Paraguay lies in the heart of South America. It’s as big as Germany and Switzerland combined. Most tour operators and travel guides overlook Paraguay. There simply isn’t a standout attraction like Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Iguazu Falls, etc.
- 1. Is it still worth visiting Paraguay on your trip to South America?
- 2. Which sights should you see?
- 3. What should you pay special attention to?
In my article on Paraguay’s sights, I’ll answer your questions. You’ll also get a quick overview to help plan your trip to Paraguay.
Quick & Concise Facts About Paraguay:
Population: 7 million
Capital of Paraguay: Asunción
Official languages: Spanish (Castellano) and Guaraní –> Learn Spanish quickly in 9 steps.
Currency: Guaraní, abbreviation: PYG
–> Current EUR–Guaraní exchange rate
–> Current CHF–Guaraní exchange rate
–> Current USD–Guaraní exchange rate
Visas & Entry Requirements for Paraguay:
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months.
You’ll automatically receive a 90-day visa, which you can easily extend. Simply leave the country and re-enter. This will give you another 90 days. Using this method, you can stay for up to 6 months. After that, it’s best to check directly with Migraciones to see if you can purchase a visa.
Information from the authorities for: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Vaccinations & Health:
In addition to routine vaccinations, a yellow fever vaccination is recommended.
Be sure to protect yourself against tiger mosquitoes. They can transmit dengue fever. Asunción and Ciudad del Este, in particular, have large populations of tiger mosquitoes.
Public hospitals are very poorly equipped. Treatment at a private hospital is very expensive. Therefore, be sure to purchase health insurance in advance.
#Recommended Reading: How to Find Good International Health Insurance.
Best time to visit Paraguay
Unlike other countries, Paraguay isn’t affected by the peak travel season. Things are only more crowded during public holidays.
Since Paraguay is south of the equator, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe. That’s why it’s extremely hot from December through early March. In the “winter” months of July and August, it rains more frequently. The perfect time to visit Paraguay is in between—specifically October through November and March through May.
Culture & Food in Paraguay:
Chipa: is a baked good made with cheese and cassava starch, among other ingredients. It’s really delicious when fresh. If it’s a day old, warm it up in the oven. Chipa vendors board every long bus ride.
Sopa Paraguaya and Chipa Guasu
At every party, someone brings Sopa Paraguaya or Chipa Guasu. It’s a kind of corn cake or cornbread. You can also try it on the street and in restaurants. Here’s the recipe so you can make it yourself.
Empanadas, or pastries with various fillings. They’re sold everywhere on the street. Ask if they also have Empanadas de Horno (baked). They’re less greasy and tastier than Empanadas fritas.
Asado (Grilling) – Grilling beef is a real ceremony. Try it yourself, provided your lodging has a grill. Some restaurants specialize in asado or churrasco. There, you can try all the different cuts of beef and pork.
#Recommended Reading: Asado Guide—How to Make Your Beef Fillet Taste Great.
Terere and mate tea—don’t turn down an invitation to drink terere. Unlike mate tea, it’s served with cold water. It tastes especially good with herbs, which you can buy anywhere on the street.
#Recommended Reading: How to Make Terere Yourself.
Guaraní: The Living Second Language
By the way, many Paraguayans also speak Guaraní. This indigenous language is still actively spoken today and is recognized as an official language. You’ll score major points if you know a few simple phrases in Guaraní. If you want to learn Guaraní even better, check out the Kauderwelsch book*.
Festivals:
In February, Encarnación hosts a spin-off of the Brazilian Carnival. It’s an insider’s tip and much more affordable than the one in Rio.
Sights in Paraguay:
The following places are the most popular. Since there’s no mass tourism, it’s not easy to get to the parks. You’ll often need a car. That’s why typical backpacking in Paraguay isn’t so easy. Very few people speak English. So be sure to learn Spanish and some Guaraní.
You can find official tourism information in Spanish here: Link1 or Link2
1. Paraguay’s Crazy Capital—Asunción
There isn’t much to see in Asunción. In addition to numerous churches, it’s worth visiting the:
- Presidential Palace,
- Railroad Museum (Museo de la Estación Central del Ferrocarril Carlos Antonio López)
- Casa de la Independencia (History of Paraguay).
- A stroll along the Costanera
- Cerro Lambaré Lookout Point
The largest selection of artesanios (handicrafts/souvenirs) is near Plaza de la Libertad. Just walk through the streets and you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of souvenirs everywhere.
During rush hour, Asunción is always engulfed in total traffic chaos, and at Mercado 4, you’ll experience authentic Paraguayan culture.
2. Ciudad del Este—the “City of the East” on the Brazilian border
Anyone heading to the Iguazu Falls passes through Ciudad del Este.
Insider tip: Take the ferry directly to Puerto Iguazú. You can find even more tips for your trip to Iguazú here.
Aside from many shopping centers, Ciudad doesn’t have much to offer. Still, take some time to watch the hustle and bustle. You’ll find most of the restaurants right by Lago Republica.
