Anyone who visits will find a welcoming country largly unspoilt by the effects of tourism. It is away from the well travelled tourist routes and so in much of the land tourists are a novelty rather than a fixture.

This has allowed Paraguay and it’s people to keep the culture of the country in it’s true form, rather than being tempted to adjust the land to accommodate the perceived needs of overseas tourists.

Outside of Asuncion shows and festivals are put on by the Paraguayans for Paraguayans, as they always have been. Visitors though are always welcomed and will soon be made to feel at home and quite possibly encouraged to join in.

A festival in the Paraguayan countryside is a joy to experience.

Visit the country and you will quickly discover how welcoming and helpful the Paraguayan people are. They are on the whole happy and always prepared to take the time to assist others.

The country has two languages Spanish and Guarani. A little Spanish goes a long way in Paraguay. You will find few English speakers, so having at least the basics in Spanish is vital.

For a tourist coming to Paraguay there is much to see and do but the tourist infrastructure is poorly developed, so unless you are part of an organized tour it pays to be the adventurous sort of person who enjoys going out and discovering things for yourself.

One possitive effect of the undeveloped tourist sector is the resultant lack of tourists. It is far from uncommon to arrive somewhere and discover you have the place to yourself.

This makes Paraguay a very peaceful place to visit.

As for the types of locations to visit Paraguay offers something for everyone. There are cities and country towns, woodlands and wetland, wildlife and rivers and religious and historical sites to give just a few examples.

If you contact me directly I can help you plan your trip to Paraguay.

For the vast majority of people that will start with an arrival at Silvio Pettirossi airport in Asuncion.

Silvio Pettirossi is a small airport that is very simple to navigate.

Directly outside is a taxi rank with drivers waiting to take passengers the short distance into Asuncion. The taxis are safe and reliable. Many people though prefer to use taxi apps such as Uber or Bolt which do work out cheaper. Wifi is avalible in the airport terminal in order to do that.

Staying in Asuncion it makes most sense for first time visitors to Asuncion to stay in the upmarket Villa Morra district. This is the most modern area of the city and so the easiest introduction to Paraguay.

It is a place of modern shopping malls and restaurants. A place where everyone feels comfortable to walk the streets.

Much of the rest of the city is equally safe, but can appear otherwise to anyone who has not had the time to get a feel for the country.

You should not however just stay in Villa Morra. Asuncion has so much more to offer.

Every visitor should take at least half a day to explore the Old Town, the historic centre of Asuncion and a flavour of Paraguayan life can be tasted at one of the large covered markets such as Mercado 4.

There is also much to be seen beyond the city limits. Green, rural Paraguay where life still carries on much as it has always done.

To get out of Asuncion there are a number of options. Firstly to go a part of an organized tour. In addition to a tour arranged before arriving in the country a few can be booked from Asuncion. Other than that is independent travel. Either with a hire car or using the extensive bus network.

For shorter trips out of Asuncion it is possible to hire a taxi, but travelling that way can work out expensive.

Travelling east from Asuncion the first point of interest reached is Lake Ypacarai. The largest lake in the country. Located on opposite sides of the lake are two very different towns.

Closest to Asuncion lies Aregua. A relaxing, artistic town that overlooks the lake. It is a centre for handicrafts with wood and ceramic wares filling the towns’s market stalls. Being so close to Asuncion Aregua can become crowded during the weekend at summertime.

Then on the opposite side of the lake is San Bernardino. An upmarket resort town. Quite modern and very much the holiday town of choice for those in Asuncion who can afford such things. There is also in the area a sizable German population and a craft market in town most weekends. San Bernardino also becomes crowded during the summer.

A little further to the east lie the Cordillera Hills. The closest upland area to Asuncion. Up in the hills are to be found some very pleasant country towns such as Caacupe, Piribebuy and Tobati. Each has it’s own character with Caacupe being a religious centre, Piribebuy a resort town surrounded by hills and streams and Tobati another town with a strong handicraft traditions.

Further east still is the peaceful city of Villaricca. Here again are be found large unspoilt expanses and green tree covered countryside along with hills and waterfalls. In the area there are also a number of German colonies.

