paraguay tourist guide

From waterfalls to chipas, everything you need to know for your first trip to Paraguay

Feb 3, 2020 • 5 min read

Brown colored water rushes over a tall falls in near the city of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay

Saltos del Monday is one of Paraguay's best-kept secrets © Jan-Schneckenhaus / Getty Images

Surrounded by rainforest, the Gran Chaco plains and broad, meandering rivers, Paraguay lies right in the middle of South America . From its natural landscapes and architecture to Guaraní indigenous culture and tasty street food, it feels emblematic of its continent, a melting pot of indigenous heritage and colonial history. Few Western tourists visit, but those that do will find an authentic nation of understated beauty and complex, fascinating culture.

Cradled by a bend in the meandering Paraguay River, central Asunción is an intimate, walkable district of cobbled streets, low-slung colonial architecture, and little plazas basking in the dappled shade of the trees. The outskirts have been paved over with glitzy malls, capitalizing on the country’s reputation for cheap shopping.

Café Consulado (O’Leary between Palma and Presidente Franco) is a trendy, LGBT-friendly cafe with great food, Paraguayan craft beer and local art. Perfect for a coffee after wandering through Plaza de la Democracia and Plaza Uruguaya.

From Asunción, take an overnight or day trip to the surrounding towns. San Bernardino, on the shores of Lake Ypacaraí, is a luxuriant lakeside retreat of verdant parks and squares, where rich Asunceños decamp to spend long weekends. Nearby Itaugua is famous for ñandutí, Paraguay’s emblematic spiderweb lace. Keep an eye out for intricate mandalas blooming with color and delicate white shawls on sale at artisans’ stands.

Encarnación

This cheery river beach city is popular with locals in the summer. Sun yourself on San José beach, which faces across the Paraná river to Posadas in Argentina .

A bus ride away lies the Most Holy Trinity of Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue Jesuit ruins. These former Jesuit missions are Unesco world heritage sites, monuments to the role the Jesuit order played in the history of Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. Crumbling and covered by a fine patina of lichen, these secluded, gloriously atmospheric ruins comprise the remains of the settlements, including an old church.

San Rafael Park is a reserve of pristine Atlantic forest a couple of hours from Encarnación and a brilliant place to disconnect. You can stay in wooden lodges administered by environmental NGO PROCOSARA if you arrange it in advance. Stroll along the short, well-marked woodland paths and cool off afterward with a swim in a cool lake fringed by forest.

Ciudad del Este

This city near the Iguazú Falls is popular among Argentines and Brazilians looking to pop across the border for some retail therapy.

If shopping isn’t your thing, visit the Itaipú Dam . This vast binational hydroelectric dam between Paraguay and Brazil is one of the world’s largest generators of hydroelectric power. Marvel at the sheer scale of this engineering project on a guided tour.

Paraguay’s best kept secret might be Saltos del Monday ( Monday Falls) and surrounding park. The Iguazú Falls steal their thunder, but these lush woodland cascades deserve a visit in their own right. Unlike the hyper-developed tourist paradise of Iguazú, Monday hasn’t made its mark on the international tourist trail yet, so you can explore the forest in peace.

The Gran Chaco

The Gran Chaco is a huge plain spanning central and northern Paraguay. Dotted with just a few small towns, this wilderness is a place to contemplate the landscape and spot native wildlife. The little towns of Loma Plata and Filadelfia make good bases. There are buses from Asunción, but given the sheer remoteness of the area, bringing your own vehicle is a good idea. If you’re into birdwatching, arrange a visit to Chaco Lodge , which looks out over a lake of flamingos. Check conditions before you go: the birds migrate, and access depends on the weather.

A street vendor holds a packaged chipa (cheese flavored rolls) in front of her stall in Asuncion, Paraguay

What to eat and drink

Paraguayan cuisine is famously hearty, with plenty of cheese, cassava and meat. Chipa is a chewy little cheese bread often made with cassava starch. You’ll find vendors enthusiastically hawking it everywhere from street corners to public buses. It’s so filling that it appears to defy the laws of physics, which makes it great for long journeys. A delicious variant is chipa kavure, which is wrapped around a stick and grilled.

Sopa Paraguaya translates to “Paraguayan soup”, but don’t let the name fool you: it’s actually a cheesy baked dish made with corn and onions. Either way, it’s mouth-watering. If you’re a strict vegetarian, be aware that these dishes might contain animal fat. If you’re vegan, do your research and be prepared to cook.

Yerba Mate was originally drunk by the Guaraní indigenous people, so it’s no surprise Paraguayans love it. To make mate cocido , yerba (an herb) is poured onto smoking coals and burnt with sugar, resulting in a smoky, caramel-flavored tea. If the stifling heat has you craving something cooler, tereré is a cold mate, sometimes made with citrus juice. You’re more likely to be offered it by friendly hostel staff than find it on a menu at a cafe.

Pakuri (Eusebio Lillo 902) is an excellent Paraguayan fine dining restaurant in the well-heeled, leafy Asunción district of Villa Morra.

You might also like: Can’t-miss South American cuisines

Before you go

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan need a tourist visa to go to Paraguay. If you’re flying to Pettirossi airport, you can get the visa on arrival. Otherwise, head to your nearest Paraguayan consulate before you travel. Citizens of many Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries also need a visa – check with the consulate for details.

You might also like: Tips for solo travelers heading to South America

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Paraguay - Encarnacion and jesuit ruins in Paraguay

Introducing Paraguay

About paraguay.

Images of Paraguay
History, language & culture
Weather & geography
Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

Travel to Paraguay
Where to stay

While you’re there

Things to see & do
Shopping & nightlife
Food & drink
Getting around

Before you go

Passport & visa
Public Holidays
Money & duty free

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Paraguay travel guide

There’s a saying in Paraguay that people who visit always cry twice – once when they arrive and once when they leave. And you can see why emotions might run high in this lesser-travelled South American nation, whose beautiful, beguiling and baffling character is made all the more alluring by its relative obscurity.

After years in the wilderness – Paraguay has long been politically as well as geographically isolated – the country is gradually opening up to the outside world. Its tourism infrastructure remains undeveloped, but patient and pioneering travellers are rewarded for their endeavours.

Boasting an intoxicating blend of crumbling colonial cities, exotic natural wonders and indigenous tribes, visitors to Paraguay can also expect a warm welcome from the locals, who are unerringly polite, interested in outsiders and liberal with their dinner invitations (expect football chat to be on the menu).

Most travellers begin their Paraguayan adventure in the capital, Asuncion. A charming, colonial city, it’s one of South America’s more endearing capitals and is blessed with neoclassical façades, pretty piazzas and tree-lined boulevards.

It is also a place of contradictions; expensive sports cars whizz along crumbling cobbled streets, while traditional street vendors ply their trade in the shadows of modern shopping malls. Inequality is hard to ignore.

Outside the capital, Paraguay’s true beauty is revealed. The east is characterised by sweeping savannahs and dense forests, which are peppered with sleepy colonial towns barely changed since the turn of the 20th century.

Crumbling Jesuit missions and yerba maté plantations can be found in the southeast corner, while the largely unexplored northern region is blanketed by steamy marshes, shimmering lagoons and dense rainforests, which harbour exotic species such as the elusive puma.

And then there’s the wild, western region of Chaco; one of South America's great wilderness areas, it is home for many of Paraguay’s indigenous people, who live largely traditional lives amongst a myriad of spectacular flora and fauna.

406,752 sq km (157,048 sq miles).

6,725,430 (UN estimate 2016).

16.7 per sq km.

Asunción.

President Santiago Peña since 2023.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and see support for British nationals abroad for information about specific travel topics.

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Paraguay set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Paraguayan Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Paraguay.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Paraguay, your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure that an immigration official stamps, dates and signs your passport when you arrive. If you do not have an entry stamp in your passport, you will get a fine when you leave the country.

This is important if you enter Paraguay at a land border, typically the crossing between Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. Long-distance bus drivers sometimes tell foreign nationals that they can complete immigration formalities in Asunción. This is not true, and you will get a fine if you do not get your passport stamped at the point of entry.

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit Paraguay. You will normally get permission to stay for 90 days on arrival.

If you want to stay for another 90 days, check with the Paraguayan Immigration Department (in Spanish).

If you are travelling to Paraguay to work or study, you should contact the Paraguayan Embassy in the UK or check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information .

Travelling with children

You need a parental permission document (‘Permiso del Menor’) to bring a child into or out of Paraguay if they are not travelling with both parents. The permission document must be certified by the Paraguayan Embassy in the UK , or your nearest Paraguayan embassy. You can get more information on requirements for children entering or leaving Paraguay from the Paraguayan Immigration Directorate (in Spanish).

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Paraguay guide .

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Paraguay . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into and out of Paraguay

Declare any cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You can make an online declaration in advance , or at computer terminals at the airport or place of arrival. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you.

Many ATMs accept bank cards. When exchanging money, use registered banks or a bureau de change. Do not change money with people on the street or on arrival at the airport as false banknotes are common.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Paraguay .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in Paraguay

Terrorist attacks in Paraguay cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

Demonstrations and protests.

There is often social conflict in Paraguay. Groups may set up blockades as a form of protest along the main roads and in downtown Asunción near government buildings. This disrupts public transport and leads to widespread delays often with little warning.

If this happens, avoid large gatherings, monitor local media and follow the guidance of local authorities.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

Bag-snatching and pickpocketing are a problem on public transport. Many foreigners choose to use taxis rather than take buses. Keep your bags within sight at all times when travelling, and be wary of anyone offering to help you.

Muggers are occasionally violent and can be armed. Carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery can make you a target. To reduce the risk of attacks:

use ATMs inside buildings rather than on the street
call a licensed taxi from a landline or a hotel rather than hailing one in the street
keep items like mobile phones and wallets out of sight
keep valuables and passports in a safe place

You might be asked for photo ID if you pay by credit card. Many people choose to carry their photo ID in a money belt under their clothes, to keep it secure.

At night, keep away from isolated or poorly lit areas, and avoid the downtown areas of major cities.

Organised crime

Criminal organisations carry out drug trafficking and arms smuggling, often in the border regions. They have also carried out isolated violent attacks in Asunción and elsewhere. These attacks have usually been aimed at the Paraguayan security forces and people associated with rival gangs. Tourists have not been the target of such incidents, but bystanders could be affected.

In recent years there has been a small number of high-profile kidnappings. Although foreigners are not routinely targeted, you should be vigilant. See the safety advice for regions of Paraguay .

Reporting crime

To report a crime, go to the nearest police station, or call the tourist police:

Asunción: (595 21) 446 608 or (595 21) 449 020
Ciudad del Este: (595 61) 502 715
Encarnación: (595 71) 204 102
Salto del Guairá: (595 46) 243 575

Laws and cultural differences

Personal id.

You must always carry ID. Carry a copy or printout of the photo page of your passport, and a copy of your entry stamp.

If you are resident in Paraguay, the authorities will issue you with an identity card.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for trafficking and possession of illegal drugs. If you are caught in possession of or trafficking drugs, you may get a prison sentence, without bail. Prison standards are poor.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal and there is a small, active LGBT+ community in Asunción. Same-sex marriages are not recognised in Paraguay. People are likely to disapprove of same-sex couples showing affection in public. Find more information on the websites of LGBT+ organisations like Aireana , Panambi and SOMOSGAY .

Risks at public venues

Safety regulations at public venues may be non-existent or poorly enforced.

Food stalls burning fuel and using power cables with poor electricity standards present a constant fire risk in markets. The risk is heightened because markets are often located in narrow streets and can be crowded.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming safety.

Many rivers have strong currents which make them dangerous for swimming. The River Paraguay around Asunción is highly polluted and not suitable for swimming.

Check the latest official advice before swimming in Lake Ypacaraí, the tourist destination close to Asunción.

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Paraguay, see information on driving abroad .

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Paraguay. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit ( IDP ) as well.

You’ll need to have your driving licence and your passport showing the entry stamp with you in the car.

There are regular police checks nationwide, usually to check the vehicle and driver’s documents (passport, entry stamp, driving licence) and carry out breathalyser tests. Police checks are common in Asunción, its neighbouring cities and the San Pedro and Concepción departments.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00%. If a police officer suspects you of drink-driving, they can confiscate your licence on the spot. If you’re convicted, you can expect a heavy fine.

Driving standards

Driving standards are poor and there are often traffic accidents, particularly involving motorbikes. Many motorcyclists drive with no crash helmets.

Some vehicles drive with no lights at night. Driving on country roads at night can be particularly dangerous.

Drivers in Paraguay often ignore stop signs, traffic lights and speed limits. In many areas, there are no road signs indicating hazards. Road signs are generally poor and can be confusing.

Paraguay’s network of paved main roads is limited. Minor and rural roads remain unpaved and are often impassable during the rainy season. Even major paved roads, including in Asunción, can be flooded during heavy rain. Large potholes are a hazard on most roads, including in Asunción.

Public transport

Many taxis and buses do not meet European standards and rarely have functioning seat belts.

The ‘Terminal de Omnibus Asunción’ is the main bus terminal for long-distance journeys.

River travel

Many vessels do not meet the health and safety standards that would apply in the UK.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Heavy rainfall and flooding can affect several areas, including some areas of Asunción and neighbouring cities. Monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

During especially hot and dry periods a single spark or flame can start a wildfire. Report fires to the emergency services immediately.

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .

Paraguay-Brazil border

Transnational criminal organisations carry out drug trafficking and arms smuggling along Paraguay’s eastern border with Brazil. Most activity is from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este, and to the Tri-Border Area where the borders of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet.

Violent crime is on the increase in this area – take particular care in the departments (‘departamentos’) that border Brazil:

Amambay Department
Concepción Department
Alto Paraná Department
San Pedro Department
Canindeyú Department
Salto del Guairá Department

A small guerrilla-style group calling itself the Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP) operates in the north of the Department of San Pedro and the south of the Department of Concepción. The group typically targets police and the military. They attack the ranches of major landowners, often stealing large numbers of cattle. Their attacks can be violent, and include the use of explosives and firearms. In the last decade, they have kidnapped several high-profile people for ransom, most recently in 2022. Three people are still in captivity.

Paraguay-Bolivia border

Illegal cross-border activities are common in this area, centred around drug trafficking.

Before you travel check that:

your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 141 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

the latest information on vaccination recommendations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Paraguay guide
where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

If you need a regular prescription, you should bring enough medication with you.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in Paraguay

There are some good private medical facilities, but only in the major cities. Hospitals and GPs will expect immediate payment for medical services. Some types of medicines may not be available.

Elsewhere, facilities may not meet UK standards. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Paraguay .

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Paraguay

Ambulance: 141

Police: 911

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Paraguay
dealing with a death in Paraguay
being arrested or imprisoned in Paraguay
getting help if you’re a victim of crime
what to do if you’re in hospital
if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online .

Help abroad in an emergency

If you’re in Paraguay and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Asunción .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Paraguay Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Paraguay, often referred to as “the heart of South America,” is a hidden gem for travelers seeking an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience. This landlocked country is rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical significance, offering unique adventures for those willing to explore its many facets.

What’s the Best Time to Visit? 📅

The best time to visit Paraguay as a tourist depends on your preferences and the type of experiences you’re seeking. Paraguay has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Here are the key considerations for different times of the year:

Dry Season (May to September): This is the most popular time to visit Paraguay. The weather is relatively dry and cool, making it ideal for exploring the country. It’s a great time for outdoor activities, including sightseeing, hiking, and birdwatching. The famous Jesuit missions are often best visited during this period.
Rainy Season (October to April): Paraguay’s wet season can bring heavy rains and high humidity. While this season is less popular among tourists, it can be a great time for wildlife enthusiasts as the rainforest comes to life. The Pantanal wetlands are particularly rewarding during this time for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Carnival (February/March): If you’re interested in cultural festivals, Paraguay’s Carnival celebrations can be a lively and colorful experience. Encarnación, in particular, is known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations.
Winter (June to August): Paraguay’s winter is a pleasant time to visit with cool temperatures, making it a good time for outdoor activities and sightseeing without the discomfort of high humidity.
Summer (December to February): The summer months are hot and humid. If you don’t mind the heat, you can enjoy the vibrant green landscapes and the opportunity to take part in traditional summer celebrations.
Semana Santa (Holy Week): If you’re interested in religious and cultural events, consider visiting Paraguay during Semana Santa (Holy Week), typically in March or April, to witness traditional processions and festivities.
Día de la Independencia (May 14): Paraguay’s National Day is celebrated on May 14. It’s a great time to experience the country’s patriotic spirit and enjoy parades and cultural events.

The best time to visit Paraguay varies depending on your interests, whether it’s enjoying outdoor activities, immersing yourself in cultural events, or experiencing the lush beauty of the rainforest. Consider the specific regions and activities you plan to explore, and plan your visit accordingly.

What’s the Best Way to Get Around? 🚌

Getting around Paraguay as a tourist can be an adventure in itself. While the country’s transportation infrastructure is developing, it’s important to plan your travel within Paraguay carefully. Here are some common ways to get around:

Buses: Buses are the primary mode of long-distance travel within Paraguay. You can find a range of options, from basic to luxury buses. Companies like La Encarnacena and Cootra recommend booking your tickets in advance.
Taxis: Taxis are readily available in cities and towns. Ensure the taxi has a working meter or agree on the fare before starting your journey. In rural areas, shared taxis called “colectivos” are common.
Rental Cars: Renting a car can provide flexibility, especially for exploring remote areas. Major car rental companies operate in the larger cities. Be prepared for road conditions, including unpaved roads.
Domestic Flights: While Paraguay has domestic airports, flights are less common than buses for domestic travel. Flights are available between Asunción and other major cities.
Trains: While there’s a railway network in Paraguay, train travel is limited and often not a practical option for tourists.
Ferries: If you plan to visit the Chaco region, ferries can be a means of transportation, particularly when crossing the Paraguay River.
Hitchhiking: In some regions, especially the Chaco, hitchhiking is a common means of transportation, but it may not be the safest option for tourists.
Motorcycles: In some areas, renting a motorcycle can be a practical way to explore. Ensure you have the necessary licenses and experience.
Walking: In cities and towns, walking can be a pleasant way to explore local neighborhoods and markets.

It’s important to note that road conditions in Paraguay can vary, and some remote areas may be less accessible. Be prepared for travel delays and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places. As you plan your itinerary, consider the specific regions you want to explore and the transportation options available in those areas. It’s also advisable to check local conditions and routes, especially in the rainy season, which can affect road travel.

What’s the Official Language?

