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Asuncion Travel Guide - Travel S Helper

Asuncion

travel guide

The capital and biggest city of Paraguay is Nuestra Seora Santa Mara de la Asunción.

The Ciudad de Asunción is a self-contained capital district that is not part of any department. The Gran Asunción metropolitan region comprises the Central Department cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora,Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, emby, San Antonio, Limpio,Capiatá, and Villa Elisa. The metropolitan region of Asunción has a population of almost 2 million people. The Municipality of Asunción is listed on the Asunción Stock Exchange with the symbol BVPASA: MUA, which is a first for any city.

It is the seat of the national government, the country’s main port, and the country’s main industrial and cultural center.

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Asunción | Introduction

Asunción – Info Card

POPULATION : • City 525,294
• Metro 2,198,662
FOUNDED :   August 15, 1537
TIME ZONE : • Time zone PYT (UTC–4)
• Summer (DST) PYST (UTC–3)
LANGUAGE :  Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
RELIGION :
AREA : • City 117 km2 (45.2 sq mi)
• Metro 1,000 km2 (400 sq mi)
ELEVATION :  43 m (141 ft)
COORDINATES :  25°16′S 57°38′W
SEX RATIO :  Male: 50.40%
 Female: 49.60%
ETHNIC :
AREA CODE :  21
POSTAL CODE :  1001-1925
DIALING CODE :  (+595) 21
WEBSITE :   www.mca.gov.py

Tourism in Asunción

The metropolitan region of Asunción is home to 2.2 million of Paraguay’s 6.6 million people. It is a youthful city, with 65 percent of its people under the age of 30. Outside of hotels and tour companies, few people speak English, so getting by without at least some basic Spanish may be difficult. The city center (microcentro) closes from Saturday afternoon to all Sunday, and the city may appear deserted, but the bustle is in the neighborhoods of Villa Morra and Carmelitas, which are home to the main shopping centers, department stores, boutiques, as well as cafés, fast food restaurants, and cinemas, and they are open on weekends.

Many previous majestic structures in the microcentro used to be in disrepair, but the government began restoration work in 2011 in preparation for Paraguay’s Bicentennial Celebrations, and the city has now regained much of its former beauty. You may take a cab journey at night and experience it fully lighted. This neighborhood has several bars, taverns, and restaurants, as well as a new riverfront promenade (costanera).

VISITOR INFORMATION

  • Senatur (National Tourism Board), Palma 468, +595 21 441530, toll-free: 0800 113030, fax: +595 21 491230. The main national tourist information office. Additional information booth at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport.
  • Dirección de Cultura y Turismo (Municipal Tourism Board), Ayolas 129, Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera, +595 21 442448. The local tourist office. Additional information booth at Bus Terminal and Costanera (riverside promenade).

Climate of Asunción

Asunción is located close south of the Tropic of Capricorn, resulting in a subtropical climate. That entails extreme heat, particularly during the South American summer (winter in the Northern Hemisphere). Between December and March, temperatures may routinely exceed 38 °C / 100 °F, and humidity levels can be oppressive. Nonetheless, the weather varies significantly from week to week. When the sun shines, you bake, and when the rains hold off for a few days, it may be quite dry. The rains are torrential and cause the temperature to plummet drastically. Then the clouds gather and the temperature drops.

Geography of Asunción

Asunción is between the parallels of 25° 15′ and 25° 20′ south latitude and the meridian of 57° 40′ and 57° 30′ west longitude. The city is located on the left bank of the Paraguay River, practically at its confluence with the Pilcomayo River. In the northwest, the Paraguay River and the Bay of Asunción divide the city from the Occidental Region of Paraguay and Argentina in the south. The Central Department encircles the remainder of the city.

With its position along the Paraguay River, the city provides a variety of sceneries; it is laid out in a pattern of rectangular blocks over moderate slopes. Cerro Lambaré, a hill in Lambaré, puts on a stunning spectacle in the spring due to the flowering lapacho trees. Parks such as Parque Independencia and Parque Carlos Antonio López are popular tourist destinations because they have extensive expanses of characteristic Paraguayan nature. Throughout the city, there are various tiny hills and somewhat raised places, like Cabará, Clavel, Tarumá, Cachinga, and Tacumb.

Economy of Asunción

In terms of trade, this sector has expanded significantly in recent years, reaching out to the suburbs with the construction of shopping malls and supermarkets. The BVPASA, Paraguay’s only stock exchange, is situated here. It lists the city as BVPASA:MUA.

