Ybycuí & La Rosada: Private Day Trip from Asunción with Pickup

Summary

Walk forest trails, see La Rosada’s history and waterfalls near Asunción

You’ll ride out from Asunción with a local guide, taste fresh fruit in Paraguarí, explore La Rosada’s haunting ruins, then hike shaded trails to hidden waterfalls in Ybycuí park. There’s free time for wandering or resting before you’re driven back to your hotel—muddy shoes optional but recommended.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t step on that root — it’ll get you every time,” our guide Miguel grinned as we started into Ybycuí. He’d already handed us cold bottles of water and pointed out the red dust on our shoes (“Paraguayan souvenir,” he joked). The drive from Asunción was longer than I expected — about two and a half hours — but honestly, watching the countryside change through the window was its own kind of quiet show. We stopped for fresh mango at a roadside frutería in Paraguarí. I tried to ask for it in Guaraní and got a burst of laughter from the vendor. Still not sure what I actually said.

The first real stop was La Rosada. It’s this old ironworks, mostly brick walls and rusted machines now, tucked under tangled trees. Miguel told us cannons were made there until 1869 — I could almost hear the clangs echoing if I closed my eyes. There’s something about touching stone that’s seen war and rain and decades of silence; it makes your hands feel small. The air smelled faintly metallic, or maybe that was just my imagination running wild.

We swapped wheels for boots after that, following Miguel down shaded trails into the park proper. The ground was uneven with roots like he warned, but not too tough if you watch your step. Birds darted overhead — blue flashes I couldn’t name — and somewhere nearby, water kept up its own conversation over rocks. The main keyword here is waterfalls: Salto Minas, Salto Guaraní, Saltos Bocaruzú. Each one hid behind curtains of green, cool spray on your face when you got close enough (which we did). My shoes were muddy by then but I didn’t care; it felt good to just stand there listening to nothing but water and wind.

Afterwards we had a couple hours to wander or just sit under the trees. Some folks napped on picnic blankets; I tried to sketch one of the falls but gave up after five minutes because honestly? Just being there felt better than trying to capture it. On the way back to Asunción I dozed off in the van, sunburned and happy in that fuzzy way you only get after a long walk outside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private tour to Ybycuí National Park

• Meet driver at hotel
• Travel 150 minutes to Paraguarí
• Stop at Frutería in Paraguarí
• Arrive at Ybycuí National Park
• Visit La Rosada Museum
• Walk to waterfalls in park
• Enjoy 2 hours free time
• Return 150 minutes to hotel

Top questions

How long does the private day trip from Asunción to Ybycuí take?

The journey from Asunción to Ybycuí National Park takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this Ybycuí tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your private transportation.

Are entry fees covered on this day trip?

All entry fees and taxes are included in the tour price.

Do I need special hiking gear for Ybycuí National Park?

No special gear is needed but outdoor shoes are recommended due to rocky spots and tree roots along trails.

Will there be free time during the tour?

Yes, you have about two hours of free time in Ybycuí National Park after the guided portion.

What will we visit besides waterfalls?

You’ll also visit La Rosada Museum which tells the story of Paraguay’s metal industry history.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is provided but there is a stop at a fruit stand where you can buy snacks.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The trails aren’t difficult but some physical fitness is recommended due to uneven terrain.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, all entrance fees and taxes covered up front, a professional local guide throughout your journey, plus two hours of free time inside Ybycuí National Park before heading comfortably back to Asunción.