The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani , with Guarani being widely spoken and culturally significant. Here are some basic Spanish phrases and common Guarani words that can be helpful for tourists in Paraguay:

Spanish Phrases:

Hola – Hello
Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening/night
Por favor – Please
Gracias – Thank you
Sí – Yes
No – No
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
Lo siento – I’m sorry
Me llamo… – My name is…
No entiendo – I don’t understand
¿Dónde está…? – Where is…?
Baño – Bathroom
Comida – Food
Agua – Water
Ayuda – Help
Salud – Cheers (used when toasting)

Guarani Words:

Mbopi – Hello
Mba’ eichapa – How are you?
Nde reikuaase – I’m fine
Iporã – Good
Mba’eichapa porã – Very good
Aguyje – Thank you
Ha’ete – Please
Ejatopy – Excuse me
Jaiko – Yes
Aipo – No
Ñande mba’ eichapa – My name is…
Mbokaja’e – I don’t understand
Mbopi mokoive – Goodbye
Py’ahu – Food
Ka’aku’ape – Water
Tavy – Help
Peteî peve – Bathroom

Learning a few basic phrases in both Spanish and Guarani can enhance your travel experience and show respect for the local culture. Paraguayans are often delighted when tourists make an effort to communicate in their native languages.

Where to Stay? 🏨

Paraguay offers a variety of accommodation options for tourists, including budget-friendly hostels, mid-range hotels, and upscale resorts. The choice of where to stay depends on your budget, preferences, and the regions you plan to visit. Here are some popular places to stay in Paraguay:

Asunción: The capital city offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. Popular areas to stay in Asunción include the city center and the neighborhoods of Carmelitas and Villa Morra.
Ciudad del Este: If you’re visiting the city known for its shopping, you can find various hotels and guesthouses, especially near the border with Brazil.
Encarnación: A city on the Paraná River, it’s known for its beaches. There are several hotels and resorts with river views.
San Bernardino: A popular lakeside resort town offers a variety of lodging options, particularly during the summer months.
Carmelo Peralta: This town near the Tri-Border Area with Brazil and Argentina offers accommodation options for those exploring the Chaco region.
Hernandarias: This town near the Itaipu Dam has a few lodging options, including resorts.
Concepción: In northern Paraguay, it’s known for its historical significance. You can find hotels and guesthouses here.
Villa Florida: A lakeside town known for its natural beauty offers accommodations with a relaxed ambiance.
Loma Plata: A Mennonite colony in the Chaco region has unique lodging options for those interested in the local culture.
Yaguarón: This charming town, located near Asunción, offers a quieter atmosphere and lodging options with historical character.

When booking accommodations, especially during the peak tourist season, it’s advisable to make reservations in advance. Be sure to consider the specific regions you plan to explore and the types of experiences you seek when choosing your lodging. Paraguay provides various choices for different travel preferences and budgets.

What to Eat? 🍽️

Paraguayan cuisine offers a delightful array of dishes influenced by local traditions and the country’s unique culinary heritage. When visiting Paraguay, make sure to try these must-try foods:

Sopa Paraguaya: Despite the name, it’s not a soup but a savory cornbread. It’s made with cornmeal, cheese, onions, and sometimes eggs. This hearty dish is a Paraguayan staple.
Chipa: These cheesy and savory bread rolls are often served at breakfast or as snacks. They are made from manioc (cassava) flour and cheese.
Mbeju: Similar to chipa, mbeju is a thick, pancake-like bread made from cassava starch and cheese. It’s a popular and delicious street food.
Asado Paraguayo: Paraguayan barbecue is a meat lover’s delight. Try various grilled meats, sausages, and ribs, often served with chimichurri sauce.
Milanesa: Breaded and fried beef or chicken cutlets, similar to schnitzel. They are commonly served with mashed potatoes or rice.
Mandi’o Chupá: A hearty Paraguayan stew made from corn, chicken, cheese, and vegetables. It’s a comforting and filling dish.
Empanadas: Paraguayan empanadas are often baked and filled with a mix of meats, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and vegetables.
Locro: A hearty and flavorful soup made from corn, beans, meat (usually beef or pork), and spices. It’s especially popular in rural areas.
Pira caldo: A river fish soup that is a regional specialty. It’s often made with catfish or pacu fish and flavored with local herbs.
Lomito: A Paraguayan-style beef sandwich made with tenderloin, often served with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
Serranito: A sandwich filled with a variety of meats, cheese, and vegetables. It’s a popular choice for a quick and hearty meal.
Dulce de Mamon: A dessert made from the fruit mamoncillo, similar to a small lychee. It’s often served with a sweet syrup or caramel.
Cascos de Guayaba: Guava shells cooked in sugar syrup. They are sweet and delicious, often used as a filling in pastries.
Tereré: A traditional Paraguayan cold herbal drink, similar to mate but prepared with cold water. It’s a popular social and refreshing beverage.
Paraguayan Cheese: Paraguay is known for its cheese, which is often used in various dishes, including empanadas, chipa, and sopa paraguaya.

Exploring Paraguayan cuisine is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the local culture. These dishes provide a taste of Paraguay’s unique culinary traditions and flavors.

What to See? 🔍

Paraguay offers a diverse range of attractions, from historical sites to natural wonders. Here are some must-see places for tourists in Paraguay:

Asunción: The capital city is a vibrant hub with historic architecture, museums, and bustling markets. Explore the historic center and visit landmarks like the Palacio de los López and the National Pantheon of the Heroes.
Iguazu Falls: Although primarily located in Argentina and Brazil, a portion of the world-famous Iguazu Falls can be seen from Paraguay. Visit the city of Presidente Franco for panoramic views of the falls.
Ybycuí National Park: This national park is known for its pristine natural beauty, including waterfalls, rivers, and lush forests. It’s a great place for hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking.
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná: Explore the well-preserved Jesuit missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cerro León: Climb this hill near Asunción for panoramic views of the city and the Paraguay River.
San Ignacio Guazú: Visit this charming town known for its well-preserved Jesuit ruins and historical sites.
Ñeembucú: Discover the unique landscapes of this region, including marshes, lagoons, and the picturesque town of Pilar.
Itaipu Dam: Take a tour of one of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams, located on the Paraguay-Brazil border. Learn about its engineering marvels and the impact on the region.
Cerro Corá National Park: Explore this national park, which is rich in biodiversity and has historical significance as the site of the Battle of Cerro Corá during the Paraguayan War.
Museo del Barro: Located in Asunción, this museum showcases Paraguayan folk art, crafts, and indigenous culture.
Saltos del Monday: These waterfalls near Ciudad del Este offer beautiful natural surroundings for hiking and picnicking.
Ypacaraí Lake: Enjoy the scenic beauty of this lake, located near the town of San Bernardino. It’s a popular destination for water sports and relaxation.
Filadelfia: Visit this Mennonite colony to learn about the unique culture and lifestyle of the local community.
Mbatovi Eco-Reserve: Explore this pristine reserve, known for its hiking trails and opportunities to observe wildlife.
Paraguayan Chaco: Experience the unique landscapes of the Chaco region, with its vast savannah, wildlife, and indigenous communities.

Paraguay’s attractions are diverse and often off the beaten path, offering a more authentic and less crowded experience for tourists. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or culture, Paraguay has something to offer every type of traveler.

What to Do? 📸

Paraguay offers a variety of activities and experiences for tourists to enjoy. Here are some must-do things to make the most of your visit:

Explore Asunción: Spend time in the capital city, Asunción, to discover its history, vibrant culture, and lively markets.
Visit the Jesuit Missions: Explore the UNESCO-listed Jesuit mission towns, such as La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, to learn about Paraguay’s colonial history.
Enjoy Iguazu Falls: While most of the falls are in neighboring countries, visit the Paraguayan town of Presidente Franco for a unique perspective and boat tours on the Paraná River.
Try Traditional Foods: Savor Paraguayan cuisine by sampling dishes like sopa paraguaya, chipa, and asado. Visit local markets to taste fresh fruits and snacks.
Drink Tereré: Join locals in drinking tereré, a traditional herbal tea, often enjoyed in a group setting. It’s a social and refreshing experience.
Explore the Chaco: Discover the Paraguayan Chaco, a vast and unique ecosystem. Take guided tours to learn about the culture, wildlife, and landscapes.
Visit Ybycuí National Park: Explore the park’s lush forests and waterfalls. Go hiking and birdwatching to appreciate Paraguay’s natural beauty.
Go Birdwatching: Paraguay is a haven for birdwatchers. Visit the Chaco, Ñeembucú, or Mbatovi Eco-Reserve for birdwatching opportunities.
Take a Boat Trip: Explore the Paraguay River and its tributaries by taking boat tours for a glimpse into local river communities and wildlife.
Hike Cerro León: Climb Cerro León near Asunción for panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.
Attend Cultural Festivals: Time your visit with Paraguayan festivals like Carnival, Holy Week (Semana Santa), and Independence Day (May 14) to experience local traditions.
Discover Mennonite Colonies: Visit Filadelfia or other Mennonite colonies to learn about the unique culture and history of these communities.
Relax by Ypacaraí Lake: Spend a day at Ypacaraí Lake near San Bernardino, enjoying water sports, swimming, or simply relaxing by the lake.
Learn About Paraguayan History: Visit museums like the Museo del Barro and historical sites to gain insights into Paraguay’s history and culture.
Go Shopping: Explore markets and stores for traditional Paraguayan crafts, textiles, and products such as ñanduti lace and ao po’i fabrics.
Interact with Locals: Engage with Paraguayans to learn about their daily life, traditions, and customs. Consider visiting local communities or homestays.
Attend a Football Match: Experience the passion of Paraguayan football by attending a local match or cheering on the national team.
Visit Saltos del Monday: Take a trip to Saltos del Monday, a picturesque waterfall near Ciudad del Este.
Experience Paraguayan Hospitality: Paraguayans are known for their warm and welcoming hospitality. Embrace the local culture and make new friends.

Paraguay offers a unique blend of history, nature, culture, and culinary delights for travelers. To make the most of your trip, consider exploring both well-known destinations and off-the-beaten-path experiences in this beautiful South American country.

Culture and Safety 🦺

Respect for Local Customs: Paraguayans are generally known for their hospitality and respect for tradition. Be polite, greet people with a friendly “Hola,” and show respect for local customs and practices.
Language: The official languages are Spanish and Guarani. While many Paraguayans speak Spanish, learning a few basic phrases in Spanish and Guarani can enhance your experience and show respect for the local culture.
Catholic Influence: Paraguay is a predominantly Catholic country, and religious customs are important. Be respectful when visiting churches and religious sites.
Dress Modestly: In more rural areas and around religious sites, dress modestly. Women, in particular, should cover their shoulders and avoid revealing clothing.
Greetings: Paraguayans place importance on polite greetings. Using “Buenos días” (good morning) or “Buenas tardes” (good afternoon) when entering a room or starting a conversation is appreciated.
Time: Paraguayans are generally relaxed about punctuality, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little longer for appointments and social gatherings. However, for tours and appointments, it’s still a good practice to be on time.
Health Precautions: Ensure you have the necessary vaccinations and take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases, especially if you plan to visit rural areas. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
Money Safety: Keep your belongings secure and avoid displaying valuable items. Use reputable ATMs and be cautious when withdrawing money.
Transportation: Use trusted transportation providers. Confirm that taxi meters are running or agree on a fare before starting your ride. Be cautious when crossing streets, as traffic can be chaotic.
Food and Water: While Paraguay is known for its tasty street food, make sure to choose vendors with good hygiene practices. Stick to bottled water and avoid tap water in some areas.
Internet and Connectivity: In remote areas, internet access may be limited. Familiarize yourself with local communication options.
Emergency Services: Know the local emergency numbers for police (911) and medical assistance (911).
Travel Insurance: Consider having travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip disruptions.
Bargaining: Bargaining is common in markets and when purchasing items from street vendors. Be polite but negotiate for a fair price.
Street Demonstrations: While they are relatively rare, be aware that street demonstrations can occur. Avoid participating in or being near protests.
Altitude: In areas with high altitudes, like Asunción, take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. Adjusting to the altitude gradually can help.

Paraguay is generally safe for travelers, but like any destination, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take common-sense precautions. Respecting local customs and practicing cultural sensitivity will help you have a more enjoyable and authentic experience in this beautiful South American country.

As you bid farewell to Paraguay, you’ll carry with you the memories of its warm people, diverse landscapes, and intriguing history. Visit Paraguay, and you’ll discover a destination that promises authenticity, tranquility, and a deep connection to the heart of South America.

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Experiencing Cambodia 5
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Experiencing Germany 3
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Experiencing Korea 7
Experiencing Malaysia 6
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Experiencing Myanmar 10
Experiencing New Zealand 17
Experiencing Singapore 15
Experiencing Switzerland 4
Experiencing Taiwan 14
Experiencing Thailand 18
Experiencing Vietnam 5

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport Guide

Driving in Paraguay

Best Destinations to Visit

Top Things to Do

One Week in Paraguay

Where to Go Hiking

Foods to Try

Your Trip to Paraguay: The Complete Guide

Most travelers to and from South America don’t visit Paraguay, which is exactly why you should. Cheap and relaxed, it’s a country full of wild areas inhabited by strange and wonderful wildlife like giant anteaters and ocelots. Though the country has several cities—like the capital Asuncion with its budding gastronomy scene and lively cultural centers—there are far more waterfalls, like Saltos del Monday or Salto Suiza, than there are cosmopolitan hubs. The least visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesus, can also be found here, along with the border city of Cuidad del Este and its famed Friendship Bridge to Iguazu Falls. Riding long-distance buses will allow you to see the country up close, as well as buy plenty of chipa en route to wherever you’re going. Though the Paraguayan visa fee is hefty compared to other South American countries (visas cost $160) , the tradeoff is a country not busy with tourists, easy to travel, full of calorie-high food for the road, and phenomenally wild spaces where you can disconnect from the rest of the world.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit : Visit Paraguay in the winter, June through August, when warm temps mix with less rain and lower humidity for the driest season of the year. The best time of the year for birding, winter also hosts a number of patriotic and religious festivals making it an excellent time to experience the ethos of the country.
Language: Spanish and Guaraní.
Currency: Paraguayan Guarani (PYG) , though USD is also sometimes accepted.
Getting Around: Buses, taxis, ride-hailing services like Uber, and walking are the main options for getting around Paraguay. In large cities like Asuncion and Cuidad del Este, you can use the bus, a taxi, or ride-hailing service, while smaller cities only have taxis and buses, though simply walking might be the easiest and fastest option. Download Moovit for a routing app in English with real-time bus schedules and routes.
Travel Tip: From Cuidad del Este, you can cross into Brazil to see Iguazu Falls for the day without having to get your passport stamped. As long as you stay within 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) of Friendship Bridge, there is no need to have your passport stamped, meaning you can literally walk into another country (via the bridge) without ever having to stop at the immigration office.

Things to Do

If you like going into the wild, exploring rarely visited historical sites, and have an immense love for soccer, this is the country for you. Go off-grid in the Chaco, hiking isolated hills and bartering with Mennonites. Visit its 15 national parks to see over 200 species of birds. Float up the Rio Paraguay on the Aquidaban. Go piranha fishing while spotting giant otters in the Green Hell. Should you want modern amenities, head to its larger cities to explore the burgeoning specialty coffee and fine dining scenes in Asuncion, or base yourself out of Cuidad del Este to experience a hodgepodge of Paraguayan, Brazilian, and Chinese culture.

Explore some of the least-visited UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world: the Jesuit ruins at Trinidad and Jesus. Dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the ruins are fairly well-preserved and only about 6 miles from each other. You can walk through the eerily calm structures on your own (and possibly without any other visitors in sight), as guides are not required.
To experience the elation, glory, and tears of Paraguayan soccer, go to a league game of Club Cerro Porteno in Asuncion. Tickets can be purchased a few blocks from their home stadium, Estadio General Pablo Rojas Stadium, locally known as “La Olla.”
Go to the Chaco, making up more than half of Paraguay, this hot, grueling region is sparsely populated but full of rare wildlife. Whether you base yourself out of a research station, like Three Giants Lodge, to see jaguars and giant armadillos or go to Mariscal Estigarribia to watch the TransChaco Rally in September, you’re sure to have an adventure while there.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the top 15 things to do in Paraguay , where to go hiking in Paraguay , and the Jesuit missions of South America .

What to Eat and Drink

Paraguayan cuisine mixes the recipes of the indigenous Guarani people and with Spanish cuisine and high-calorie dishes developed post-Paraguayan War (to combat food scarcity). Family asados (barbeques) commonly occur on the weekend, where meat-loving Paraguayans grill prime cuts of beef served alongside sopa paraguaya, an onion cornbread made with pork fat. Other corn-based dishes include kiveve (pumpkin, corn, and cheese stew) and chipa guasu (cinnamon and cheese corncake). Chipa—a chewy bread made with cassava flour, anise, and cheese—is sold in restaurants, bus stops, and in food stalls throughout the country.

Meat-based soups make up a large part of traditional Paraguayan cuisine, including bori-bori (dumpling soup made with beef or chicken), soyo (beef and rice soup with vegetables), and pira caldo (fish-based stew with vegetables, milk, and cheese).

Paraguayans love to drink mate both hot and cold. A highly caffeinated tea with a woodsy, herbal flavor, the hot version is drunk from a hollowed-out gourd through a bombilla (filtered metal or wood straw). Paraguayan mate has a distinctively smokier flavor than Argentine or Uruguayan mate, and it’s generally served as a communal beverage. Terere, the cold version of mate generally served in a guampa (horn-shaped cup) with a bombilla, originated from the Guarani people. The tea infusion includes juice or herbs, like mint or lemongrass, giving it a bright, tangy flavor. To try, simply ask a local who’s drinking some, but be sure to drink the whole cup when offered, otherwise it’s bad manners.

Explore our article on the top food and drinks in Paraguay .

Where to Stay

Base yourself out of Asuncion for a few days to see a soccer match, check out nearby national parks for hiking and waterfall-viewing, experience the most developed fine dining and coffee scene in the country, and check out concerts or talks at cultural centers. You can also make day trips from Asuncion to the lake at San Bernardino or to Itagua to buy nanduti (traditional lace). To tour the Itaipu Dam or cross the Brazilian border to see Iguazu Falls, stay in Cuidad del Este. If you want to walk amongst the Jesuit ruins, Encarnacion will be the closest stay to the old missions at Trinidad and Jesus. Filadelfia will be the easiest spot to base yourself for trips into the wilder parts of the Chaco, while still having the comforts of civilization to come back to (and local touring companies who know the land well). For those who want to stay a night or two in nature but don’t have time to spend several days in the Chaco, the San Rafael Nature Reserve (such as at the ProCosara headquarters) will provide both wildlife-viewing and respite.

For other ideas of where to base yourself, explore the 15 best destinations to visit in Paraguay .

Getting There

Paraguay’s main airport is Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, where nearly all of the country’s international flights will take off or land. While several small airports exist in Paraguay, servicing mostly domestic flights, long-distance bus travel is far a more popular option for domestic travel. You can purchase tickets at the Omnibus terminal in Asuncion to travel to another Paraguayan city or town, as well as to Argentina, Bolivia, or Brazil. Check if you are purchasing the "común" or the "rápido" ticket. The first type will make many stops in small towns (great if you have time and want to see more of the country), while the second will get you to your destination faster and with fewer stops.

