Veronica83 · Dominio públicoAltos
The 'nation's terrace': a Franciscan town with German heritage, timbó wood carvings and the Kamba Ra'anga masked festival.
What it is
At 207 meters above sea level, Altos looks down over Lake Ypacaraí. It's a town of quiet streets, the church of San Lorenzo, coffee and medicinal herbs, marked by the German settlers who arrived in the late 19th century. Its signature is brightly painted timbó wood carvings (animals, masks and mythical beings) born from the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, when masked kamba ra'anga revelers come out to mock fear itself. The Luis Alberto del Paraná museum honors the singer who took Paraguayan music to the world.
What to see and do
- The church of San Lorenzo, heir to the Franciscan mission
- Centro Cultural Museo Luis Alberto del Paraná (free admission)
- Timbó wood carvings by local artisans
- Kamba Ra'anga at the Itaguazú chapel (June 28–30)
- Lookouts over Lake Ypacaraí
Did you know…?
It bills itself as Paraguay's second-oldest town after Asunción (a title also claimed by other towns founded by Irala).
Locals are nicknamed 'choriceros' (sausage makers) thanks to the fame of their homemade chorizo.
The Kamba Ra'anga festival drew some 12,000 people in 2025, with visitors from Bolivia, Argentina and Germany.
History
Tradition sets its founding on August 10, 1538; from 1580 it was San Lorenzo de los Altos, the first Franciscan mission for the Guaraní in Paraguay and the Río de la Plata region. German settlers arrived between 1879 and 1880 and in 1888 opened the country's first German school. Luis Alberto del Paraná was born here in 1926, and his centenary was celebrated in 2026.
Tips
- For Kamba Ra'anga: it's about 3 km on a dirt road from the fire station in the center to the Itaguazú chapel; things get going around 19:00.
- Pair it with nearby San Bernardino, which has more hotels.
- The museum opens daily from 9:00 and is free (check closing time before you go).
Luis Alberto del Paraná Museum: daily from 9:00, free — check before you go.
Best time: Year-round. Don't miss June 28–30 (Saints Peter and Paul, with the Kamba Ra'anga); August 10, feast of San Lorenzo and the town's anniversary; and Holy Week, with the Kurusu Peregrino (pilgrim cross).
What to try
- Homemade chorizo from Altos
- Coffee from local growers
Activities
Festivals and events here
Kamba Ra’anga of Altos
Wooden masks, torches and a theatrical battle between kamba and Guaicurú warriors: a colonial festival still alive in Altos.
TraditionAltos (compañía Itaguazú), CordilleraFeatured10AugSan Lorenzo mártir · Altos
A double patronal and founding festival with a civic and cultural parade in the «Terrace of the Cordillera».
Patron saintAltos, CordilleraNearby
San Bernardino · Cordillera
San Bernardino
An 1881 German colony on the shores of Ypacaraí and Paraguay's summer capital: lakeside promenade, bars and long nights.
Atyrá · Cordillera
Atyrá
Billed as Paraguay's cleanest town: leatherworkers, Franciscan altarpieces and country inns in the Cordillera de los Altos.
Areguá, San Bernardino e Ypacaraí · Central y Cordillera
Lago Ypacaraí
The lake behind Paraguay's most famous guarania: sunsets, sailboats and historic towns along its shores.
Areguá · Central
Areguá
Capital of pottery and strawberries, with historic mansions stepping down from the church to the lake.
Areguá · Central
Monumento Natural Cerros Kõi y Chororĩ
Five- and six-sided sandstone columns: a geological rarity with few equals anywhere in the world.
Ypacaraí · Central
Ypacaraí
The town that gave the lake its name and home of the Lake Festival, Paraguay's great showcase of folk culture.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 6 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.