Paraguay: Overview
Paraguay is not very famous but it is an attractive destination located in South America and crossed by the river Paraguay which divides it into two regions Oriental and Chaco. It limits with Bolivia to the northwest, with Argentina to the south and southeast and with Brazil to the east.
Climate
Paraguayan climate fluctuates from tropical in Chaco, to subtropical in the Oriental region. During summer (December-February) the average temperature is 27 ºC, while in winter (June-August) is 17 ºC. Rains are regular throughout the whole year, especially in the vicinities of Brazil.
Important Information
Entrance requirements to Paraguay are very much the same for every visitor. National of bordering countries do not need more than an identity card, anyone else must have a valid passport but a visa is not required for up to three months stays. Besides these, visitors from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have to prove that they don't have criminal records and that they have enough money to cover the expenses and pay a US$ 10 fee.
The official currency is the Guarani (PYG), although American dollars are also broadly accepted. It is advisable to change money only at banks and official exchanging offices, since street money changers usually operate with fake notes. Traveller’s checks are easier to change if you have the receipts. Credit cards’ use is not widely extended although some hotels and tourist restaurants operate with MasterCard, Visa and American Express. There are many ATM in the urban centres which accept Cirrus, Visa and Maestro; you must be vigilant when operating with ATMs.
The most important restaurants usually add a percentage for the service to their bills. If it is not the case, a 10% is enough. Doormen and hotel staff are used to receiving some small change. Taxi fares are usually rounded up and must be arranged before the trip.
There are several health issues in Paraguay especially for those planning to travel to the interior region of the country and getting in touch with local people. Vaccination against hepatitis A and typhus is recommended. Also a vaccination certificate against yellow fever is recommended for those one coming from infected areas. Malaria is endemic in Paraguay and cases of dengue have been reported; so you should be careful of mosquitoes’ stings. Unless water has been previously sterilized, it is recommended to limit yourself to bottled water, and avoid eating in the street. Pharmacies and hospitals are good in Asunción, but in the rest of the country they are usually few or not well equipped. Doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash. Is advisable to hire a comprehensive medical insurance for the trip.
Visits to Paraguay are usually trouble free, however you should be particularly careful since crime rates have increased, and armed robberies have been reported in Ciudad del Este, Asunción and Pedro Juan Caballero. It is advisable to take some basic cautions as not carrying large amounts of money, wearing jewellery or showing off valuables in the street or public transportations. In many areas of the country, especially in the frontiers and the interior, you will find several military and police documentation control points so keep your passports handy. Public demonstrations are usually violent so it is better if you avid them.
There are some Paraguayan conservative customs which you must respect. Paraguayans enjoy a nap after lunch and meeting with friends for drinking “mate” and chatting.
Where to go
Asunción, the capital of the country, is an interesting mixture of neighbourhoods and houses built on the hills besides river Paraguay. Some of the things that you cannot miss here are the Casa Viola, the Palacio de Gobierno, Casa de la Cultura Paraguaya, Casa de la Independencia, the Museum of Mud, the Botanical Garden, the zoo and the Cathedral with its Museum.
Chaco, an important indigenous populations' area also has many interesting places to visit. Among them there is Philadelphia, the Mennonite community, the magnificent Neu-Halbstadt, the old settlement Loma de Plata and Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco.
In the Oriental Region of the country there are many places, several of them near the capital city like Itaguá, San Bernardino, Areguá, National Park Ybycuí or Cerro Corá. Besides this, you can visit the Jesuits ruins of Trinidad, Santa María or San Ignacio Guazú.
Festivals
Some of the typical celebrations you can enjoy in this country are Day of San Blás and Carnival in February, the commemoration of the Asunción City’s Foundation in August and the day of the Chaco Peace in June.