Asuncion is home to some of the world’s largest corporations, enterprises, and investment organizations. This is Paraguay’s economic capital, followed by Ciudad del Este and Encarnación.

Internet, Communication in Asunción

Internet cafes are located around the city and typically cost between 3,000 and 5,000 Gs. per hour. Generally, connection speeds are adequate. If you’re traveling with a laptop or a Wi-Fi-enabled phone, finding free Wi-Fi signals is quite simple. Numerous eateries provide free Wi-Fi.

Districts & Neighbourhoods In Asunción

Neighborhood Population (2002) Neighborhood Population (2002) Neighborhood Population (2002)
1. Itá Enramada 4845 24. Seminario 5070 47. Pinoza 6621
2. Santa Ana 5775 25. Vista Alegre 12,611 48. Jara 13,554
3. Bañado Santa Ana 8374 26. Panambí Retá 2386 49. Banco San Miguel 953
4. Roberto L. Pettit 20,201 27. Panambí Verá 2591 50. Tablada Nueva 6573
5. Republicano 8429 28. San Pablo 21,787 51. Virgen del Huerto 4809
6. Pirizal 4022 29. Terminal 4305 52. Virgen de la Asunción 9983
7. San Vicente 15,412 30. Hipódromo 8348 53. Bella Vista 6657
8. Bañado Tacumbú 10,958 31. Nazareth 7133 54. Santo Domingo 2591
9. Obrero 19,823 32. Villa Aurelia 9871 55. Cañada del Ybaray 3166
10. Tacumbú 13,366 33. Los Laureles 3517 56. Las Lomas (Carmelitas) 5604
11. Sajonia 14,873 34. Mariscal Estigarribia 7711 57. Madame Lynch 8589
12. Itá Pytá Punta 4225 35. San Cristóbal 6618 58. Salvador del Mundo 3883
13. San Antonio 9544 36. Herrera 5149 59. Ñu Guazú 1342
14. Dr. Francia 10,925 37. Santa María 4591 60. Mbocayaty 6512
15. La Encarnación 4928 38. Ytay 3054 61. Mburucuyá 8377
16. Catedral 3676 39. San Jorge 4844 62. Trinidad 4515
17. General Díaz 6068 40. Ycuá Satí 6687 63. Virgen de Fátima 6064
18. Pettirossi 11380 41. Manorá 1898 64. San Rafael 10,732
19. San Roque 6355 42. Villa Morra 4114 65. Botánico 9982
20. Ricardo Brugada(Chacarita) 10,455 43. Recoleta 10,230 66. Zeballos Cué 18,553
21. San Felipe 5679 44. Tembetary 3515 67. Loma Pytá 6231
22. Las Mercedes 4827 45. Mburicaó 7691 68. San Blas 3651
23. Ciudad Nueva 8584 46. General Caballero 8128 69. Santa Rosa 3546
24. Carlos A. López ? 70. Mariscal López 5025

How To Travel To Asunción

Get In - By plane

All flights land at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (IATA: ASU), which is situated 17 kilometers (11 miles) northeast of Asunción. Taking public transportation from the airport to the city center takes 30-45 minutes. The airport offers taxis, city buses, airport-to-hotel minibuses, and vehicle rental.

TAM Airlines and Aerolneas Argentinas offer international flights to Buenos Aires; TAM Airlines and GOL fly to Sao Paulo; TAM Airlines and GOL fly to Santiago; TAM Airlines and Amazonas fly to Santa Cruz; Avianca flies to Lima; Amazonas flies to Montevideo; Copa Airlines flies to Panama City; and American Airlines flies to Miami. There are no direct flights to Europe; instead, you must change aircraft at Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires.

TAM Airlines and Amazonas Paraguay provide domestic flights to Ciudad del Este, while Setam (Transporte Aéreo Militar) offers flights to Concepción, Vallem, Fuerte Olimpo, and Baha Negra.

A cab from the airport to the city center should cost about USD 30. A public bus station is located 200 meters from the airport terminal. The city bus line 30 brings you into the city for a low fee (USD 0.50), but be aware that municipal buses are not equipped to handle large items of baggage. Local buses operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Get In - By Train

In Paraguay, there are no trains. A tourist train to Areguá that left from Jardn Botánico station on Sundays ceased operations in 2010. The former main railway station close to Plaza Uruguaya is now a museum and cultural event site.

