In this guide
Limpio is about 20 km from Asunción, between the Paraguay, Salado and San Francisco rivers, and the water is the main reason to go: the Yacaré Yrupé Garden of giant water lilies at Piquete Cué, the El Peñón castle on the Paraguay River and a boat trip on the Río Salado. Add the San José church downtown, karanday palm hats and, for practical stops, the Abasto Norte market and Plaza Norte mall on Ruta PY03.
What to do by the river?
1. Yacaré Yrupé Garden (Piquete Cué). Natural lagoons where the giant Victoria cruziana water lilies appear, usually between December and January (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is at Hernandarias and Calle 18 in Piquete Cué; there is a paid entry, kayak or boat rental and parking, and canoe guides work 06:30 to 19:00 with the safety gear required by the Naval Prefecture (Bienvenido a Paraguay (opens in a new tab)). The flowers smell of pineapple at night.
- Tip: the plant is endangered and protected; picking leaves or flowers counts as illegal collection (MADES (opens in a new tab)). Check social media for blooming news first: they don't show up every year.
2. Piquete Cué port. Once one of the country's most important ports and the original start of the Trans-Chaco route (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Today it is the gateway to the riverside area.
3. El Peñón castle. A lighthouse built in the 1930s by Captain Lázaro Aranda on a rock in the Paraguay River, in the Piquete Cué area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The best view is from the water: ask the Piquete Cué canoe guides to include it.
4. Río Salado. A saltwater stream carrying water from Lake Ypacaraí to the Paraguay River, known for fishing and boat trips (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go early, when it's cooler and the water is calmer.
5. San Francisco Island. An ecological reserve about 15 km long and 6 km wide (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). You see it from the river; ask local boatmen before planning a landing.
What to see downtown?
6. San José parish church. The city's main church, with an 1850 façade; locals say the church is over 400 years old (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Its grounds hold the country's first ecological sanctuary (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
7. Plaza Silvestre Aveiro. The central square and the venue for town events (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It's the place to be for the feast of Saint Joseph, Limpio's patron, on 19 March.
8. Karanday palm hats. The craft Limpio is known for: hats, bags, wide painted hats and baskets woven from karanday palm leaf (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The city also holds the Festival del Karanda'y Renda. Buy straight from the makers and bring cash.
9. Municipal Market. The city's other market, to round off a walk downtown.
What's on Ruta PY03?
10. Abasto Norte. The city's main wholesale market for fruit, vegetables and meat (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In spring it hosts the Paseo de las Flores flower fair: in 2026 it ran 17–21 September, 07:00 to 17:00, steps from the PY03 entrance, with free parking and plants from G. 2,000 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
11. Plaza Norte. Limpio's first big mall, on Ruta 3 opposite Abasto Norte, opened on 19 July 2025 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). At launch it had Pizza Hut, Don Vito, Café Martínez, La Clementina and Sky Games: your stop for lunch, toilets and air conditioning.
How to plan the visit?
- Half day: San José church and the square in the morning, lunch at Plaza Norte.
- Full day (December or January): head to Piquete Cué early, canoe through the Yacaré Yrupé Garden and the river, lunch, then downtown and the karanday hats in the afternoon.
- When to go: December–January for the water lilies; March for Saint Joseph; September for the flower fair.
How to get there from Asunción?
Limpio is about 20 km from Asunción via the paved Ruta PY03 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Abasto Norte and Plaza Norte are on that road; for Piquete Cué and the river, continue to the riverside area. In summer bring water, a hat and insect repellent for the lagoons.
FAQ
When can you see the giant water lilies in Limpio?
Usually between December and January, in the Piquete Cué lagoons (Hernandarias and Calle 18). They don't bloom every year, so check news first.
Is there an entry fee at the Yacaré Yrupé Garden?
Yes, entry is paid, and canoe guides with kayaks or boats work from 06:30 to 19:00; ask for current prices on site.
What is El Peñón castle in Limpio?
A lighthouse built in the 1930s by Captain Lázaro Aranda on a rock in the Paraguay River near Piquete Cué. It's best seen from the water.
How do you get to Limpio from Asunción?
It is about 20 km along the paved Ruta PY03. Abasto Norte and Plaza Norte are on that road.
