A new carnival is coming to Paraguari this weekend, which promises to be a great day out or weekend stay for residents of Asunción who want to explore Paraguay’s beautiful countryside, with it being so easy to reach! The Asunción Times spoke with Meru Campos, a Paraguayan who has traveled all over the world, and has finally come back full circle to her home town of Paraguari. She now creates events, hosts people, and shows them all the best sights, sounds, and tastes of Paraguari, with the local knowledge that’s impossible to beat!
Dear reader, dear wanderer,
I truly appreciate the opportunity to express myself through this article. As a wanderer myself, I’ve experienced that mix of excitement and uncertainty, that arise whenever we get to a new place, hoping to find home.
Also, when we’ve learned to find home abroad, sometimes, our home town doesn’t seem like home so much anymore. We end up seeking deeper connections, like the ones you make when you’re surrounded only by curious strangers that wish to authentically relate with one another.
A couple of weeks ago, I felt like re-connecting to the international community, so I decided show up at the social meetup held regularly by the Paraguay Digital Nomads community, which this time was held at at Sacramento Brewing Co. The ambiance immediately teleported me to a language exchange event in any big cosmopolitan city. I loved it! Loved the energy and the community vibes.
I’ve lived abroad for a longtime. I managed to get a scholarship to study in France, and ended up working with great people doing great things. After COVID hit, things shifted and I decided it was time to come back to Paraguay. After some months, I followed my passion for mushrooms to the Fungi Academy, located in Tzununa, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. And you know, how life is… I ended up staying longer, learning about all sorts of things.
A couple of years ago I moved back to my home town, Paraguari, and got into tourism through the family business. I’ve been hosting people and organising events around here since then.
Paraguarí, located 66km from Asunción, founded in 1775 and served as a strategic military outpost during the Spanish colonial period. Today, you can still see remnants of its colonial past in the architecture and layout of the town. Surrounded by hills, forests and beautiful streams. Hiking trails with routes that take you through dense greenery, rocky summits and breathtaking viewpoints. Nature is amazing here. People live a slow chilled life, unlike big cities that seem to be rushing all the time. It’s a nice place to live!
The only thing I would say I miss, by living here, is a vibrant international and intercultural community… That’s why I showed up at the social meeting, and also why I would like to invite you all to come visit!
This weekend, Paraguarí embraces the carnival spirit bringing to life a new chapter in our town history: Carnavaguari. The origins of a re-invented carnival festivity. A party that brings comparsa dancers, live shows, and carnival-style party vibes! If you’re looking for an unconventional night filled with excitement, vibrant music, non-stop dancing, in the middle of nature, this is where you need to be.
Carnavaguari: The key details
📍 Where? Complejo Cabañas María Selva, Paraguarí
📅 When? Saturday, March 15, 2025
🕘 Doors open 9:00 PM
🔥 LIVE MUSIC by Talento de Barrio, Los Romberos, and Kchorros de la linea 3
🔥 DJ sets by: DJ Frank and DJ Ricky Barba.
💃 Carnival Queens performances & Comparsas
🍹 Drinks & Delicious Food
Whether you’re living in Paraguay or visiting to check out life here, Carnavaguari is the perfect excuse to experience Paraguarí, meet new people, and connect with your most authentic self.
How to buy tickets for Carnavaguari
🎟 Tickets available at tuti.com.py
📞 Table reservations: 0984 065 390.
📍 Follow @carnavaguari on Instagram for updates!
If you want to join other expats to Carnavaguari, and be guided through the full Paraguarí experience, you can contact me here. I’ll help you find the best options for you.
Where to Stay in Paraguarí
Paraguarí offers a range of accommodations, from boutique stays to eco-lodges, thanks to the efforts of ASETUPAR (Asociación de Emprendimientos Turísticos de Paraguarí), working to elevate the region as a welcoming and dynamic destination, ensuring visitors have unique and comfortable lodging options that connect them with nature and local culture.
Cabañas María Selva, offering a range of accommodations, from cabins and standard rooms to camping options. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, sports areas, and nature trails, with adventure activities like guided canoe tours and bike rentals available. The on-site restaurant ensures a comfortable stay. Currently hosting the Carnavaguari event, it’s a great option for attendees looking for a stay close to the action.