Get In - By Bus

The bus station (Terminal de Omnibus) is approximately five kilometers southeast of the city center, thus it is best to take a cab or bus into town (buses number 8, 38, and many more). The Avenida Fernando de la Mora, which runs in front of the bus station, connects to the city center. All bus companies have ticket offices within the station, while several long-distance bus companies have offices in the microcentro surrounding Plaza Uruguaya.

There are two kinds of bus services to the country’s major cities: comn and directo. While the first is less expensive, it also stops in every town or bus stop along the route to pick up and drop off passengers, taking longer than the directo, which runs directly or with fewer or no stops to reach their destination in less time. Directo buses are less regular, with just a few runs each day, usually around midnight, early in the morning, or late in the afternoon.

  • Encarnacióncomún: 7–8 hours, several daily, 50,000 Gs; also directo: 5 hours, 75.000 Gs
  • Ciudad del Este, several daily, 5–7 hours, 40,000 – 70,000gs
  • Concepción, about 6 hours, several daily, 60’000 Gs
  • Cities in the Chaco: Loma Plata, Filadelfia, Neuland, Mariscal Estigarriba, about 8 hours, 1 to 2 services daily to each destination, 90,000 Gs (NASA, Golondrina).

International buses leave from the bus station towards Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile.

  • Buenos Aires, ca. 17h, several daily, 45 US$ (Crucero del Norte, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción/Chevallier)
  • Santa Cruz, $40, 21 hours.

The bus to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, is not recommended because it is extremely slow (the Transchaco Highway is only paved as far as the Bolivian border), buses generally travel only at night, missing out on any views of the Chaco, and roadblocks on the Bolivian side of the border are common, easily doubling your journey time. The majority of buses traveling this route (at least 21 hours) do not have bathrooms on board. Flights to Santa Cruz are currently just slightly more costly than taking the bus if purchased in advance.

All of the other buses are excellent. It is prudent to pay more money to get better service (the 70,000 Gs. bus to Ciudad del Este takes two to three hours less than the 40,000 Gs. services, for example). Food and drink are often supplied on longer-distance trains, and virtually all will stop on way to let someone sell chipa and cocido.

Get In - By Car

Driving yourself is a good option to discover the city sites, since some are situated outside of the microcentro. When hiring a vehicle, it is suggested that you use a GPS since the city streets and avenues lack effective signaling and finding your way about might be difficult. Asunción traffic may be rather hectic, especially early in the morning, around lunchtime, and between 5 and 8 p.m. during rush hour. However, once outside of the city, things improve dramatically. Highways to adjacent locations are in excellent shape. Drivers might also be provided by automobile rental firms.

Parking in the city is plentiful and well-signalized on every street. The streets are broad enough to park beside both sidewalks. Parking in the microcentro streets costs USD 0.50 per hour, but only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays. When you park your vehicle, destitute individuals (men and women, young and elderly) may approach you and offer to “watch after” the car for you, expecting you to pay them a modest amount of money (no more than USD 2) when you return to your car. This is a typical occurrence across the city, particularly around major attractions (including municipal parks) and restaurants. It may be irritating at first, but locals are used to this circumstance, and it is preferable for you to accept the offer and avoid any issue.

Get In - By boat

The port is located on the riverbank of Montevideo, close behind Paraguayo Independiente.

On Sundays between 6-7 a.m., the “Cacique II” departs Concepción for Asunción. 55,000 Gs for 22 hours. Wednesday morning, he returns to Concepción. Bring warm clothing as well as your own snacks. A inexpensive dinner may be purchased on board, but don’t bank on it.

Passengers may sometimes arrange passage on cargo ships traveling to Concepción and higher up the Rio Paraguay.

How To Get Around In Hong Kong

Asunción’s historic center is compact enough to be explored on foot. However, some of the attractions, like as the Jardn Botánico (Botanical Garden), are located beyond the city limits. In addition to the city’s historical heart, which is largely between the streets Colón and Antequera, the Carmelitas neighborhood has become a retail and entertainment hotspot, with numerous big shopping malls and North American-style bars and restaurants. Street names shift east-west at Independencia Nacional, and north-south at Avenida Mariscal López.

