Ypacarai Lake
- Filed under: Paraguay
- Date: May 22,2008
This beautiful lake has been widely known because of the song “Memories of Ypacarai”, written by Demetrio Ortiz. This is one of the two Paraguayan main lakes. It is located 28 Km (17.3 miles) from Asuncion, and it is surrounded by three cities: Aregua, San Bernardino and Ypacarai. Around this lake appealing activities take place. During Summer time, the lake is visited by local and travelers that enjoy its beaches and the great landscape.
Ypacarai Lake area is about 90 Km2, (55.9 sq mi) and its length is 24 Km (14.9 mi) from north to south and 6 Km (3.7 mi) from east to west. The average deep of the water is about 3 meters (10 feet).
The landscape is beautiful, and invites us to enjoy hills covered with forests, as well as the cities of San Bernardino, Ypacarai and Aregua.
The lake outflows in Salado River, that goes itself in Paraguay River. And the lake receives water from various brooks, as Yagua Resau, Yuquyry, Puente Estrella y Pirayu.
The weather is mainly warm. Sunny days are frequent. Temperature might vary between a range of 20ºC a 38ºC (68-100 F) during summer and 3ºC to 25ºC (37-77 F) during winter.
In early days, this lake name was Tapycua. There are several versions that could explain the meaning of its name. Some affirm that Ypacarai means Holy Lake, because of the legend that tells that Luis Bolaños blessed the place around 1600. Orthes tell that Ypacarai is a confusion of other words in guarani, and the outcome is similar to what happened with the word kangaroo, original from Australia.
One can see this lake visiting one of the surrounding cities. From Asuncion Bus Terminal buses depart to San Bernardino and Ypacarai. To go to Aregua, one can take the bus from Avenida San Martín o Aviadores del Chaco, in Asuncion.