For a cozy, themed cabin experience, my family runs Posada Cerro Hu, located at the base of “Cerro Hu”. Each cabin is designed to offer a distinct atmosphere, blending comfort with the beauty of the surrounding hills.
If you’re looking for a more community-oriented stay, a nice option is to stay at La Casita del Cerro, where you can camp or book one of our beds in shared rooms. La Casita del Cerro is perfect for backpackers, digital nomads, and adventurers who want to wake up surrounded by the serene landscapes of Paraguarí, and hike up the Cerro Hu! To book your stay at la Casita del Cerro, you can contact me here!
Through ASETUPAR, you’ll also find other local posadas, boutique stays, and eco-friendly lodges, many of which are run by passionate hosts eager to share the magic of the region with visitors. More accommodation options are listed here.
Where to Eat & Drink in Paraguari
My favorite place to eat is Gabriela Hotel Restaurant – A mix of Paraguayan and German flavors in a nature setting (a bit outside town). Other nice places to eat are: Fruteria Paraguari, Bar Santa Rosa, Tower Resort Paraguari, La Vieja Estacion Ruin Bar, Restaurant Tropicana. If you take the road towards “Cerro Hu”, you’ll find options like La Solana, Cerro Hu Food and Cerro Hu Padel (I love their pizza).
For a nice coffee, brunch or “merienda”, you can count on la Fruteria Paraguari, Panes & Cia or Ña Nilda.
Another place to not miss out is ‘’El Atardecer’’. – A scenic sunset-viewing spot and camping area in Mbatovi. Known for offering some of the best sunsets in Paraguarí, it also provides camping facilities, accommodation options, live music, and café services. A perfect destination for relaxation and nature lovers.
Make It a Full Adventure: Outdoor Activities in Paraguarí
If you’re staying for the weekend, here’s how to make the most of it:
🏞 Adventure & Nature
- Eco Reserva Mbatovi: a nature reserve perfect for connecting with the outdoors. Make sure to book in advance.
- La Casita del Cerro: offers rappel, zip-lining (tirolesa), camping, and hiking.
- Parapente Asu: offers paragliding flights over Paraguarí’s stunning hills and valleys. This is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the beauty of the region, feeling the freedom of flight, and taking in panoramic views that stretch for miles.
⛰ Best hiking trails & hills to explore
- Cerro Pero, accessible by car.
- Cerro Hu, not the lightest hike, but still achievable by unexperienced hikers.
- Cerro Santo Tomás, around 5-hour full hike, the longest and most adventurous.
- Cerro Mbatovi, it takes around 30mins to reach the top.
For recommendations regarding all hiking trails, or other outdoor activities like off-road jeep trips or renting bikes, you can contact @paraguari_adventure on Instagram.
How to get to Paraguarí
Paraguarí is easily accessible from Asunción and surrounding cities, making it a great destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and weekend getaway lovers.
By Car
The most convenient way to reach Paraguarí is by car. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering scenic views of Paraguay’s countryside.
By Public Bus
Regular buses depart from Asunción’s main terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción) to Paraguarí, with a travel time of about 2 hours, depending on traffic. Most of the busses that take Route 01 to Encarnación also pass by Paraguarí. Make sure to ask someone at the terminal before getting into a bus, since some of them take a detour to surround the city instead of crossing through it.
By Tour Bus
For a hassle-free experience, you can join a tour bus service, that departs from Asunción, San Lorenzo, Capiatá, Itauguá, Quiindy, Roque González, and Carapeguá. This service is operated by Perla Arce, in collaboration with the Carnavaguari organisers, and offers options for round-trip transportation, event tickets, and even accommodation.
📞 For reservations, contact Perla Arce at +595 982 370 738.
By Motorcycle or Bicycle
For those looking for an adventurous road trip, Paraguarí’s rolling hills and scenic landscapes make it a great destination for motorcyclists and cyclists.
Once in Paraguarí, you can get around using local taxis, moto-taxis, or even hitchhiking. Many of the region’s highlights, including hiking trails, adventure spots, and accommodations, are within a short drive or even walking distance, depending on where you stay.
Book your own tour and experience the best of Paraguari!
To discover enchanting Paraguari yourself, and find all the best places the locals know about, you can contact Meru, the author of this article, right here!
