In this guide
At Mbatoví the thing to do is the Tapé Saingó eco-adventure circuit: about three hours of forest trail in the Cordillera de los Altos hills, hanging bridges, two zip lines some 40 metres above the trees and a rappel down a rock face (InfoNegocios, 2020 (opens in a new tab); Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). The reserve sits on the edge of Paraguarí, about 72 km from Asunción, and only takes visitors who have booked.
What is Mbatoví and where is it?
It is a private protected area in the hills of Paraguarí department, on the paved road between Paraguarí and Piribebuy (the Gral. Rogelio R. Benítez road), which links Route PY01 with PY02 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The official site places the entrance at km 10 of the Paraguarí–Piribebuy road (Mbatoví (opens in a new tab)).
This is not a public park you can walk into: everything runs as guided groups at booked times.
The Tapé Saingó circuit, stage by stage
Tapé saingó is Guaraní for "hanging path". According to press reports it includes:
- Yvaropy trail. The forest walk that links the whole circuit (Última Hora (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Expect climbs and loose stones, so wear trainers with grip.
- Hanging bridges. Four bridges strung between the trees (InfoNegocios, 2020 (opens in a new tab); Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). If heights bother you, tell the guide before you start.
- Two zip lines over the forest. About 40 metres up, and the highlight for most visitors (same sources).
- Rappel. A descent down a natural rock wall with harness and ropes. The reserve provides the gear.
- The forest itself. More than a hundred native tree species, including lapacho, cedar and curupay, plus tree ferns (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Besides the circuit, the reserve runs Bosquescuela, an environmental-education day for schools recognised by Paraguay's Ministry of Education, and team activities for companies (Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
How do you book and what does it cost?
- Booking: by phone or WhatsApp on +595 981 387 007, or through the reserve's social media (Mbatoví (opens in a new tab); Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Time slots: in 2022 there were two groups a day, at 09:00 and 14:00. In 2020 each slot took up to 45 people (InfoNegocios, 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
- Price: in 2022 it was G. 130,000 per person, G. 120,000 each for five or more and G. 115,000 each for ten or more (Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). That rate is old, so ask for the current one.
- Children: in 2022 kids could join from age 6 (same source).
How to get there from Asunción
- By car: take PY01 to Paraguarí, about 66 km from Asunción, then the road towards Piribebuy to the entrance. Coming along PY02 instead, turn onto the Rogelio Benítez road about 7 km past the Eusebio Ayala turn-off (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- By bus: buses to Paraguarí leave from Asunción's bus terminal or can be caught on Avenida Eusebio Ayala, roughly every 15 minutes (same source). Ask about the last stretch to the reserve when you book.
- On a tour: some tours pick you up at your Asunción hotel at 8:00 and drop you back at 15:00, gear included and lunch extra (Civitatis (opens in a new tab)). Useful without a car.
When to go
Paraguarí can top 40 °C in summer, and winter lows drop to about 2 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From November to March pick the morning slot and bring plenty of water; in winter the afternoon is more pleasant. After heavy rain, check that the circuit is running, as the rocky trail gets slippery.
What to add in Paraguarí afterwards
With a morning slot you have the afternoon for town:
- Paraguarí railway station, one of the oldest in the Americas (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Gral. Enrique Duarte Alder Museum, inside the Army Artillery Command, with weapons from the War of the Triple Alliance and the Chaco War (InfoNegocios, 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
- Cathedral of Santo Tomás Apóstol, on the main square, known for its woodwork.
- Cerro Santo Tomás and Cerro Peró, the hills around the town.
For the rest of the day see our guide to things to do in Paraguarí or carry on along the same road to Piribebuy.
FAQ
Can you visit Mbatoví without booking?
No. The reserve works with guided groups at pre-booked times; book by phone or WhatsApp on +595 981 387 007 or through its social media.
How long is the Mbatoví circuit?
The Tapé Saingó circuit takes about three hours and includes a forest trail, hanging bridges, two zip lines and a rappel.
How much does Mbatoví cost?
In 2022 the standard rate was G. 130,000 per person, with discounts for groups of five or more. Ask for the current price when you book.
How far is Mbatoví from Asunción?
About 72 km, on the paved road between Paraguarí and Piribebuy.
