In this guide
In Concepción you can handle almost everything in town without an agency: the centre is walkable, boats to Chaco'i leave from the old port and buses to Asunción and Pedro Juan Caballero leave from the terminal. An agency or tour operator helps once the trip leaves the city: upriver towards the Pantanal, Cerro Corá National Park or a group package. Before paying, look them up in Senatur's Registur.
Where to get tourist information
- Online: Senatur, Paraguay's tourism ministry, has a Concepción page on visitparaguay.travel (opens in a new tab) covering the historic centre and the sights along Avenida Pinedo.
- In town: the centre is compact and easy to walk (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). The bus terminal is about 8 blocks north of Calle Presidente Franco; if you arrive by bus you can get off earlier at the "la Avenida" stop on Avenida Pinedo and walk.
- Dates that fill the city: the 25 May anniversary and the parade on the last Sunday of May (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), the Festival del Río Paraguay at the old port, which opened the May festivities in 2026 (Concepción al Día (opens in a new tab)), and Expo Concepción at Campo Nanawa, held from 31 August to 6 September in 2026 (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Book a room early for those weeks.
Getting there and around without an agency
- From Asunción: about 6 hours by bus (Rome2rio (opens in a new tab)); Route PY09, the Transchaco, is the fastest road (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). According to Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab), buses leave every one and a half to two hours.
- To Pedro Juan Caballero and the Brazilian border: 212 km on Route PY05 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); 4 to 5 hours by bus (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- By river: Concepción's port is the starting point of the Aquidabán, a cargo and passenger boat that runs upriver to Bahía Negra, stopping at river towns (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). In 2013 it left on Tuesdays at 10:00, called at Vallemí and Fuerte Olimpo and was back in Concepción on Sunday (Última Hora, 2013 (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the port for the current departure day: it is a cargo service and schedules shift.
What trips can an operator arrange from Concepción?
- Chaco'i and Isla Bonita: boats with boatmen and life jackets leave from the old port; the crossing cost G. 8,000 in 2023 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). No agency needed, but go in daylight and bring water.
- Cerro Corá: the national park where Marshal López died in 1870 is in Amambay, 45 km south of Pedro Juan Caballero, with monuments, caves with rock paintings and a recreation area on the Aquidabán river (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). From Concepción it is a long trip along PY05, so an operator with transport saves you juggling buses.
- Fishing: the Itacuá, San Lázaro on the Apa, the Ypané and the Aquidabán are fishing spots named by ABC Color (2023) (opens in a new tab). Mind the closed season: in 2025 it began on 2 November and ran to 31 January in waters shared with Brazil, with no fishing or selling allowed (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). A serious operator won't sell you a fishing trip during the ban.
- Upriver to the Pantanal: independent travellers continue up the Paraguay River to the Brazilian and Bolivian Pantanal (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). That is several days of travel, not an excursion; for a group, an agency that coordinates the boat, lodging and return is worth it.
How do I know an agency is licensed?
Senatur lists agencies on registur.gov.py with their status, operating or permanently closed, and answers questions on (021) 441 530, extension 117 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). The register also covers guides and tourist transport (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)), so you can check the guide or van for an excursion. In February 2026 Senatur warned about agencies selling packages on social media without being registered (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)): check a suspiciously cheap offer twice.
What to get in writing before paying
- What is included: transport, boat fuel, guide, meals, entrance fees and insurance.
- Total price including taxes and payment method, as required by Article 15 of Law 1334/98 (opens in a new tab).
- What happens if it rains or the river is too rough: whether the trip is rescheduled or refunded.
- An invoice for the deposit and each payment (Sedeco via ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If the agency fails to deliver, Sedeco takes complaints on the free line 0800 11 88 99 (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
For where to sleep, see our guide to hotels and lodging in Concepción, and for things to do in town, entertainment in Concepción.
FAQ
Do I need an agency to visit Chaco'i from Concepción?
No. Boats leave from the old port with boatmen and life jackets; the crossing cost G. 8,000 in 2023.
How long is the bus from Asunción to Concepción?
About 6 hours. Buses run often during the day, and Concepción's terminal is about 8 blocks north of Calle Presidente Franco.
How do I check an agency or guide in Concepción?
Look them up on registur.gov.py, Senatur's register, which lists agencies, guides and tourist transport with their status.
Can you take a boat from Concepción to Bahía Negra?
Yes. The Aquidabán, a cargo and passenger boat, runs upriver from Concepción's port to Bahía Negra, stopping at river towns. The trip takes several days; ask at the port for the departure day.