Money-Saving Tips

Paraguay is a cheap country to travel to and you can easily spend less than $50 a day on your trip, including accommodation. With that in mind, haggling isn’t really necessary, but there are a few tips you can implement to save in a few areas.

Learn some Spanish. English isn’t widely spoken, and locals will generally be able to help you find the best deals.
If you want to cross the border to see Iguazu Falls, walk across Friendship Bridge instead of taking a taxi. Once over, take local buses to get to the falls.
You can see Saltos del Monday from the road without paying the entrance fee to the adventure park.
Take advantage of the free entry to Asuncion's Museo del Barro, where you can learn about the history of the Paraguayan War and the country's indigenous peoples.
The Asuncion Botanical garden is free to enter, great for picnics, and contains exhibits of interesting animals at the natural history museum inside the grounds (which is also free).
Take long-distance and then local buses to historical sites, rather than paying for a tour.
Take local buses instead of using Uber or taxis.
Cook your own food instead of eating at a restaurant for every meal.
Consider renting an apartment for month-long stays instead of staying at a hotel.

National Tourism Secretariat - SENATUR. " Paraguay General Data. " 2018

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Paraguay is the forgotten part of South America. Ignored by travellers for so long, the country has never built up its tourist infrastructure. But that is now its greatest charm. This is a country where you can truly get off the beaten track and experience the local culture.

What is it like to visit paraguay.

The first thing you’ll notice, compared to many other parts of South America, is how few foreigners there are. In fact, for the whole time I was there, I met foreign tourists at only one place. You’ll need some basic Spanish or some very good hand actions because you won’t find much English here.

But, it is a very warm place where there is no reason to feel unsafe or uncomfortable (with the possible exception of parts of the capital, Asuncion, which can be a bit dangerous like any big city). People will always try to help you if you’re lost or unsure of something.

There aren’t a lot of large ‘sights’ in Paraguay for the average traveller. That’s one of the reasons why there hasn’t been a large number of tourists. But, as I’ll explain, there are some wonderful things to do which are much more enriching than the average landmark tours of other countries.

Cities in Paraguay

The cities in Paraguay are not the country’s most interesting places but it is inevitable that you will pass through a few of them if you are travelling around the country. Quite often, because of the lackadaisical bus system, you might pass through a city more than once because you can’t get direct routes between two locations.

That’s not to say there aren’t some elements of the cities that are enjoyable. Here are some of the larger places you are most likely to pass through.

Asuncion: This is the capital of Paraguay and probably the main way you will come into the country from Argentina. It’s got a population of about two million people and sprawls out a fair bit. The central part of the city has a grid layout with the most interesting sights along the undeveloped waterfront. You can see photos of Asuncion here.
Ciudad del Este: The second biggest city in Paraguay and very different to Asuncion. This is a popular way to enter the country from Iguazu Falls . It’s known for its cheap shopping (quite often of fake goods) and the border crossing is busy with Argentines and Brazilians trying to get a good deal. You can read more about Ciudad del Este here.
Encarnacion: You can cross the border between Argentina here but I found Encarnacion to be more useful as a city to explore the south east of Paraguay from. It’s quite close to a few sites you might want to see, or serves as an overnight resting stop between journeys. It has some nice restaurants and hotels but not much else going for it. You can read more about Encarnacion here.
Concepcion: Set on the river towards the north of the country, this city is actually quite interesting in its own right. It has a bustling market scene and gives you a good insight into the rural cultures of Paraguay. It’s also a good jumping off point to explore some of the more remote parts of the country. It is possible to get there by boat from Asuncion but it’s not easy to get information (the boats and timetables keep changing). Bus is much easier.

Paraguay history

Most of Paraguay’s history could fit into one of three categories: colonialism, war or dictatorship.

The Spanish arrived in the 1500s and began settlements, like in much of South America. They tried to integrate with the indigenous tribes with mixed success. But, even today, many of those tribes are dislocated and fighting for land to live on. You can read my story here about meeting some of the indigenous tribes of Paraguay and hearing about their struggles.

Of all the European colonialists, the group which had the most successful interaction with the local tribes was the Jesuits. There are still ruins of their settlements in Paraguay today – in fact, the ones at Trinidad are the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find out more about the Jesuit ruins at Trinidad here.

In the early 1800s, control was wrested from the Europeans and the period of Paraguayan dictator rule began. The country was cut off from much of the continent politically and socially. It was also the time of two large wars. The first was the Paraguayan War from 1864 – 1870 which the country lost (along with about two thirds of adult males) against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The second was the Chaco War against Bolivia from 1932 – 1935 which Paraguay won and led to an increase in land.

During the period of dictatorship, a group of Australians travelled to Paraguay to set up a socialist utopia. It was to be the first communist community in the world but didn’t end well, because of internal frictions. It’s a fascinating little story about the country and you can read more about New Australia in Paraguay here.

In recent decades, the country has slowly opened up and begun to develop economically. After World War II there was large European immigration to Paraguay and you can still find a lot of their cultural influence across the country. And from the 1980s, the leadership became much more democratic and increased its links with other countries. That’s not to say Paraguay today is free from corruption, extreme political views and disparity in wealth.

Accommodation in Paraguay

There are no hostels, in the backpacker sense of the word, in Paraguay. Hotels in all the big cities come in a range from budget to expensive and you can find anything for your tastes. In Asuncion you’ll be able to book something in advance online or find a cheap option near the bus station. In many of the other cities you should be able to just turn up and find something close to the bus station.

The rural areas will have limited accommodation options but, with so few tourists, it is rare that they are completely full. My advice would be to try to phone or email in advance but not to get too stressed if you don’t hear back. If you arrive somewhere the locals will always be able to work something out for you.

Things to do in Paraguay

Some of the best things to do in Paraguay have already been mentioned above. Visiting the Jesuit ruins at Trinidad, for example. Or checking out the chaotic shopping in Ciudad del Este or the relaxed capital of Asuncion. But here are a few other ideas, if you’re thinking of spending a week or more in the country.

Conservation work in the forests: The Pro Cosara organisation near the city of Villarrica has accommodation for travellers. You can see the work they’re doing on forest conservation and explore the region yourself. You can find out more about Pro Cosara and Paraguay’s forests here.
Ecotourism: Another small place you can stay to experience the nature of Paraguay is Granja El Roble, a farm near the city of Concepcion. Run by German biologist Peter Gartner, it even has a small private zoo. Peter can offer you day trips and other adventures to see the area. More information about Granja El Roble is here.
Itaipu Dam: This construction is not particularly well-known but it is one of the seven Engineering Wonders of the World. Until China built a larger one, it was the biggest hydroelectric dam in the world. You can visit it and get a guided tour – it’s quite close to Ciudad del Este. You can read more about Itaipu Dam in Paraguay here.

Transport in Paraguay

The easiest (and probably the only sensible) way to get around Paraguay is bus. The country has an extensive bus system – but don’t expect luxury. It’s also designed for locals and not for tourists so you’ll have to make sure you ask lots of questions to ensure you’re getting on the right bus and getting off at the right place.

Taxis are cheap and available in the bigger cities. You’ll also find guys on motorbikes who will be able to take you short distances in the rural areas for a few dollars (all negotiable).

You can read my story about what it’s like to travel through Paraguay here.

Paraguay culture

Paraguay is the second-poorest country in South America. For that reason, much of the culture revolves around family and simple pleasures. You will see a lot of groups sitting around in the shade drinking the traditional tea-like drink, terere. You may get an invitation to join – which you should gladly accept. Don’t be surprised that everyone shares the same cup and straw, though.

When it comes to food, you’ll see a lot of the local snack called ‘chipa’, which is a sticky kind of bread pretzel. It’s a cheap and filling snack during the day. More substantial food will include empanadas (of course, because it’s South America!) and the asado barbeques. Typical meals at restaurants quite often involve a plate of meat, chips, rice and a fried egg.

If you are short of time in South America, I wouldn’t say that Paraguay is a must-see. But it is so different to the rest of South America’s typical tourist trail that it is a perfect place to explore if you want to see more of the continent than the average traveller. There aren’t a lot of iconic places to visit but it’s a lovely place to relax and enjoy the culture and the laid-back lifestyle that Paraguayans are so proud of.

1 thought on “Paraguay Travel Guide”

Obviously you didn’t travel Paraguay thoroughly. The capital of Asunción has a population of 521,000 inhabitants not 2 million. If you were referring to metropolitan area then that’s different. There are a few hostels and pousadas in Paraguay. As I’m writing this I’m currently in a hostel in Asunción. You didn’t even bother to mention the black population who are descendants of slaves brought by the Spanish. January 8 of every year the Afro Paraguayan community host Kamba cua festival in the city of Fernando de la Mora.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

-25.3 -57.633333 1 Asunción - the capital and largest city of Paraguay, situated right on the Argentina-Paraguay border. Almost 40% of the population call this city home and the city is brimming with colonial-era buildings, museums, botanical gardens, and religious sites.
-25.3 -57.416944 2 Areguá
-25.516667 -54.616667 3 Ciudad del Este - this busy border city is also Paraguay's gateway to the Iguazu Falls
-23.4025 -57.441389 4 Concepción
-27.333333 -55.866667 5 Encarnación and its Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue
-22.333333 -60.016667 6 Filadelfia - the departmental seat of Boquerón, founded as a Mennonite colony
-26.856944 -58.303889 7 Pilar
-25.51 -57.56 8 Villeta

Other destinations [ edit ]

-25.4045 -56.5493 1 New Australia (New London) – a late 19th century Australian socialist settlement in the southern part of the country. It was renamed to Nueva Londres in 1957. It is famous with tourists for its yearly Fiesta del Tujú on December 25th.
-25.310556 -57.296111 2 San Bernardino – the liveliest resort town of Paraguay, east of the capital.
-27.12 -55.78 3 Trinidad – a small village near Encarnación famous for the Jesuit ruins Santísima of Trinidad de Paraná, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Paraguay.

Itineraries [ edit ]

Along the Paraguay River

Understand [ edit ]

Paraguay is often overlooked as a travel destination, even though it has been experiencing a steady increase in tourist arrivals. The majority of tourists visiting Paraguay in 2022 came from neighbouring Argentina, accounting for 76% of all visitors. Brazilians often come over to Paraguayan border towns to shop for imported goods.

Although the country is one of South America's breadbaskets, Paraguay has historically not been a wealthy country; a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line and there's an incredibly wide gap between the rich and the poor. Decades of political instability, as well as a young and largely unskilled work force have stunted prospects of growth and development.

Most Paraguayans, save the upper class, may not have a lot of material wealth and possessions, but they strive to be happy and content with what they have. Tranquility (known as tranquilo pa ) is one value Paraguayans cherish the most. Nature is the heart and soul of most Paraguayans; they find absolute solace and contentment in it.

A major producer of beef, so do not be surprised to find cattle eating grass just a few centimetres from the highways, especially in the Chaco region and Misiones Department. Paraguay is the world's fifth largest exporter of soya beans, so expect to see hundreds of square kilometres of soya plantations especially in the southeast, east and northeast regions.

History [ edit ]

The Guaraní were the most significant indigenous group inhabiting what is now Eastern Paraguay, living as semi-nomadic hunters who also practised subsistence agriculture. The Chaco region was home to other groups of indigenous tribes such as the Guaycurú and Payaguá, who survived by hunting, gathering and fishing.

In the 16th century Paraguay, formerly called "The Giant Province of the Indies", was born as a result of the encounter of Spanish conquerors with the native indigenous groups. The Spaniards started the colonization period which lasted for three centuries. Since the foundation of Asunción in 1537, Paraguay has managed to keep a lot of its indigenous character and identity. Nowadays, the mestizos (Spanish and Amerindian) account for more than 80% of the country's 6.6 million inhabitants and Guarani is, side by side with Spanish, the country's official language.

In the past, Franciscan and Jesuit missions mingled with the Guaranis' dream of Yvy maraë´y , a land without evil, and produced singular societies. The ruins of the Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue, UNESCO World Heritage sites , and several villages throughout the country, are witnesses to that peaceful past. On 15 May 1811, a revolution ended the Spanish colonial rule and this day is celebrated as Paraguay's Independence Day.

Shortly after independence came the paranoid dictatorship of Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia (1814–1840) who, convinced of plots to kill him, declared that the buildings in Asunción had to be low enough so that he could see who was on the roof while riding his horse and that at every street corner he should be able to see in all four directions so that would-be assassins would have nowhere to hide. The destruction of colonial buildings that didn't fit in with this scheme robbed Asunción of some architectural gems.

But Paraguay also has a history of wars, having fought with all its neighbours. It was one of the richest countries in the mid-19th century (the only one in America to have railways at that time) before the disastrous 1865-70 War of the Triple Alliance. Paraguay was invaded by the allied forces of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and after 5 years of heavy fighting and utter destruction, the country surrendered. The result was the loss of two-thirds of all adult males and a great part of its territory.

A unique event was the scene of the first attempt at Communism when 700 people sailed from Sydney, Australia, in 1893 to found "New Australia." Two-thirds of the immigrants eventually returned to Australia but around 2,000 Paraguayans can trace their heritage to Australia.

To complete the fighting with its neighbors, in the 1930s another war broke out, the Chaco War of 1932-35 engaged Paraguay with Bolivia over the possession of the Chaco region. When the war ended, large and economically important areas of the Chaco that belonged to Paraguay were given to Bolivia as part of the peace treaty of 1938.

After World War II , Paraguay received many immigrants. New colonies of Germans, Russians, Italians, Ukrainians, Japanese and Mennonites were established in different parts of the country.

The dictator Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown in 1989 after 35 years of autocracy, and democratically elected governments have ruled since then. Modern Paraguay is largely based upon political uncertainty and economic hardship. Moving to a more modern market economy has increased prosperity but also inequality. While Asuncion is filled with new economic prospects and construction, much of the country remains underdeveloped, with poor infrastructure.

Geography [ edit ]

With a total surface area of 406,752 km², Paraguay is divided by the Paraguay River into two well-differentiated natural regions: the Eastern or Oriental Region and the Western or Chaco Region, each one with their own fauna, flora, and particular characteristics.

Although Paraguay is landlocked, the country is watered by numerous rivers, streams, and lakes, which are all part of the Rio de la Plata river basin. The two principal rivers are the river Paraguay, which divides the country in two, and the river Paraná, which forms the frontier with Paraná state in Brazil and with Corrientes and Misiones provinces in Argentina.

Overall Paraguay is a quite flat country; while its western neighbours Argentina and Bolivia include mountains higher than 6,000 m above sea level, the highest point in Paraguay is Cerro Tres Kandú with a height of 842 m.

Climate [ edit ]

The Paraguay climate is generally hot for most of the year. The fact is that the Tropic of Capricorn passes through the city of Belén in Northern Paraguay, dividing the country into a tropical area to the north and a temperate one to the south. The hottest time of year is from November to February when daytime temperatures can peak around 45 °C (113 °F) and high atmospheric pressure makes just walking along the street a tough task.

Winter (June to September) is pleasantly warm during the day (around 20 °C (68 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F)), generally sunny and dry but frequently cool at night with the occasional morning frost. January is the hottest month with an average maximum temperature of 36 °C (97 °F), and July is the coldest with a minimum average of 9 °C (48 °F).

Eastern Paraguay can be very humid, while western Paraguay (the Chaco) is dry. There is no real rainy season, but from September to November electric storms become more frequent and travelling off-road can be more difficult. The climate generally follows the prevailing winds, viento sur (southerly winds) bringing cooler temperatures from Patagonia and viento norte (northern winds) bringing hotter weather from the tropics.

People [ edit ]

Paraguay, like its neighbours, is a 'melting pot' of cultures. The indigenous presence here is prominent; most of the population is of mestizo origin, and Guaraní is an official language along with Spanish. Major European ancestries include Spanish and Italian.

Paraguay has a sizeable German population, and the Chaco is known for its well established Mennonite communities. Alfredo Stroessner, one of Paraguay's presidents, had German roots.

Tourism [ edit ]

Most travellers "of" the beaten track will not enjoy Paraguay nor recommend it to others. It can certainly not keep track with sights like Torres del Paine, Salar de Uyuni, El Calafate or Machu Picchu in South America. However, for people disgusted with the commercialisation of travelling and in the search of the journey to themselves and the authentic side of South America, Paraguay offers many gems, a laid-back and inexpensive journey, and a way to the warm heart of South American people.

Visitor information [ edit ]

Tourism website

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ]

Visa-free entry [ edit ].

Citizens of Mercosur member states ― Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Ecuador , and Peru ― enjoy freedom of movement in Paraguay. They can just enter with their National ID card.

All adult visitors from South American countries, except the Guyanas, may enter Paraguay with their National ID card. All other visitors travelling to Paraguay are required to carry a valid passport. Visa-free access for visitors from the European Union, Latin American countries, as well as South Korea (30 days), Japan, Israel, South Africa and Taiwan. All tourists are granted a tourist visa for 90 days .

In case you leave the country via one of the many land borders, an exit stamp is not necessarily required if you travel visa-free and receive a proper entry stamp in the following country. On (re-)entry into Paraguay, no one will check your existing stamps for completeness. Also, in case you visit Ciudad del Este , you might travel forth and back between the border for various reasons, hence just having entry stamps of both countries (Brazil and Paraguay) is convenient. Entering/leaving through one of the many land borders can be a good way of leaving the country in case you accidentally overstayed.

Visa entry [ edit ]

Visas are no longer required for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. This change is valid until October of 2024, as part of a plan to reactivate tourism. Travellers of all other nationalities should check the visa requirements for their country with the nearest Paraguayan Embassy before travelling to Paraguay.

Except for the countries named above, visas must be obtained in advance through the Paraguayan Embassy or Consulate, as they are not available upon entry to the country.

Land borders [ edit ]

Paraguay has many land border crossings and allows for easy entry from Bolivia , Brazil and Argentina if you have a valid visa or can enter visa-free. Border formalities are sometimes not carried out at the border but at the next bigger city/town, like in Concepción coming from Bolivia or Brazil, or in Mariscal Estigarribia coming from Bolivia or Argentina. Otherwise Formosa to Asunción , Ciudad del Este and Encarnación are straight forward.

By plane [ edit ]

Although it is in the centre of South America, there isn't an abundance of flights. The only intercontinental flight is the four-times a week Air Europa's offer from Madrid Barajas to Asuncion, so most overseas travellers must change planes either in São Paulo ( for those coming from North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia ), Buenos Aires or Santiago ( for those coming from Australia and the Pacific ), and Lima or Panama City ( for those coming from Central America and the Caribbean ). The main international airport is Silvio Pettirosi ( ASU IATA ) 10 km outside the capital, Asunción.

The following airlines offer direct flights to Paraguay:

Aerolíneas Argentinas ( to Buenos Aires ).
Air Europa ( to Madrid and Cordoba ).
Amaszonas ( to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Salta, Corrientes, Campo Grande, Porto Alegre, Campinas, Rio de Janeiro and Iquique ). ( updated Jan 2018 )
Avianca ( to Lima ).
Copa Airlines ( to Panama City ).
GOL ( to Sao Paulo ).
LATAM ( to Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima ).