Then at the far eastern edge of Paraguay sits Ciudad del Este. The gateway to Brazil and a city that thrives on retail and commerce. For many items this is where they are to be found at the lowest cost in Paraguay.

A little way to the north is the huge Itaipu Dam. For many years the largest hydro electric dam in the world and well worth a visit. Then just to the south the Monday Falls. An impressive waterfall which if it not for the Iguazu Falls just over the border would receive far more visitors.

Another alternative heading out of Asuncion is to travel south.

In that direction one of the fist places you will discover is the town of Yarguaron. Here you will find a large church filled with very fine wood carvings and murals and paintings depicting of figures from Guarani folklore aross the town.

A little further along the road is the busy market town of Paraguari. This sits in the lowlands surrounded by hills many of which are ideal for hiking.

Follow the road south and you will then eventually arrive in Encarnacion. A riverside town looking towards Argentina. Here large beaches have been developed into the nearest thing in Paraguay to an oceanside town. It is a modern resort town with plenty of restaurants and also home to the largest Carnival in the country.

The one final direction to head away from Asuncion is north.

Roads here head up into the Paraguayan Chaco.

This vast area covers the northern half of the country and is thinnly populated. Most of the people living in the Chaco live in and around the Mennonite colonies in the mid Chaco.

Away from there the Chaco is truely wilderness. The wildest land in Paraguay.

Here there are to be found native tribe living as they have done for hundreds of years and it’s forests contain animals such as jaguars that keep well clear of populated areas. It is the best place in Paraguay for wildlife tourism.

The Chaco is a harsh enviroment and a vast place. Someone not to be explored without experience or a guide.

That then is just a very brief overview of what Paraguay has to offer.

There are many reasons why a trip to Paraguay would be a rewarding one and I would be happy to discuss any thoughts you have on doing so with you.

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Located as it is close to the capital Aregua is easily reached on a day trip from there. This can cause it to be crowded on summer weekends. However on a sunny weekday out of season it is a very pleasent and peaceful place to pass a few hours.

The town was originally founded in 1538. From then and for many years after that it remained a very small settlement. Just a few hundred inhabitants living close to the church.

It was not until the late 19th century that the town began to grow in size. It’s proximity to Asuncion made it a destination for tourists seeking to escape the city. Principal amongst those new arrivals were writers and artists.

They gave the Aregua it’s artistic character. Something it maintains through to the present day.

Of all the sights in the town arguably the most impressive is the lake. This lake, Lake Ypacarai is the largest body of water in Paraguay. It is 24 km in length and covers and area of almost 150 square kilometres.

From Aregua the town of San Bernardino is just visable on the far shore.

During the summer it is a popular place for tourists to go boating, one of the few places that can be done in Paraguay, and for fishing.

Swimming though is not advised in the waters of Lake Ypacarai. It is a place best enjoyed from the surface or from a viewpoint.

In Aregua the lakeside has been turned into a park. There is a small enterance fee, but the park is well kept and clean. Well worth the small access charge.

Down by the waterside a wooden pier has been built out into the lake. This gives excellent views out across the water and back towards the town. A small covered area near it’s terminus allows the view of the lake to be enjoyed even when the sun is at it’s strongest.

From the top of the pier you look forwards across the water to San Bernardino in the distance and back to where the water plants blend seamlessly with the grass covered shore. This is the spot to which every visitor to Aregua heads upon arrival.

As for the rest of the park. That is well laid out with paved walkways and green lawns. All around there a seats and benches on which to rest or take in the view. There are also plenty of wooden tables for picnicing upon.

One path follows the shore for a couple of hundred metres. This passes the small boats waiting to take tourists out into the lake and continues on to another viewpoint. From here the lake si shown from a different angle, looking back across the water towards the pier. A small fountain sits at it’s centre. A quieter viewpoint than the pier.

Behind the park and away from the lake sits the town itself. Sloping downhill it is always looking towards the waterside.

A large part of the town is given over to artists. Many produce the colourful ceramics that are for sale throughout the town. These are made from the local clays and on the town’s market stall are avalible in great numbers.

Following the founding of the artist colony in the late 19th centry the art scene in Aregua has flourished.

Aregua is though not just a town of potters. There are a number of painters who also make the town their home.

A walk around the artists quarter is a fasinating one. Seeing the various artists at work, passing by their studios and workshops.

