Practical guide
San Bernardino and Lago Ypacaraí
A lakeside town an hour from Asunción, for a walk by the water, a craft fair, a catamaran ride and a treetop park.
San Bernardino, often shortened to San Ber, sits on the eastern shore of Lago Ypacaraí. It was founded by German immigrants and is best known as a summer town, but it draws visitors in winter too. Most of what you will do is around Playa La Rotonda.
It pairs well with Altos and Caacupé nearby, or with Areguá on the other side of the same lake.
Details checked between July 2025 and September 2026. Prices and hours change, so check before you go.
Getting there
From the Ycuá Satí / Villa Morra side of Asunción, San Bernardino is about 36 km away. That is roughly an hour by ride app, or about 1 to 1.5 hours by bus depending on where you board.
Buses: San Bernardino is not in the Asunción bus station's published timetable, and we have not confirmed which line goes there or where it boards. Check Moovit for current routes before you set out.
Ride app: the simplest option. Check that you can book a ride back before you leave. See booking a ride.
Playa La Rotonda and the craft fair
The craft fair at Playa La Rotonda sells jewellery, hats with ñandutí details, bombillas, guampas and thermoses for tereré, with food stalls and a view of the lake. In 2025 it was listed as open Monday to Sunday, 08:00 to 20:00, with items from ₲10.000.
Catamaran rides
Catamaran rides of about half an hour run along the shore through the day, in winter too. The last price we found was ₲20.000 per person, from July 2025. Expect it to have changed.
Aventura Xtrema treetop park
Near Playa La Rotonda, Aventura Xtrema has treetop circuits (arborismo) and ziplines for different ages and experience levels, with guides and safety gear.
- Open every day, 09:00 to 19:00.
- ₲90.000 per person (September 2026).
- Bookings: 0961 639422.
Saturday market
On Saturdays, a market in Plaza Bernardino Caballero brings together farmers, antique sellers and small producers of sausages, cheese, bread and coffee. It runs from the morning until the siesta (2025 listing).
About swimming
Do not plan on swimming. In December 2025 the environment ministry (MADES) said the waters of Lago Ypacaraí are not fit for bathing, because of high levels of faecal coliforms. The beach and lakeside are fine for a walk and a sunset.
Nearby
Altos. A hill town with a museum honouring the singer Luis Alberto del Paraná, born Luis Osmer Meza in Altos in 1926, who took Paraguayan music around the world. It shows photographs, personal objects and material from his career. Listed as open every day from 09:00 (closing time not stated), free. Map
Caacupé. Known as Paraguay's spiritual capital, with the Basílica of the Virgen de los Milagros. A guided museum below the sanctuary costs ₲4.000; sources disagree on its weekday hours, so check before going. Avoid 28 November to 8 December, when the festival brings thousands of pilgrims. For something outdoors, El Escondido park, at kilometre 55 of Ruta PY02, has trails and a 603-metre zipline. Map
Areguá. Across the lake, known for ceramics and Cerro Kõi. See our Areguá guide.
A simple day
- Leave Asunción mid-morning by ride app.
- Walk the lakeside and the craft fair at Playa La Rotonda.
- Take a catamaran ride, or the treetop park if you want something active.
- On a Saturday, start at the market in Plaza Bernardino Caballero instead.
- Add the Altos museum (the two are often paired on one day), or stay for sunset by the lake.
Want company? See what is on in Open Asu meetups, or suggest a lake day in the community.