Paraguay

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Asuncion

Population

5,300,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Christianity (Catholic)

Languages

Guaraní, Spanish

Calling Code

+595

Nationality

Paraguayan

Local name

Paraguay / Paraguái

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Introduction

Jesuit Missions

© All Rights Reserved thowra

While Paraguay may not boast all the recognition and acclaim its South American neighbours receive, this inconspicuous nation has plenty to charm its visitors with. The graceful capital, Asuncion, nestles itself alongside the intersection of the Rio Paraguay and Rio Pilcomayo. In the north, the Gran Chaco stretches across the nation, offering the traveller a perfect opportunity to enjoy the vast, relatively untouched wilderness area. Due to its large variety of flora and fauna, the Gran Chaco is a hot spot for eco-tourism.

Unlike many of its South American neighbours, Paraguay is a fairly safe destination and has remained a comparatively stable nation over the last decade.

Brief History

Geography

Paraguay shares international borders with Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. The southeastern parts of the country mainly contains of (sub)tropical forests while the northwestern parts are actually quite dry, including the famous Gran Chaco.

Regions

• Paraneña
• Chaco

Cities

• Asuncion is the capital city
• Ciudad del Este is near the border with Brazil
• Oviedo
• Encarnacion
• San Lorenzo

Sights and Activities

Jesuit Missions

Jesuit Missions

© All Rights Reserved thowra

The Paraguayan Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue are located near the city of Encarnacion in the extreme south of the country near the border with Argentina. These missions are a reminder of the Jesuit's Christianization of the Rio de la Plata basin in the 17th and 18th centuries. On top of that they are of artistic value as well. For this reason they are placed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Gran Chaco

Tree in Filadelfia, Paraguay

© All Rights Reserved Rraven

The Gran Chaco is sometimes called "the last South American frontier" as it is a huge and sparsely populated, hot and semi-arid lowland region which, although locted in four countries (including Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia) is a major part of Paraguay itself as well. The most impressive and empty parts are in the west and north of the country and getting there requires lots of time and patience. The main gateway is Filadelfia, but other than that there is not much here. There are however some parks created and with some luck you might be able to see some elusive wildlife. Birds are abundant though.

Itaipu Dam

Most people visit this dam from the Brazilian side but in fact the hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River is located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay and you can easily visit it from the latter country as well. This is the largest operational hydroelectric power plant in the Americas and visiting it is possible from Ciudad del Este, which is about 15 kilometers south. Either go on a tour or travel their by public transport. Visiting the site itself is always on scheduled tours with multi language guides.

Other sights and activities

One of the stunnings sunsets over Rio Paraguay

© All Rights Reserved snatterand

• Mennonite villages are located in Nuevo Australia, Cosme and others.
• Asuncion, although it is not as big and impressive as many other Latin American capitals, there is a certain charm about this place and many travellers love it here. Read more in the Asuncion article.
• Rivers and river journeys on the Rio Paraguay, Rio Parana, Rio de la Plata

Events and Festivals

Weather

Paraguay's climate ranges from tropical in the northeast to sub-tropical in the south. The north generally has warm to hot conditions year-round with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during the hotter months of November to April. Although this also applies to the southwest, this area has lower temperatures during the wintermonths of June to September with Asuncion having highs around 24 degrees Celsius and lows that can drop below 10 degrees during these months. Most of the rain falls in the summermonths, both in the north as well as in the south.

Getting there

Plane

TAM Mercosur is the main airline in Paraguay and is based at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) near the capital Asunción. Destinations are mainly to neighbouring countries and include Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montevideo Santiago de Chile and Cochabamba and Sant Cruz in Bolivia. Aerolíneas Argentinas and Gol fly there to from a few cities in Argentina and Brazil.

Guarani International Airport (AGT) near Ciudad del Este has flights with TAM Linhas Aéreas and Mercosur to Sao Paulo, Santiago and Buenos Aires as well.

By Car

Crossings from Brazil and Argentina are relatively straightforward. To and from Bolivia is a long journey across very thinly populated area and with generally very hot weather and rough roads. Be prepared and have your documentation and insurance in order, as well as an international driver's licence.

By Bus

There are border crossings from Paraguay to and from Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. To and from Brazil, the main crossings are between Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguacu and between Pedro Juan Caballero and Ponta Pora for onward travel to the southern Pantanal.
To and from Bolivia, there are direct buses between Asuncion across the Gran Chaco all the way to Santa Cruz, taking about two days.

By Boat

Boats cross into Asuncin and Encarnacin from Argentina, and from Concepcin to Isla Margarita on the Brazilian border is possible as well.

Getting Around

By Plane

TAM Mercosur is the main carrier with flights between Asuncion and several other cities, including Ciudad del Este.

By Train

There are no domestic rail services in Paraguay.

By Car

Several of the main roads in Paraguay are in an acceptable condition, but potholes are a main concern and some roads can be impassable after heavy rains. Many other roads are unsurfaced and in a depressing state. Renting a car is possible at Asuncion and several other towns as well as on the international airports. Traffic drives on the right and both a national driver's licence or international driving permit are accepted.

By Bus

Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and La Encarnacena are just a few of the bus companies which have at least daily services to almost all major cities and towns in the country, except the more remote places in the Gran Chaco region.

By Boat

There are passenger boats from Asuncion and Concepcion along the Rio Paraguay to a number of river ports north of here.

Red Tape

Travellers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA need visas. Others only need a valid passport. Get your visa in advance, either in a neighbouring country or at home. It usually takes a day to proces a visa. You will need two passport photos and two copies of your passport and your ticket (proof of onward travel), and credit card or traveler’s checks (proof of sufficient funds). The cost is US$45 for single entry or US$65 for multiple entry (30 to 90 days).

Money

See also Money Matters
The currency is the guaraní (plural guaraníes), indicated by ‘G’. Banknote values are 1000, 5000, 10, 000, 50, 000 and 100, 000 guaraníes; there are 50, 100 and 500 coins, but they are relatively rare.

Work

Study

Language

Related article: Spanish: Grammar, pronunciation and useful phrases

Spanish and Guaraní are the official languages of Paraguay.

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post