Places to visit in Caacupé: basilica, hills and nearby towns

For a day in Caacupé, start at the Basilica and its museum, climb the sanctuary viewpoint, walk to the Tupãsy Ykua spring and Plaza Teniente Fariña, and save the afternoon for Cerro Kavaju or Cerro Cristo Rey. The town is about 54 km from Asunción on Ruta PY02, so it is an easy day trip (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

What to see around the Basilica

Everything central is walkable in a couple of hours:

• Basilica of Caacupé. The sanctuary of the Virgen de los Milagros and the reason most people come. Arrive early for Mass and photos without crowds.
• Basilica museum. Objects from about 400 years of history, art and faith. ABC Color (2025)⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠ listed it as open every day 8:00–17:00, with a G. 3,000 entry including a guide.
• Basilica viewpoint. About 40 metres up, with murals of the Virgin's legend and views over the Cordillera hills (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• Tupãsy Ykua. The spring where pilgrims drink and fill bottles. Opposite is Plaza Defensores del Chaco, with souvenir and water-container stalls.
• Plaza Teniente Fariña. Next to the Basilica, facing the sculpture of the Virgen de los Milagros, one of the most photographed spots. On national holidays a craft and makers' fair is set up here.

Where to see Caacupé's murals

• Paseo Histórico Cultural, on Avenida Dr. Pino beside the Basilica: paintings by local artist Ricardo Núñez about the town's history.
• Paseo Religioso Cultural at Colegio Parroquial Cristo Rey, on Avenida Alberdi between Teniente Fariña and Mallorquín: murals of Bible scenes, the Triple Alliance War and the Basilica's first foundations (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

Both are a few blocks from the sanctuary, so you can leave the car parked.

Nature near Caacupé

• Cerro Kavaju. A protected landscape about 370 m high, roughly 7 km from the centre, on the edge of Atyrá and Tobatí. Take the Caacupé–Tobatí road, then a 3 km dirt track. The loop is about 3 km and takes around two and a half hours, with five rock terraces or viewpoints and the Moñái cave. La Nación (2024)⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠ advises a local guide and sturdy shoes because the path is rocky; guided outings ran on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00.
• Cerro Cristo Rey. At km 56 of Ruta PY02, with a trail to a small oratory on top. No guides; busy in Holy Week and November.
• Parque Lagorã. On Juan E. O'Leary street, parallel to the highway, four blocks from the Basilica: a stream, children's play area, trails and camping. A good break with kids.
• Arroyo Ytu. A popular stream for cooling off in summer, per Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠.

Tobatí and Atyrá, a short drive away

With a full day, add a neighbouring town:

• Tobatí: the Castillo Caballero Templario, a medieval-style building with a stream, camping and viewpoints. ABC Color (2023)⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠ listed entry at G. 25,000 per person, free for under-12s.
• Atyrá: the Paseo Peatonal Indio José for leather crafts, the San Francisco de Asís church, and Chorro Karumbe'y, a 4 m waterfall on the stream between Atyrá and Tobatí.

Getting there and when to go

• By bus: buses leave from the Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción and run along Ruta PY02.
• By car: PY02 runs through town; a paved road continues to Tobatí.
• 8 December is the Virgin's feast: thousands of pilgrims arrive, many walking from Ypacaraí. That week the centre is packed; for a calm visit, pick a weekday outside December.
• Weather: the town is milder than Asunción thanks to its altitude, but bring water and a hat for the hills in summer.
• Where to stay: Senatur-registered guesthouses and hotels sit around the Basilica, handy if you want an early start at Kavaju.