Caraguatay

Caraguatay is a town in Cordillera department founded on 24 September 1770 by the Franco family, under the governorate of Carlos Morphi, on the banks of the Yhaguy River (a tributary system in the department, not the larger Río Paraguay). The name is Guaraní for a type of bromeliad. It was previously known as Puesto Mbocajaty and once included the areas of Iriarte, Ybyraity, and Yeguarizo. President Francisco Solano López and Eliza Lynch lived for a time in a house belonging to the Miranda family in Caraguatay before relocating to San Estanislao. Near the town centre, beside the Yhaguy River, is Vapor Cué National Park, an open-air museum displaying the remains of six Paraguayan naval vessels from the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870). Most residents work in farming, fishing, and local trade. The climate is subtropical; best visited May–September.

By Plane

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) is about 80 km south.

By Train

There is no passenger rail service to Caraguatay; travel is by road.

By Car / Road

Caraguatay is accessible via Route PY02 (91 km from Asunción).

Walkable.

• Vapor Cué National Park – Open-air museum beside the Yhaguy River displaying the remains of six Paraguayan naval vessels from the War of the Triple Alliance.

• Historic centre – The parish church and town core, once home to President Francisco Solano López and Eliza Lynch.

• River views – Watch river traffic on the Yhaguy River.

Caraguatay has only informal local eateries serving simple regional dishes; for a wider choice, Caacupé (60 km southwest) is the nearest larger town.

A few kiosks and small shops sell cold drinks and snacks.

Caraguatay has no verified formal accommodation; the nearest options are in larger centres such as Caacupé (60 km southwest).

Small general stores stock everyday provisions.

• Arroyos y Esteros (20 km south) – Wetland craft town.
• San Pedro de Ycuamandiyú (80 km north) – Department capital.
• Caacupé (60 km southwest) – Pilgrimage basilica.