In this guide
Piribebuy, in the Cordillera department, is about 75 km from Asunción (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)) and fills a full day: a war museum in the centre, the 60-stripe poncho protected by UNESCO, the Ruta de la Caña sugarcane tour by reservation and, on hot days, the Piraretã waterfall. The historic sanctuary on the square has been under restoration since 2025, so don't count on going inside.
How do you get to Piribebuy?
- By car: the town sits on the Rogelio R. Benítez road, which links Route PY02 (around km 63) with PY01 (km 64) (Wikipedia, Spanish (opens in a new tab)). From Asunción the most direct way is PY02 to the turn-off and about 10 km of branch road (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). On the way back you can loop through Paraguarí and PY01.
- By bus: La Caacupeña runs Piribebuy–Asunción; in 2023 the company said the first bus leaves Piribebuy at 03:00, every half hour, and the last at 18:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Check the return times when you arrive.
What is there to see in the historic centre?
- Museo Histórico "Comandante Pedro Pablo Caballero". On Mariscal Estigarribia street, in a colonial house: objects from the War of the Triple Alliance and the Chaco War, plus Agustín Barboza's 60-stripe poncho. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00 to 12:00, free entry (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Tip: go in the morning; it is closed in the afternoon.
- Why the history matters here. On 12 August 1869, about 20,000 allied troops attacked the square, held by some 1,600 men and around a hundred women (Wikipedia, Spanish (opens in a new tab)). Knowing that makes the museum far more meaningful.
- Santuario Dulce Nombre de Jesús (Ñandejára Guasu). The church on Maestro Fermín López street was declared a national sanctuary in 1942 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). A full restoration funded by Itaipú and carried out by MES Ingeniería began in 2025 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Prensa Mercosur, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the parish whether you can go in, or admire the façade from the square.
What is the 60-stripe poncho and where can you see it?
It is Piribebuy's poncho para'i, woven in three parts by women who each specialise in one stage. In 2023 UNESCO inscribed its techniques on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and a safeguarding school teaches it to younger generations (UNESCO (opens in a new tab)). The most famous piece is in the museum; if you want to buy one, ask in the centre for the weavers.
What is the Ruta de la Caña like?
It is a Fortín S.A. circuit that starts in the historic centre and continues through the cane fields, the processing plant and the cellars, with music, dance and tastings of food and cocktails (Visit Paraguay (opens in a new tab); Tripadvisor (opens in a new tab)). It takes about three hours (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). It runs by reservation only; ask for dates on +595 984 817 990 (Visit Paraguay (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Drinks include alcohol, so whoever is driving should skip the tasting.
Where can you cool off in summer?
- Piraretã waterfall. About 1,000 metres from the Piribebuy–Paraguarí road at km 78. You can't drive to the water, there are no signs, and in 2025 entry was free. Watch children closely: there are holes you can't see (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Along with Siete Caídas, it is among the busiest falls in the area in summer (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
- Colonia Piraretã. Around the falls there are campsites with shelters and toilets (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
- Municipal pool. One block from the road to Paraguarí, fed by water from La Cañada; free and open to all (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
Download the map on your phone before you go: signal drops on the roads to the falls.
Which dates change the visit?
- January: the International Festival of the Poncho Para'i de 60 Listas, held with the Ñandejára Guasu festivities, usually at Club 12 de Agosto (Wikipedia, Spanish (opens in a new tab)).
- 3 February: San Blas (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- 8 March: founding anniversary (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- 12 August: anniversary of the battle, with a civic ceremony and a school, police and military parade (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
For a timed one-day plan, see our Piribebuy day trip. If you return via PY01, Paraguarí is on the way: things to do in Paraguarí.
FAQ
When is the Piribebuy museum open?
Museo Histórico Comandante Pedro Pablo Caballero opens Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00 to 12:00, with free entry.
Can you visit the Piribebuy sanctuary?
It has been under restoration since 2025, funded by Itaipú. Ask at the parish whether you can go in; the façade is visible from the square.
How do you get to Piraretã falls?
From the Piribebuy–Paraguarí road at km 78, walking about 1,000 metres: you can't drive to the water and there are no signs.
How far is Piribebuy from Asunción?
About 75 km, via PY02 and a branch road of about 10 km, or via PY01 and the Rogelio R. Benítez road from Paraguarí.
