Launched in March 2024, the popular “EmpaTour” is where you will experience several different types of one of the most iconic Paraguayan foods – the empanada – as well as learning some of the history and culture of Paraguay, whilst on a night out! If you are looking to do something unique at the weekend, don’t look further: the EmpaTour is a fantastic option!
Why empanadas are amazing
Empanadas are deep settled in the culture of Paraguay. You can find these filled pastries on almost every street corner. People will buy them in the morning while they are on the way to their job and have them as breakfast. Empanadas are also popular for lunch, or as a snack at the end of the day. They are there at birthday parties and celebrations with colleagues at work. There is always time for an empanada! There even is an national empanada day. It is a popular quick, easy and inexpensive snack.
There are different kind of variations. You can choose if you want them fried or from the over, filled with chicken, meat, corn, cheese & ham, eggs, pizza and much more. And for those who don’t eat meat, the options for vegetarian empanadas are growing. A regular person in Paraguay eats empanadas at least 3 times a week, according to extensive surveying by The Asunción Times. Most of the time they consume 2 or 3 empanada’s at the same moment. Some even eat empanadas in a sandwich!
How EmpaTour was born
In the beginning of this year, before the EmpaTour was created, Liz started an initiative on social media. Trying to find the best empanada in Asuncion for herself. She shared the places that she visited and the empanadas she tried on social media. The photo’s and videos became very popular and a lots of people asked her about the places she went and if they where able to accompany her on the tour. So she decided to create something where people simply could have fun in combination of eating some delicious empanadas by visiting different bars. She created the idea to share the places she had visit not only on social media but in real life and that’s how the EmpaTour was born just a couple weeks after her own initiative.
But she wanted to offer something more then just eating empanadas. Liz herself is a fan of centre because it is a place with a lot of history and culture. She noticed that people are leaving the centre and also with the tour she wants to show the people that the centre has a lots to offer. With the tour she also introduces the people more into the history of Paraguay. She decided to combine both, and that is why the EmpaTour is more then just empanadas. The tour will also take you to discover the charm of downtown Asunción. Liz created the EmpaTour as a unique gastronomic experience that combines a part of Paraguayan tradition, history and the nightlife culture in the heart of Asunción.
EmpaTour: Touring like a (party) Queen
Going to the different bars you will be transported by a special bus, The Mobile Disco. It’s a disco on wheels that transforms the drives into a celebration! With music, lights and all the atmosphere of a traveling party, you will go dancing from one point to another. The Mobile Disco will take you to discover the charm of downtown Asunción’s nightlife. It is not just a route going from one bar to another, it is a culture route that will pass by some interested, historical places and the costanera. As you move, still dancing, through the streets of the city, it is difficult not to feel the energy of the nightlife. And this energy you will already feel after five minutes arriving in the bus. Even when you don’t know the moves how to dance, Liz, her employees and the free shots will get you in the vibe of dancing! They definitely know how to create a celebration vibe. A big music box will play some reggeaton music and you are in South America what means that people like to dance. And there is enough space in the bus to do some twerking. Or grab a partner if you are in the mood to make some salsa moves. It is an unique experience, and a lot of fun!
Empanadas + drinks = fun
There are three stops in different bars and areas in downtown. There you will get an empanada and are able to get yourself something to drink. There is time for about one hour and that is enough to also enjoy the time in the bar before you get back on the bus and start to dance again. Three stops to try an empanada is perfect. Eating more then three empanadas in the time limit of three hours is too much. Another good thing about the tour is that there will not be food wasted. By joining the tour you will get three tickets to get an empanada. The bars knows exactly how many persons will come for the empanadas. So the amount of empanadas perfectly match the amount of people. And in case an empanada is left, it will not end in the garbage. Liz is against the fact that food got wasted. That is why she decided to have three stops for empanadas.
The EmpaTour is a co-operation with different bars. So on every tour the offer they will visit different bars. Checkpoint, Simon Dice, El bodagon and Pulp Fiction are just a selection of bars the EmpaTour is co-operation with. And with all the attention, shared photo’s and videos of the tour on social media the EmpaTour is also supporting the local bars in Downtown.
All kinds of people are joining the tour. Most noticed the EmpaTour on social media and want to do something different. Young (starting from the age of 18) and old are curious and want to have this fun experience. But also for birthday celebrations, a bachelor party, or celebrations with colleagues, the EmpaTour is fun to do. Until now the tour is only offered in Spanish. But hey, to try some empanadas, drink some shots and dance, it is not needed to understand Spanish.
The EmpaTour started in March but has already became a big success. It is offered two times a month, and is available for a total of 40 persons each time. In January there are no tours offered because Liz and her employees will have a deserved vacation. Liz didn’t expact the tour to be this popular, and she organises it all in addition to her regular job.
Future plans for EmpaTour
Because of the succes Liz has plans for the future to offer the tour also in different options. She already had a trial of the EmpaTour only available for families. Instead of music coming out of a box, there was a singer in the bus for some live music. It was a big success and in the future the Liz will offer more family EmpaTours but with the idea to also include some bars outside of Asuncion, like in Aregua. It will maybe become a full day tour which will be called “EmpaTour, tereré rupa”, on Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings.
How to join Asunción’s EmpaTour
If you want to join the EmpaTour and have an unforgettable experience where you will discover how lights, flavors and history merge into a night full of partying, you need to save your spot and do a reservation because there a limited places and the tour is popular. You can check the EmpaTour Instagram Page or directly contact via WhatsApp on +595 (0) 987 184 639.
Enjoy the EmpaTour!
