Villarrica

How to get there:

- From Iguassu Falls/Ciudad del Este (280km, daily): cross the Friendship bridge into Ciudad del Este bus Station. Take Empresa Guairena ((595 541) 42678) or Ybytyrusu ((595 541) 41221). Only 0541 when calling from Paraguay. The ride is about 3 1/2 hs, and it costs around 5 to 6 USD.

- From the Jesuit Ruins/Encarnacion (450km, daily): stop over in Ciudad del Este. Ride around 5 hs and Cost: around 10 USD. see above for bus companies.

- From Asuncion (180km, daily): The ride is about 3 hs, and it costs around 4 USD.For bus companies, see above. Add a third one: Yutena ((595541) 42985).

Founded in 1570, Villarrica has for long been regarded as an ideal place for bohemian retirement. This is due to its agreable climate (warm and dry), charming and welcoming inhabitants and its rich cultural history.

Principal attractions:

Museo Maestro Fermín López: this museum (Juan Pablo II and Natalicio Talavera) opens Mon-Sat and it offers a collection of objects, images, paints, documents from diverse periods of the region’s history: colonnial, Triple Alliance War and Chaco War, as well as original drafts from renewed musicians and poets such as Manuel Ortiz Guerrero and Natalicio Talavera. It also offers guitar, violin, arp and flaut lessons.

Our Lady of Asunción of Ybaroty, Ycua Pyta Park, Cathedral and the Old Train Station all together with the great scenary from the nearby countryside and hills ensure tourists a nice and charming holiday.

Also, the city of Villarrica hosts traditional festivals such as the Carnival (mid February) and the Folk Festival (mid October). And nearby Colonia Independencia organises a traditional Oktoberfest Beer Festival in November.

You can also take advantage of the regions gastronomy with barbacues, chipa (maize bread) and german cuisine.

Hammocs, lace, ao po’i and other textiles are also available in nearby Yataity del Norte.