Get Around - By bus

Buses are ubiquitous, inexpensive, and an adventure in and of themselves (be careful while exiting, since many only slow down, rather than stop completely for the passengers to get off). They travel almost everywhere in town – destinations are printed on boards in the front window, and if you’re unsure, simply yell your planned destination to the driver when he stops, and he’ll tell you yes or no. There are many distinct variations of each bus number – 16, 16.1, 16.2, etc. – that frequently take totally different routes, so be careful not to get on the incorrect one. There aren’t many official bus stops in Asunción, so you can very much flag down a bus from wherever. To get about, you’ll need to know some Spanish. The fare is Gs. 2.000 (USD 0.52).

Some useful bus routes:

  • Centre (Oliva) to Shopping del Sol: 28, 30
  • Centre to Shopping Mariscal Lopez/Villa Morra: 18, 26, 28, 30.2 (from Oliva), 56 (from Haedo)
  • Centre (Oliva) to the Botanical Gardens: 1, 13
  • Centre (Oliva) to the Bus Termninal: 8, 36
  • Centre (Haedo) to Mercado 4: 2, 21, 25, 27, 29, 133
  • Centre (Oliva) to the airport: 30A

Get Around - By Taxi

Taxis are also readily accessible and moderately priced. Many of the cabs are old, lumbering diesel Mercedes, which may be a nostalgic treat. Late at night (after roughly 10 p.m.) and on Sundays, a 30% extra is imposed. Tipping is not customary. Make sure drivers utilize the meter or pre-arrange a fee.

Walk up the steps labelled “SALIDA” from the bus station, then down the stairs into the car park. Ignore taxi touts and take a cab from the queue. During the day, a cab into the city center should cost roughly 40,000 Gs. Taxis in front of the terminal at the airport charge a set, non-negotiable fare of 100,000 Gs to the center. You can save money by going up to the main road and hailing a yellow taxi from there, but you’re unlikely to save more than 20,000 Gs.

Prices in Asuncion

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

Milk 1 liter $0.80
Tomatoes 1 kg $1.05
Cheese 0.5 kg $4.00
Apples 1 kg $1.80
Oranges 1 kg $0.70
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $0.80
Bottle of Wine 1 bottle $5.90
Coca-Cola 2 liters $1.70
Bread 1 piece $0.64
Water 1.5 l $0.60

RESTAURANTS

Dinner (Low-range) for 2 $15.00
Dinner (Mid-range) for 2 $35.00
Dinner (High-range) for 2 $
Mac Meal or similar 1 meal $4.50
Water 0.33 l $0.50
Cappuccino 1 cup $1.65
Beer (Imported) 0.33 l $1.30
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $1.10
Coca-Cola 0.33 l $0.80
Coctail drink 1 drink $4.95

ENTERTAINMENT

Cinema 2 tickets $12.00
Gym 1 month $26.00
Men’s Haircut 1 haircut $9.00
Theatar 2 tickets $55.00
Mobile (prepaid) 1 min. $0.14
Pack of Marlboro 1 pack $1.80

PERSONAL CARE

Antibiotics 1 pack $7.00
Tampons 32 pieces $5.15
Deodorant 50 ml. $3.15
Shampoo 400 ml. $4.40
Toilet paper 4 rolls $1.90
Toothpaste 1 tube $2.00

CLOTHES / SHOES

Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 1 $56.00
Dress summer (Zara, H&M.) 1 $33.00
Sport shoes (Nike, Adidas) 1 $64.00
Leather shoes 1 $45.00

TRANSPORTATION

Gasoline 1 liter $1.01
Taxi Start $1.00
Taxi 1 km $
Local Transport 1 ticket $0.45

Sights & Landmarks In Asunción

Although Asunción lacks traditional tourist attractions, it might be an intriguing city to visit if you are ready to be your own tour guide.

Every July, a trade fair featuring display booths, food, music, and booze is held. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about what is going on in the nation; exhibitors vary from agricultural suppliers to liquor makers. Keep a look out for the many free samples of food, toiletries, and beverages.

