In this guide
Paraguarí is 66 km from Asunción on Route PY01 and fills a full day: hills with lookouts, the old Estación neighbourhood with its museum and rail bikes, and the road to Piribebuy with an artillery museum and a canopy adventure circuit. One recent change to plan around: since 24 June 2026 the summit of Cerro Perõ has been closed while a Ferris wheel is built (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
How do you get to Paraguarí from Asunción?
- By car: 66 km south on Route PY01 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Coming from the Cordillera side, the Rogelio R. Benítez road links PY02 with PY01 via Piribebuy.
- By bus: intercity buses leave from the Asunción bus terminal and from Avenida Eusebio Ayala, with frequent departures (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the ticket window when the last bus back leaves.
- Tip: the sights are several kilometres apart, so a car or a local taxi gets far more out of the day.
Which hills can you visit?
- Cerro Perõ. The town's own hill: a 208-metre stairway climbs the slope to a natural lookout (Última Hora, April 2026 (opens in a new tab)), and there is a lagoon with a small pier on top (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). From the summit you see Cristo Redentor and Cerro Hũ (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The municipality closed the summit on 24 June 2026 and estimated about two months of work, so check with the municipality whether it has reopened before building your day around it.
- Cerro Hũ and its park. At the foot of the hill there is an ecological park with a walking path of about 2 km (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), and hikes and the climb to the top start from this area (ABC Color, June 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Go early with water and closed shoes; in summer the sun is fierce by mid-morning.
- Cerro Mba'e. Site of the Battle of Paraguarí on 19 January 1811 against Belgrano's troops (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), 5 km from the town centre (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Ask the municipality about access before you go.
What is there in the Estación neighbourhood?
The Estación neighbourhood sits at the foot of Cerro Hũ (InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab)) and is easy on foot:
- Historical and Cultural Museum. Housed in the old railway station, opened in 1864, with furniture, tools and an old weighing scale (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Rail bikes (bicirriel). Pedal carts on the old tracks for about 300 metres (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). A hit with kids.
- Locomotive 521 and linear park. The municipality added a linear park with locomotive 521 next to the station (Última Hora, April 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
What is on the road to Piribebuy?
- Artillery Museum "Gral. Enrique Duarte Alder". Inside the Artillery Command on the Paraguarí–Piribebuy access road, with cannons, rifles and ammunition from the War of the Triple Alliance and the Chaco War (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is a military site, so check entry before you go.
- Eco Reserva Mbatoví. A private reserve at km 10 of the Paraguarí–Piribebuy road (Mbatoví (opens in a new tab)). Its Tapé Saingó circuit takes about three hours, with trails, four suspension bridges, two zip lines and a rappel descent; groups leave at 09:00 and 14:00, always by reservation, and children from age 6 can join. In 2022 it cost G. 130,000 per person (Prensa Mercosur, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Ask for the current rate when you book.
Where should you eat?
The classic stop is Frutería Paraguarí on Route PY01: famous for its fruit salad, it also serves mbeju, chipa and sopa paraguaya, and has a mini-market with fruit, yerba and souvenirs (Visit Paraguay (opens in a new tab); InfoNegocios, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Tripadvisor (opens in a new tab)). Coming from Asunción, it is on your way in or out.
When is the best time to go?
- Weekends: according to the mayor, the town gets about 7,000 visitors from Friday to Sunday (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). For quiet hills, go on a weekday.
- 21 December: feast of Santo Tomás, the patron saint, with a procession and bullfights (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). More atmosphere, more traffic.
- Summer: climb early and leave the museums for midday.
For a timed one-day plan, see our Paraguarí day trip; if you continue along the road, see things to do in Piribebuy.
FAQ
How far is Paraguarí from Asunción?
66 km south on Route PY01. Intercity buses leave the Asunción bus terminal frequently.
Is Cerro Perõ open?
The summit has been closed since 24 June 2026 while a Ferris wheel is built; the municipality estimated about two months of work. Check with the municipality before you go.
What can you do in Paraguarí with kids?
Ride the rail bikes and see the locomotive in the Estación neighbourhood, walk the park at the foot of Cerro Hũ and, from age 6 and by reservation, do Mbatoví's Tapé Saingó circuit.
Where do people eat in Paraguarí?
The best-known stop is Frutería Paraguarí on Route PY01, known for its fruit salad, mbeju, chipa and sopa paraguaya.
