Asunción to San Bernardino: Private Day Trip with Local Towns

Summary

Paraguay’s goldwork towns, lakeside walks & slow roads from Asunción

You’ll travel from Asunción with a local guide through Luque’s filigree workshops and Areguá’s strawberry stalls before reaching Caacupé’s basilica and lakeside San Bernardino. Expect real conversations, free time to wander on your own, and sensory details you might not expect — all with pickup and drop-off handled for you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air outside Asunción to smell so green — like wet grass and something sweet I couldn’t place. Our driver, Jorge, picked us up right at the hotel lobby (I was running late as usual), and we set off in this surprisingly quiet van. He pointed out how Luque is famous for filigree jewelry, which I’d only ever seen in photos. We stopped at a tiny workshop where an older woman showed me how she twists silver threads into lacey earrings. My Spanish is shaky but she smiled and let me try anyway — my hands shook so much I nearly dropped the pliers.

The road to Areguá was lined with stalls selling strawberries, even though it wasn’t peak season. There were faded banners from last year’s festival still hanging over the street. The colonial houses looked sun-faded but proud; I tried to imagine them when they were new. Our guide, Sofía, told us about the clay ceramics here — she collects little frogs for her kitchen shelf at home. She laughed when I asked if people actually eat that many strawberries or just sell them to tourists.

In Caacupé we visited the Minor Basilica — it’s massive up close, almost too white against the sky. There was incense inside and a group of school kids whispering near a statue; I liked that it felt used, not just for show. Later in Atyrá, which they call Paraguay’s ecological capital (Sofía said everyone recycles here “except her dad”), we walked through the Marianela center built by Italian volunteers. It smelled faintly of eucalyptus and old wood.

San Bernardino surprised me most — so calm by the lake, even with families picnicking on benches and teenagers playing music from their phones. We had two hours to wander on our own; I ended up sitting by the water eating an empanada that was still warm from someone’s backpack cooler. On the drive back to Asunción I kept thinking about those silver threads in Luque — how something so delicate can last longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private tour of San Bernardino circuit

• Meet driver at hotel
• Travel 30 minutes to Luque
• Visit Luque silver and gold crafts
• Explore Areguá colonial houses and ceramics
• Visit Caacupé Minor Basilica
• Tour Atyrá Ecological Capital and Marianela center
• Arrive at San Bernardino city
• Enjoy 2 hours free time
• Return 30 minutes to hotel

Top questions

How long is the private day trip from Asunción to San Bernardino?

The tour lasts a full day including stops in Luque, Areguá, Caacupé, Atyrá and San Bernardino before returning to your hotel in Asunción.

Is hotel pickup included in this Circuito San Bernardino tour?

Yes, private transportation picks you up directly at your hotel in Asunción and drops you off after the tour.

Are entry fees or taxes included?

All fees and taxes are included in the price of your private day trip.

Will there be free time during the tour?

You’ll have two hours of free time in San Bernardino to walk or relax as you wish before heading back.

Is this private tour suitable for families or children?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What towns are visited on this Circuito San Bernardino day trip?

The route includes Luque, Areguá, Caacupé, Atyrá and ends with free time in San Bernardino before returning to Asunción.

What languages do guides speak?

Tours are led by professional local guides who speak Spanish; English may be available depending on guide assignment—ask when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable private transportation with air conditioning, hotel pickup and drop-off in Asunción, all entry fees and taxes covered along the way, a professional local guide sharing stories at each stop plus two hours of free time for walking or relaxing by Lake Ypacaraí before heading back home.