Golden Circuit & Other Day Trips
The towns east of Asuncion will allow you to appreciate beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, and rich craftsmanship of the region, as well as gain an understanding of the historical events, such as the War of the Triple Alliance and the Franciscan church presence, that have influenced and made a lasting impression on the culture of Paraguay.
While visiting Golden Circuit towns outside of Asuncion, many visitors comment on how welcoming and relaxed the people are. This stress-free way of living can be felt while visiting the towns on the Golden Circuit. (Trivia: In Gallop World Polls, Paraguay has consistently ranked one the happiest country in the world, with 87% of residents scoring high on an index of positive emotions!)
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Golden Circuit
Historical & Cultural Towns
There are more than a dozen towns well worth visiting to the east of Asuncion, typically located about 20-30 minutes apart. To fully appreciate the richness of this region, connect with locals, and embrace the relaxed feeling that is so much a part of this culture, we suggest visiting no more than 5-7 towns in a full day.
One Day History & Folklore Tour >>
(our recommendation if you only have one day)
Many of the towns specialize in a specific artisan craft -- in fact, in many cases, hundreds of people in the community are dedicated to weaving or ceramics and it is a tradition that has passed down for generations, which means the crafts are an important aspect of the culture. Many of our guests are not interested in shopping and that is fine; we do encourage those who do want to take home hand-crafted souvenirs to buy them directly from the artisans when possible. We can help you identify the best shops for other items.
Get inspired with descriptions of 15 Towns on the Golden Circuit >>
Other Activities & Destinations Near Asuncion
Ybycui National Park & La Rosada Iron Foundry
Located about 2.5 hours from Asuncion, this well-maintained National Park features walking trails with lush vegetation, crystalline streams, impressive waterfalls, and remains of the first iron foundry in the country.
More information about visiting Ybycui National Park >>
Salto Cristal & La Colmena
Salto Cristal is a remote waterfall hidden in the countryside, about 3 hours from Asuncion, with cascades 45 meters high and absolutely spectacular. En route, visit La Colmena, the first Japanese colony in Paraguay.
More information about visiting Salto Cristal >>
Paraguay Estancia Experience
At the ranch, about 2 hours from Asuncion, you will receive warm estancia-style hospitality! Located within the evergreen hills of the Cordillera, the area offers pure nature dotted with palm trees, sand paths and natural roads to discover on horseback.
More information about visiting a ranch in Paraguay >>
Photo: Christiana Osti Davis
Harp Makers & Mini-Concert
Visit two or three harp-makers to see how the harps are hand-constructed and decorated. Then visit Arpa Roga harp school (the House of Harp), just outside Asuncion, for a short discussion about harp music in Paraguay, a heart snack, and a mini-concert by some of the schools best harp students. The owner of Arpa Roga is very welcoming and puts her heart into organizing a fantastic experience of harp and friendship for international travelers, who always have a wonderful time.
Sapucai Train Museum & English Village
Located 90km from the capital Asuncion, the town of Sapucai is known for its fascinating railway complex. The railway complex of Sapucai was the most important center for railway maintenance and construction, and for more than a century, was the hub of Paraguayan railways.
Vapor Cue
The open air naval museum, surprising located about 2.5 hours from Asuncion and deep within the Vapor Cué National Park - far from any water, is home to recovered steamships and warships from the Triple Alliance War.
Get Inspired... Explore More of Paraguay
Get inspired by browsing some the places to visit and activities that have consistently proven to be appealing for visitors to Paraguay.
Why travel with Trico Tours?
Authentic Cultural Experiences
We have a deep respect for local people, communities and cultures. In addition to must-see sites, we can also recommend unique and boutique sites that allow you to experience the true heart and soul of the culture.
Personal Attention
We treat all our guests like friends. We start with a conversation and create thoroughly-planned, custom itineraries tailored to your interests, pace, and travel styles.
Peace of Mind
Our travel specialists and guides are knowledgeable and highly engaged. We handle all the details and provide 24/7 support offer peace of mind that everything is taken care of and your trip runs smoothly.
We would love to hear from you.
Whether you are just exploring possibilities or are in the process of planning your travel, we are happy to have a conversation. (We are actually quite friendly.)