All this gives the town something of a bohiemien feel. Something that is on display in the many cafes located around the town.

Many have been adorned with the works of local artists and with their exterior seating ideal places to sit and watch the world slowly go by.

The refreshments they offer are of a high quality. Hand made Paraguayan staples and freshly ground coffee or freshly squashed fruit juices.

No one should visit a place like Aregua and not take a little time to sit down and take in the atmosphere.

It is also a good place to appreciate architecture. There are many examples of fine colonial architecture to be seen around the town. Most are smartly painted and immaculatly maintained.

Continuing away from the lake the road rises gently towards a hilltop.

Upon this is the church around which the town was originally sited. Back away from the lake but overlooking it from a high view point.

The church is named Our Lady of Candelaria. The current church was first built in 1862 and then restored between 1912 and 1914.

It is a striking building painted in a brilliant white. From the main building rise five spires across it’s front. A high central one with further spires above the secondary doorways and it’s collonaded sides.

A very distinctive building. It and the forecourt that surrounds it are kept spotlessly clean.

The principal festival in Aregua is that of the Virgen de la Candelaria. That falls on 2nd February.

It is not though just for the sights within the town that Aregua is know throughout Paraguay.

Here also are the be found a large number of farms specializing in growing strawberries.

They are grown in great number and when in season can be purchased in small wicker baskets in town and all across the surrounding countryside.

To celebrate the crop Aregua has every August a strawberry festival. The strawberry has become a symbol of the town.

For anyone living in or visiting Paraguay Aregua is somewhere that needs to be visited.

Away from those busy summer weekends it is a relaxing and pretty little town with ample to see and do for a few pleasant hours.

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Whilst individual districts are walkable there can be great distances between them. Transport such as a taxi or a bus is often required to travel from one to another. As such it is useful to know before arriving in the city which districts you wish to visit,

Of all the various areas of the city the two that have the most to offer to a visitor are the old town and the new town.

The old town is the historic centre of the city and new town the districts that make up the modern retail and commercial heart of the city.

Both have their pros and cons. Both as places to visit and as areas of the city in which to be based.

The Old Town

Asuncion old town is wrapped around Asuncion Bay and is where in the 16th century the city was founded.

This is the very heart of Paraguay and for many years was the extent of the city. Bit by bit Asuncion grew and spread but this is where many of the most historic buildings are to be found.

There are many fine colonial era buildings to be found in the old town as well from the time of President Carlos Lopez in the mid 19th century.

These buildings include some of the most important ones in Paraguay such as the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and the Pantheon de los Heroes.

It is a pleasure to walk the streets around here and just take in the architecture.

Many of the buildings are in a less than pristine state. Gradually however more and more are being renovated and repainted, restoring their former glory.

The main street running through the centre of the old town is Calle Palma. This runs from Plaza Uruguaya to Calle Colon. It is the city’s principal shopping street but has suffered over recent years as more and more businesses have relocated to the modern shopping malls.

This has made Calle Palma a bit empty but recent renovations, such as burying all the previously untidy electric cables, have helped breath a bit of life into it.

Another sight to see in the old town is the Costa Nera, the smart modern boulevard that sweeps around Asuncion Bay. An oasis of quiet just a block or two from the bustling city streets.

All these are very much worth seeing but consideration must be given as to whether this is an area to be staying in.

Tales of the old town being a place where it is dangerous to walk the streets are greatly exaggerated. However caution is needed at night especially away from well lit Calle Palma.

The old town has become mainly a place to visit rather stay in. As such there is aside from the occasional event little in the way of night life. There are a few restaurants such as the Bolsi but not much in the way of bars.

Here exploring the streets by day and then a meal in a hotel restaurant at night is the safest way to enjoy the area.

With much of the trade moving to elsewhere in the city hotels receive less guests. To encourage more visitors to stay they must adjust their prices. Accordingly hotels are cheaper in the old town than in the new.

The New Town

The new town of Asuncion is located about 6 km distant from the old town. It consists of Villa Morra and it’s neighbouring districts.

This is the modern face of the city. Here is to be found the high rise glass and steel that can be seen in any modern city around the world.

