The little known Paraguay in the heart of South America is home to an interesting indigenous culture, diverse national parks, sleepy riverside towns and historic Jesuit missions, as well as the lively and friendly capital city Asunción and the world’s second-largest hydroelectric dam. Paraguay is rated the cheapest country in the world, measured with Purchasing Power Parity, making it a destination where you can surely get more with your money.
Off the beaten track. Located in central South America, between Argentina and Brazil, Paraguay is a landlocked country divided by the Paraguay River that flows through it. It has a very homogeneous population of mestizos that has retained many characters of the indigenous Guaraní culture in spite the long colonial Spanish rule. The local Guaraní language is still spoken by 90 % of the population. Paraguay is a poor country that has suffered from military dictatorships and economic isolation in the past, but is now developing fast. Paraguay is not a major tourism destination but it is cheap and relatively safe, and has plenty of things to see and do.
More Paraguay destinations. The small city of Concepción along the Paraguay River has sandy beaches, lovely old buildings and horse-drawn carts, and the nearby national park of Cerro Corá has many hiking trails, waterfalls, caves and rock paintings, as well as many rare birds and animals. Close to the town of Encarnación, the ruins of historic Jesuit missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue are a World Heritage Site and a remainder of the peaceful co-existence of Jesuit missionaries and local indigenous people in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the west of Paraguay, the vast arid plains of Chaco and the Pantanal wetlands offer plenty of untouched wilderness for outdoor enthusiasts.
Traveling to Paraguay can be done mainly by air or by road. The country has an international airport in Asuncion that receive flights to Paraguay mainly from other Latin American countries. The airport in Ciudad del Este also receives daily flights to Paraguay from Brazil, as well as domestic flights from Asunción. You can also travel to Paraguay by car from the neighboring countries or by bus. There are three border crossings to Paraguay from Argentina, two from Brazil and one from Bolivia. Modern bus connections to Paraguay are available from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Boats also cross the river to Paraguay from Argentina. US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visa to travel to Paraguay, but EU citizens do not.
Off the beaten track. Located in central South America, between Argentina and Brazil, Paraguay is a landlocked country divided by the Paraguay River that flows through it. It has a very homogeneous population of mestizos that has retained many characters of the indigenous Guaraní culture in spite the long colonial Spanish rule. The local Guaraní language is still spoken by 90 % of the population. Paraguay is a poor country that has suffered from military dictatorships and economic isolation in the past, but is now developing fast. Paraguay is not a major tourism destination but it is cheap and relatively safe, and has plenty of things to see and do.
Tourism attractions in Paraguay: cities, jungles and historical sights
Paraguay is definitely not a major tourist destination, but nevertheless, it has many interesting places to go and activities to do. The capital of Paraguay, Asuncion has lively festivals and nightlife, cheap shopping, boating and horse-riding trips as well as the normal cathedrals and museums of a capital city. It has been named “the least expensive city in the world” for many consecutive times. Besides the February carnivals in Asunción, the religious center of Caacupé also has important local festivals in December. Ciudad del Este in western Paraguay is a busy border town, but also home to the Itaipú Dam, the world’s second largest hydroelectric project. The reservoir created also offers recreational facilities.More Paraguay destinations. The small city of Concepción along the Paraguay River has sandy beaches, lovely old buildings and horse-drawn carts, and the nearby national park of Cerro Corá has many hiking trails, waterfalls, caves and rock paintings, as well as many rare birds and animals. Close to the town of Encarnación, the ruins of historic Jesuit missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue are a World Heritage Site and a remainder of the peaceful co-existence of Jesuit missionaries and local indigenous people in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the west of Paraguay, the vast arid plains of Chaco and the Pantanal wetlands offer plenty of untouched wilderness for outdoor enthusiasts.
Paraguay travel information and practical tips
The climate in Paraguay is subtropical with hot summer months from October to April and cooler but mostly pleasant winter months from May to September. Since Paraguay is a relatively flat country, there is no major variations in temperatures inside the country. Rainfall in Paraguay is moderate, with cooler winter months being a bit drier. There is more rainfall in the east, whereas the climate in the Chaco area in the west is semi-arid.Traveling to Paraguay can be done mainly by air or by road. The country has an international airport in Asuncion that receive flights to Paraguay mainly from other Latin American countries. The airport in Ciudad del Este also receives daily flights to Paraguay from Brazil, as well as domestic flights from Asunción. You can also travel to Paraguay by car from the neighboring countries or by bus. There are three border crossings to Paraguay from Argentina, two from Brazil and one from Bolivia. Modern bus connections to Paraguay are available from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Boats also cross the river to Paraguay from Argentina. US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visa to travel to Paraguay, but EU citizens do not.
Photo: alex-s, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Getting around. Once in Paraguay, the main form of transportation are the buses that are cheap and reasonably efficient. There are several bus companies available, and several types of buses from the slow Servicio removido to the fast executive deluxe buses. Boat travel is also common on the Paraguay River. The passenger boats are slow, crowded and sometimes uncomfortable, but they allow you to see a lot of beautiful riverside scenery. In the cities, buses and taxis are used for public transportation. Metered taxis are available in Asuncion. Roads connect most parts of Paraguay and car rental is available, although not very cheap.
Hotels and guesthouses can be found in major towns in Paraguay. Tourist accommodation is less common in the countryside, but can be found near all major attractions. Restaurants in Paraguay are cheap and plentiful, offering mainly local dishes. Nightlife can be found in all major cities in Paraguay. Knowledge of English is not common in Paraguay.
Safety. Paraguay is not an unsafe country to travel. There is crime such as theft and pickpocketing in the cities, and police may ask you for bribes in the countryside, but crime is less common than in the cities of the neighboring Brazil or Argentina. Using common sense and avoiding walking around in the cities at night should keep you out of trouble. The main safety concern in Paraguay are the current outbreaks of yellow fever and dengue fever. Make sure to protect yourself against mosquito bites and do not travel to Paraguay unless you have been vaccinated.
Short history of Paraguay
Paraguay was settled thousands of years ago by the semi-nomadic Guaraní people in the East and hunting Guaycurú people in the west. First European to arrive in Paraguay was Alejo García in 1524. Spanish settlers founded the city of Asunción that soon became an important colonial center. The Spanish mixed peacefully with the local Guaraní population, resulting in today’s predominantly mixed mestizo population. Franciscan and Jesuit missions cooperated with the Guaranis peacefully and protected them from enslavement until they were expelled by Spain in 1767.Disastrous wars. During the colonial period, Paraguay covered much of northern Argentina and western Brazil, and it was the first country in Spanish Latin America to gain its independence in 1811. It lost much of its former territory and nearly two-thirds of its adult male population in the war against its neighbors between 1865 and 1870. After the war, Paraguay received immigrants from Europe, the Middle East and from the neighboring countries. Paraguay suffered more losses of territory to Bolivia in the Chaco War in 1932-35. The military dictator Alfredo Stroessner ruled the country from the 1950s until 1989, after which Paraguay has been ruled by democratic leaders.
