Major city · Paraguay
San Bernardino
Go for a weekend day-trip or one night if you want Paraguay's liveliest lake resort, but skip swimming — the water is polluted. Best in summer (Jan–Feb) for the party scene.
San Bernardino is Paraguay's classic summer resort on Lake Ypacarai, about 50 km east of Asunción. It's packed with young crowds on weekends in January and February, with boat sports, bars and a German-influenced town centre. The lake is no longer safe for swimming, but the atmosphere and water sports still draw visitors. Most people come for a day or a single night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PYG
- Best months
- Jan–Feb (high season), also Dec and Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (quiet, some places closed)
- Airport
- ASU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Bernardino911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Bernardino, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG, ₲).Paraguay-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo, Personal and Claro; prepaid SIMs with a passport at shops and malls, or an eSIM before you fly.Paraguay-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in Asunción but many drink bottled; bottled outside the city.Paraguay-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% if not included.Paraguay-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Paraguay-wide
- SafetySan Bernardino is generally safe, but watch your belongings on crowded summer weekends.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse malls, restaurants and bus terminals; carry tissues.Paraguay-wide
- Emergency numberscheck911 police · 911 fire · 141 (check) ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta about 12:00–15:00 in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Siesta about 12:00 PM–3:00 PM in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Paraguay-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportASU Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asunción) (About 50 km (31 mi), 1 h by car or bus).ASU Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asunción) (About 31 mi (50 km), 1 h by car or bus).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; taxis and mototaxis for longer distances.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₲8,000–15,000
- BeerBeer (bottle)₲8,000–12,000
- Metro or bus rideBus from Asunción (one way)check₲15,000–20,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPYG 60,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomPYG 250,000
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomPYG 400,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PYG 150,000 · Mid PYG 300,000 · High PYG 500,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ASU Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asunción) (About 50 km (31 mi), 1 h by car or bus)ASU Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asunción) (About 31 mi (50 km), 1 h by car or bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jul (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Bernardino: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre; taxis and mototaxis for longer distances. Buses from Asunción drop you near the main square.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from the terminal, about 1 h
Return to the capital for more museums and nightlife.
Yaguarón
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus via Asunción or direct, about 1 h
Franciscan church and art; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakeside
Closest to the action, most hotels and hostels; busy on summer weekends.
Town centre
Quieter, more affordable; short walk to the lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₲150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₲250,000–450,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₲450,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × PYG 250,000 | PYG 250,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PYG 300,000 | PYG 600,000 |
| Bus Asunción ↔ San Bernardino, one way2 × PYG 15,000 · check | PYG 30,000 |
| Jet ski rental, 1 hour2 × PYG 100,000 · check | PYG 200,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PYG 108,000 |
| Trip total≈ PYG 594,000 per person per day, bed included | PYG 1,188,000 |
2026 estimate in guaraní; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus from Asunción (one way)check | ₲15,000–20,000 |
| Coffee | ₲8,000–15,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | ₲8,000–12,000 |
| Simple meal (lunch set) | ₲30,000–50,000 |
| Jet ski rental (1 hour)check | ₲100,000–150,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lake Ypacarai is polluted — do not swim.
- Summer weekends are very crowded; book accommodation ahead.
- Cash is king; few ATMs in town.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire
- 911
- Ambulance
- 141 (check)
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San BernardinoSan Bernardino
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favorTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire911
- Ambulance141 (check)
Embassy
Most embassies are in Asunción; check your country's consular page.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Asunción → San Bernardino: about ₲15,000–20,000, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi from bus terminal to lakeside: ₲15,000–25,000
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (kwahn-toh)
- ¿Dónde está el bus? — Where is the bus? (don-deh es-tah el boos)
- No entiendo — I don't understand (no en-tee-en-doh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Bernardino. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Feb (high season), also Dec and Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (quiet, some places closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for lake activities and bars with verified hours.
- Eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for bus and car.
Sources
Ask about San Bernardino
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