In the new town there are a number of modern shopping malls all located within walking distance of each other. Although a taxi may be advisable on a hot summer day.

The largest of these mall is Shopping Mariscal and the newest and most modern Paseo la Galeria. Inside these air conditioned spaces international as well as upmarket Paraguayan brands can be found.

All around the new town there are modern hotels including chains such as Sheraton and Holiday Inn that can be found all across the world. In general the hotels in the new town are modern, upmarket and well maintained.

The district is also just a short drive from the airport making it an ideal first port of call when arriving in Paraguay.

It is an affluent area and so in addition to the shopping malls and hotels there is an abundance of bars and restaurants. Enough for there to be a different experience on offer every night.

There is a much livelier nightlife scene in this part of the city which often goes through until the early hours. Paseo Carmelitas is given over almost entirely to bars and is packed with a local crowd at the weekend.

The new town is considered safe to walk at night. However as with any city a degree of caution is advised.

This part of the city is it’s most upmarket and so also it’s most expensive. It is though a safe area to be staying in and a gentle introduction to Paraguay. There is enough modernity on hand to allow a new arrival to slowly find their feet at their own pace.

The new town though is not the real Paraguay. The one that most of the population live in. As such although all of life’s comforts can be found there is very little in the way of culture on show.

It can be a slightly soulless place and despite it’s buzzing night life a little bland.

A place without a past, but then not everyone wants to spend their days looking round museums.

Conclusion

So then, in conclusion. Where to visit and where to stay?

I would suggest that both the old and new towns should be visited. To experience traditional Paraguay and to see how it is moving forward. The two offer a great contrast.

As for where to stay, for the first time visitor the new town offers a more comfortable base. Air conditioning and a modern skyline.

However for someone who’s reason for visiting is history and culture the old town would place them closer to that side of Paraguay.

I will leave it to you to decide which suits you best.

The post Asuncion, Old Town vs. New Town appeared first on Simons Paraguay.

The answer in the most simple of terms is very pleasant. For anyone who is easy going, flexible and keen to get to know the local way of doing things it can be very rewarding. Even more so for those wishing to be left to live their lives as they choose.

Like everywhere in the world it does have it’s problems and difficulties. Those though are greatly outweighed by the positives of living a life in Paraguay. Every country has it’s own way of doing things and learning them is all part of the relocation experience.

It would be a dull world if everything was done the same way everywhere.

Whilst getting things done can be at times a little frustrating it is worth remembering that problems affect everyone. Locals and foreigners alike. You will soon discover that if you mention them to foreigners who have been here for a while the root of the issue is often nothing more than cultural misunderstandings.

Once that is realised many of them just fade away. Either through an adjustment of thoughts and expectations or through the acceptance that some things are just they way they are and must be worked with rather than against.

A foreigner who accepts a country for what it is lives a far happier life than one who tries to bend it to his will.

So much for the required mind set. What about the practicalities of living in Paraguay?

I live in the countryside and as such my thoughts on the matter reflect a country lifestyle rather than the city one found in Asuncion other cities in Paraguay.

The country lifestyle is more traditional and for me a more rewarding way to live than that found in cities.

Life in the countryside is a more natural one, closer to nature.

Much of the Paraguayan countryside is a never ending blanket of green. Woods, forests and farmland stretching off into the distance as far as the eye can see.

Out here nature is never far away and the quiet of the day is broken only by the sounds of birds and insects, or by the running of a crystal clear stream. Traffic away from the urban centres is very light.

The closest thing to a rush hour you are going to experience is a herd of cattle being moved to pasture blocking the roads for a short while.

Those urban centres are country towns of varying sizes which are scattered all across Paraguay. Even a few miles from a town the land can feel remote and untouched. Unless you are seeking a truly remote of the grid life there is little reason to live beyond easy reach of a little country town.

All towns are equipped with the essentials. Doctors, supermarkets, hardware stores and the like. Every country town is stocked with the basic necessities required for life.

In the countryside the pace of life is much slower, more relaxed. Nothing gets done in a hurry and everyone has time for everyone else. Paraguayans are very friendly, open people and a new comer is soon made to feel part of the community.

The cost of living is also low in the countryside, from the price of properties to the expense of day to day living.

It is of course quite possible to live in the countryside and have a lifestyle that is as costly as one in the city, but to live well there is no need to do so.

