flip it: start in San Bernardino for the plaza market (08:00 to 14:00) and leave Areguá for the afternoon (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
Morning in Areguá: what to see
- La Candelaria church and Avenida del Lago. The church sits at the top of town, where the avenue runs down to the shore; the avenue was declared national heritage in 1997 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Walk down it past the old houses.
- Pottery fair on Avenida De la Candelaria. The town's potters' strip; in 2023 it opened 08:00 to 22:00, with planters, jugs and ornaments from G. 5,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Walk the whole fair before you buy.
- Centro Cultural del Lago (Yegros 855). Home to a ceramics museum with pieces from Areguá, Itá and Tobatí (La Nación (opens in a new tab)) and a shop (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). In March 2025 it opened Thursday and Friday 9:00 to 17:00, Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 10:30 to 18:00 (La Nación (opens in a new tab)); Monday to Wednesday are not the days to go.
- Estación A. The old railway station, now a cultural space, with the former platform turned into a lawn for tereré (La Nación (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Cerro Kõi. Its honeycomb-shaped sandstone formations, rare worldwide, made it a Natural Monument in 1993 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the cultural centre how to reach it that day.
- The pier. For a quiet look at the lake from the Areguá side (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
If you plan to buy large pieces, read what to check when buying Areguá ceramics first.
Getting from Areguá to San Bernardino
To get from one town to the other, you drive round the lake. Leaving by the Areguá–Patiño road (ABC Revista, 2023 (opens in a new tab)) you reach Route PY02, which takes you to the San Bernardino turn-off (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). The alternative is the Luque–San Bernardino road along the north side of the lake (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). By bus it takes longer: the Aregüeña line gets you out of Areguá (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)), then you change to a bus heading to San Bernardino along PY02.
Afternoon and sunset in San Bernardino
- La Rotonda beach and park. In January 2025 entry was free, with craft and food stalls; the catamaran ride cost G. 30,000 and parking G. 10,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). The catamaran is how you get out on the lake without touching the water.
- Avenida Luis F. Vache cycle path. About 3 km along the shore (ABC Color, 2020 (opens in a new tab)), good for a walk as the sun drops.
- The Virgin's stairway. 110 steps up to a lookout over the lake (ABC Color, 2020 (opens in a new tab)): the way to end the day.
To stay the night, see the San Bernardino weekend plan.
Can you swim in Lake Ypacaraí?
No. For the 2024–2025 season only San Bernardino's municipal beach held an environmental licence; Areguá's did not. The environment ministry (MADES) states that the licence does not make the lake fit for swimming: the water is heavily polluted and can cause headaches, nausea, stomach problems and skin allergies (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). If you want to swim, look for a pool where you stay.
When to go
- August: Areguá's Strawberry Festival (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- November and December: Areguá's nativity-scene fair (Expo Pesebre) sets up in front of the town hall; in 2024 it ran from 22 November to 23 December (ABC Color (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)).
- December to mid-February: high season in San Bernardino (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), with more crowds and concerts.
- Heat: in summer the Health Ministry advises being outdoors before 10:00 or after 17:00 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). That is why Areguá comes first and San Bernardino at sunset.
Before you leave
- Cash in small notes for the fair, parking and the catamaran.
- Something to wrap ceramics in: newspaper or a blanket.
- Back to Asunción: on long weekends PY02 backs up between the San Bernardino turn-off and the Ypacaraí toll (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Leave before 16:00, or stay for dinner and drive back later.
FAQ
Can you see Areguá and San Bernardino in one day?
Yes, by car: Areguá in the morning and San Bernardino in the afternoon, driving round the lake via PY02 or the Luque–San Bernardino road. By bus it is possible but slower.
Can you swim in Lake Ypacaraí?
No. The environment ministry says the lake is not fit for swimming because of pollution, even though San Bernardino's municipal beach has an environmental licence.
When is the Centro Cultural del Lago in Areguá open?
In March 2025 it opened Thursday and Friday 9:00 to 17:00, Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 10:30 to 18:00. Check its Instagram before you go.
When is the best time to visit Areguá?
August for the Strawberry Festival, or November and December for the nativity-scene fair. Any weekend works if you go early to avoid the heat.
