Festivals & Holidays in Paraguay

By air Paraguay has no national airline and, despite its central location in South America, air services are not numerous. Currently, the only intercontinental flight is the twice-weekly Air Europa service between Madrid and Asuncion. Most foreign travellers therefore have to change planes in São Paulo (for those coming from...

By taxi Taxis are the most efficient and reliable means of transport, although you can probably also get there by bus, or colectivo as the Paraguayans call it. Taxis are expensive compared to other prices in Paraguay, and in Asunción, fares are determined by the taximeter. Tipping in taxis is...

Citizens of Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela) as well as Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia do not need a passport to enter the country, only an identity card (cédula de identidad). All other visitors to Paraguay must have a valid passport. Visas are not required for visitors...

Regions Gran ChacoThe great wild and semi-arid plains of the northwest of the country.Paraná PlateauThe forested highlands of eastern Paraguay, along the Paraná River, where the second largest city, Ciudad del Este, is located, right across from the Iguaçu Falls.Paraneña NorthSouthern ParaneñaThis is the centre of the country's population, in...

Paraguay is generally warm most of the year. The Tropic of Capricorn runs through the city of Belén in northern Paraguay, dividing the country into a tropical zone in the north and a temperate zone in the south. The hottest time of the year is from November to February,...

It is certainly not difficult to find good accommodation in the major cities and it seems reasonably cheap if the parameter is the dollar or the euro. The exception, however, is Ciudad del Este. In Ciudad del Este, the cheapest accommodation is near the bus station, with double rooms...

The capital, Asunción, is home to many of the country's attractions.In Trinidad you can visit the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Paraguay: the Jesuit missions La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesus de Tavarangue.In the town of Santani (San Pedro), there is a fountain that does not run...

Cruise on the Paraguay River. Cruise on a luxurious wooden boat from the ports of Asunción to the Pantanal and Chaco region. NOTE: Due to maintenance work on the ship, cruises have been suspended since March 2013.Take a walk through the historic centre of the city of Asunción. Many...

Food in Paraguay Paraguayan food is one of the most varied in South America. Paraguayans are used to eating typical dishes several times a week throughout the year. You will find much of the standard South American cuisine, as well as some Brazilian influence. Paraguayan food is not particularly spicy,...

Paraguay has a very rich and varied handicraft, from silver filigree (luque) to fine cotton lace in the form of Ñanduti (itaugua), everything is present. Also leather goods with local embellishments "repujado" (Atyra) and embroidery ao poi, encaje yu. Clay pottery (Ita) and weaving are also very popular, cheap...

It is still considered polite for men to shake hands when they meet. Between a man and a woman or two women, it is customary to shake hands and give a kiss on each cheek. Similarly, when meeting people, they don't ask how you are, but if everything is...

Both Spanish and Guarani are official languages. Most people in Paraguay speak Spanish and there is very limited use of English. Outside Asunción and the major cities, you will only hear Guarani. Because of the extensive use of Guarani, even those who have managed to learn Spanish do not...

Paraguay's cultural heritage can be traced back to the many intermarriages between the first male Spanish settlers and the indigenous Guaraní women. Their culture is strongly influenced by various European countries, including Spain. Therefore, Paraguayan culture is a fusion of two cultures and traditions: a European culture and a...

The first inhabitants of Paraguay were the indigenous people. The Guaraníes were the largest indigenous group inhabiting what is now eastern Paraguay. They lived as semi-nomadic hunters who also practised subsistence agriculture. Other groups of indigenous tribes lived in the Chaco region, such as the Guaycurú and the Payaguá,...

Stay Safe in Paraguay There are not many big cities and if you use common sense and street smarts you are unlikely to get into trouble. The police are notoriously corrupt and if you are stopped for any reason you will almost certainly be asked to pay a bribe. In...