#Recommended Reading: Everything there is to discover in Ciudad del Este and the surrounding area.
The Itaipu Dam—the world’s second-largest hydroelectric power plant
The dam is only 20 km from CDE and isn’t just exciting for engineers. Book the technical tour in advance. This will give you fascinating insights into the massive dam.
Just 5 km south of CDE are the Saltos Monday. Paraguay’s largest waterfalls can be viewed from two platforms.
Moisés Bertoni: He was a Swiss naturalist. You can visit his house and the park; it’s about 25 km from the Saltos Monday.
3. Jesuit Ruins in Trinidad
In the south, near Encarnación, are the Jesuit mission ruins. Back then, the Jesuits converted the Guaraní Indians to Christianity. Later, they were expelled—as depicted in the Hollywood film *The Mission* starring Robert De Niro.
4. Laguna Blanca
In the northeast, about 40 km from Santa Rosa del Aguaray, lies Laguna Blanca (White Lake), a swimming lake. As the name suggests, the beach is white. There are apartments available, or you can also camp.
5. Salto Cristal
Another beautiful waterfall is located near Villarica. You can swim right below Salto Cristal. If you’re looking for more adventure, try climbing down the waterfall. You can find a travel report here.
German Colonies in Paraguay
Due to crises and world wars, many people emigrated from Germany. In Paraguay, they founded German colonies or live scattered throughout the country. The German language is often still spoken there.
6. Independencia
It used to be a wine-growing region and is now a paradise for those seeking a simpler life. There are several mountains with hiking trails and waterfalls. Not far away are the Ybytyruzú Mountains and Salto Cristal.
7. Hohenau – Obligado – Bella Vista
These three colonies are clustered together and are located just before Encarnación in the south. The settlers immigrated via Brazil around 1900. A little further north, a Swiss man manages San Rafael Park, where you can even spend the night right in the jungle.
8. Chaco, Mennonite colonies in the semi-desert.
The Paraguay River divides the country into east and west. It rains less in the east, which is why there’s a semi-desert there. The Mennonite colonies—Filadelfia, Loma Plata, and Neuland—are located 480 km from Asunción. For animal lovers, Defensores del Chaco Park and the salt flats are a top attraction in Paraguay. Other than museums, there isn’t much else to see in the colonies.
9. San Bernardino and the Cordillera Department
Lake Ypacaraí has attracted many people, and numerous luxury villas have been built there. However, the water quality has deteriorated. The Cordillera Department is currently drawing many German-speaking expats. The landscape is gently rolling, and there are only small towns. The capital is also relatively easy to reach.
Emigrating to Paraguay:
Compared to other countries in South America, it’s very easy to get a permanent visa here. All you need to do is deposit 5,000 USD into a savings account for one year. You’ll also need a few other documents, but nothing too complicated.
Costs / Budget for Your Trip to Paraguay:
Prices have risen in recent years. The Paraguayan currency is relatively stable compared to neighboring countries.
Current daily costs in Paraguay:
| Cost category | in Guaraní | in euros |
| Accommodation | 80,000 | 9.20 |
| Simple meal at a restaurant | 25,000 | 4.00 |
| Water 5 L | 10,000 | 1.80 |
| City bus | 2,000 | 0.30 |
The current exchange rate is approximately 6,200 euros to the guaraní. (As of March 2016)
Transportation:
There are many bus routes in Paraguay. Compared to other countries in South America, the quality is lower. NSA is the only company that offers top-notch service. With the other companies, it depends on which bus you happen to catch. Unfortunately, there’s no up-to-date website with bus schedules. So be sure to ask at the bus terminal. Here’s an article that will help you with your bus trip.
Air Travel:
There are regular flights from Asunción to Ciudad. Flights in Paraguay are relatively expensive. More information on flights in South America.
Train:
Paraguay had the first railroad in South America. Even the tourist train has since been discontinued.
Accommodations:
Of course, you’ll find everything from very basic to ultra-luxurious hotels. Typical backpacker hostels are only available in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. Unlike in Europe, motels are nothing more than love hotels.
Some interesting books:
| Discover Paraguay* | Travel Guides* | Lonely Planet—The Travel Bible* |
 |  |  |
| The only German-language travel guide. The layout is a bit simple, but it contains a lot of information. | Professional travel guides are only available in English. | Many people rely on the number-one mainstream travel guide. Paraguay is also featured in a few pages. |
| Kauderwelsch Guaraní* | Broken Spanish* | Emigrating and Living in PY* |
 |  |  |
| With Guaraní, you’ll win over the hearts of the locals. The “Kauderwelsch” guidebook teaches you the most important rules and phrases. | My favorite language guide because it’s practical and doesn’t feel like a textbook. You’ll also get tips on culture and history. | If you’re planning to stay for a while, you’ll find all the important information in the immigrant guidebook—so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises. |
Now it’s your turn! What other insider tips do you know?
Which sights in Paraguay have you visited?
I look forward to your questions and comments.