By train [ edit ]

There is a train shuttle between Encarnación , Paraguay and Posadas , Argentina. The service connects both sides of the international border in 10 minutes crossing the Paraná River through the San Roque González de Santa Cruz International Bridge.

By bus [ edit ]

Bus service is available to and from a wide range of South American cities. You can take a bus from Santiago , Chile; São Paulo, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cordoba , Argentina; Santa Cruz , Bolivia; Montevideo , Uruguay; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Buses are very modern and some buses have seats that fully recline into beds. In Spanish they are called coche-cama. Semi-cama recline most of the way.

The bus to and from Bolivia crosses the Chaco. Only one bus company does the trip, from Santa Cruz to Asunción, with possible stops at Villamontes (Bolivia) or a few kilometers of Filadelfia (Paraguay) but typically for the same price. Beware that tourists should bargain, with minimum prices of US$45 (payable in local currency or in USD). The trip takes at least a full day, and easily more. The bus coming from Santa Cruz passes Villamontes at about 02:00.

The bus from Ciudad Del Este (Paraguay) at the border with Brazil is typically cheaper for going to Rio or São Paulo than the bus going from Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil). To go to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) many city buses cross Brazil (without Brazilian border control) into Argentina for only AR$10 or ₲10,000. Best visit the border in advance to get an exit stamp for Paraguay because not all buses make a stop, otherwise ask before jumping on a bus.

By boat [ edit ]

Two boats travel regularly from Concepción up the Paraguay River to Bahía Negra (near the Bolivian border) or Fuerte Olimpo (mostly for Brazil) once a week and back stopping at all Paraguayan ports allowing for entry from/to Brazil and Bolivia. These boats were not designed to carry a great number of passengers, but have private cabins for up to 4 people. So, expect a sticky crowded experience, but you can buy just about anything on board, even cold beer.

From Bolivia you need to organise transport between Puerto Suárez and Puerto Busch at the southern end of RN4, and from there a boat to/from the Paraguayan side, most like using the Estación Biológica “Los Tres Gigantes” option , or directly to/from Bahía Negra. However, there seems to be a proper trail through the jungle to Bahía Negra (~10 km) from the most southern corner of Bolivia (in this region). Check out the maps ( OpenStreetMap ) and satellite pictures .

Get around [ edit ]

Buses , also called Colectivos in Paraguay, are the most common public transport. There are many companies running different lines.

When leaving from Asunción, the web page of the bus terminal [dead link] has information about ticket prices for all destinations and bus companies as well as departure times. The site is in Spanish only and there's no information about travel times nor schedules for trips towards Asuncion.

Some intercity bus companies include:

Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
La Encarnacena [dead link]

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are expensive compared to other prices in Paraguay, and in Asunción, the fares are determined by the meter. Tipping in taxis is not customary among locals (although drivers do appreciate it). Expect to pay a small surcharge on top of the fare if you are taking a taxi late in the evening, or on a Sunday.

Outside Asunción there are no meters so make sure you decide on a price before you get in. Bargaining on a price may be useful, as tourists have been asked for US$10 for a five-minute ride. To prevent any disputes, always ask your hotel concierge how much the real cost of the fare should be.

By car [ edit ]

There are highways connecting all the major regions of Paraguay, but most of them are one lane each way. You may hit toll booths along the way.

Police may pull you over for any reason and will expect bribes. Locals may say that the most common way to avoid giving too much money on the bribes requested by the 'polícia caminera' (road police) is by giving them a small guarani note while shaking their hands when they stop your car. Also, it is advised that, when they ask you, play dumb until they let you go with a warning and do not admit to travelling through Paraguay for the first time. Refrain from handing out bribes, known as coimas, since it is only harmful for the country. Tell them that you don't carry money and that you weren't aware that was not allowed. If you have committed something wrong, you should pay the fine and always ask for a receipt.

You will probably only face this kind of problem with the police on the country roads. These problems do not generally occur in any of the wealthier areas of the major cities where you can keep a somewhat 'nicer' relationship with the police.

By thumb [ edit ]

Contrary to expectations, tugged between Northern Argentina, Bolivia and Western Brazil, which are not very popular with hitch-hikers , travelling by thumb in Paraguay is possible and surprisingly easy for tourists, even though not generally common. Along the main roads with much traffic, you will always find the odd helper that takes you along the way, even couples and women. Often, you will not have to wait longer than 15 min, but barely an hour. Hitch-hiking can be considerably faster than taking the bus around Paraguay that stops every 5 km to pick up/off. Nevertheless, on rural roads traffic can be very light, and often people use motorbikes or cover only short distances, thus hesitant to pick you up. But you can always try and opt for the bus if the thumb does not work.

Do not expect big conversations with locals like in Southern Argentina: the attitude of people is more like in Chile. But Paraguay offers far better access to passing cars than Chile with its major and complicated highways in the center.

On foot and navigation [ edit ]

If you are travelling on foot, by thumb, by bicycle or by car, it is important to have a proper and reliable map with you. In addition, using GPS navigation adds an extra layer of safety, both in cities as well as the countryside. For reliable (offline) maps and comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap , which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz . Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

Talk [ edit ]

Both Spanish and Guaraní are official. Most people in Paraguay speak Spanish and use of English is very limited. Outside of Asunción and big cities, Guaraní is all you will hear. Due to the extensive use of Guaraní, even those who have managed to learn Spanish do not always speak it very well.

In Paraguay, Guaraní is almost always spoken as a mix of Guarani and Spanish, known as Jopara, meaning "mixed" in Guarani. The number system in Guaraní is rarely used, and is almost always replaced with the Spanish number system.

In Paraguay vos is used instead of tu . There is a slight change in conjugation but not big enough that you won't be understood using tu . This vos is not the same as vosotros . Stems do not change in verbs when using "vos", and the ending is always stressed. For example "tienes" changes to "tenés", "puedes" changes to "podés", "vienes" changes to "venís" etc.

In the northern and eastern parts of Paraguay, Portuguese is spoken widely. In some places, Nueva Esperanza (80% Portuguese speaking), Katuetè (60%) the majority speak Portuguese, almost always the result of Paraguayan-born, or first-generation Brazilian immigrants. There are many cases of Paraguayans, who were born during the era of Brazilian immigration and who speak only Portuguese at home, although also fluent in Guaraní and Spanish.

There are also a number of Mennonite communities throughout Paraguay where Low German and standard German are spoken.

See [ edit ]

The capital Asunción hosts a large part of the country's sights.
In Trinidad you can see Paraguay's only UNESCO World Heritage Site ; the Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesus de Tavarangue .
There is a well in the city of Santani (San Pedro) that does not go dry. The local museum also contains a large snakeskin.
The Itaipu dam near Ciudad del Este which is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, measured by generated power. Contrary to the Brazilian side, all tours to the dam are free, just some require early registration .
Also in Ciudad del Este (actually in Presidente Franco just south), you can find the impressive Salto Del Monday waterfall, and while not as large as the nearby Iguazu Falls , but definitely worth a visit.
Encarnación is a laid-back city with the beautiful San Jose (river) Beach and a relaxing promenade where you can just hang around for a couple of days and enjoy the local bar culture.
The Catedral Virgen de Caacupé in Caacupé is a beautiful church with a tower viewpoint not far from Asunción.
The Iglesia San Buenaventura de Yaguarón (or Templo de San Buenaventure ) in Yaguarón inhibits impressive baroque wood carvings inside a rather unconventional, although typical for this region, church (closed Mondays).

Do [ edit ]

Sights around Asunción . There are some interesting sights around Asunción well worth a day or 2 day trip. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Aquidabán Cargo Ferry . Take this 3 day ferry up north along the Paraguay River for a quite different but authentic local experience. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Estación Biológica Los Tres Gigantes . Visit this nature park in the Pantanal. The Pantanal spreads over Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay and inherits an extraordinary set of local flora and fauna. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Cerro Corá National Park . If you are in search for a 1-2 day national park that combines short trails, history and beautiful landscape, head here. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Nature Reserve Cordillera San Rafael . Far larger than Cerro Corá is this nature reserve between Encarnación and Ciudad del Este. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Snow Park , Ciudad Del Este . If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, check out the Snow Park in Ciudad Del Este. Grab a board or some skis and hit the piste. ( updated Jun 2018 )
Contrary to Argentina and Bolivia, national parks and historical sites run by the government are generally free or cheap: the three Jesuit sites near Trinidad, for instance, are just €4. On the other hand, some parks are run privately and demand steep entrance and accommodation prices, like the Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve . However, they might cater more specifically for tourists with the intention to deliver "results" and could be worth it.

Events [ edit ]

Areté Guazú (Big Festival) - a three-day indigenous celebration held between February/March in many locations, including Filadelfia and Mariscal Estigarribia .
Expo Rodeo Trébol - the largest expo and rodeo event of the Chaco, held mid-August in Loma Plata .
Transchaco rally - major sports event that affects the Central Chaco Region during late September.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The currency is the guaraní (ISO 4217 code: PYG ), denoted by the symbol ₲ . The abbreviation "GS." is generally used locally, and it is used in Wikivoyage articles as well.

Banknotes are issued in denominations of ₲2,000, ₲5,000, ₲10,000, ₲20,000, ₲50,000 and ₲100,000. Coins are issued in denominations of ₲50, ₲100, ₲500 and ₲1,000.

Always check the exchange rate quotations on the internet or several major newspapers before exchanging money. However, since summer 2015 exchange rates to the US dollar have been quite stable.

ATMs [ edit ]

ATMs are widespread, even in places like Vallemí . Most banks (Banco Continental, BBVA/B24, Regional, Vision Banco, Itaú, Banco Familiar, Banco Interfisa, etc.) however belong to the same network (Red Infonet) and charge GS.25,000 for each withdrawal with a credit card, but allow amounts up to GS.1,500,000. BNF uses a different network but is not reliably working with Visa. You might be lucky with an international bank, but they are hard to find or just do not exist.

Money exchange [ edit ]

Never exchange money with the vendors on the street. They usually have very bad rates and cannot be trusted.

In Asunción, there are many regular cambios , which offer quite competitive rates for US dollars and other foreign currencies, with the exchange rate being barely 1% off the interbank exchange rate.

This way, exchanging money instead of using credit cards and ATMs is preferable. However, carrying too much (foreign) money is not a good idea. However, if you are coming from Uruguay, it might be a good idea to use the ability of their ATMs to withdraw US dollars for this purpose. Otherwise, in Paraguay, you will always have to withdraw larger amounts of cash with ATMs to keep the fees low.

Prices [ edit ]

Paraguay has been ranked by several research studies as the cheapest country in the world, measured through Purchasing Power Parity. Prices in Paraguay are very low and a budget traveller will be able to get by on as little as US$7-14 a day and even less if camping. A clean, single hotel room out of Asunción should not cost more than US$10.

However, when travelling on budget level, this cheapness is not regularly achievable. Sometimes there are no hostels around and one has to settle with a little more expensive hospedaje room (€5-10) in remote regions. Also, bus travel is generally more expensive than in Bolivia due to the fewer competing bus companies. This can increase travel costs and make Paraguay a more expensive destinations than Bolivia or Peru . Nevertheless, if you prefer hitch-hiking and have a tent, it is another story and travelling in Paraguay can be very cheap—such options are less feasible in Bolivia or Peru.

Tipping [ edit ]

Service charges are included with the bill, and tipping is uncommon.

Shopping [ edit ]

Paraguay has a very rich and diverse craftmanship, everything from silver filigree (Luque) to cotton fine lace in the form of Ñanduti (Itaugua) is available. Also leather goods with local “repujado” embellishments (Atyra) and ao poi, encaje yu embroidery. Ceramic (Ita) and weavery is also very popular, cheap and beautiful. Leather football balls are sold, and hand made in the town of Quiindy.

Bargaining [ edit ]

Bargaining is not generally common or even necessary. For example, buying a bus ticket, most will state the same price. When boarding a bus outside of terminals though, e.g. along the highway, you can ask for a lower price. Even though, no one generally does that, they will most likely still take you along for the 10 or 20,000 guaranis less, if you ask. Also, with hostels you might ask for a lower price passing on the breakfast. Often, instead of demanding a lower price, just saying that you only got this or that amount left, does work as well. Or if Chipa is GS.2,000, asking 3 for GS.5,000 can work. However, at the market you generally need big amounts to get a discount: no one will bargain for 12 eggs.

Eat [ edit ]

Paraguayan food is one of the most diverse in South America. Paraguayans usually enjoy typical food several times a week all year round. You'll find much of the standard South American cuisine here with some Brazilian influence as well. Paraguayan food isn't particularly spicy, so those who can't tolerate spices won't have problems here.

Paraguay has a tradition for beef which is normally good quality and cheap. Grilled meat (asado) is the thing to eat. Pasta is also popular as are the street stalls selling panchos (hot-dogs), hamburgers, empanadas and similar fast-food. Vegetables, salad and other types of meat are not that common but available. In restaurants you normally get manioc as a side dish for free (similar to bread in other countries).

Local specialties [ edit ]

You must try the Paraguayan traditional food, which includes dishes like the following:

Chipa-a bread baked in an outdoor oven or "tatacua", usually made out of mandioca (manioc) flour. Mandioca is often substituted for potatoes. Mandioca, or Mandi´o in Guarani is similar to a potato, and is normally eaten boiled but can be fried. It is eaten almost everyday by Paraguayans, and many have it growing on their land.
Mbeju is a mandioca starch and Paraguayan cheese based flatbread.
Pastel madi'o is a manioc pastry stuffed with "So'o ku'í" or minced meat.
Sopa Paraguaya is a form of corn bread are two of the most well known. Sopa means soup, so it is an unusual experience to be actually eating a solid soup, probably the only one in the world.
Tortillas in Paraguay are different than in other places in Latin America. It is more like a fried dough (made with Paraguayan cheese).
Payagua mascada (Guarani for chewing gum for dogs but has nothing to do with that) is a tortilla also made with manioc and beef (high in proteins and calories).
Try Sopa So'o if you get the chance, which is Paraguayan cornbread with bits of pieces of meat often marinated with garlic and lime.
Pira caldo is a soup consisting of catfish, tomatoes, fat and spices
Asado (BBQ) is great, and prices are quite reasonable - ₲20,000 will get you an all-you-can-eat buffet at many nice places. ₲5,000 is enough to pay for a hamburger.
Also highly popular are empanadas (meat/egg stuffed in a pastry and baked) and milanesa (breaded and fried chicken/beef/fish): these are considered fast food, and are also found in other countries in the region. If you order a hamburger at a restaurant, expect it to come topped with a fried egg.

Drink [ edit ]

Mate and Tereré [ edit ]

The most common drink in Paraguay is Mate made of Yerba Mate (Mate herbs) which is similar in style to tea but the preparation is distinct. To add sugar is not common in Paraguay. The infusion is prepared by pouring dry yerba into the cup, then adding water: the hot water version is known as mate (preferred in Argentina and Uruguay) while the cold water version is known as tereré and is a local favourite. When it is hot outside, it is more common to drink it as tereré , served in guampas, which can be made out of wood or of hallow bull horns, and is drunk through a metal straw called a bombilla.

Mate is usually enjoyed in the early mornings and late evenings, especially during cold days in winter. Terere is enjoyed year-round, though not during lunchtime and past sunset, as many recommend. Still, you can see every type of Paraguayan (from construction workers to business executives) carry their tereré set at all times. It is a social activity so the cup is passed around: with in between a refill for each person. If you are offered either you should accept at least one cup. If you can get used to the taste and participate, locals will be appreciative. Often, herbs are added to the tereré water (locally called 'remedios' or 'yuyos', which cure different ailments). For example, adding coconut to one's mate is supposed to help with headaches. The taste is best described as earthy, like a bitter green tea, and it will take getting used to before you can enjoy it.

Drinking mate or tereré is most definitely one of the social customs of Paraguay. Shops will close around noon for a siesta and for a round of mate/tereré with friends.

Another variation of preparation is to boil the yerba on the stove with sugar and then strain it before serving it with milk. It tastes a bit like smoked tea. In this form, it is called Cocido , which simply means "cooked".

Other non-alcoholic beverages [ edit ]

Coffee is mostly of an Italian variety.
Gaseosa means fizzy drinks of any description. All the usual brands are available. Try the local Guarana .
Pulp is a very popular Paraguayan soft drink. You can buy it a supermarkets or order it in various restaurantes and bars. The original is Pulp Naranja, made with real orange juice.
Mosto helado is extracted from the sugar cane and very sweet, sometimes mixed with lime juice to make an 'aloja'. You can find street carts selling mosto near the centro area and in the countryside.
In Paraguay, orange juice and other fruit juices, unless squeezed fresh, are almost always reconstituted from dehydrated concentrate. This applies to all unrefrigerated Tetra-Pak juices. The dehydration process destroys vitamin C, and unlike in the West, ascorbic acid may not be added back after reconstitution, thus these fruit juices may not contain any appreciable amount of vitamin C . Either check the packaging, buy fresh juice (freshly squeezed from a street vendor, or Purifru brand in the refrigerator cabinet), or enjoy the wide variety of fresh fruit available on many street corners.

Alcoholic beverages [ edit ]

Beer is widely available, as are many liquors. The national beer brand is Pilsen. However, Brazil's Brahma is very popular.
Paraguayan hard liquor is similar to rum and is known locally as caña. It is made from sugar cane.

Sleep [ edit ]

Good accommodation will certainly not be hard to find in major towns, and will seem reasonably cheap if the parameter is the dollar or the euro. Prices for cheap and decent accommodation range from GS.40,000 (in/near Asunción and Conceptión) to GS.60,000 (in Encarnación).

The exception, however, is Ciudad del Este . In Ciuded del Este the cheapest accommodation is near the bus station with doubles for less than €10, in an area that is also pleasant in the evening. Cheaper accommodation is easy to find, but if you're after something of higher quality, then you'll have better chances in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), just a short bus ride (R$5.50 or GS.8,000) across the bridge, or in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). However, Brazil is easier regarding immigration, not requiring people to have a stamp if just visiting for a day and thus not checking the buses that enter or leave Brazil. This option is not available with Argentina, and this crossing is also considerably more time-consuming.

Camping [ edit ]

Camping in Paraguay is possible and easy, especially in remote regions like the Chaco . Many opportunities exist, just along the highways often you need to search a little more, because the roads are often spotted with poor indigenous populations. Camping near the border region with Brazil is probably not recommended. For remote camping sites consult OpenStreetMap , which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. It is community-based and listed (remote) camping sites are often verified by real people.

Learn [ edit ]

Although there are few Spanish language learning schools, there are however quite a few snake skin peeling courses available in most small towns. For a moderate to high price (depending on the expertise), you train with the snake skinners for one day at their personal ranch while learning the ins and outs of the reptiles local to the area. Most are non-venomous just be on the lookout for two headed ones that might get you while you have your hand around another. Most lessons go into the evening where the skinner or hunter will prepare a dinner featuring the snake meat, while preserving the skin of course. Most commonly cooked on the grill, snake is a common delicacy in Paraguay.