  • The National Congress. One of the city’s most spectacular new structures. It was erected in 2002 with $20 million from the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Paraguay is one of the few, and the only, South American nation that recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) rather than mainland China (People’s Republic of China). The most notable feature is its mirrored façade, which mirrors the neighboring slums along the riverbank. You may request an English tour and perhaps obtain one. If you arrive by 1 p.m., you will be able to see a tiny museum inside.
  • Catedral de Nuestra Señora de AsunciónThe national cathedral. Across the plaza with fountains, however it is usually closed, particularly during the afternoon siesta.
  • Municipal Museum. The Municipal Museum is small, but it contains information on the historic tram system from the 1880s and other municipal history. The Visual Arts Museum is nearby and features temporary shows by national artists.
  • Panteón de los Heroes. The unnamed soldier’s grave is here, as are other “heroes” from Paraguay’s tragic conflicts, as well as plaques honoring the soldiers of the Chaco war. Every other day, the guard is changed.
  • Cabildo. The historic colonial legislative structure in the bay area now houses a cultural center.
  • Casa de la Independencia. Paraguayan independence landmark. In 1811, patriotic patriots assembled here to plan against Spanish colonialists. On Independence Day, they marched from here to the Cathedral.
  • Palacio de LópezHouse the Paraguayan government. Very well lit at night.
  • Estación Central del Ferrocarril. The first vapor train in South America was installed in Paraguay. The structure itself and the antique wagons are more spectacular than the museum that it currently contains. On Sundays, you could have success finding a transport to the nearby city of Aregua. The train no longer runs often; this is just a tourist attraction.
  • Teatro Municipal. Check for frequent concerts in the newly restored area. You can dine there even if you don’t see a play since it has a nice café inside.
  • Manzana de la Rivera. An historic colonial mansion has been converted into a cultural center. It has a wonderful outdoor café with a view of the Palacio de López.
  • Iglesia de la Encarnación. A large pipe organ can be found in a church (the only one in Paraguay). Currently in very bad shape. During the Chaco War, it served as a hospital (1932-35).
  • Mburuvicha RogaThe “chief’s house” in Guarani, where the presidential family lives.
  • Centro Cultural de Artes Visuales Museo del Barro. Paraguayan art ranges from pre-colonial pottery and textiles to cutting-edge modern art.
  • Capellania del Migrante- Seminario Metropolitano de Asunción. Beautiful brick chapel amid a large busy park where Paraguayans play soccer, tennis, and jog.
  • Backyard birds. Backyard birds in cities are fascinating. The Great Kiskadee, Saffron Finch, and Hornero are all present. Kiskadees are fierce and big, similar to yellow blue jays. Saffron finches are similar to yellow house finches, and Horneros are similar to American Robins but lack the red breast. It creates a one-of-a-kind mud nest the size and shape of a football that mimics a Paraguayan oven, or horno. Hence the term “baker.”
  • Sunday flea marketalong calle Palma. Usually from early morning to lunchtime. Several elderly guys put up stands to sell souvenirs, pictures, and books.

Things To Do In Asunción

  • RunningParque Ñu Guazú. Many Asunceos work off the pressures of the day in Parque u Guaz, which is located just outside of Asunción in the city of Luque, on the route to the airport. A beautiful paved 9K circle for running or walking is available.
  • Ñu Guazu. Nu Guazu, Asunción’s largest park, is a great place to spend the day or have a picnic. There are several ponds and people participating in sports.
  • Jardín Botánico. Visit the botanical garden; it’s a tranquil setting filled with trees and pleasant walks. Find a shady area and have a picnic lunch. Within the park, you may see Madame Lynch’s mansion, a stunning specimen of Paraguayan colonial architecture.
  • Soccer. Attend a soccer game in one of Asunción’s stadiums. Cerro Porteno and Olimpia are the traditional rivals.

Food & Restaurants In Asunción

You won’t have trouble finding an inexpensive restaurant to eat at or take out for lunch. The eateries where you pay by the weight and assist yourself are typically quite affordable and a good alternative to the marginally more costly restaurants with their daily menu. Finding a decent deal is more difficult after supper because so few restaurants are still open, especially if you are watching your budget.

Budget

Although they are situated distant from the center, the majority of shopping malls include adequate food courts with a range of eateries. Larger supermarkets frequently have a low-cost self-service restaurant.

Eat a streetside “lomito”; these sellers may be found all throughout the city, but there are particularly many of them around Casa Rica and the river Guazu. A fried egg, cheese, mayo, and vegetables are all included in the sandwich. Beef or chicken are available for selection. Some also sell hamburgers, chorizo, and lomito arabe (shawarma). After a night of heavy drinking, it is a well-liked hangout spot in the evenings.

Don Vito is the pinnacle of Paraguayan fast food. They have been in operation for more than 30 years and are the originators of the Paraguayan empanada. If you’re fortunate enough to be in Paraguay in May or June, you may get a pastel mandi’o, which is made of mandioca and beef, at the original location, which is right behind the Iglesia de San Jose. Pulp, a Paraguayan soft drink created with natural fruit juice, is best savored with a cold one.

