Costanera de Asunción, Asunción: things to see in Paraguay

Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Asunción, the capital Asunción

Costanera de Asunción

Must-seeAttraction

Kilometers of waterfront promenade along the bay for walking, cycling and watching the sun set over the Chaco.

in Asunción

2–3 hoursDuration

₲₲₲Budget or free

DirectionsSee on map

What it is

The avenue and linear park that hug the bay are Asunción's great open-air living room. There are walking and running paths, a bike lane, green spaces, playgrounds and viewpoints framing the silhouettes of the Palacio de López, the Cabildo and the Cathedral on one side, and the green of Banco San Miguel and the Chaco on the other. At sunset, families arrive with thermoses of tereré, alongside joggers and couples; on weekends and holidays there are events, concerts and markets. It's also the stage for festivals such as Oktoberfest in October.

What to see and do

Sunset over the bay with the Palacio de López lit up
Biking or walking along the bike path
Sundays with car-free lanes
Weekend events and markets; Oktoberfest in October

Did you know…?

On Sundays and holidays, the lane closest to the bay is closed to traffic and handed over to pedestrians and cyclists.

Its first section is named after José Asunción Flores, creator of the guarania.

Farther east along the Costanera, a birdwatching lookout faces the bay's nature reserve.

History

The first section, the Costanera José Asunción Flores, was built starting in June 2010 and opened in December 2012, between Calle Colón and Avenida General Santos. The Northern Costanera (Doctora Serafina Dávalos), heading toward the Botanical Garden, opened in June 2020, and the Southern Costanera in July 2024.

Tips

In summer, go after 17:00: the midday sun is fierce and there's little shade.
Bring water or tereré, plus insect repellent.
At night, stick to the well-lit, busy stretches; take a taxi or app ride back.

Public space, open 24 hours.

Best time: At sunset, year-round; April to October for pleasant temperatures.

What to try

Tereré shared at sunset
Food carts and food trucks on event days

Activities

Cycling Photography Food Festivals Unwind Family Wild nature Nightlife

Festivals and events here

Apr

International Jazz Day in Asunción

Jazz concerts at cultural centers and stages around the capital to celebrate the genre’s world day.

MusicAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)May→ Jun

Asunción International Book Fair (FIL)

Ten days of books, authors and language: the country’s great literary festival, with free entry and a guest country.

CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)Featured May

Independence Days (May 14 and 15)

Two public holidays for the 1811 independence: flags, ceremonies, sopa paraguaya and chipa guasu all over the country.

CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)Aug

August 1: National Carrulim Day

On the first day of August people drink carrulim—cane liquor, rue and lemon—to ward off the ills of the most dreaded month.

TraditionAsunción y todo el país, Varios Aug

August 15: Founding of Asunción and Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption

The birthday of the Mother of Cities coincides with the feast of its patron saint: Mass at the Cathedral, a public holiday and cultural events.

ReligiousAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)Featured