Ypoá Lake National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Ypoá Lake National Park is a protected natural area in the Southern Paraneña region of Paraguay. The park protects all of Lago Ypoá (Paraguay's largest lake) as well as surrounding marshes, swamps, plains, and woodlands. It is a designated Ramsar "Wetland of International Importance". The park is a magnet for birdwatchers who come to observe more than 200 species of birds, including endemic species and both resident and migratory species.

This is a large park, covering an area of more than 123,000 hectares.

The park is predominantly undeveloped wilderness. It has little infrastructure to support tourism beyond an often overgrown dirt access road.

The park was established in 1992.

The lake and its surrounding lands were occupied in the pre-Hispanic era. Evidence of shellfish harvesting and campsites near the lake bear testament to the presence of Indigenous cultures of South America. In areas on the eastern shores of the lake you can find long piles of shells.

The most prominent natural feature is the lake itself. Most of the landscapes surrounding the lake are flat grasslands and swampy marshland that provides habitat for birds and other animal life. Clusters of trees dot the grassy plains, appearing as hills from a distance.

A number of plant species are endemic to the marshy wetlands of this region. Plants include espinillo, palo negro, and ingá trees as well as lapacho and yvyra ovi. Endemic plants include the pacuri and al yuasy-iy. Plants that only grow close to the water include camalote, caña brava, and pirí.

The park is particularly well known for its bird life. A couple of the more charismatic birds are toucans and the ñandú, which is like a big ostrich, but found only in South America. Some of the other birds you'll want to keep an eye out for are suruku'a, inambú, mbiguá, chahá, and caburé.

Several kinds of common types of South American mammals are found in the park, including numerous capybaras and agoutis as well as rabbits, monkeys (in the wooded areas), and maned wolves.

Reptiles are plentiful in the park's wetlands. Crocodiles are frequently seen lurking beneath the waters or sunning themselves on share. A type of lizard called the tegu is found throughout the park. Tegus in the park includes black-and-shite tegus, red tegus, and golden tegus.

The park is 100 km south of Asunción. The easiest way to get there is to either arrange a private tour with a guide who provides transportation to the park, or to rent a car for the 2-hour drive to the park. Once you get off the main highway, park access is via unpaved dirt roads.

Buses from the Terminal de Ómnibus in Asunción can take you to nearby towns, where you can likely arrange a taxi or local tour guide to take you into the park. Nearby towns include Ybycui and San Roque González de Santa Cruz.

There are no stores in the park. Bring whatever you will need. Small stores can be found in several of the villages and small towns outside the park boundaries.

There are no restaurants or food vendors in the park. Bring whatever you will need and remember to pack out any trash.

There are no sources of potable water in the park. The lake and wetlands can be a natural source of water if you take precautions to treat it properly (chemical treatments, filtration, or boiling).

Small towns near the park sometimes have rental cabins or small hotels called posadas where travelers can get a room for the night. The best bet for finding rooms for the night is the town of Carapeguá.

There is no developed campground in the park. Backcountry camping is allowed, but there is no specific area designated for camping.

• Villeta
• Asunción
• Ybycuí National Park