National park · Paraguay
Ypoá National ParkParque Nacional Ypoá
Visit Ypoá National Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive 2 h from Asunción, hike the lake trail early in the dry season, and stay in Carapeguá town nearby.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,230 km² (475 sq mi)475 sq mi (1,230 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
- Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
- Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
- Southern Paraneña ↗Bring guaraní cash for buses, park entries and small towns; cards work in Asunción and Encarnación but not everywhere else.
- Southern Paraneña ↗Regional buses leave from Asunción's terminal; buy at the window, keep small notes, and expect stops along the way.
At a glance
- Country
- Paraguay
- Area
- 1,230 km² (475 sq mi)475 sq mi (1,230 km²)
- Park covers more than 123,000 ha (≈1,230 km²).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Asunción
Ypoá National Park protects Paraguay's largest lake and surrounding wetlands, offering extensive birdwatching, flat trails and boardwalks for easy access to diverse wildlife in a largely undeveloped setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandWetland of International Importance.
Size and age
1,230 km² (475 sq mi)475 sq mi (1,230 km²) · national park since 1992
Park covers more than 123,000 ha (≈1,230 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Asunción.
Why go
- Large wetland area with over 200 bird species, ideal for birdwatching.
- Lake Ypoá, Paraguay's largest lake, offers scenic views and wildlife.
- Relatively undeveloped wilderness gives a sense of remote nature.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (200+ species, including toucans, ñandú, suruku'a)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Capybaras and agoutisAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| CrocodilesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Asunción
Rent a car or join a private tour; 2 h drive south, then unpaved road to the park entrance.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Bus
Take a bus to nearby towns (Ybycui or San Roque González de Santa Cruz) then arrange a taxi or guide to the park.
≈3 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Ypoá shoreline | Main visitor area; walking paths, birdwatching points, and informal picnic spots. | Open; no facilities. |
| Marsh boardwalk | Elevated boardwalk through wetlands for wildlife observation. | Open; may be overgrown in rainy season. |
| Northern grasslands | Open plains with scattered trees; good for spotting capybaras and maned wolves. | Open; requires self‑navigation. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are for the lake centre; nearby towns are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Backcountry camping allowed; no designated sites, pack out all waste.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use a stove.
- Pets
- Pets not permitted in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Carapeguá posadas
Small hotels or guesthouses in the town about 20 km (12 mi) from the park gate.Small hotels or guesthouses in the town about 12 mi (20 km) from the park gate.
Near the park
Ybycui town lodges
Basic rooms; useful if arriving by bus.
Safety
Crocodiles medium
Unpaved roads low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trail along the lake is flat and suitable for walkers with limited mobility.
- Boardwalk may be uneven; caution for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all trash; no facilities inside the park.
- Support local posadas and buy food in nearby towns.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ypoá National Park?
Entry fees are not published online; expect a modest fee at the gate (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Ypoá National Park?
The lake shoreline walk (2–3 h), the marsh boardwalk (1–2 h), and the birdwatching viewpoint early morning are the most accessible routes.
When is the best time to visit Ypoá National Park?
Dry months April to May and October to November offer better trail conditions and bird activity (check weather forecasts).
Can I camp inside the park?
Backcountry camping is allowed but there are no designated sites; bring all gear and pack out waste.
Is there any food or water inside the park?
No shops or restaurants; bring food, water, and treatment supplies for any water you may collect.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ypoá National Park
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