San Juan Nepomuceno
Patron-saint festival · San Juan Nepomuceno
What it is
A typically Paraguayan procession and equestrian games such as the corrida de sortija (ring-lancing on horseback).
Celebrations begin on May 14 and 15, national holidays.
The fiesta patronal (patron saint's festival) is the biggest day of the year in every Paraguayan town. It honors the local patron saint or Virgin with a novena (nine days of prayer), a serenade on the eve, a main Mass and a procession with a brass band, firecrackers and flags. Then comes the secular side: a kermesse (village fair) on the plaza, karu guasu (a big communal feast), chipa (cheesy cassava bread) and sopa paraguaya (savory cornbread) at the food stalls, dancing, torín or Paraguayan-style bullfighting (the bull is never killed), jineteadas (rodeo-style bronc riding) and carreras de sortija (a horseback ring-lancing race). As a visitor, arrive early for the procession, be respectful during Mass, try the food cooked by the parish committees and ask for the program at the church: dates often shift to the nearest weekend.
Dates may shift to the nearest weekend.
What to see
San Juan Nepomuceno · Caazapá
San Juan Nepomuceno
Caazapá's most populous town: shops, the Ykua Kurusu spring and a gateway to the Atlantic Forest.
San Juan Nepomuceno, Tavaí y Abaí · Caazapá
Parque Nacional Caazapá
A remnant of Atlantic Forest with almost no tourists, home to toucans, monkeys and river headwaters.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with — sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.