In this guide
Ybycuí is a long day trip from Asunción, and the main reason to go is Ybycuí National Park: short forest trails to the Guaraní, Minas and Escondido waterfalls. In town you can add General Bernardino Caballero's house, San José church and, with time to spare, Cerro San José. La Rosada, the old iron foundry inside the park, has been closed for repairs since January 2026.
How do you get there from Asunción?
- By car: take Route PY01 south to Carapeguá, then the branch road to Acahay and Ybycuí, and from town the paved road south to the park gate (MADES (opens in a new tab)). MADES, the environment ministry, gives 142 to 150 km depending on the page; allow about three hours.
- By bus: Salto Cristal runs buses to Ybycuí every day from the Asunción bus station (ticket office 58), via Paraguarí, Carapeguá and Acahay, at 05:45, 06:40, 08:15, 09:00, 11:30, 14:10, 15:50 and 16:10 (Estación de Buses de Asunción (opens in a new tab)). Fares are cash only; confirm times on WhatsApp (0982) 189401 the day before. From town the park is about 20 km further, so arrange a taxi.
- Tip: fill the tank and carry cash before leaving town; there is nowhere to sort either out inside the park.
Park hours and entry fees
The park protects about 5,000 hectares of forest in Paraguarí department and opens every day from 07:00 to 17:00, according to the MADES park page (opens in a new tab). Published fees:
- Adult, 18+: Gs. 20,000
- Ages 11–17: Gs. 5,000
- Car: Gs. 15,000
- Motorbike: Gs. 5,000
- Van: Gs. 35,000
- Bus: Gs. 60,000
Camping is allowed. The park has no phone line of its own; for questions, call the MADES switchboard on +595 21 287 9000. Arrive early: with a 07:00 opening you can walk two or three trails before the midday heat.
Which waterfalls and trails?
The MADES (opens in a new tab) page lists these trails, all short:
- Salto Guaraní: a 1 km trail, the classic first visit.
- Salto Minas: also 1 km. ABC Color (opens in a new tab) described it as the easiest to reach, with toilets and a camping area nearby.
- Salto Escondido: branches off the La Rosada trail, with some uphill stretches.
- Yvaga Rape: 550 m, good with kids or little time.
The park has 13 waterfalls, and La Nación (2024) (opens in a new tab) listed Mina, Guaraní and Mbocaruzú as the ones open to visitors, so ask the rangers at the gate which are open that day and where swimming is allowed. Bring shoes that grip on wet rock, insect repellent and water.
What is happening at La Rosada?
La Rosada was the iron foundry of the Carlos Antonio López era, in Minas Cué inside the park (La Nación (opens in a new tab)), reached by a 2,500 m trail (MADES (opens in a new tab)). By late 2025 it was closed because of collapse risk (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)), and emergency shoring work began on 12 January 2026; Última Hora (opens in a new tab) reported that both the foundry and its museum were closed while the rest of the park stayed open. If history is your main reason to go, ask at the gate whether it has reopened before you walk out there.
What to see in town
- General Bernardino Caballero's house. Ybycuí calls itself the birthplace of the "Centaur of Ybycuí". His house, now a museum, is on the road to the park near the Escuela Agrícola, with personal belongings, documents and instruments; entry is free and La Nación (2024) (opens in a new tab) gave hours of 08:00 to 15:00. ABC Color (opens in a new tab) puts it about 12 km from town. Stop on the way in or out.
- San José church. The cross-shaped church in the centre holds the remains of Father Julio César Ortellado (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Museo Mauricio Cardozo Ocampos. Ybycuí is Paraguay's "National Capital of the Galopa", and this small museum keeps the poncho, trunks and chairs of the composer of the Galopera. It sits inside a school behind the town hall; it is free, but visits must be arranged in advance (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Cerro San José (Tatu Cuá). The highest hill in the area, on the road to La Colmena, declared a protected area by Senatur, the tourism ministry (La Nación (opens in a new tab); ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Go with someone who knows the way up.
What about Salto Cristal?
Many people link it with Ybycuí, but it is not in the park: it lies in Isla Alta, on the Paraguarí–Guairá border, on private land (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), and is reached mainly via La Colmena (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). It drops about 45 m into a natural pool. To combine it with the park on the same day, leave very early: they use different access roads.
Where to stay overnight
One night makes the park far less rushed. Villa América is a resort in Ybycuí a few kilometres from La Rosada, with 54 air-conditioned rooms, pool, sports pitches, barbecue areas and a restaurant (Infonegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Book through its Instagram and ask for the full price in writing. The other option is camping inside the park.
FAQ
How much is entry to Ybycuí National Park?
According to MADES, G. 20,000 for adults 18+ and G. 5,000 for ages 11–17, plus G. 15,000 per car or G. 5,000 per motorbike.
What are the park's opening hours?
The MADES park page says it opens every day from 07:00 to 17:00. Arrive early to walk the trails before the heat.
Is La Rosada open?
The foundry and its museum closed for emergency shoring work that began on 12 January 2026, while the rest of the park stayed open. Ask at the gate whether it has reopened.
Is Salto Cristal inside Ybycuí National Park?
No. It is in Isla Alta on the Paraguarí–Guairá border, on private land, and is reached mainly via La Colmena.
How far is Ybycuí from Asunción?
MADES gives 142 to 150 km to the park via PY01, Carapeguá and Acahay; allow about three hours.
