Villarrica (compañía Ytororó) · Guairá
Itá Letra, las «letras de la piedra» del Ybytyruzú
An archaeological site with pre-Columbian rock carvings at the eastern edge of Villarrica, discovered in the 1950s.
190 kmHalf a day
Newdecmoi · CC BY-SA 3.0Cities · Guairá · Guairá and Caazapá: hills, colonies and legends
Villarrica
Villarrica is the natural base for exploring Guairá: a relaxed university town with a cultural life of its own and the Ybytyruzú range on the horizon. Its center gathers the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 19th- and 20th-century mansions and the municipal museum, which holds mementos of the poet Manuel Ortiz Guerrero. In the park that bears his name, the Ykua Pytã lagoon is home to capybaras and herons just steps from the pavement. In the mornings you'll still see karumbé — horse-drawn carriages — clip-clopping through town, perfect for an unhurried ride. In February the city lights up with the Guairá Carnival.
172 km from Asunción · ≈ 2 h 45
What to see
Villarrica (compañía Ytororó) · Guairá
Cerro Mymýi y los cerros de Ytororó
Three hills of 400 to 500 m (Tigre, Mymýi and Pelado) on Villarrica's eastern edge, ideal for hikes.
190 kmHalf a day
Villarrica · Guairá
Parque Manuel Ortiz Guerrero y laguna Ycuá Pytá
A lagoon park in downtown Villarrica: boat rides, tame capybaras and the poet Ortiz Guerrero's tomb.
172 km1 to 2 hours
Villarrica · Guairá
Parque del Guairá (Villarrica)
Villarrica's big green space with a 2.2 km bike path, public gym, courts and the Guaireña FC stadium.
172 km1 to 2 hours
Villarrica · Guairá
Antigua estación de ferrocarril de Villarrica
A railway station that no longer operates, now the stage for the San Juan festival and surrounded by period buildings.
174 km30 to 60 minutes
Villarrica · Guairá
Iglesia de Ybaroty (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)
A church built 1944–1957 with a French-inspired façade in Romanesque-Gothic style, by two Spanish priests.
173 km30 to 45 minutes
Villarrica · Guairá
Plaza de los Héroes y el memorial de las siete mudanzas de Villarrica
A square facing city hall, dedicated to Chaco War heroes, with a memorial of the city's seven relocations.
172 km20 to 40 minutes
Festivals
Feb
Guairá Carnival
Dance troupes, carnival royalty and drum bands in the Villarrica sambadrome, one of the most traditional carnivals outside the capital.
CarnivalVillarrica, GuairáFeaturedMayGuairá Rally (Codasur round)
The South American rally championship comes to the roads of Guairá, based in Villarrica, with stages among hills and farming colonies.
SportVillarrica, Guairá16MayEspíritu Santo · Villarrica
Procession around the cathedral, fireworks and a folk festival with jineteada (bronc riding) and a food fair.
Patron saintVillarrica, GuairáFeaturedSepVillarrica Flower Parade
Themed floats from schools and youth groups roll through downtown Villarrica to welcome spring.
FestivalVillarrica, GuairáOctFestival de la Raza
One of the oldest folk festivals outside the capital, with artists from Guairá and a “Giant Night.”
MusicVillarrica, Guairá