Part of the well-known South American hostel chain offering quality budget accommodation. Features include pool, bar, organized activities, and social atmosphere. Good mix of dorms and private rooms in safe neighborhood.
El Viajero Hostel Asunción is the Paraguayan outpost of the South American hostel chain founded in Uruguay, which operates social-focused budget properties in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and several other capitals. The Asunción property is located on Augusto Roa Bastos — named for the nation's most celebrated novelist — in the Barrio Jara residential district, roughly 3 km southeast of the historic downtown and within reach of bus routes running along Avenida Mariscal López toward the city centre and the Villa Morra commercial district.
The El Viajero formula prioritises community and activity over minimalism: the property is built around a pool courtyard that becomes the social hub from mid-afternoon through the evening, with a bar serving cold Pilsen and rum-based cocktails at hostel-appropriate prices. A large outdoor terrace extends the social space and is used for occasional live music nights and communal barbecues. Accommodation ranges from mixed and gender-specific dormitories sleeping six to eight guests to private en-suite rooms; all beds have individual lockers, reading lights, and power sockets. The continental breakfast included in the rate covers fresh fruit, bread, cheese, and coffee — a useful daily cost-saving for budget travellers. The communal kitchen is equipped for full meal preparation if guests prefer to cook. Reception staff maintain a current departures board listing bus times to Ciudad del Este, Encarnación, and the main Asunción terminal, and they coordinate day-trips and overnight excursions through vetted local guides. Popular organised options include transport to the Itapúa region's Jesuit missions, birding day-trips to the Lago Ypacaraí area, and tours of the Circuito de Oro craft villages. The hostel suits independent travellers, Latin American circuit backpackers, language students, and volunteer workers doing multi-week stays in the capital.
Amenities
- pool
- bar
- kitchen
- free WiFi
- breakfast included
- lockers
- events
- terrace
Location
Augusto Roa Bastos 1070, Asunción, Paraguay
-25.2900, -57.5817 View on map
Highlights
- Pool courtyard that serves as a social hub throughout the afternoon and evening, with an adjacent bar
- Continental breakfast included in the base rate, covering fruit, bread, cheese, and coffee daily
- Part of an established South American chain with consistent standards across Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Asunción
- Organised excursion calendar covering Jesuit missions, Lago Ypacaraí, and the Circuito de Oro craft villages
- Current bus departures board at reception for onward travel to Ciudad del Este and Encarnación
Tips for visiting
- The included breakfast runs until 10:00 — late risers may miss it, so set an alarm if breakfast savings matter to your budget.
- The pool area is popular but manageable on weekday afternoons; it fills on Friday and Saturday evenings when the bar trade is strongest.
- The Jesuit missions day-trip to Trinidad and Jesús from Asunción requires a very early start — around 06:00 — to have adequate time at both sites before the return journey.
- Barrio Jara is a quiet residential neighbourhood; the walk to Avenida Mariscal López takes about 12 minutes and accesses most of the bus routes needed to explore the city.
- The hostel chain's multi-property hostels card may offer discounts across South American El Viajero locations — ask at reception if you plan to continue south to Montevideo or Buenos Aires.
When to visit
May to September for cooler, dry weather and peak social activity at the hostel as the South American backpacker circuit moves north for the Austral winter.
Accessibility
The pool courtyard and common areas are on the ground level. Dormitory rooms may require navigating stairs. Not fully wheelchair accessible; contact the hostel for specific requirements.