Paraguay oh Paraguay! This is a country quite difficult to put into words. People are extremely friendly and helpful, especially when you try to speak Spanish. You will mostly be greeted and thanked in Guaraní. The language native to the indigenous Guaraní people. Most travellers, and by most I mean pretty much everyone, skips this green – so much green, flat, hot, subtropical country. At first, it seems as if there is nothing to do. However, Paraguay has more to offer than you might think, and is worth a detour.
After many conversations with locals, I am determined to return, rent a car, and explore more of this untouched country. Watch out Paraguayans I can barely see over the stirring wheel. There are many subtropical national parks with jaguars, the famous Itaipu Dam, beautiful waterfalls, Colonial European architecture, cheap electronics, mate gourds, and beaches. Hold on Paraguay is landlocked?
Some say Paraguay offers you an insight into what South America looked like 10-15 years ago. Paraguay is more expensive than Bolivia, but cheaper than Brazil. It is a country of contrast. There are many fancy air-conditioned malls, shops, and restaurants, but also often abandoned incredible European architectural buildings, and if you visit the gaucho you have to be prepared for a bumpy ride.
Anyone looking for bustling cities, well-connected bus routes and organised tours, this isn’t the country for you – not yet anyway. But if you are wondering how much time to spend in Paraguay, what to do, and what on Earth mate gourds are? Read on and find out.
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WHAT TO DO
Highlights Of Paraguay That Make It Worth A Detour.
Do you only want to cover the highlights of Paraguay? Then head to the countries’ capital city Asunción for a colourful neighbourhood and Colonial European architecture. Visit Ciudad del Este for cheap electronics shopping, Itaipu Dam, the Monday Falls; or Encarnacion to relax on the river beaches.
Head here for an easy five-day itinerary for Paraguay’s highlights.
Adrenaline Junky Or Adventurous?
Eco Reserva Mbatovi is a national park for the adventurous, there you can zip line and spot armadillos. Not a poor backpacker? Stay on a farm like Estancia Aventura and horse ride.
Don’t Want To Be A Cliché Tourist?
Travel to the country’s Concepción and then to the 16km away Granja El Roble for some peace and quiet in the nature surrounded by wildlife. There are also National Parks to be visited, such as Cerro Cora National Park for anteater and jaguar spotting; or Ybycui National Park for beautiful waterfalls and monkeys.
Festivals.
Finding yourself in Paraguay in February or around Easter? Carnaval and Easter are celebrated largely in all of Paraguay.
GOOD TO KNOW
How Much Time To Spend In Paraguay.
I was in Paraguay for five days, but you can easily spend two weeks here. When you try to go off the main route Asunción – Encarnacion – Concepcion – Ciudad del Este it can be difficult to figure out how to get to places.
Paraguay isn’t worth a detour for you, if you want your usual backpacking experience surrounded by fellow travellers. However, I still think it is worth visiting for a few days if you are on your way from Brazil to Bolivia or vice versa.
Where To Enter.
Paraguay can be entered from Santa Cruz Bolivia to Asunción, or you can cross the bridge connecting Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil by moto-taxi or foot.
Best Time To Visit.
Paraguay’s climate is relatively consistent throughout the year and there is no off-season for tourism. The recommended time to visit is September to December, as temperatures drop slightly. I went in early February and OMG it was almost unbearably hot.
Safety.
Paraguay is safer than its tourist rich neighbours. Although, the same advice as for any other South American country stands ‘no dar papaya’, meaning do not keep items unattended, especially your phone.
Transport.
Paraguay is not the easiest to travel, as tourists are a rare sight. Asunción is well connected to all major cities. Buses are comfortable, and night buses are safe but keep anything valuable on your body. The buses from Bolivia are following a bumpy road. They will be stopped several times by the military to check foreigners’ bags for drugs.
Taxis are expensive, I recommend you take the bus or an Uber.
ATMs.
The banks charge a steep fee of PYG 25,000 and some banks don’t take foreign cards. There are Western Unions in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.
Plugs.
The standard plug type is C (European).
Visa.
European Nationals can enter Paraguay for 90 days without a visa. Entry stamps will be granted upon arrival. US, Canadian and Australian Nationals require a visa in advance. Please check your immigration guidelines before entering the country. Airlines need you to be able to prove that you have either a bus or flight ticket out of the country.
Did I do a good job of making you want to make a detour for the widely unexplored Paraguay? Also, did I mention that they love cold mate? No clue what mate is? It is a popular tea drunk out of gourds. You will see people carry them around everywhere.
Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.
Pin the boredom away…