  • Burger KingPalma between 14 de Mayo and 15 de AgostoIf you fancy something you know. Also open in the evening.
  • Supermercado El PaisAntequera and 25 de Mayo (on the east side of Plaza Uruguaya). open until 21:30, Sunday only until noonUpstairs is the buffet, with various meats, pastas and salads available. Pay by weight, ½kg around 15,000Gs. It is not recommended to dine in the evening, shortly before they close.
  • Restaurant InternacionalFernando de la Mora (opposite the bus terminal). A good and not too expensive place. Sometimes with live music. Popular also with locals to hang out for a beer. Open in the evening.
  • La Vida VerdePalma 6349:00-14:00Good Chinese-vegetarian food. Self-service. Very popular at noon. No more than US$5 per person.
  • Na Eustaqia421 Palma, past Lido’s and the hall of martyrs, near Burger KingLower prices than Lido’s, and quality food. Very busy for lunch, you may need to wait for a table. Main lunches cost 15,000 – 25,000 Gs. Great juice bar there too.
  • SeoulChile, near the intersection with Oliva (Plaza de los Heroes) and opposite an Esso petrol stationOpen for lunch and dinner (19:30)Wonderful Korean buffet, with lots of vegetarian options where you fill your plate and pay per kilo (40,000 Gs)

Mid-range

  • Confiteria/Snack Bar/Restaurant Bolsi (corner Estrella and Alberdi). M-Su, also open in the eveningIt has been there for decades, serving some more and some less traditional food to a mixed crowd of people.
  • Lido Bar (Av. Palma, opposite Panteón del los Heroes). open daily till lateEstablished 1954 in the style of a contemporary American cafe-bar, Lido Bar has hardly changed since. All the usual Paraguayan foods, plus a wide selection of desserts. Very popular during peak times, particularly dinner. The Fish Soup (sopa pescado) is famous and recommended.
  • Hacienda Las PalomasSenador Long 1481 (corner Senador Long and Guido Spano),  +595 21 605-111Really good Mexican food (not “chips & salsa Tex-Mex”). The margaritas are particularly good, but the food is even better.
  • Shangri-LaAviadores del Chaco c/ San Martín (corner Aviadores del Chaco and San Martín),  +595 21 661-618Good Chinese food.
  • Bar San Roque (Corner of 25 de Mayo and Tacuary. Green building.). Open all evening, earlier than many other places until lateA mix of traditional and fine cuisine. Excellent food and service in a very traditional feeling atmosphere. Really fantastic beer on tap, served in their chilled Oktoberfest steins.

Shopping In Asunción

Purchasing products and services is inexpensive. This is mostly due to Paraguay being a sanctuary for piracy and contraband. Be warned that certain products may be created at a low cost.

  • Indigenous crafts and artisan work – There are indigenous arts and crafts available, including ceramics, tooled leather, carved wood, and an especially Paraguayan lace style called “anduti” that is modeled on a spider’s web. Visit the boutiques run by artists in Plaza de los Heroes. In reality, most items are produced locally.
  • Shopping malls – Shopping del Sol on Aviadores del Chaco and Shopping Mariscal López on Avenida Mariscal Lopez are Asuncion’s two main shopping centers, and they are located in the suburbs of Villa Mora and Carmelitas, respectively. Take the 28 or 30 bus to get there. Both the mall Excelsior on Chile and the simpler Asuncion Supercentro on Oliva’s western end are in the center. On Sunday nights, when many more popular center restaurants are closed, these “Shoppings” are helpful as locations to dine.
  • Palma StreetCalle Palma. The primary commercial street. Almost everything available here may be found for less money in one of the side streets.
  • Mercado 4along Avenida Sivio Pettirossi. It is a chaotic market where you can buy almost anything at a very low price, and it is especially ideal for fake apparel and illegal CDs and DVDs (of varying quality). The majority of Paraguayans still shop at their neighborhood vegetable markets, although everything is relatively affordable. Good restaurants abroad, particularly Chinese ones, and tasty street food.

T-shirts, traditional lace, leather products, guampas/bombillas, and other trinkets are common souvenirs from Asunción.

Traveller's cheques

American Express traveller’s cheques can be changed at Banco de la Nacion Argentina (at Plaza de los Heroes). Above average exchange rate, 3 US$ commission. It will take a while though – time to experience the place which could be a sight in itself. BBVN supposedly does as well. Casa de Cambios don’t. All banks close by 1:30PM.

