San Bernardino and Areguá: a day tour from Asunción

It leaves from Asunción, not Ciudad del Este

The meeting point is Shopping del Sol in Asunción, and the tour returns there at the end of the day. Travel from Ciudad del Este or Foz do Iguaçu is not included. If you are in Ciudad del Este, the LTO departure that covers the area is the Asunción Capital Tour (page in Spanish), a two-day package that leaves Shopping del Este on Saturdays and stops in Areguá.

What is included and what is not

• Included: transport in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter seating up to 19 passengers, from Shopping del Sol and back.
• Included: guiding, coordination and assistance throughout the day.
• Not included: lunch, at a restaurant of your choice. Everyone pays their own bill.
• Not included: the optional boat trip on the lake, charged separately.
• Ground transport only: admissions, drinks and any extras are quoted separately.

How much it costs

There is no fixed published fare: each departure is quoted for the group, based on the number of passengers, the date and the agreed itinerary. Send us the date and the size of your group on WhatsApp and we will reply with your quote.

The ten stops

Four stops in Areguá, a lunch stop, four in San Bernardino and an optional boat trip, in this order:

Areguá, the pottery town

Areguá, the capital of the Central department, lies about 30 km from Asunción on the shore of Lake Ypacaraí. It became a summer retreat for writers and artists in the late 19th century, and in 2019 UNESCO added it to its Creative Cities Network for crafts and folk art.

La Candelaria church

The church stands on high ground at the top of Avenida del Lago, which runs down to the lake through a historic centre declared a national heritage site in 1997. The Virgin of Candelaria is the town's patron saint.

Pedestrian street, giant letters and crafts

A walk through the centre, among houses with wide verandas from the town's summer-retreat days; the photo at the giant AREGUÁ letters; and the crafts street, where stalls sell the clay pieces Areguá is known for, from pots to nativity figures.

San Bernardino, the capital's lakeside retreat

After lunch the tour moves on to San Bernardino, in the Cordillera department about 50 km from Asunción: one of Paraguay's most iconic tourist towns and a favourite getaway for people from the capital. It was founded in 1881 by German and Swiss immigrants and still keeps many Central European-style houses.

Casona Buttner and the lake pier

The first stop is Casona Buttner, one of the town's manor houses. Then the pier on Lake Ypacaraí, the lake that inspired the guarania “Recuerdos de Ypacaraí” by Demetrio Ortiz, with lyrics by Zulema de Mirkin. The lake is shallow and suited to small boats, and the optional boat trip can be added to your quote.

Casa Hassler Museum and the Escalinata

Casa Hassler is a cultural centre with a history museum, a public library and art exhibitions, busiest in summer. The Escalinata, a stairway, closes the visit.

Booking conditions

• The tour is confirmed at least 5 days in advance.
• A 50% deposit secures the booking, by bank transfer, credit card, debit card or QR.
• The balance is due no later than 48 hours before the service.
• Once the service is confirmed, we send you the contract.
• Quotes are estimates based on the itinerary, subject to confirmation and availability.
• Changes to the route, times or pick-up points may cost extra.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water: in summer the heat index in the area can reach 40 °C.
• Cash or a card for lunch, crafts and the boat trip, and your passport or national ID.

How to book

On WhatsApp at +595 983 945945, at least 5 days ahead: send the date, the number of passengers and whether you want the boat trip. You can write to us in English. Our other tours in English leave from Ciudad del Este (see all tours); the Asunción City Tour (in Spanish) leaves from the same Shopping del Sol.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the San Bernardino and Areguá tour cost?

It is quoted per group, based on the number of passengers and the date. Message us on WhatsApp for your price.

Is the tour guided in English?

The tour is guided. Tell us your preferred language when you book and we will confirm availability for your date.