In this guide
A weekend in Villarrica works best split in two: Saturday for the town (museum in the morning, the park, the old railway quarter at sunset and dinner) and Sunday for the river at Itapé or the waterfalls and hills of the Ybytyruzú range. One night's stay is what lets it all fit without rushing around in the sun.
Can you do it as a day trip from Asunción?
Only the town itself, and it's a long day: Villarrica is 172 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so you're driving two long legs in one day. By car you go to Coronel Oviedo, then about 42 km south on Route PY08 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Adding Salto Suizo or a hill hike to the same day from Asunción isn't realistic: stay the night for that.
Saturday morning: museum and park
- Museo Municipal Maestro Fermín López (Natalicio Talavera and Juan Pablo II, behind the cathedral). In 2022 it opened on Saturday only from 8:00 to 11:00, and on Sunday only with advance notice to the town hall (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). If you want to see it, go first thing Saturday: it has a room devoted to poet Manuel Ortiz Guerrero (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Parque Manuel Ortiz Guerrero. After the museum, the Ykuá Pytã lagoon with capybaras, ducks and birds; enter on Dr. Bottrel street from Mayor Bullo or Azara (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Lunch: Boulevard Vicente Mario has more than 50 food outlets, from burgers to Chinese (Infonegocios, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Then rest indoors: the town has hit 37 °C in December and its record is 40.4 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Saturday afternoon and evening
- Barrio Estación at sunset. The old railway station and the mural-covered 1940s silo, protected as heritage (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Low light is best for photos.
- Teatro Municipal. It reopened in late June 2026 after about fifteen years closed, with the gala Renace el teatro (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Check that week's programme on the town hall's social media.
- Dinner or drinks: Pan y Circo, on Boulevard Iturbe near Comuneros on Route 8, serves drinks, pizzas, sharing plates and weekend grills (Infonegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab)); on Saturday it's open until midnight, according to its Instagram (opens in a new tab). Book by message for groups.
- If you drink, don't drive: Paraguay has zero tolerance for alcohol at the wheel (ABC Color, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
More night options in entertainment in Villarrica.
Sunday: pick river or hills
- River, half day: Itapé. About 20 km away; the paved road via Loma Hovy works even after rain (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Playa Ysoró on the Tebicuarymí river fills up in hot weather (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Back for lunch, then on the road to Asunción.
- Waterfall, full day: Salto Suizo. In Independencia, 38 km away; the last 8 km from Melgarejo are dirt (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). It's a waterfall of about 40 metres with natural pools, and the final 300 metres are on foot over streams and rocks (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
- Hills, full day: Akatí or Tres Kandú. Cerro Akatí has a viewpoint at 600 metres and a trail to the Itá Letra rock carvings; Tres Kandú, the country's highest point at 842 metres, takes 2 to 3 hours to climb from the visitor reception (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)). Start early and bring food.
If it rained hard the night before, stick with Itapé: the dirt roads get rough. If you lunch at Pan y Circo, it closes at 3 pm on Sunday (Instagram (opens in a new tab)).
Which weekends change the plan?
- Carnaval Guaireño (February). In 2026 it ran four nights, 20, 21, 27 and 28 February, at the Sambódromo Rey Eduardo Vezzetti, with general admission at G. 10,000 and G. 20,000 on closing night (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- San Juan (June). At the old railway station: in 2025 it started at 18:00 with over 100 food stalls, games and music, free (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Festival de la Raza (October). In 2025 the Noche Gigante was on 24 October at Club Cerro Corá, free with a food donation (Hoy (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Check this year's date before booking.
- 18 December in Itapé. The Virgen del Paso feast draws more than 60,000 visitors (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)): avoid it if you want a quiet river day.
Where to stay and getting back
Without a car, stay in the centre; with a car and a wish for a pool, at the edge of town. See hotels in Villarrica. For Carnival, holidays and Holy Week book ahead and buy your return ticket as soon as you arrive: Sunday afternoon is peak time for going home. For a one-day plan in town, see our Villarrica travel guide.
FAQ
Can I visit Villarrica as a day trip from Asunción?
For the town, yes, as a long day: it's 172 km each way. To add Salto Suizo or a hill hike, stay the night.
What to do on a Saturday in Villarrica?
The Fermín López museum in the morning (in 2022 it opened Saturday 8:00 to 11:00), Parque Ortiz Guerrero, Barrio Estación at sunset, then dinner or the theatre.
What to do on Sunday near Villarrica?
Half a day at Playa Ysoró in Itapé, about 20 km away, or a full day at Salto Suizo, Cerro Akatí or Cerro Tres Kandú.
When is the Villarrica carnival?
In February. In 2026 the Carnaval Guaireño ran on 20, 21, 27 and 28 February at the Sambódromo Rey Eduardo Vezzetti.
