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PARAGUAY TRAVEL GUIDE
Landlocked by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil, Paraguay is often overshadowed by its larger neighbours. Yet with a population based on a mix of Spanish descendents and the indigenous Guaraní people, the country’s culture offers a rich and fascinating tapestry of influences, beliefs and traditions. Highlights for visitors include the capital Ascuncion, Lake Ypacara, the Iguassu Falls and other attractions that nature offers in Paraguay, such as bird-watching.
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PARAGUAY WEATHER - When to GO
Paraguay has several different climates. In the northwest the weather is tropical, hot and rainy during the summer months of November, December and February with the highest rainfall during and the winters are also quite warm but dry. In the southeast both winter and summer is a bit cooler than the northwest but still hot in the same with rain at least 2-3 times a week. Temperatures can get as high as 35 degrees Celsius during the summer months in Paraguay and as low as 12 degrees Celsius in the winter. Summer is the hardest time of year to travel in Paraguay due to the heat and rain.
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PARAGUAY HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
Asuncion: the country’s capital may at first appear somewhat bereft of tangible attractions. However, a little time spent exploring can yield a variety of interesting venues and locations. Local history is on offer at the Municipal Museum while Paraguayan art can be appreciated at the nearby Fine Arts Museum. If fine architecture is your thing, then the National Cathedral is worth a visit. While strolling through town stop at the Panteon del los Heroes with its tomb of the unknown soldiers to watch the changing of the guard. Asuncion is also well known among ornithologists, as it’s the home of a variety of interesting indigenous bird species. Enthusiasts can grab their binoculars and head into less urban areas to catch glimpses of kiskadees, saffron finches and horneros. You’ll know when you’ve stumbled across a hornero habitat by its distinctive football-shaped nest fashioned almost entirely from mud.
Ciudad del Este: Citizens from both Brazil and Paraguay flock to this city for serious shopping. The flea market is a great place to find bargains. And for the intrepid traveller not only are there bargains galore but plenty of excellent people watching too. Just outside of Ciudad del Este is the Museum of the Guarani Land. This museum showcases the 10,000 year history of the Paraguayan people. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and admission is free. This city is an ideal as a base from which to visit nearby attractions such as Iguassu Falls. The highest waterfall in the country, Salto Monday, can be reached by road from the city in just 30 minutes.
Iguassu Falls (also often spelt Iguazu Falls): Located on the border with Argentina and Brazil, this network of waterfalls has heights up to 82 metres tall. There are approximately 275 waterfalls stretching over 2.7 kilometres. Located in the middle of a picturesque forest the area is popular with nature lovers and photographers. The most impressive is the Devil’s Throat (a U-shaped waterfall 82 metres high and 700 metres long). Visit the Brazil side of the falls for a 1,600-metre hiking trail along the river to the base of Devil’s Throat. At the end of the hike is an elevator to take visitors to the top of the falls. The view of the falls during a full moon can be quite romantic and this is a popular destination for honeymooners.
Itaipu Dam: Not far from the Iguassu Falls on the border with Argentina is the impressive Itaipu Dam. There is enough iron and steel in this hydroelectric dam to build over 350 Eiffel Towers (but if you did that, where would you put them all?). This dam provides 90% of the energy used in Paraguay. Tours are also available in English. The Refugio Biologico Tati Yupi park was developed to protect animals that live near the dam. This natural forest has campsites available as well as biking and horseback riding.
The Chaco: This huge preserve ranges into Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil as well as Paraguay. It has one of the largest dry forests on the continent. The changing climates result in many different ecosystems, from swamps and salt flats to scrublands and forests. The preserve is home to over 150 different types of mammals and 500 different species of birds. Expect to see jaguars, anteaters, rheas and fairy armadillos during a trek through the park. There are plenty of ponds to fish and miles of hiking trails. While the Chaco covers 60% of the country only 10% of the population lives here so this is the perfect place for those seeking solitude.
Other Highlights: The water lover will probably enjoy a trip to either the city of Areguai or San Bernardino. Both are resort towns on Lake Ypacara and come complete with beaches, water sports and a hefty nightlife. The Jesuit Ruins are another popular trek and some of the best ruins can be found in Trinidad (camping is available amongst these ruins). Caacupe is only 30 miles west of Asuncion and is considered the country’s spiritual capital, featuring the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Caacupe (one of the most beautiful churches in all of Paraguay).
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PARAGUAY HOSPITALITY - Eat Drink and Sleep
Food and Eating Out: Keep an eye out for Cheepa vendors in the major cities. They sell cheese bread bagels that are quite tasty when freshly made. Empanadas are quite popular, as is milanesa, fried and breaded meat. Asado (barbeque) is a local specialty and is usually accompanied by Chipa, a bread made from cassava flour. Cassava, or Mandioca is a daily staple of the locals. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food eateries in the major cities but finding gourmet dining in some of the sparsely populated location may be a bit difficult.
Entertainment and Nightlife: Most of the major cities have nightclubs, bars and casinos as well as parrilladas or open-air restaurants. Local music preferred by the Paraguayans is polcas or guaranias, a slow romantic rhythm that lends itself to romance. Beer is quite popular in the bars but wine and hard liquor are also available. Karaoke is very popular with tourists and locals alike and Karaoke bars are everywhere in the major cities.
Accommodation: The larger cities have hotels for every budget from four and five star to the more modest establishments. Camping is available in just about any park or reserve and hostels are scattered throughout the country.
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PARAGUAY FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Asunción’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is the chief gateway to the country. However, there are no direct flights between the UK (or Europe) and Paraguay. Your best route therefore involves flying to Argentina or Brazil and getting a connecting flight from there.
Alternatively, it’s possible to travel overland by bus from Montevideo in Uruguay; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil; Buenos Aires and Córdoba in Argentina.
For flight options from the UK to Paraguay, try Expedia.co.uk, Netflights or ebookers.
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