The other official language is Guaraní . It is an indigenous language spoken widely outside of Asunción. Most Paraguayans can speak both Spanish and Guaraní. When Guaraní is spoken, Spanish words are interspersed with Guaraní, especially for words and phrases that are more complicated to say in Guaraní. Classes to learn Guaraní are unheard of for foreigners (though in the big cities, students who speak Spanish as their first language can opt to learn Guaraní as a second language). There are books available in stores, though the best way to learn would be to speak to the locals.

You can learn local artisanry such as ñanduti embroidery and ao poi at the Instituto Paraguayode Artesanía .

Work [ edit ]

Although Paraguay has some of the lowest living costs in the world and welcomes foreign investment, it is not a hugely popular destination for expatriates. The Paraguayan economy is remarkably small and economic opportunities, particularly for highly skilled professionals, are limited.

Like most countries in South America, the Paraguayan government has a very welcoming approach to immigration. For example, you can obtain permanent residency by simply depositing $5000 or equivalent in a Paraguayan bank account.

Most people who live in the rural areas of Paraguay are subsistence farmers. They eat what they farm and they sell or barter the rest.

Volunteering (and learning Spanish at the same time) is big in South America and thus also in Paraguay: see the general information on the South America article .

Cope [ edit ]

Facebook has a Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay Backpacker / Traveler group where you can find other travellers and up-to-date information on the country. In general, also see South America#Cope .

Stay safe [ edit ]

Generally speaking, Paraguay is a safe country.

There are not many large cities and if you use some common sense and street smarts, you are unlikely to run into any trouble. The police are known to be corrupt, and if you are pulled over for any reason, you will almost certainly be expected to pay a bribe. In Asunción most cops are not corrupt. In the cities crime is common, though not as rampant as in other cities such as Rio de Janeiro , São Paulo and Buenos Aires .

Ciudad del Este is a hotspot for illicit activities, such as money laundering and counterfeiting, but that should not affect your travels. That said, you will want to keep an eye on your bags and wallet here, as you would do in any other large city. Generally, as long as you aren't involved in drug smuggling (inadvertently or otherwise), and are alert to pickpockets, you should be safe most of the time.

Southern regions of Paraguay is part of the South America Tornado Corridor , the second most tornado-prone area in the world (behind the United States Tornado Alley). Monitor local media notices and if you see that the sky is dark, the light take on a greenish-yellow cast or a loud sound that sounds like a freight train, this could be an indication of a tornado. Find shelter immediately. Refer to the tornado safety article for analysis of the issues here.

Corruption [ edit ]

Transparency International routinely ranks Paraguay as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Although Paraguay has a legal framework that penalises corruption, enforcement of it is horribly weak.

The police force is one of the most corrupt institutions in the country. Numerous reports have documented that many members of the police force engage in illegal activities such as money laundering, embezzlement, extortion, and bribery to supplement their very low salaries. In 2015, the commander of the Paraguayan police force, his son, and six others were arrested for stealing $230,000 from the police force's gasoline fund to purchase luxury cars and houses, a rare indictment in a country where corrupt officials enjoy impunity. Therefore, it is clear that you should not trust the police.

Road safety [ edit ]

Driving in Paraguay is wild and the country has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world. Paraguayan drivers, in general, are known for their careless and reckless driving habits; they often ignore stop signs, do not observe speed limits, do not drive without insurance coverage, and have no regard for safety. Traffic rules are weakly enforced by the police and widely disregarded.

Paraguay's road network, overall, is underdeveloped, poorly maintained, and suffers from chronic underinvestment. During the rainy season (November-April), many roads end up getting flooded, making most road journeys difficult.

Police checks are common in Asuncion and its neighbouring cities. If you've been stopped by a police officer for whatever reason, comply.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00% . In other words, do not drive under the influence.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Hospitals in Paraguay range from decent to unsanitary and unequipped. If you get desperately ill, try to get to the best hospital even if it takes a bit longer: you may not find surgical gloves in the worst of them.
There are many stray dogs running the streets - avoid them. They usually won't bother you.

Diseases [ edit ]

As usual with diseases – prevention is better than cure. Maintaining good hygiene can help prevent illness.

Be sure to cover up your feet when treading on unclean floors, soil and sand by using sturdy shoes as you may pick up a foot flea known locally as pique . These pests will usually collect around your toes and lay their eggs under the skin, usually around the toes which if not taken care of can lead to tungiasis.

If you have picked up a pique, you may notice itching or tenderness in your feet. It's recommended to seek medical attention, though oil-based products which you can acquire yourself without a prescription seem to be best at suffocating these:

NYDA® – the World Health Organization (WHO) states that NYDA® which is used to kill head lice is the most effective as it kills adults and eggs.
Vaseline – you could also use Vaseline to suffocate the adults, but the eggs would remain and you would need to apply it consistently so buy several tins.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) – another albeit more dangerous option is to use a piercing needle, pour hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of one 15 ml (0.53 imp fl oz; 0.51 US fl oz) to 5 liters (169 fl oz.) of clean water over them and then dig the bugs out.

Tungiasis can lead to serious bacterial infections if left untreated including gangrene, so make sure to get this early!

Paraguay is also in the risk zone for the two most common tropical fevers carried by mosquitoes : dengue and yellow fever .

Tap water [ edit ]

Tap water in Asunción, and possibly Ciudad del Este, is potable. Tap water in the rest of Paraguay should be treated to make it safe for drinking. There have been efforts by PLAN International to bring safe, potable water to communities in rural areas (if there is such water available, it is safe to drink). Ask before drinking water in rural areas: many Paraguayans will claim their water is safe to drink even if it's not purified.

Respect [ edit ]

In general, Paraguayans are friendly, polite, and soft-spoken people. Since Paraguay is one of the least visited countries in South America, you're likely to attract attention from very curious people.

General [ edit ]

Paraguayans are rather relaxed about time; you can expect your Paraguayan counterparts to be at least 10-20 minutes late for an appointment. This is completely normal and it does not , in any way, imply that Paraguayans are disrespectful. Flights and buses usually never leave on time.

Impatience is not appreciated. Do not shout, raise your voice, or lose your temper in public. Paraguayans conduct themselves in a patient, collected manner and you're expected to do the same.

Food is a huge part of Paraguayan culture. If you've been offered food by your host(s), eat and say good things about it. Not doing so may offend your host(s).

It is always considered courteous for men to shake hands whenever they meet. Between a man and a woman, or two women, it is common to shake hands and to give a kiss on each cheek. Also when meeting, people will ask not how you are, but if everything is all right, ("¿todo bien?"). The response to this is always, yes everything, and you, ("si estoy bien y vos?") Even if you are having a terrible day, when someone asks such as an acquaintance in the street, one always responds with yes, everything.

Ask questions about or demonstrate some interest in the country. As is the case anywhere, Paraguayans appreciate good comments about and interest in their country, customs, and culture.

Conversation [ edit ]

In Paraguay, due to the small number of tourists and foreigners, during a first encounter people might make jokes or start making fun of you. This is not meant in an impolite way, it is just the people acknowledging differences between you and them and should not be interpreted offensively. Paraguayans, just like Argentinians, especially in the cities and among the youth, tend to have a very acid sense of humour.

It is very difficult to find people who speak English in most of the country, but if you are very patient and try to communicate in Spanish or with signs, most Paraguayans will try to help you out. Those who can will often single you out and begin a conversation themselves, eager to try out their English. People are very kind and helpful, and they will be glad to meet a foreigner.

Sensitive issues [ edit ]

As is the case in any foreign country, foreign criticism and opinions of Paraguay's government and politicians are seldom appreciated; it could get Paraguayans to think you're insulting their country.

Connect [ edit ]

By internet [ edit ].

Wi-Fi access is possible at most cafés and restaurants in large cities and tourist towns. Just have a coffee and ask for the password. Public Wi-Fi is also possible in public places like plazas and shopping malls.

Newspapers [ edit ]

Post [ edit ].

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Paraguay travel guide

Paraguay tourism | paraguay guide, you're going to love paraguay.

Nestled quietly between more popular neighboring countries, Paraguay is often forgotten by the main masses of tourists, making it the ideal place to explore if you like off-the-beaten-track experiences.

What to do in Paraguay

1. discover asunción.

Paraguay's capital will welcome you with its colorful streets and a cup of Tereré, a cold brewed herbal tea drink that is especially popular in the summer months. While there, make sure you visit Museo del Barro to learn about the country's history, as well as one of its most iconic buildings, Palacio de Los López.

2. Visit the Saltos del Monday Waterfalls

These spectacular waterfalls are 150 ft deep and 400 ft wide. They are the main attraction of the park they're located in, Municipal Park Monday, and very close to the triple border that joins Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina.

3. Explore Jesuit Ruins in Trinidad

La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná was the biggest Jesuit mission in the world, and its ruins are well maintained and constantly restored. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see when you go to Paraguay.

4. Relax at Laguna Blanca

While Paraguay doesn't have a seaside of its own, its natural lake Laguna Blanca provides a great beach alternative and is well set up for visitors and tourists. It is also an ecological site with over 275 species of native birds.

5. Hike to Cerro Tres Kandú

Sitting at about 2,700 ft of altitude, Cerro Tres Kandú is Paraguay's highest point. The hike up is a mix of easy and intermediate levels and can be done in under 2h.

When to visit Paraguay

The summer months in Paraguay are between October and March and offer warm weather. However, for cooler and less humid weather, head there between April and September, which is also when a lot of events and festivals are planned.

How to Get to Paraguay

Entry requirements.

Citizens of most EU countries can enter Paraguay without a visa, while citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can get a visa on arrival at the airport in Asunción. For any other country, a visa is needed prior to arrival.

The most common way of getting to Paraguay is by flying to the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción, with nonstop flights available to and from a large number of locations, including other South American countries, Miami and Madrid.

It is possible to drive into Paraguay from Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia; however, make sure the conditions of the rental contract allow for travel into Paraguay, as some companies have restrictions.

Regular and direct buses are available from a large number of South American cities, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, from La Paz in Bolivia crossing via Gran Chaco, and from Buenos Aires in Argentina going to Asunción via Clorinda.

Popular airports in Paraguay

Popular airlines serving paraguay, where to stay in paraguay.

If you are staying in the main cities, you will easily find hotels and budget accommodation in the form of hostels or guesthouses. In areas that are further out, you will find lodges and homestays.

Where to stay in popular areas of Paraguay

Most booked hotels in paraguay, how to get around paraguay, public transportation.

The main form of public transport in Paraguay are buses; however, shared taxis called Colectivos are also commonly used.

There are many bus companies that travel around the country, such as Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and La Encarnacena. Each company services a different area of the country.

Renting a car provides flexibility to explore the country at will; however, traveling outside of the main cities requires a 4WD, which costs more to rent. Make sure to verify the included mileage before signing the rental contract.

Best car rental deals in Paraguay

2 Adults, 2 Bags

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

The Cost of Living in Paraguay

Eating out in Paraguay will cost around 25,000 PYG (4 USD) for an inexpensive meal and about 75,000 PYG (12 USD) per person for a mid-range meal. A one-way local bus ticket costs around 3,500 PYG (0.50 USD). Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major hotels, restaurants and establishments; however, it is best to keep some cash as it can be useful, especially change and smaller notes.

South America
17 Must Visit Attractions In...

17 Must-Visit Attractions in Paraguay

Little-known Paraguay is tucked away unassumingly in the heart of South America . For backpackers with an old-school map and an open mind, it offers untamed natural beauty, scorching summers and a fascinating colonial story just waiting to be discovered. To help you along, check out our guide to Paraguay’s must-visit attractions.

Saltos del monday.

On the outskirts of Ciudad del Este lies one of Paraguay’s most spectacular natural wonders: Saltos del Monday. This thunderous series of waterfalls is an astonishing 45 metres tall and 120 metres wide. Adventurers can climb and abseil down the rocky walls, while observers keen to stay on dry land can watch the falls tumble into the depths below from wooden walkways snaking across the river.

This immense dam on the border with Brazil is one of the largest hydroelectric dams on the planet. It’s worth the trip to admire the colossal scale of this feat of engineering. The dam has its own mini ecosystem too – head out on a fishing excursion or a bird-watching tour to see the local residents.

Bella Vista’s tereré plantations

The bitter herbal tea known as tereré is Paraguay’s most beloved beverage. It was exported to Europe in the 19th century and even used as currency, exchanged for boats and building materials. Head to Bella Vista in the south of the country to take a tour of the immense plantations that pepper the countryside.

Ybycuí National Park

Bursting with wildlife and crisscrossed with trickling brooks and gushing waterfalls, this exotic park is the perfect escape after a few days in the capital. Visit the old iron foundry to learn about munitions production during the Triple Alliance War. After a refreshing dip in the park’s many natural pools, wander along the winding paths to spot capuchin monkeys, tropical butterflies, peccaries and coatí among the trees.

Manzana de la Rivera

Across the river from Asunción’s Palacio de López lies a collection of vibrant houses dating from the 1750s, known as Manzana de la Rivera. Painted in bright colours and lovingly restored, they capture the city’s colonial spirit and the Spanish influence that’s lived on in the architecture. Casa Viola is home to Museo Memoria de la Ciudad, which reflects on the capital’s past.

Areguá is a slice of Spain on the outskirts of Asunción’s suburbs. In this charming colonial town on the edge of Lago Ypacaraí, cobbled alleyways give way to leafy plazas, lined with quaint cafés and boutiques. Watersports are the main draw on the lake, while sunseekers can catch some rays on its sandy shores. Head just outside the town to see the geometric sandstone formations of the Kôi and Chororî hills.

This secluded lagoon – translated as ‘Eye of the Sea’ – in the jungle north of Bella Vista is shrouded in mystery. Locals believe that two enormous white crocodiles live in its depths, swallowing anyone who tries to cross. To reach it, you have to wind your way through the verdant countryside for miles, though your efforts will be rewarded by vibrant green waters, exotic birds and the rare Yacaré morotí crocodile.

La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná

You might find yourself alone at Trinidad’s Jesuit ruins, one of the least-visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the planet. This once lively mission was the home of European Jesuits and the rural Guaraní people they converted to Christianity. Once a city within walls, it’s now a crumbling ruin, a haunting relic of the colonial age. Stick around after dark to see the mission light up against the night sky.

Cerro Cora National Park

With some of the most dramatic scenery in Paraguay, Cerro Cora National Park is one of the country’s best ecotourism destinations. Surrounded by the eight mountains of the Amambay range, it was the stage for Francisco Solano López’s final battle during the Triple Alliance War. Today there are wooden trails through the forest, camping spots and plenty of opportunities to take a dip in the Río Aquidabán.

Iglesia de Yaguarón

This 18th-century Franciscan masterpiece in the colonial town of Yaguarón is one of the finest examples of religious art and colonial architecture in the country. Constructed at the height of the Baroque period in the mid-18th century, it deserves its reputation as the continent’s most decorative and beautiful church. It still has its original belltower and gold-leaf ceiling.

Fortín Boquerón

The Chaco War gripped Paraguay and Bolivia for three dark years in the early 1930s. The conflict’s most bitter and decisive battle was fought at Fortín Boquerón in the Gran Chaco – a stronghold in the wilderness. Here you’ll find a monument built from the trenches, the graves of the fallen and a museum detailing their sacrifice.

San Cosme y Damián

Looking for some sand and surf? The closest thing to the seaside in Paraguay is at San Cosme y Damián – a tiny town on the banks of the epic Río Paraná. The undulating sand dunes here could be plucked straight from Lawrence of Arabia’s Nafud Desert.

Basilica de Caacupé

This spectacular cathedral in Caacupé, east of Asunción, is one of the most significant religious buildings in Paraguay. Built in 1765 by the Franciscans on Guaraní lands, it served as a hospital during the Great War and stills stands as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics across the continent. Pope Francis even paid a visit in 2015.

Pantanal wetlands

Paraguay’s Pantanal, which stretches into Bolivia and Brazil, is the largest wetland on the planet. Here you’ll find swamp-loving creatures like caimans, boa constrictors, capybaras and otters. If you’re looking to stick around, there’s accommodation at Tres Gigantes biological station. Though under threat from development and deforestation, the wetlands are fiercely protected by the locals.

Colonia Independencia

This Mennonite town close to Villarrica is the perfect springboard to the Cordillera del Yvytyruzú – a beautiful park free of tourists, trails and entry fees. Hike up Cerro Akatî or Cerro de la Cruz for incredible views across the valley, or get your adrenaline pumping by abseiling over the waterfalls of Salto de la Cantera. In November, stick around for Choppfest, the best beer festival in the country.

Folk music and tribal art are the order of the day at this small city in central Paraguay. Pick up some delicate ñandutí – 17th century lace weaving that resembles colourful spider’s webs – from the shops and craft workshops that line the streets. Every year in March a festival is held in honour of this centuries-old art form.

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See & Do

Encarnacion: what to know about the city that disappeared under the dam.

This is Why a Paraguayan Town Has Become the Country's Hottest Beach Destination

Places to Stay

The best budget hostels and hotels in encarnacion, paraguay.

Why the Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue Ruins Are a Must in Paraguay

Food & Drink

The top 10 restaurants in asuncion, paraguay.

Bars & Cafes

The best cafes in asuncion, paraguay.

Restaurants

The best food-fusion restaurants in asuncion, paraguay.

The Best Nightclubs in Asuncion, Paraguay

The Best Boutique and Luxury Hotels in Encarnacion, Paraguay

The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Encarnacion, Paraguay

The Best and Most Exclusive Shopping Malls in Asuncion, Paraguay

A Walking Tour of Asuncion's Beautiful Architectural Landmarks

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You do not want to tell other people about it, for fear of spoiling it for yourself. And yet, at the same time, you do want to spread the word because you love it so much. Margaret Hebblethwaite , author of Paraguay: the Bradt Travel Guide

The bicentenary celebrations of Paraguayan independence in 2011 prompted a ‘face-lift’ of the capital city, Asunción, and there has been a rapid growth in facilities for visitors since then. The city now has a burgeoning bar and café scene, while its eastern counterpart, Ciudad del Este, is a neon-swathed boomtown.

Yet dig a little deeper and a different picture emerges: Jesuit ruins echo with centuries of history, rural families keep craft traditions alive and everything stops as people share a leisurely drink of tereré .

And beyond lies the country’s incomparable natural beauty, from the wild wetlands of Ñeembucú with herons flying overhead to the vast arid grandeur of the Chaco with its jaguars and bottle trees.

You can explore savannahs dotted with palm trees and red-earth roads, empty river-beaches, damp Atlantic forests, or the wild Chaco’s ‘green desert’, all without running into another foreigner.

