ChacaTours offers guided tours through Chacarita, one of Asunción’s oldest and most complex neighbourhoods. Nestled on a hillside between the historic downtown and the Paraguay River, Chacarita is a magical place where every corner tells a story.
Launched six years ago, the project invites visitors to experience the real Chacarita. More than a tour, it is a journey into the heart of Paraguayan identity, with the long-term goal of transforming the area into a recognised cultural and touristic destination.
A tour like no other
“The Chacarita has a magnetic power; one can feel art, culture, and community life vibrating here,” says Christian Núñez, one of the founders of ChacaTours.
ChacaTours is much more than a stroll. It is a two to three-hour immersive experience through narrow streets, art, music, and cuisine. Visitors witness the everyday life of the neighbourhood, meet its people, and explore the deep roots of Paraguay’s identity. Interactions with locals are spontaneous; they often share stories, or might even invite visitors to drink tereré, join a football match, or participate in a jam session.
There are also themed tours, such as ChacaTours Extreme, which begins before dawn, Mitâ’i ChacaTours, where local children serve as guides; and the Historic ChacaTours, which focuses on the area’s most emblematic sites.
A land with deep roots
Chacarita’s roots stretch back centuries. It was first inhabited by the native Payaguás and other indigenous ethnic groups. The area later became home to Guaraní-Spanish mestizos, who represent the origins of modern Paraguayan identity. Over time, waves of immigrants arrived: Spanish, Italian, French, and German communities, followed by Paraguayans from the countryside who migrated to the city during the 1960s and 1970s.
This convergence created a vibrant melting pot that continues to thrive. Chacarita has been the cradle of political leaders, poets, muralists, and musicians. Four former presidents lived here, and above all, Chacarita gave birth to the Guarania, Paraguay’s national music genre, created by one of Chacarita’s most illustrious sons, José Asunción Flores, which was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2024.
As the Paraguayan Government has declared 2025 “The National Year of the Guarania”, ChacaTours seeks not only to honour the past but also to highlight a new generation of artists who continue this artistic legacy. Visitors can experience the atmosphere and landscapes that not only inspired the compositions but also served as the birthplace of the music itself.
Today, the neighbourhood is reclaiming its place in the city’s narrative, not as a place of marginalisation, but as a land of art, history, and hope.
Community-driven projects
ChacaTours forms part of a broader project of social innovation powered by the community. One of its main driving forces is ChacaLabs, a programme that works with young people, many of whom are former convicts or are recovering from addiction, providing them with access to training in fields such as photography, coding, artificial intelligence, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship.
“We always ask: What is your passion? What truly moves you?” explained Núñez. “From there, we begin to build, with empathy, with understanding, and with tools.”
The aim is to reach and empower at least 1,000 young people, helping them discover what inspires them, and transforming their passions into real, sustainable futures. ChacaLabs also promotes integration, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, not only those from Chacarita.
Responsible tourism
ChacaTours believes in slow tourism: immersive, respectful, and community-centred. One of its boldest initiatives is to create 1,000 murals across the neighbourhood. With over 77 murals already completed, the team is working towards turning the neighbourhood into an open-air museum for the city.
ChacaTours and its many initiatives are financially self-sustaining and open to everyone, including those from outside the neighbourhood. Integration and exchange lie at the heart of its mission.
“We believe in young people, in knowledge-sharing, in community, and in sustainable development,” stated Núñez. “This is about building something lasting.”
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP member of The Asunción Times, you are entitled to a 15% discount at ChacaTours simply by showing your VIP Member card, just one of many VIP Member benefits. The tour is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Korean. Tours in languages other than Spanish must be booked in advance, as well as any private tours.
ChacaTours opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Friday: 16:00 (winter) / 17:00 (summer)
Saturday: 10:00 and 16:00 (winter) / 17:00 (summer)
Sunday: Closed
For more information, please contact ChacaTours on Instagram or ChacaTours on WhatsApp.
