Paraguarí

Information

It is the capital of the department that bears its name (Paraguarí), in Paraguay. It is located in the northern part of the department, near the border with the Cordillera Department. It lies about 62 km from Asunción.

The city offers a wide range of services for visitors, including shops, accommodation, restaurants and petrol stations. Along the access roads, visitors can find "chiperías", small stalls selling "chipa" in its traditional ring shape, a typical Paraguayan food made from cassava starch (among other ingredients).

One of its distinctive features is that it is surrounded by hills rising from an otherwise mostly flat landscape, two of which can be visited:
— Cerro Perõ: it rises right within the urban area. A paved road allows visitors to drive to the top. At the summit there is a parking area and a viewpoint. There is also a short staircase leading to a cross at the highest point. From there, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city, making it an ideal spot for photography.
— Cerro Hü: on the outskirts of the city there is a public park. Upon entering, visitors will see a small arch next to a brightly colored concrete courtyard. The park has a large area that can be explored via a pedestrian path running along one side. The hill's green silhouette covered with dense vegetation, dominates the background scenery.

Visitors can also explore the city center, where several cobblestone streets give it a colonial feel. Highlights include the Santo Tomás Apóstol Cathedral which dates back to the 19th century, and the old railway station, a reminder of the days when trains reached the town. Another place of interest is the Mbatoví Reserve, a privately protected area offering activities in close contact with nature.

To get to Paraguarí, the city is located along the paved PY01 Route which connects it westward with Asunción. And southeastward with numerous destinations, all the way to Encarnación.