You can swing in a hammock chugging slowly upriver, and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in the world. Folk dance, harp-playing and handicraft – particularly in lace-making and filigree silver jewellery – are vibrant, living traditions.

This is still a bilingual nation, with Guaraní spoken alongside Spanish – its character shaped by the legendary Jesuit missions with their romantic ruins and fine sculptures of saints, where the indigenous remained protected from European exploitation for over 150 years.

Paraguay is an emerging tourist destination. It is rapidly improving its facilities but is still mercifully free from tourist tat, and it remains a country with its own traditional culture. Discover it now while it is still authentic.

Food and drink in Paraguay

You can eat very well in Asunción, and even vegetarians will find plenty of good salads to fill their plates, even (indeed, especially) in the churrasquerías (restaurants serving roast meals). But most restaurants and bars in the interior of the country are very basic. Every town will have a bar which serves empanadas (like cornish pasties) and milanesas (escalopes), beer and fizzy drinks, and not much else. Most ordinary restaurants serve a small variety of meat dishes, accompanied by chips, rice salad, potato salad or a mixed salad (lettuce, tomato, onion), and it is usual to skip dessert entirely.

Petrol stations are good places to find cheap and readily available food, as many are open 24 hours and serve hot dogs ( panchos ), croissants ( media lunas ), capuccinos and other fast foods. A super pancho is a long hot dog with fillings of onion, sweet corn, cabbage, etc. Youths who go out at night in Asunción to bars or night clubs often finish with breakfast in a petrol station.

Many of the European staples are missing in Paraguay. It is not a tea country, or a coffee country, or a wine country; it is not a bread country or a cheese country. You can get good wine readily (imported from Chile and Argentina), and Hornimans do a Classic London Blend of tea. However, it is difficult to get good coffee, bread or cheese outside of good restaurants and specialised shops in Asunción. Instead of tea and coffee, the people drink tereré or cocido . Instead of wine they drink beer or gaseosa (fizzy drinks). They may drink a jugo (fruit juice) with their meals: these delicious mixtures blend fresh fruit with extra water and sugar, to make a longer drink in this thirsty climate. Instead of bread, mandioc or sopa paraguaya or chipa is eaten.

Health and safety in Paraguay

Travel insurance is important in the developing world, to cover for health problems (including flying you home if that is advised), as well as for accidents, theft, loss of luggage and mishaps generally. It is also recommended to carry a written note of your blood group with you – it is standard for Paraguayans to have this information shown on their driving licences – and also written information about any health condition you may have (eg: diabetes) and any medicines you need to take regularly.

The only vaccine required under the International Health Regulations to enter Paraguay is yellow fever, if you are one year or older and are coming from or passing through an endemic area. – which includes all those changing planes in São Paulo.

Travel clinics and health information

A full list of current travel clinic websites worldwide is available on www.istm.org . For other journey preparation information, consult www.travelhealthpro.org.uk (UK) or http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ (US). Information about various medications may be found on www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel . There are also regular updates to help you prepare for your Paraguayan trip on our dedicated health page. All advice found online should be used in conjunction with expert advice received prior to or during travel.

Safety

As is well known, where there is poverty, the crime rate is higher. In Asunción and the other cities, particularly Ciudad del Este and Pedro Juan Caballero, you need to be careful and take a few simple precautions. When you arrive at any airport, go to the taxi rank, where all the drivers are known and registered, or to a window which says ‘Taxis’. In the case of Asunción Airport, the official taxis are no longer the yellow ones that you find in the rest of the city, but smarter cars that have been selected for their greater comfort. They are not recognisable as taxis, and there are officials at the door who are responsible for seeing that travellers get directed to an approved taxi.

Do not go into the poorest areas of cities, even by day and even with a companion, unless that companion is someone known to the local people. This applies to the bañados in Asunción – the areas along the riverbank which get periodically flooded, and where there are only hovels. It also applies to a lesser extent to some of the adjacent barrios to the bañados such as Barrio Republicano.

Some people make a point of always travelling by taxi after dark, in the cities. This is a matter of individual decision, and others consider it excessively cautious and expensive. Avoid crossing open spaces, especially at night: it is better to walk around a deserted square at night than to walk through it, where passing cars and pedestrians would not witness any problem or assault. It is probably better not to go for a walk in the Parque Caballero in Asunción even by day. Avoid unpopulated streets, or at least be alert to who might be following you, crossing the road to avoid isolated male walkers. Thieves work alone sometimes, but often they operate in groups.

Be careful in public buses: a lot of theft occurs in them. There is no need to avoid taking buses, but be cautious if the bus is either very full or empty. Although it is unlikely you will have any trouble, be aware that from time to time problems can occur. Pockets can be picked, handbags can be sliced into with sharp knives, and jewellery can be snatched from your neck, so for extra safety put pendants inside your clothes. Smartphones are particularly desirable. Do not expect the other passengers or driver necessarily to assist you in the case of an attempted theft: they may be at risk of reprisals.

Do not wear a money belt around your waist, unless it is well hidden and does not protrude. Otherwise all it does is announce to the thief where the valuables are, and make an assault more likely. Paraguayans will hide their money in their socks or bra rather than in a money belt. Split up your money, so if you are robbed you have at least a little emergency money in another place. It is a good idea to also carry a smaller amount of money in a secondary wallet, that you can hand over with less serious loss if assaulted. Paraguayan thieves are not usually interested in credit cards and do not know how to use them: all they want is cash, jewellery, mobile phones and other electrical devices,so be very careful if you get out your smartphone in the street.

Female travellers

There are no special rules for women travellers. Although Paraguayan men can be pushier than European men, there is no particular safety risk for women, and it is not necessary for women to be escorted or to dress differently from how they would at home.

Travel and visas in Paraguay

A valid passport is necessary for all tourists entering Argentina. A tourist visa is not required by EU, US, Canadian, Australian, South African or New Zealand citizens.

On arrival, their passports will be given a stamp valid for a 90-day stay. Going over a border and re-entering – even for a day trip to Uruguay, say – will result in a new 90-day stamp with no fuss. Upon arrival in Argentina you will be given a tourist card which must be handed in when leaving the country; if you have lost it, you will be fined. However, note that American, Australian and Canadian citizens arriving in Argentina by air (at Ezeiza or Jorge Newbery) have to pay a one-off fee (on arrival, payable by cash or card) of US$140, US$100 and US$75 respectively.

The US payment is valid for multiple entries for ten years; the Australian, multiple entries for a year; and the Canadian, for a single entry, although a multi-entry version for five years is available for US$150. These nationalities don’t have to pay an entry fee if they arrive any other way.

Getting there and away

An unprecedented surge in tourism was brought about by the devaluation of the Argentine peso in 2001, climbing by about 40% the subsequent year and continuing to rise since then. Though the country’s improved economic situation no longer makes it feel cheap for visitors, tourism has become one of the most important economic activities in the country. Argentina is relatively easy to get around but expect certain inconveniences at times, such as late buses or lax business hours (this varies region to region and with the size of the city or town).

In poorer areas you may not find convenient transport connections or strict adherence to opening hours. That said, Argentina has a higher standard of service than other South American countries. This is largely due to the strong history of tourism and cosmopolitan attitudes in Buenos Aires and the enormous increase in ecotourism in Patagonia. I use the term ecotourism loosely, since it seems to be used for a normal style of tourism offering wildlife-watching and wilderness settings; it rarely, however, implies any environmental impact awareness such as innovative waste disposal, energy conservation or minimal water use. You will have to take it upon yourself to be as low impact as you can and make polite suggestions to hotels and restaurants as to what you would like to see in the future.

In relation to transportation, oil and gas are big business in Patagonia and fuel prices are low compared with North America and Europe, and the only way to move freely to remote areas is with a car. Buses provide frequent service to almost any decent-sized town, but if you want to move beyond the towns you will need your own wheels. Argentina is a big country and to cover larger distances you may need to take bus rides of over 24 hours (sample distances: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, 3,200km; Salta to Ushuaia, 4,700km). Thus you may want to consider using both flights and buses for an efficient use of your time.

Book international flights at least a month in advance for the best fares. If you intend to take two or more domestic flights in Argentina during your trip, you would be wise to purchase a Visit Argentina airpass from Aerolíneas Argentinas ( www.aerolineas.com.ar ), typically sold as two internal flight coupons per international flight. Domestic flights are reasonably priced but the airpass effectively lets you take any internal flight for US$100–150, a discount of up to 50% (with lower discounts if it is not bought in conjunction with an international ticket).

Airpasses must be booked in advance and purchased in the traveller’s country of residence (not in Argentina). All coupons must be fully paid for together with the international ticket; the first flight must be booked then, while the remaining coupons may be booked at any time with rebooking permitted (usually at a cost of about US$20), but not rerouting. The entire journey must be completed within the validity of the international ticket. Stopovers are not permitted. Discounts are available only for children under the age of two years.

Getting around

Most cities have airports with daily connections to Buenos Aires, although not necessarily any direct flights to geographically closer cities; often you will have to go via the hub of Buenos Aires and backtrack. There are frequent flights between Buenos Aires and major cities such as Córdoba, Bariloche and Mendoza.

Córdoba is becoming more of a hub with direct flights to popular destinations such as Salta and Iguazú; flights from Ushuaia in particular may call at cities such as El Calafate or Trelew, owing to its isolation and tourist demand.

As mentioned above, it may be better to buy an airpass for internal travel; both Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina try to restrict foreigners to their more expensive (and flexible) fares, but if you book online claiming to be resident in Argentina and request airport pickup of tickets (or e-tickets), or use an Argentine-based travel agency, it’s possible to get around this.

Buses are the most popular and economical mode of long-distance travel in Argentina and the quality of the major operators and their vehicles are comparable to those in North America (particularly Mexico), and better than many in Europe. The trip from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, for example, costs 460 pesos, about two-thirds of the airfare, but takes 22 hours.

Regular buses have reclining seats, small toilets, screens showing subtitled action films or romantic comedies, and machines dispensing a coffee-coloured liquid and water. For not much more money you can have a lot more comfort with a level of service referred to as semicama , cama, or cama ejecutivo . The higher the price, the larger your seat and the further it reclines. These seats fold down almost into a bed allowing a comfortable night’s sleep, and also saving on accommodation costs.

Bus terminals are bewildering places. There will almost certainly be no noticeboard with arrivals or departures, and definitely no information board with timetables. Several different, rival firms will operate buses to your chosen destinations, all with their own ticket offices. But there’ll be a general information desk somewhere; so find that and ask about your destination. They’ll tell you times and companies, and which ticket office to try. In practice, many companies operate alliances on various routes, so you may well find company A selling you a ticket for company B’s bus. You can get a list of services and prices to your destination from the websites www.omnilineas.com (from Buenos Aires) and www.plataforma10.com (for all routes). But they’re by no means comprehensive, with many services (especially local ones) not shown. The only sure way to find out when, or if, there are buses between places X and Y is to phone a likely company; or better still, turn up at the station and ask at the information desk.

Buses are late surprisingly rarely; nine out of ten trips they’re pretty much on time. If you have a wait, bus stations are usually good places in which to do so, with bars, basic restaurants and internet access. Even in the early hours of the morning, there will be people around, some friendly and well-fed stray dogs, and probably even an open snack bar. Most bus terminals are walkable from their town centres.

In January and February, the main holiday period, buses may be booked up weeks in advance. Conversely, at low-season times there is a lot of competition, so you should always ask for a student discount or a promoción , which close to departure time may be as much as a third off. Buses may not run on backroads or to national parks in winter.

Your baggage should be loaded for you and when you reclaim it, a tip of a peso or two is expected. You will usually be given a baggage tag in order to reclaim your belongings.

A cheap and civilised (if very slow) way to travel, though rarely possible beyond the commuter lines and tourist trips, is by train. Argentina has an extensive railway system, but unfortunately it is largely defunct. In 1993, the federal government withdrew funding for the railways, leaving it to provinces to decide on subsidies. As a result there is limited passenger service in Buenos Aires province (with certain routes that are actually recommended for visiting the small towns outside Buenos Aires city, such as Tigre), and far more limited service elsewhere.

The extreme sparsity of settlements in the vast pampas of the south meant that railways were never an economic proposition there, except for a few special lines such as that from the Río Turbío coal mines to the sea, and the Viejo Expreso Patagónico to Esquel, La Trochita , made famous through Paul Theroux’s The Old Patagonian Express . Nostalgia for the old trains is what has saved the last few lines now catering mostly to sightseers: La Trochita , as well as the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) in Salta, Tren de las Sierras in the Central Sierras, and Tren del Fin del Mundo in Tierra del Fuego. Indeed a journey by these trains is a beautiful way to see the passing scenery.

Although much more expensive than taking buses, the freedom of movement a car gives is often necessary to get where you want to go efficiently, especially in Patagonia. That said, the distances are great and many roads are in poor condition, with service stations few and far between. The roads in Argentina are reputedly dangerous, and signs marking one-way streets are often discreet with just a small arrow on a wall. In the extreme reaches of the country, that is in the far northwest, the depths of the central pampas or in remote areas of Patagonia, a car may not be a wise idea at all.

The best option may be to use the bus for longer journeys and rent a car for a day or two to make short excursions in areas that buses reach rarely or not at all. For example, take the bus to the Lakes District from Mendoza or Córdoba (or Buenos Aires, although there are frequent and affordable flights for this journey) and then hire a car to tour around the scenic areas and small towns throughout the area. You may prefer to hire a pick-up ( camioneta ) if you are intending to spend a lot of time on unsurfaced ( ripio ) backroads. There are car-rental companies in every major city or town, often with offices at the airports and bus stations, and international companies such as Avis and Hertz are both commonly found.

In order to drive in Argentina you will need an International Driving Permit, available at a low cost from your home automobile association. If you plan to take the car into a bordering country, be prepared for a lot of additional expense and bureaucracy. Specific insurance for taking a car across international borders is required.

When to visit Paraguay

Visiting Paraguay at any time of year you are likely to have good, sunny weather. However, some months are a bit unpredictable, so if nothing else is determining the time of your trip, here are some factors to bear in mind. December to February are the hottest months and June to August are the coldest ones. By the middle of September the cold weather is over. If you are looking for temperate weather, therefore, the ideal time to come is between September and early December (before the fares go up for the pre-Christmas rush) or between late February and May.

Over Easter would be ideal if it were not the time when all the Paraguayans are enjoying their holiday of Semana Santa, which is Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. Easter Monday is back to work. Book your hotel ahead for those crucial three days if you want to be in Paraguay over Easter, and be prepared for everywhere to be closed. If you cannot come in spring or autumn it is up to you to decide if you prefer to be hot or cold. Paraguayans have a long summer holiday from December to February, and in January those who can afford it tend to go to the Brazilian beaches, or to the Paraguayan beaches of San Bernardino, Villa Florida or Ayolas.

Educational institutions also have a short winter break in the first fortnight of July ( la quincena de julio ). The weather in July is very variable: it can be as agreeable as an English summer, but there is also the risk that it may be unpleasantly cold, and with every year’s increasing climate change, the cold snaps of winter are becoming more frequent and more bitter. The old wisdom used to be that July was a good month to come, because it would not be too hot (average temperatures in Asunción in July are 10–22°C), and that if there was cold weather it would last only three or four days. With climate change, that needs to be re-assessed. June and August are generally all right, but cannot be guaranteed.

The climate of most of Paraguay is subtropical. According to the official dates, spring is 21 September to 20 December, summer is 21 December to 20 March, autumn is 21 March to 20 June and winter is 21 June to 20 September. Although there can be long periods of drought, fatal for the crops, there is generally a good level of rainfall, producing a very green landscape. The rain most typically falls in violent thunderstorms, which are not infrequent.

The average maximum temperature is 36°C in January (the hottest month) in the Chaco (Mariscal Estigarribia), and 32°C in Encarnación (the most southerly city). The average minimum in those two places in January is 23°C and 20°C respectively. In July (the coldest month) the average maximum temperature is 26°C in Mariscal Estigarribia, and 21°C in Encarnación. The average minimum in those two places in July is 12°C and 9°C respectively.

What to see and do in Paraguay

Areguá must be one of the best towns to visit in a Circuito de Oro tour. It is one of three craft towns specialising in ceramics, and is the nearest to Asunción. (The others are Itá and Tobatí.) It is a lovely town, marked by an elegant church at the top of the hill and splendid colonial-type houses on the Avenida Estigarribia leading up to it. It is increasingly regarded as a prestige town, bursting with little art galleries, that merits the preservation of its architecture. A number of artists and writers have made their home here, including the distinguished novelist Gabriel Casaccia, whose striking novel La Babosa is set in the town.

Aregua Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

There are streets lined with craft shops selling ceramics, with much in the way of attractive, large, unglazed flowerpots and pretty small candleholders with holes for the light to shine through. However, there is also a lot of moulded clay work that is less pleasing to European and North American taste, such as garden gnomes, along with frogs, tortoises, swans and toadstools. Another variety of mass-produced moulded clay is their typical line in crib figures, which come out in force in the pre-Christmas period, although a few artists are now beginning to make original hand-formed figures.

The chief founder of the pottery tradition was Ricardo Pérez, a late 19th-century potter who lived in the southern Chaco, and helped General Bernardino Caballero (war hero of the Triple Alliance War and founder of the Colorado party) to escape his enemies by hiding him in his big kiln and faking a fire inside. In gratitude, Caballero gave him territory in Areguá to establish a bigger pottery business.

The fiesta patronal (feast day of the town’s patron saint) is on 2 February, the feast of Candlemas. Throughout February they have now begun to hold a fair for mangoes and food produced from mangoes. Another tourist attraction is the Expo Frutilla, or Strawberry Fair, mid August to the end of September, though strawberries are plentifully available for sale before that, from July or even the end of June. The strawberry stalls are to be found principally along the road leading to Ypacaraí, where there is a compañía of Aregua, called Estanzuela, 2km from the town centre.

Asunción is not one of Latin America’s loveliest cities, though it grows on you. A certain amount has been done in the last few years to clean buildings, remove over-large hoardings, widen pavements and install pergolas, benches and period streetlamps in the key areas of the city centre.

Presidential Palace,Asunción by Don Mammoser, Shutterstock

There has also been a splash of imaginative, colourful murals since the Latido Americano Paraguay festival that came to the city in August 2016, uniting nine Paraguayan artists with 31 from other Latin American countries. There is much more to be done, as many fine 19th-century buildings are in a state of near collapse, but could be magnificent if restored. However, a start has been made, in the renovated Casas del Bicentenario. If you know where to go, you can find a lot of great interest and a little of great beauty.

As the capital, Asunción brings together the best artistic and intellectual life of the country, and a cultural and political awakening is undoubtedly taking hold, particularly among young people. It can be seen in the recent political protests, summoned through social networks, and in the rise of a new wave of design that is simultaneously more modern and more heritage-based.