Nightlife In Asunción

  • Britannia PubCerro Corá 851Tu-F from 19:30, Sa-Su from 20:00The number 1 hangout for English speaking foreigners, still outnumbered by locals however. Try their microbrewed Britannia Beer and the chicken platter.
  • 904Cerro Corá 904Mon-Thu from 18:00,Fri from 17:00, Saturday from 19:00A lot like Britallina: similar food, similar drinks, similar prices. Has a pool table, and occasionally puts on live-music shows.
  • The JackCerro CoraRecently opened bar opposite Britannia. Was previously called ‘Older’.
  • CoyoteSucre 1655 (corner San Martin Avenue). Dance club, fashionable but loud
  • Hollywood DanceIndependencia Nacional and Teniente Fariña (One block away from Mall Excelsior). Fri and Sat from around midnightDance venue for mostly gay people. 20.000 Gs.
  • GlamAv. San Martin 1155 and Agustin Barrios (Next to Salemma Carmelitas Supermarket). Thu Fri Sat from midnightOne of the finest dance clubs in Asuncion
  • KandiAv. Aviadores del Chaco (Two or three blocks from Sheraton Hotel and Shopping del Sol).
  • Planta Altafirst floor, Caballero 294 (corner Mariscal Estigarribia). W-F 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 21:00 – 03:00A lounge-style hangout for artistic types, often playing live jazz. Reasonably cheap drinks. 10,000 Gs.
  • Paseo Carmelitas,  +595 21 608226from morning till lateA gallery with lots of stores to do shopping during the day and an excellent selection of bars and restaurants to go during the night, probably the most popular place in Asuncion during the night. Selection of bars include the “Kilkenny Irish Pub” “Cover Singing Bar” “Kamastro Resto Arte & Bar” in between others.
  • La Taberna Cafe or La TabernitaCHILE 1179 between YGATIMI y JEJUI,  +595 21 453620, e-mail: 07:00-15:00 and 1830-lateA Cafe Bar with good atmosphere, good music, drinks and very friendly staff (if you like 70’s, 80’s, 90’s Rock & Pop)
  • Casa ClariAyolas c/Benjamin Constantin (inside Manzana de la Riviera)Really nice views of the López Palace. Good food/drink menu, but slightly pricier than other bars in the centre.

Stay Safe & Healthy In Asunción

The national police are quite conspicuous, with some already wearing riot shields as if there will be an insurrection at any minute. Crime is not common since the dictator of the 1980s did not allow crime in any shape or form. Although it appears that crime has increased following the dictator’s overthrow in 1989. Some homes have twenty foot high walls with barbed wire, electric fence, and razor wire on top to defend them, and those who can afford it have a full-time guard on their property. Asunción is one of the safer cities in South America, and violent crime is extremely rare, despite the people’ relatively high sense of crime. Visitors are unlikely to be especially targeted by criminals due to the low number of tourists in Paraguay overall. The main things to watch out for are taxi drivers attempting to rip you off and petty criminals (check your pockets on packed buses) (make sure they use the meter). Pickpocketing is allegedly common in congested downtown areas close to upscale hotels.

After dark, prostitution is prevalent and evident along the major thoroughfares in the suburbs and in a few isolated pockets of the city center’s oldest neighborhoods close to the harbor. Prostitutes that identify as transgender are widespread and should be avoided as they occasionally cause trouble. Female tourists should be warned that Paraguayan men will pay them a lot of unwanted attention. This attention usually takes the form of harmless banter, such as screams or wolf whistles, but it can occasionally include touching, especially in clubs. It’s better to simply disregard this kind of attention. There are quite a few street drunks in various sections of the city, but they are always safe. Alcohol is generally available but not commonly misused.

When crossing the roadway in Asunción, exercise utmost caution. Even when police are present, the majority of drivers disregard traffic signals and stop signs as simple recommendations. Buses will stop practically anywhere, so use extreme caution.

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises all travelers to Asunción to get a typhoid shot before departure. When visiting Asunción, one regularly runs the danger of contracting dengue fever; sadly, there is no vaccination for this disease at this time. Make sure to apply bug spray at all times of the day, without fail, to prevent diseases caused by insects.

You should never go wandering in the exceedingly unsafe and underdeveloped “Chacarita” neighborhood near the river and the Palace.

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