Lima, Lima: things to see in Paraguay

The North: river, hills and history Lima

Lima

Town

A Franciscan town from 1792 with a colonial adobe church on the banks of the Aguaray Guasu.

253 km≈ 4 h from Asunción

2-3 hoursDuration

₲₲₲Budget or free

DirectionsSee on map

What it is

Lima is one of those northern towns that seem frozen in time. It began as a Franciscan mission on the banks of the Aguaray Guasu River and still has its old adobe church, built in colonial times with the simplicity of Paraguay's rural chapels. Around it, the countryside lives off cattle, yerba mate, oranges and the medicinal herbs (yuyos) sold to flavor tereré. It's a short, pretty stop on the way to Laguna Blanca or Nueva Germania, ideal for photographing colonial architecture and chatting with the locals.

What to see and do

The colonial adobe church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi
The Aguaray Guasu River
The Capiitindy Ecological Reserve (102 ha, created in 1995); ask about access
The patron-saint feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4

Did you know…?

Its original name was San Francisco de Asís del Aguaray.

The area is known for its sweet limes (naranja lima) and the 'remedios yuyos', medicinal herbs for mate and tereré.

It has two back-to-back celebrations: September 5 (founding) and October 4 (Saint Francis of Assisi).

History

It was founded on September 5, 1792, by Friar Pedro Bartolomé as San Francisco de Asís del Aguaray, a mission with Guaná Indigenous people. It became a district in 1901. It retains a strong Franciscan character and has around 10,300 inhabitants (2022 census).

Tips

Combine it on the same day with Laguna Blanca or Nueva Germania.
Ask permission before entering the church outside Mass times.
Ask about the local medicinal herbs to add to your tereré.

Best time: Year-round; September and October for the founding and patron-saint festivities. April to September mornings for exploring in cool weather.