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General Information

Paraguay is a landlocked country surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil, lying some 900 miles up the River Paraná from the Atlantic. The River Paraguay, a tributary of the Paraná, divides the country into two regions. The Oriental zone consists of undulating country intersected by chains of hills rising to about 2,000 feet merging into the Mato Grosso Plateau in the north. The Paraná crosses the area in the east and south. East and southeast of Asunción lie the oldest centers of settlement and the area that is inhabited by the greater part of the population. This area is bordered to the west by rolling pastures, and to the south by thick primeval forests. The Occidental zone  covers about 95,300 square miles. It is a flat alluvial plain, composed mainly of grey clay, which is marked by large areas of permanent swamp in the southern and eastern regions. Apart from a few small settlements, it is sparsely populated. Background Information and History Travel Etiquette Learn the Language Best Time to Go Money and Costs

Background Information and History
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, Paraguay won large, economically important areas from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then.

Travel Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out. TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide travel. Our features and articles are written by professional journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Learn the Language
The official languages are Spanish and Guaraní; Guaraní is spoken by most of the rural population. Most Paraguayans are bilingual, but prefer to speak Guaraní outside Asunción.
 

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Best Time to Go
Because of Paraguay's intense summer heat, it is best to visit in the winter months. May to September are preferable times to vacation here as the weather is pleasantly variable. July is the coldest month with temperatures averaging just over 20°C (68°F). If you can arrange it, travel in February during Paraguay's celebration of Carnaval.

Because of the fairly low elevations in Paraguay, temperatures are almost uniformly hot in summer. And, if you will be in the east portion of the country, you can expect quite a bit of high humidity. Average highs hover around 35°C (95°F), with daily temperatures ranging between 25°C and 43°C (77°F to 109°F). Although it sometimes gets below freezing in winter due to the southern polar air, the average lows are normally somewhere more near 6°C (42°F). Rainfall is moderate throughout the year with the winter months usually being a bit more dry. Conditions are often wetter in the east where rainfall averages are more abundant, about 79 inches a year. In southern Paraguay, rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Money and Costs
The local is the guaraní, indicated by 'G'. Visitors will find that Paraguay is cheaper than Argentina or Uruguay but more expensive than Bolivia. If you want to do it on a budget travelers, you should get by with between US$20 or $30 a day. However, for a more comfortable time, including better lodging and food, you should expect to spend US$30 to $50 a day.  In Asuncion, Encarnacion and Cuidad del Este you will find ATMs connected to Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus networks. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside Asunción and, even there, only in mid-range to top-end hotels, restaurants and shops.

Casas de cambio (exchange bureaus) are plentyful in Asunción and border towns, and change cash and sometimes travelers checks. Changing in a bank is about your only choice in the interior. Some banks will not cash travelers checks without the original proof of purchase receipt. Street changers give slightly lower rates for cash only and can be helpful on weekends or evenings.

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate

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Getting To and Around in Paraguay
Passport Information
Visa Information
Getting To Paraguay
Getting Around in Paraguay

Passports
Passport valid for six months after the intended length of stay required by all with the only exception being for nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay who have valid ID cards entering as tourists, and are entering directly from their own country.  

Check this chart to see what you need for entry into Paraguay

Visa Information
Required by all except the following entering as tourists for stays of up to 90 days:
►1. nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who do require visas);
►nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela;
►transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within six hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Further, more detailed information can be found on the E-World Guide.

Getting To Paraguay
The only international Paraguay's only international airport is in Asunción. Direct international flights from here are limited to neighboring countries: Buenos Aires, Argentina; La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia; São Paulo and Rio be Janeiro, Brazil; Iquique and Santiago, Chile. You can fin daily flights (Transportes Aéreos Mercosur) to and from Buenos Aires, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, São Paolo, Santiago and Ciudad del Este. Bolivian carrier LAB shuttles between La Paz, Santa Cruz and Asunción. Varig has daily flights to Foz de Iguazú, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian GOL heads to Brasilia and Buenos Aires.

You can get there by bus, but getting through the Paraguayan borders can be interesting to say the least. You may even have to ask the driver to stop at immigration (locals don't always need to) just to be sure you have all of your papers are in order. There are not many overland crossings, with three from Argentina, two from Brazil and sometimes from Bolivia.

Boats cross into Asunción and Encarnación from Argentina, but immigration procedures are more complicated if entering by boat.

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Getting Around in Paraguay
Buses dominate transportation throughout Paraguay. You will find that the fares are inexpensive and the service reasonably efficient. There is no such thing as a direct bus and the busses stop often to pick up passengers. Servicio removido makes flag stops; servicio directo collects passengers at fixed locations; común stops at fewer locations, while ejecutivo is a faster, deluxe bus.

About the only place you can find metered taxis is in the capital. In other locations, you may need to barter with someone that has a car and is running their own taxi service. Rental cars are rather expensive, but it can be worth it if you can share with others. Driving can be dangerous with wooden oxcarts and livestock among the more obvious road hazards.

There are passenger boats from Asunción and Concepción up the Río Paraguay to a number of river ports.

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Cities, Towns and Areas of Paraguay

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Accommodations in Paraguay

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Dining in Paraguay

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Things to See and Do

Casa de la Independencia
Built in 1772, Casa de la Independencia in Asunción is where Paraguayans declared their independence from Spain in 1811 - it's also Asunción's oldest building. The building has a small museum featuring furniture, coins and copies of speeches. There are also displays showing Asunción's rich modern history. Explanations are in Spanish only.

Fortín Boquerón
Located in Northwest Paraguary, Fortín Boquerón has preserved a replica of the trenches used during the conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay in the Chaco War (1932-35). In June 1932, Bolivians launched a successful attack against Fortín Boquerón. Two months later, Paraguayans reclaimed the area.

Parque Nacional Cerro Corá
This national park (located in the Northeast) was established in 1990 to combat deforestation. Set in the steep, isolated hills, it protects an area of dry tropical forest and natural savanna. The area has some pre-Columbian caves and petroglyphs, along with several nature trails lead to waterfalls, rivers and a mirador (viewpoint), Cerro Muralia, which is 1,066 feet high. Be sure to watch for rare birds and animals including tortoises, armadillos and monkeys. There is a camping area. There is also some stuffed animal displays and maps in the small visitors center and museum. The park is in the Northwest area of the country.

Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco
The best way to visit this park is on a guided tour from Asuncion. Defensores del Chaco is a wooded alluvial plain with Cerro León being is its greatest landmark. The dense thorn forest harbors large cats such as jaguars, pumas and ocelots.

Parque Nacional Médeanos del Chaco
Located in Northwest Paraguay, this may be the park that is the most breathtaking and well worth the visit. It should not, however, be attempted alone and, even if you are with a group, you should never wander at night as the threats include anything from jaguars to contrabandists. The park is best visited on a 3-day guided tour.

Parque Nacional Ybycuí
Located in the Southwest, this popular national park preserves some of eastern Paraguay's last remaining subtropical rainforest. The  steep hills of the park are dissected by creeks with attractive waterfalls and pools. The dense forest makes it hard to see the animals, which tend to hide, with the exception of stunningly colorful butterflies.

Trinidad & Jesús
Located in Southern Paraguay is Paraguay's best-preserved Jesuit reducción (or settlement) where native people were concentrated for religious instruction, education and protection. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1993, it is a peaceful and stunning place. Jesús is the nearly complete construction of a Jesuit mission, interrupted by the Jesuit's expulsion in 1767.

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Links for Paraguay

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