There was an artistic creativity and an inspiring eloquence in the peaceful street demonstrations that followed the 2012 coup, and there is still a tangible buzz in the air – influenced inevitably by the northern hemisphere, but nonetheless with a pride in distinctive Paraguayan culture.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is National-Cathedral-in-capital-Asuncion-Paraguay.-South-America.-1024x683.jpg

At the same time, economic growth over the last five years has resulted in a plethora of innovative new bars and restaurants. Seen at its worst, Asunción has roads and pavements in terrible condition, rubbish littering the streets, and children in ragged clothes begging on buses. BBC journalist Tim Vickery once wrote: ‘The place and the people have a certain serene charm, but one of the abiding impressions is of mangy dogs snoozing on shattered paving stones.’

But seen at its best, Asunción is immensely rich in green spaces, with plazas, parks, the Jardín Botánico and the Costanera. Particularly good places for walking are the new coast road and the Parque de la Salud. It is always a joy when some of the trees are blossoming, with the pink of the national tree, the famous lapacho ( tajý in Guaraní), the yellow of another variety of lapacho , the red of the chivato , and the blue of the jacaranda . The blossom is seen not only in spring but whenever a burst of warm weather misleads the trees into thinking spring has arrived.

Caazapá is one of the earliest and most important of the former Franciscan Reductions, and was founded by Friar Luis Bolaños himself in 1607 (two years before the Jesuits founded their first Reduction at San Ignacio Guazú). When you arrive in Caazapá, you may gasp in delight at finding such an attractive town so deeply hidden in the countryside. At the initial little roundabout you are welcomed by a statue of Luis Bolaños, simply attired in his Franciscan habit and carrying a cross and a staff.

From here a splendid avenue of palm trees leads to the plaza and the church, with its stunning reredos. To the right is the cemetery where there is a smaller and older chapel, also with an original reredos. To the left the road leads on to the famous spring, Ykuá Bolaños – a name unfortunately now linked in everyone’s mind with the tragic fire at the Ycuá Bolaños supermarket in Asunción in 2004, when 400 people died.

There are still very poor areas in the countryside around the town, but a number of better-off politicians, lawyers and businessmen have property in the area, with the result that Caazapá appears a surprisingly well-kept and well-off town. It was well off even as a Reduction, because of its excellent cotton and tobacco production, and the decoration of the church was as fine as those of the Jesuits, while the quantity of gold exceeded the Jesuit churches. (This is reported by Félix de Azara, the Spanish naturalist and military officer who was sent in 1781 to determine the border dispute between the Spanish and Portuguese colonies.)

Cerro Corá National Park

Because Cerro Corá is regularly visited, it is not necessary to follow the general rule for visiting the national parks, which is to contact SEAM (Secretaria del Ambiente) beforehand in Asunción. This famous but remote park is best known for being the site of Mariscal López’s death and the country’s final capitulation in the Triple Alliance War. But, in fact, it includes two other attractions: a pleasant nature walk to Cerro Muralla, and the eco-archaeological reserve of Gasorý, where there are cave writings.

Cerro Cora National Park Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

There is also a pleasant beach on the shores of the Río Aquidabán. The park protects the Cerrado ecosystem and the famous bellbird or pájara campana can be found there. It covers more than 12,000ha and was declared a national park in 1976. It is visited by 9,000 people a year, of which 40% are foreigners.

Iguazú Falls

The Iguazú Falls are one of the wonders of the world. Going to see a waterfall might not sound like a full day’s occupation, but that is the very minimum that you need for Iguazú, and two days is still not enough for an exhaustive visit. The size, power and variety of these falls is breathtaking. They are in the region known as the Three Frontiers, where Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil meet, but the falls today are just outside Paraguayan territory, forming the border between Brazil and Argentina.

Iguazu Falls Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

Few visitors to Paraguay want to go home without seeing them. In the time of the President Dr Francia, there were border disputes over Misiones Argentina, but Paraguayan claims were ended by the disaster of the Triple Alliance War. Paraguayans still, however, feel a certain affinity with this territory, especially since the falls have a Guaraní name. Guaraní is still spoken as the mother tongue in Paraguay while it has been virtually lost in Argentina and Brazil as a living language, with only place names surviving.

Most people who go from Paraguay to the Iguazú Falls (or las Cataratas as everyone calls them) travel to the Paraguayan border city of Ciudad del Este and then cross over to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. This is the most direct route.

Jesuit museums of Misiones

Stretches of cream sand extend before your eyes, depending on the river level. You are now in the famous Misiones departamento , or the mission territory of the Jesuit Reductions – which also continue into the next departamento of Itapúa. The basic rule is: museums in Misiones, ruins in Itapúa. These two departamentos are Paraguay’s top tourist attractions – the land of what is often called ‘The Lost Paradise’ or ‘The Forgotten Arcadia’. Given their distance from Asunción, you need a minimum of two or three days to visit them, and five or six days to do them justice.

There are four Jesuit Reductions in this departamento : San Ignacio, Santa María de Fe, Santa Rosa and Santiago. There were once 30 such towns in the most developed, settled period of the Reductions, and they were known as the Treinta Pueblos (Thirty Towns). Founded on both banks of the Río Paraná and both banks of the Río Uruguay, today they stretch from Paraguay through Argentina and into Brazil.

On the way to them you pass through some other attractive towns that were not Reductions, though they fell within the lands of the old Reductions and began as outposts or chapels on the estancias . Later they developed into urban centres in their own right. Of these, Villa Florida, with its beaches on the river, is a Paraguayan holiday town; San Miguel, with its woollen craft, is a popular tourist stop; and San Juan is the capital of the departamento .

Tucked away in the southwestern tip of eastern Paraguay, Ñeembucú is one of the wildest and most beautiful areas of Paraguay, and one of the least visited. The access point is San Ignacio. It also has the advantage of comfortable fast buses running from Asunción to Pilar, and a number of new posadas turísticas recognised by Senatur. Pilar, the capital of the departamento and the gateway to the other places of interest, is a good hour and a half from the international highway Ruta 1, and is reached by Ruta 4, which is asphalted. At Pilar, the asphalt runs out.

Neembucu Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

If you want to get away from people and into nature, Ñeembucú is a great place to go. Only in the remote northern Chaco will you find a departamento more sparsely populated. In its low-lying savannahs and wetlands, bordered on two sides of a triangle by the rivers Paraguay and Paraná, the marshes of Ñeembucú are as important as they are unknown. The birdlife is stunning, and even the least bird-aware of visitors will be enchanted by the sight of egrets (white herons) winging above them.

There are plenty of roadside hawks, southern crested caracaras, black vultures, southern lapwings, spotted nothuras, neotropic cormorants, and picazuro pigeons. Birdwatchers will want to stop and get out their binoculars where the wetlands start, as close as 20km from San Ignacio. Unfortunately, it is difficult to do this unless you are travelling by car, as the buses do not generally stop on the 1½ hour drive through empty countryside between San Ignacio and Pilar.

As evening draws in, the birdsong most heard is from the giant wood-rail, the limpkin and the famous southern screamer, which is found only in South American swamps. It is a huge, heavy, distinctive bird, and its wingspan of 170cm makes it a noisy bird in flight. It has a red surround to the eye, a crest of feathers at the back of the head, black and white rings around its neck, red legs and partially webbed feet. It is usually found in pairs, and the couples, which share the incubation of eggs, are so faithful that when one of the pair dies the other often dies too. Its cries of chahã can be heard up to 3km away, earning it its Guaraní name.

The Pantanal

More than 60 million years ago, the centre of South America was a sea. This explains why there are still expanses of salt lakes in the Chaco. Movements of the earth’s surface led to the formation of the Andes, and the north–south depression to the east of that range is the Pantanal. It is the flat land around the Río Paraguay, of which 70–80% floods in the rainy season, from December on, raising the water level by some 5m. This makes it become enormously fertile territory for flora and fauna, but very inhospitable for human beings. The average temperature is 32°C in summer and 21°C in winter.

In the time of the Jesuit missions the Pantanal was called simply La Laguna. The Pantanal is principally associated with Brazil, but in fact 5% of this territory is in Paraguay. The Pantanal is considered one of the most important and beautiful ecological sanctuaries of the planet. The tall karanda’ý palm with its fan-like leaves abounds, and the karaguatá is a low-growing bromelid with bright-red, thorned leaves and white flowers. The pink ipés blossoms on trees, the aguapé (Spanish camalote ) fills the waters with a green carpet and keeps the waters fresh, and the huge 30cm wide flowers of the Victoria Regia open at night. There are water hyacinths, water lilies and water lettuces.

Caiman The Pantanal Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

The Pantanal has the largest faunal concentration in the Americas, and has been estimated to contain 650 species of birds, 260 of fish, 160 of reptiles, 80 of mammals and 6,000 of insects, not to mention 1,800 species of plants. Emblematic of this paradise of flora and fauna is the jabiru stork, which has a black head and neck and a red collar, and a wingspan of 2m. It feeds richly on the fish, frogs and insects left behind by the floods. The marsh deer has long, wide hooves with a membrane between its toes, so it can run on the swampy ground. There are caimans, lizards and iguanas, tapirs, wild pigs (or peccaries), coati, the paca rodent, eight species of armadillo, and all five species of Paraguayan monkey. The handsome and dangerous jaguars are the most striking of all the animals. The bird life is spectacular, with herons, ducks, cormorants, scarlet ibis, spoonbills and toucans, and there is the world’s largest population of blue hyacinth macaws.

The early hours of the morning and the last hours of daylight are when there is most activity from the birds. The density of human population in the Pantanal is only 0.14 per km²; the population includes a small number of Chamakoko indigenous (also known here as the Ishir). For a detailed guide to the fauna and flora of the Pantanal, see Bradt’s Pantanal Wildlife .

Trinidad and Jesús

Trinidad is the most evocative of the ruined Jesuit-Guaraní sites due to its wonderful surviving stone carvings, and the magical isolation of the site. One of the advantages of the Paraguayan Mission route being less frequented than the Argentinian and Brazilian Reductions is that it leaves more room to dream and less room for tourist tat. Brazil’s tourist infrastructure in Missões is very tasteful, and Argentina’s is quite pleasant, but there is nothing quite like the experience of standing alone on the brink of Trinidad’s vast plaza, and then setting off to explore.

Trindiad ruins Paraguay by Matyas Rehak Shutterstock

You begin by walking through the arched colonnades of the casas de indios and crossing the huge expanse of grass towards the big church on the far side; then make your way up the nave, past the souls in the flames of purgatory on your right where the Guaraní kept night watch over their dead, past the great pulpit of the four evangelists on the left where sermons were preached in the native tongue, and into the sanctuary. There, high above your head, but clearly discernible, 46 angels play the music of heaven, just as the Guaraní had played the same instruments in the church.

Jesús

The ruins have a lovely setting, being on higher ground, with vistas of palm trees framed through the windows, and there is something almost Cistercian about their isolation and austerity. There are about 100 visitors a week to the Ruins at Jesús – around a quarter of the number that visit Trinidad.

Ruins of Jesus Paraguay South America by Marco Muscara

The church and the college are the principal remains in this peaceful spot with its dramatic columns and vistas, though you can also pick out something of the whole layout of the town, according to the typical design of a Reduction. There is a plan on your left as you enter, mapping out the cemetery (to the left of the church), the orchard (behind it), and priests’ house, college and workshops (to the right). The casas de indios were arranged in rows around the plaza, which no longer exists as a plaza, but is the long grassy space you cross before reaching the church, where you can rest halfway in the shade of some trees.

Yaguarón is famous for being the only Reduction to have its original church still standing in its original form. This is a ‘must-see’ if you are interested in the Reductions, and although the Reduction is Franciscan, the church is on exactly the same model as in the Jesuit Reductions. If you are not in your own transport, you see it out of the window of the bus as you go through the town, travelling towards Asunción. (Travelling southwards, however, the one-way system does not lead you past it.)

Yaguaron Church Paraguay South American by Marco Muscara

It is highly distinctive with its simple pitched roof, massive wooden columns and separate wooden bell tower, and is clearly visible on the north side of the Ruta, which curves around it. But if you can manage to stop and go inside, do not miss the opportunity to see this gloriously harmonious extravaganza of painted and carved wood.

Fray Luis Bolaños and Fray Alonso de San Buenaventura, his missionary companion, founded Yaguarón shortly after Itá, around 1586–87,although an indigenous settlement existed there already, apparently founded by the conquistador Domingo Martínez de Irala in 1539. Today, Yaguarón still has an interesting band, called Peteke Peteke, that plays traditional, indigenous music on old instruments such as the turú (cow’s horn) and different sizes and shapes of drums. It traditionally plays on 3 February (feast of San Blas), 16 August (feast of San Roque) and the first Sunday of September.

There are two theories of the derivation of the town’s name. Either it comes from the Guaraní jaguar (father of a dog), indicating that a huge and fearsome dog used to menace the place, or from the name of a respected cacique (chief), Ñaguaru.

Related books

For more information, see our g uide to Paraguay :

The Circuito de Oro

The Circuito de Oro is a must-see for any visitor to Paraguay.

Five reasons to visit Paraguay

From the rolling fields of the campo to the craft towns of the Circuito de Oro, Paraguay is a place of great contrasts.

Paraguay Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

Welcome to paraguay.

Paraguay, a landlocked country in South America, offers a unique and diverse travel experience for visitors. With its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, it is a destination worth exploring. Paraguay is known for its warm and welcoming people, who are always eager to share their traditions and customs with visitors.

What to expect in Paraguay

When visiting Paraguay, there are several things to expect that will make your trip memorable:

1. Crumbling Colonial Cities: Paraguay is home to several colonial cities that have retained their charm and character over the years. The capital city, Asuncion, is a prime example, with its neoclassical facades, pretty piazzas, and tree-lined boulevards. Exploring these cities is like stepping back in time and offers a glimpse into Paraguay’s rich history.

2. Exotic Natural Wonders: Paraguay boasts a diverse range of natural wonders that will captivate nature lovers. From the wetlands of the Pantanal to the lush forests of the Chaco region, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. One of the highlights is the Iguazu Falls, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Brazil and Argentina.

3. Indigenous Tribes and Culture: Paraguay is home to various indigenous tribes, each with its own unique customs and traditions. Visitors can learn about their way of life by visiting indigenous communities and experiencing their dances, music, and crafts. It is a chance to gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of the country.

4. Polite and Friendly Locals: The Paraguayan people are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness towards visitors. It is common to receive a warm welcome and be invited to join locals for a meal or social gathering. This openness and hospitality create a welcoming atmosphere for travelers.

5. Soccer Culture: Soccer, or football, is a significant part of Paraguayan culture. The sport brings people together, and it is not uncommon to see impromptu matches being played in streets or parks. Soccer fans will find themselves welcomed into the passionate local fan base and can experience the electric atmosphere of a stadium on game day.

In conclusion, Paraguay offers a unique and memorable travel experience with its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors can expect to be welcomed by the friendly locals, explore charming colonial cities, encounter exotic natural wonders, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous tribes. Paraguay is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

Getting to Paraguay

Flights to paraguay.

Paraguay is accessible by air, with several international airlines operating flights to and from the country. The main international airport is Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, located near the capital city, Asuncion. Airlines such as LATAM, Aerolineas Argentinas, and Copa Airlines offer regular flights to Paraguay from major cities in South America and other parts of the world.

Overland options to enter Paraguay

Apart from flying, there are also overland options available for travelers who prefer road travel. Paraguay shares its borders with Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia, making it possible to enter the country from these neighboring countries.

– **From Argentina:** It is possible to enter Paraguay by road from various cities in Argentina, including Buenos Aires. The main border crossing between Argentina and Paraguay is the Puente de la Amistad (Friendship Bridge) near the city of Ciudad del Este. This is a popular option for travelers looking to explore the natural wonders of Paraguay’s Itaipu Dam and the nearby Iguazu Falls.

– **From Brazil:** Paraguay can be reached from Brazil by crossing the border at Ciudad del Este or through the Ponte da Amizade (Friendship Bridge) near Foz do Iguaçu. These routes provide easy access to popular tourist destinations in Paraguay, including the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue.

– **From Bolivia:** Travelers coming from Bolivia can enter Paraguay by crossing the border near Puerto Suarez. This option allows visitors to explore the Chaco region of Paraguay, known for its unique wildlife and vast plains.

It is important to note that visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the mode of transportation. It is advisable to check the latest travel restrictions and entry requirements before planning your trip to Paraguay.

Once you have arrived in Paraguay, there are various transportation options available to explore the country, including buses, taxis, and rental cars. The local buses, known as “colectivos,” are an affordable and convenient way to travel between cities and towns.

Paraguay offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historical sites, and warm hospitality. Whether you choose to arrive by air or by road, a visit to this South American gem is sure to leave a lasting impression. So pack your bags and get ready to be enchanted by the charms of Paraguay!

Exploring Paraguay’s Cities

Asuncion, the capital city.

Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay, is a charming colonial city that offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modernity. With its neoclassical facades, pretty piazzas, and tree-lined boulevards, Asuncion is one of South America’s more endearing capitals. Here are some highlights of the city:

– **Palacio de López**: Located in the heart of the city, the Palacio de López is the seat of the Paraguayan government. The beautiful pink building is an iconic landmark and offers guided tours for visitors.

– **Panteon Nacional de los Heroes y los Soldados de la Patria**: This grand mausoleum pays tribute to Paraguay’s heroes and soldiers. Visitors can learn about the country’s history and pay their respects to the fallen.

– **Catedral Metropolitana de Asuncion**: This stunning cathedral is the main place of worship for Catholics in Paraguay. It features beautiful architecture and intricate decorations.

– **Mercado 4**: For a taste of local life, head to Mercado 4, a bustling market where you can find everything from fresh produce to handicrafts. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Asuncion.

Ciudad del Este, the commercial center

Ciudad del Este is the second-largest city in Paraguay and serves as a major commercial hub. Located on the border with Brazil, it is known for its shopping opportunities, attracting tourists from all over the region. Here are some highlights of Ciudad del Este:

– **Shopping**: Ciudad del Este is famous for its shopping malls and markets, offering a wide range of products at competitive prices. Visitors can find anything from electronics to fashion to souvenirs.

– **Itaipu Dam**: Located near Ciudad del Este, the Itaipu Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about this engineering marvel and enjoy the breathtaking views of the dam and the surrounding lake.

– **Triple Frontier**: Ciudad del Este is also close to the Triple Frontier, the meeting point of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Visitors can witness the convergence of the Paraná and Iguazu rivers, an impressive natural spectacle.

– **Iguazu Falls**: Just a short distance from Ciudad del Este, the world-famous Iguazu Falls are a must-visit. These magnificent waterfalls span the border between Argentina and Brazil, offering awe-inspiring views and exciting adventure activities.

Paraguay offers a wide range of attractions and experiences, from colonial architecture to natural wonders. Whether you choose to explore the historical sites of Asuncion or indulge in shopping in Ciudad del Este, you are sure to be captivated by the beauty and warmth of this South American country. Plan your trip, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Paraguay.

