Cmasi · CC0Lago Ypacaraí
The lake behind Paraguay's most famous guarania: sunsets, sailboats and historic towns along its shores.
What it is
Covering about 90 km² (24 km north to south and 5 to 6 km across) and only 3 meters deep on average, Ypacaraí is the region's great sheet of water. It is ringed by San Bernardino, Ypacaraí, Itauguá, Areguá and Luque. Enjoy it from the lakeside promenades, especially at sunset, or from the sailing clubs of San Bernardino. The water itself, however, is not safe for swimming: MADES, the environment ministry, reiterated this for the 2025-2026 season because several water-quality parameters exceed the established limits.
What to see and do
- Sunset from the San Bernardino lakeside promenade (850 m to walk or cycle)
- Panoramic views from the church hilltop in Areguá
- Sailing and water sports at the San Bernardino clubs
- The lake seen from the Cerro Kõi lookout
Did you know…?
'Recuerdos de Ypacaraí' has been recorded by artists worldwide, including Julio Iglesias, Mercedes Sosa and Caetano Veloso.
The guarania, the song's musical genre, has been on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2024.
Its waters reach the Paraguay River via the Salado River, which flows through Limpio.
History
Once called Tapycuá, its name is linked to the tradition that Friar Luis de Bolaños blessed it around 1600 to hold back its floods. Around 1948 Demetrio Ortiz composed, with lyrics by Zulema de Mirkin, the guarania 'Recuerdos de Ypacaraí', which premiered in the early 1950s and carried the lake's name around the world. In 2013 studies detected high levels of cyanobacteria, and its recovery has been one of the country's central environmental issues ever since.
Tips
- Don't swim: according to MADES, even skin contact can cause infections (2025-2026 season). Check the latest status.
- The sailing clubs (Club Náutico San Bernardino, Puerta del Lago) are members-only: ask ahead whether they accept visitors.
- Sunscreen, a hat and water: the summer sun is very strong.
Best time: Sunsets year-round; December to February for the summer season in San Bernardino.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Areguá Strawberry Fair
Three months of basket-fresh strawberries, smoothies, cakes and liqueurs on the main avenue of Paraguay’s ceramics town.
FairAreguá, CentralFeatured2FebVirgen de la Candelaria · Areguá
A boat procession carries the Virgin across Lake Ypacaraí on the eve, and the pottery town hosts a fair of artisans and ceramics.
Patron saintAreguá, CentralNearby
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.
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.
Itauguá · Central
Itauguá
The capital of ñandutí: handmade 'spiderweb' lace, sold right along Route PY02.
Altos · Cordillera
Altos
The 'nation's terrace': a Franciscan town with German heritage, timbó wood carvings and the Kamba Ra'anga masked festival.
Capiatá · Central
Capiatá
A colonial-era church dedicated to Our Lady of Candelaria and a museum of Guarani myths, right on Route PY02.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 9 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.