Discovering Paraguay’s Natural Wonders

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply looking for breathtaking landscapes, Paraguay offers a plethora of natural wonders to explore. From majestic waterfalls to vast wetlands, the country is a hidden gem for outdoor adventurers. Here are two of Paraguay’s must-visit natural wonders:

Iguazu Falls

Located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is one of the most awe-inspiring waterfall systems in the world. With over 275 individual falls spanning nearly two miles, it’s a sight to behold. The falls are part of the Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that also extends into the neighboring countries.

Visitors can marvel at the sheer power and beauty of Iguazu Falls from multiple viewpoints and walkways. One of the most breathtaking experiences is taking a boat ride to get up close and personal with the roaring cascades. The surrounding lush rainforest is home to diverse wildlife, including toucans, jaguars, and various monkey species.

The Pantanal wetlands

Paraguay’s portion of the Pantanal wetlands, the largest tropical wetland area in the world, offers a unique and diverse ecosystem. This vast expanse of marshes, lagoons, and rivers is a haven for wildlife, making it a dream destination for birdwatching and animal spotting.

The Pantanal is home to over 600 bird species, including the striking hyacinth macaw and the toucan. Visitors can join guided tours, boat trips, or even explore the wetlands on horseback to observe the abundant wildlife, such as caimans, capybaras, and giant river otters.

The wetlands also provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and hiking, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the untouched natural beauty of Paraguay.

Comparing Paraguay’s Natural Wonders

Here is a comparison table highlighting the main features of Iguazu Falls and the Pantanal wetlands:

| | Iguazu Falls | The Pantanal wetlands |

|————–|———————————————————–|—————————————————-|

| Location | Border of Paraguay and Brazil | Paraguay |

| Size | Over 275 individual falls spanning nearly two miles | Largest tropical wetland area in the world |

| Wildlife | Toucans, jaguars, monkeys | Hyacinth macaws, toucans, caimans, capybaras |

| Activities | Viewpoints, boat rides, wildlife spotting | Birdwatching, animal spotting, fishing, canoeing |

| Surroundings | Lush rainforest | Marshes, lagoons, rivers |

Both Iguazu Falls and the Pantanal wetlands offer unique and unforgettable experiences for nature lovers. Whether you choose to be mesmerized by the sheer power of the falls or explore the diverse ecosystem of the wetlands, Paraguay will leave you in awe of its natural beauty. Don’t miss the chance to discover these hidden gems on your next visit to Paraguay.

Immersing in Paraguayan Culture

Indigenous tribes of paraguay.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Paraguay is its rich indigenous culture. The country is home to several indigenous tribes, each with its own unique traditions, customs, and way of life. From the Guarani people, who are the largest indigenous group in Paraguay, to the Aché and Mbyá-Guaraní tribes, visitors have the opportunity to learn about and engage with these communities.

Many indigenous tribes live in remote areas, preserving their traditional lifestyle and customs. Visitors can arrange guided tours or homestays to gain a deeper understanding of their daily lives and spiritual beliefs. These experiences often include learning about traditional farming techniques, participating in cultural ceremonies, and listening to ancient myths and legends.

Traditional music and dance

Music and dance play a significant role in Paraguayan culture. Guarani folklore and Spanish influences have shaped the vibrant music scene in the country. The harp, guitar, and Paraguayan harp are widely used in traditional music, creating soul-stirring melodies. The polka, guarania, and galopa are popular dance styles that showcase the energetic and passionate spirit of Paraguayan culture.

Locals often gather for music festivals and cultural events, where they enjoy live performances of traditional music and dance. Visitors can join in the festivities, learn a few dance steps, and immerse themselves in the joyful celebrations. It’s a great way to experience the warmth and friendliness of the Paraguayan people.

Outdoor Adventures in Paraguay

Paraguay is not only known for its natural wonders but also offers a wide range of outdoor activities for adventurous travelers. From trekking through the Chaco region to birdwatching in the Paraná River Delta, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are two outdoor adventures you shouldn’t miss in Paraguay:

Trekking in the Chaco region

The Chaco region in Paraguay is a vast wilderness waiting to be explored. With its rugged terrain and unique flora and fauna, it’s a paradise for trekking enthusiasts. The Chaco is home to indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with the land for centuries.

Trekking in the Chaco allows you to experience the raw beauty of Paraguay’s wilderness firsthand. You can hike through dense forests, cross vast open plains, and witness breathtaking sunsets. Along the way, you might encounter rare animal species such as the jaguar or tapir.

It’s important to note that the Chaco can be challenging, with extreme temperatures and limited facilities. It’s recommended to join a guided tour or hire a local guide who can provide valuable insights into the region’s history and natural wonders.

Birdwatching in the Paraná River Delta

For bird enthusiasts, the Paraná River Delta is a birdwatching paradise. Located near the city of Asuncion, this unique ecosystem is home to a rich variety of bird species. The delta is a maze of islands, lagoons, and marshes, creating an ideal habitat for numerous migratory and resident birds.

With over 300 species of birds, including herons, cormorants, and kingfishers, the Paraná River Delta offers endless opportunities for birdwatching. Joining a boat tour or hiring a local guide will allow you to navigate through the maze of waterways and observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Aside from birdwatching, the delta also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife photography. You can immerse yourself in the tranquility of the delta, surrounded by lush vegetation and the soothing sounds of nature.

Paraguay is a hidden gem for outdoor adventurers, offering a myriad of experiences that connect you with its natural beauty. Whether you’re trekking through the rugged Chaco region or birdwatching in the picturesque Paraná River Delta, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime. Make sure to check with local tour operators for the best times to visit and any safety precautions you need to take.

With its warm and welcoming locals, diverse landscapes, and abundant wildlife, Paraguay is a destination that should be on every outdoor lover’s bucket list. Plan your next adventure in Paraguay and get ready to experience the wonders of this beautiful country.

Cuisine and Dining in Paraguay

When it comes to cuisine, Paraguay offers a unique blend of flavors influenced by its indigenous Guarani roots, Spanish colonial history, and neighboring countries. Paraguayan food is known for its hearty dishes, bold flavors, and the generous use of local ingredients. Whether you’re a foodie or simply looking to explore the local culinary scene, Paraguay has plenty to satisfy your taste buds. Here are some highlights of Paraguayan cuisine and popular local restaurants to try:

Traditional Paraguayan dishes

Paraguay is known for its traditional dishes that reflect the country’s cultural heritage. Some of the must-try dishes include:

– **Asado**: Paraguay’s version of BBQ, asado is a feast of grilled meats, including beef, pork, and sausages. It is often served with traditional side dishes like mandioca (cassava) and fresh salads.

– **Sopa Paraguaya**: Despite its name, sopa Paraguaya is not a soup but a dense cornbread made with cornmeal, cheese, onions, and sometimes meat. It is a savory dish often enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish during special occasions.

– **Chipa**: Chipa is a popular Paraguayan snack made from a mixture of corn flour, cheese, eggs, and pork fat. It is often baked or grilled, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, cheesy interior.

– **Mbopi**: Mbopi is a traditional stew made with beef or pork, vegetables, and spices. This hearty dish is slow-cooked to develop rich flavors and is often served with rice or mandioca.

Popular local restaurants

When it comes to dining out in Paraguay, there are a few local restaurants that are highly recommended by both locals and visitors. These establishments offer not only delicious food but also a unique dining experience:

– **Tierra Colorada**: Located in Asuncion, Tierra Colorada is known for its traditional Paraguayan cuisine with a contemporary twist. The restaurant showcases local ingredients and flavors in dishes like chipa crusted salmon and mandioca gnocchi.

– **Lido Bar**: Situated in the heart of Asuncion, Lido Bar is a historic restaurant that has been serving Paraguayan food since 1927. It is famous for its iced coffee, empanadas, and traditional Paraguayan dishes like chipa guasu and sopa Paraguaya.

– **Restaurante Casa Tomassi**: Nestled in the colonial city of Aregua, Restaurante Casa Tomassi offers a charming setting and a menu featuring classic Paraguayan dishes. Their specialties include traditional stews, grilled meats, and homemade desserts.

– **Parrilla Munich**: For the meat lovers, Parrilla Munich in Ciudad del Este is a must-visit. This steakhouse is known for its juicy cuts of meat cooked to perfection on an open grill. Don’t miss their famous “parrillada” platter, which includes a variety of grilled meats and sausages.

Whether you choose to indulge in traditional Paraguayan dishes or explore the vibrant dining scene in Paraguay, you’re bound to have a memorable culinary experience. Paraguay’s cuisine is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage and the flavors that have evolved over time. So, make sure to treat your taste buds to the diverse and delicious offerings that Paraguay has to offer. Bon appétit!

Practical Information for Travelers

Visa requirements.

When planning your trip to Paraguay, it’s important to be aware of the visa requirements. Citizens from many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, can enter Paraguay without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. However, it’s always recommended to check the latest visa regulations and any updates from your government sources.

Safety tips and precautions

Safety is always a priority when traveling, and Paraguay is generally a safe country for tourists. However, it’s important to take certain precautions to ensure a smooth and worry-free trip. Here are some safety tips for your visit to Paraguay:

– Stay informed: Before your trip, check the travel advisories and safety information from your government sources. It’s always good to be aware of any potential risks or areas to avoid.

– Be cautious with your belongings: As with any destination, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings and avoid displaying valuable items in public. Be mindful of your surroundings and use common-sense precautions to prevent theft.

– Use reliable transportation: When getting around in Paraguay, it’s best to use reputable taxi companies or hire private transportation. Avoid accepting rides from unlicensed individuals and be cautious when using public transportation, especially at night.

– Respect local customs and traditions: Paraguay is a culturally rich country with unique customs and traditions. It’s important to respect the local culture and follow any guidelines or etiquettes. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and be mindful of the local customs in rural areas or indigenous communities.

– Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun: Paraguay can have hot and humid weather, especially during the summer months. Make sure to drink plenty of water and use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays. It’s also advisable to wear a hat and lightweight, breathable clothing.

– Follow COVID-19 guidelines: Due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s crucial to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols in place. Check the latest travel restrictions, wear a mask in public spaces, practice social distancing, and regularly sanitize your hands.

Remember, these are general safety tips, and it’s always recommended to stay updated with the latest information and guidelines from official sources before your trip.

Paraguay offers a wealth of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences that will leave you with lasting memories. Whether you choose to explore the rugged Chaco region or immerse yourself in the beauty of the Paraná River Delta, you’ll find endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Plan your trip to Paraguay today and get ready for an unforgettable journey.

Now that you have all the practical information and safety tips for your trip to Paraguay, it’s time to recap the highlights of this beautiful country and provide some final tips for a memorable journey.

Recap of Paraguay highlights

– Paraguay offers a unique blend of colonial cities, natural wonders, and indigenous culture. From the charming capital city of Asuncion with its neoclassical architecture to the rugged Chaco region and the beautiful Paraná River Delta, there are endless opportunities for exploration.

– The locals in Paraguay are known for their warm hospitality and friendly nature. You can expect a warm welcome and even dinner invitations from the locals who are genuinely interested in outsiders.

– Paraguay is a safe country for tourists, but it’s always important to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Checking travel advisories and being mindful of your belongings are some of the key safety tips to keep in mind.

– Respecting the local customs and traditions is crucial during your visit to Paraguay. It’s important to dress modestly when visiting religious sites and to be mindful of the customs in rural areas and indigenous communities.

– Paraguay has a hot and humid climate, so staying hydrated and protecting yourself from the sun is essential. Make sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and dress appropriately for the weather.

– Lastly, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s crucial to follow the guidelines and protocols in place. This includes checking travel restrictions, wearing masks in public spaces, practicing social distancing, and frequently sanitizing your hands.

Tips for a memorable trip to Paraguay

– Take the time to explore both the cultural and natural attractions of Paraguay. From visiting historical sites in Asuncion to experiencing the stunning landscapes of the countryside, there is something for everyone.

– Engage with the locals and learn about their traditions and way of life. Paraguayans are proud of their heritage and are eager to share it with visitors.

– Try the local cuisine, which often includes dishes made from corn, beef, and river fish. Paraguay is known for its delicious empanadas and tereré, a traditional cold herbal drink.

– Be open to unexpected experiences and embrace the slower pace of life in Paraguay. Take the time to relax, connect with nature, and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

– Consider exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations in Paraguay, such as the Jesuit Missions or the Ybycuí National Park. These lesser-known attractions often offer a more authentic experience.

In conclusion, Paraguay is a hidden gem in South America waiting to be discovered. With its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm-hearted people, it promises a truly memorable travel experience. By following the practical information and safety tips provided, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Paraguay!

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Paraguay travel
South America. Little-visited, little-known Paraguay is a country much misunderstood. Despite its location at the heart of the continent, it is all too often passed over by travelers who wrongly assume that a lack of mega-attractions means there's nothing to see. However, it's ideal for those keen to get off the gringo trail for a truly ...
A first-timer's guide to Paraguay
Visas. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan need a tourist visa to go to Paraguay. If you're flying to Pettirossi airport, you can get the visa on arrival. Otherwise, head to your nearest Paraguayan consulate before you travel. Citizens of many Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries also need a visa - check ...
Paraguay travel guide
About The World Travel Guide. The World Travel Guide (WTG) is the flagship digital consumer brand within the Columbus Travel Media portfolio. A comprehensive guide to the world's best travel destinations, its print heritage stretches back more than 30 years, with the online portal reaching its 20-year anniversary in 2019.
Paraguay Travel Guide
Here are the key considerations for different times of the year: Dry Season (May to September): This is the most popular time to visit Paraguay. The weather is relatively dry and cool, making it ideal for exploring the country. It's a great time for outdoor activities, including sightseeing, hiking, and birdwatching.
One Week in Paraguay: The Ultimate Itinerary
Day 4: Encarnación and the Jesuit Ruins. Today's the day to go to some of the least visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the planet: the ruins of the Jesuit Missions at Trinidad and Jesus. Feast on fresh papaya, kiwis, eggs, and coffee at the included breakfast at Tava, then go to the bus station.
The Best Destinations to Visit in Paraguay
Courtesy of Estación Puerto Olivares. View Map. Address. Acevedo 030302, Paraguay. Phone +595 985 591221. Web Visit website. A family-run rustic resort, Estación Puerto Olivares sprawls across the banks of the Manduvirá River, safeguarding the history of Paraguay's railroads and providing educational train experiences.
Paraguay Travel
Paraguay Travel Guide. Download our FREE Paraguay Travel Guide and get inspired to travel to Paraguay. Browse through 30 pages of travel planning tips and ideas - a great resource for planning your Paraguay dream vacation. Colorful maps and images; Places to visit in Paraguay;
Your Trip to Paraguay: The Complete Guide
Paraguay is a cheap country to travel to and you can easily spend less than $50 a day on your trip, including accommodation. With that in mind, haggling isn't really necessary, but there are a few tips you can implement to save in a few areas. Learn some Spanish. English isn't widely spoken, and locals will generally be able to help you ...
Paraguay Travel Guide
Paraguay Travel Guide. Paraguay is the forgotten part of South America. Ignored by travellers for so long, the country has never built up its tourist infrastructure. But that is now its greatest charm. This is a country where you can truly get off the beaten track and experience the local culture.
Paraguay
Almost 40% of the population call this city home and the city is brimming with colonial-era buildings, museums, botanical gardens, and religious sites. -25.3 -57.416944. 2 Areguá. -25.516667 -54.616667. 3 Ciudad del Este - this busy border city is also Paraguay's gateway to the Iguazu Falls. -23.4025 -57.441389.
PDF THE ESSENTIAL PARAGUAY TRAVEL GUIDE
Paraguay Travel Guide 7. Chaco Chaco, Paraguay is a semi-arid region, with a small population. Most of the people living in the area are native to the land. Its historical significance, as having the longest territorial war in South America, is recognized by well
Amazing Things to do in Paraguay
Paraguay Travel Guide. Download our FREE Paraguay Travel Guide and get inspired to travel to Paraguay. Browse through 30 pages of travel planning tips and ideas - a great resource for planning your Paraguay dream vacation. Colorful maps and images; Places to visit in Paraguay;
Paraguay Travel Guide
The Cost of Living in Paraguay. Eating out in Paraguay will cost around 25,000 PYG (4 USD) for an inexpensive meal and about 75,000 PYG (12 USD) per person for a mid-range meal. A one-way local bus ticket costs around 3,500 PYG (0.50 USD). Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major hotels, restaurants and establishments; however, it is ...
Paraguay: Perfect 7-Day Itinerary
PARAGUAY 7-DAY TRAVEL ITINERARY. Depending on what direction are you traveling, your first destination in Paraguay will be either Encarnacion when arriving from Argentina, Ciudad del Este when crossing borders from Brazil, or the capital Asuncion, in case you travel by plane. We arrived from Buenos Aires to Encarnacion, so this is also a place ...
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Get information on Paraguay Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own.
Paraguay Travel Guide
We've recently traveled to Paraguay, a small South American country with diverse culture and authentic lifestyle. ... A Practical Guide to Encarnacion, Paraguay. Mar 12, 2023. Mar 12, 2023. Mar 5, 2023. How to Visit Itaipu Dam from Paraguay and Brazil. ... Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money ...
17 Must-Visit Attractions In Paraguay
Bella Vista's tereré plantations. The bitter herbal tea known as tereré is Paraguay's most beloved beverage. It was exported to Europe in the 19th century and even used as currency, exchanged for boats and building materials. Head to Bella Vista in the south of the country to take a tour of the immense plantations that pepper the countryside.
Paraguay Travel Information and Guide
Margaret Hebblethwaite, author of Paraguay: the Bradt Travel Guide. The bicentenary celebrations of Paraguayan independence in 2011 prompted a 'face-lift' of the capital city, Asunción, and there has been a rapid growth in facilities for visitors since then. The city now has a burgeoning bar and café scene, while its eastern counterpart ...
Paraguay Travel Guide
Welcome to Paraguay. Paraguay, a landlocked country in South America, offers a unique and diverse travel experience for visitors. With its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, it is a destination worth exploring. Paraguay is known for its warm and welcoming people, who are always eager to share their traditions and customs with visitors.
Paraguay. Hotels, Tours, Experience. See it all at VisitParaguay.com
Travel tips, help and advice - fresh every month from our Paraguay travel experts. 09Jul. admin - 09.07.2020. Spending a week in Paraguay. A Guide. VisitParaguay.com is a travel guide to Paraguay. Access to Hotels, Experiences, Tours and Rome travel advice. It's by travellers, for travellers.
FREE Paraguay Travel Guide
Paraguay Travel Guide. Download our FREE Paraguay Travel Guide and get inspired to travel to Paraguay. Browse through 30 pages of travel planning tips and ideas - a great resource for planning your Paraguay dream vacation. Hidden. Country of Interest. Name * First. Last. Email * Phone.
Paraguay Travel Guide
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Paraguay is the forgotten part of South America. Ignored by travellers for so long, the country has never built up its tourist infrastructure. But that is now its greatest charm. This is a country where you can truly get off the beaten track and experience the local culture.

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