Dining out in restaurants every day and constant shopping trips to seek out the best of everything run counter to the whole reason for seeking a rural country life.

This is not a place that buzzes with the vibrancy of a city but instead somewhere full of more low key charms waiting to be discovered.

A nightlife there may not be vast stretches of green countryside waiting to be explored there is.

It is also far from the tourist trails. So local customs and traditions have not been adjusted to fit in with what it is believed tourists would expect. Every festival is by the local population for the local population. Any newcomers are made more than welcome and these are some of the best places to see genuine Paraguayan culture.

As for a home you will soon discover that with a bit of searching almost anything is available. From small Paraguayan houses in either modern or traditional styles right up to large working farms and ranches. It is even quite possible to buy some land and have your own dream house built on it.

You will also find that scattered as the population looks in the countryside you will not be alone. The Paraguayans infinitely patient and helpful. Get to know your neighbours and will soon find yourself part of a community that cares as much for your well being as you care for theirs.

Then in addition to that there are immigrant communities and expat groups all over Paraguay that can provide support and the outsiders view that is sometimes needed.

Paraguay is a rewarding place to be and to live in Paraguay is relatively easy for someone with the right mindset to settle into.

If you have any questions about Paraguay or would like to know more about living here, or about the country in general don’t hesitate to contact me with your queries.

Also if you haven’t already please do take a look at my YouTube channel (also named Simons Paraguay) so that you may see as well as read about Paraguay.

Link below

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGJr96FQfkxKzbJ5SGSCFg

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It is a relaxed and friendly place to be. An easy going lifestyle can be found here. One where in general terms everyone is left to live as they choose so long as that does not cause harm or inconvenience to others.

That said that in common with Paraguay more generally it is not to everyone’s taste. Everything seems to happen more slowly, many things don’t work quite as they should and it is on the whole still quite undeveloped.

However if you can see the charm and character that such things give to a place and are of an adaptable and flexible nature then the Paraguayan countryside may be somewhere that at the very least you investigate.

It is the sort of place that someone who feels the pull of such places would have little trouble settling into.

The local population is almost universally welcoming of outsiders. Those within a few hours travel of Asuncion are used to people from there visiting for extended periods, and there have been for a long time expat communities scattered across the country.

To feel part of the community and to be treated as such by those who have been there for many years is really quite simple. Integrate with the local community,mix with the people take an honest interest in local events.

Then invites to local events will soon come in.

First though before all that you must if you are considering Paraguay ask yourself what sort of person you are or want to be. A city person, a town one or someone of the countryside.

City life offers those luxuries such as shopping malls that cannot be found elsewhere. It is also a place more vibrant and full of life. However it is hardly reflective of Paraguay as a whole. It is far to easy for the likes of safety for example to stay almost entirely in the modern upmarket districts that bare no relation to the vast majority of the country.

A better way to see and appreciate Paraguay is to be in one of the country towns. There are a lot of nice towns within a couple of hours of Asuncion. They are all surrounded by countryside, which they tend to serve. An advantage of being in a country town is that it is possible to live without owning your own transport. Stores will be within walking distance and buses available for heading further afield.

There are through a few downsides to being based in a town.

A couple are, firstly that the open spaces of empty countryside will be nearby while you have neighbours all around.

And secondly care is needed in choosing where in a town to be. Country towns are on the whole safe peaceful places, but every town in the world has it’s better areas. Also as often there is little going on bored teenagers (as they do in similar places everywhere) will be looking for something to do to liven up their lives, and those somethings could be quite loud.

The final option however for somewhere to live in Paraguay should be far more peaceful. The Paraguayan countryside.

There is no reason to live far from a town with most being surrounded by green countryside. Unless the aim is to be living off grid it makes sense to be just a short trip away from a town and it’s stores.

Once out of the towns roads leading off the main paved roads are dirt, so the quality of the road and the likely hood of it becoming impassable in bad weather need to be considered. Life down these dirt tracks has a slower more rural feel about it.

A complete antidote to the rush of modern life.

The houses out here everything from simple one room dwellings to mansions and everything in between, by way of farm houses and summer homes.

Then of course if you were to find the right spot but discover there is no house there it is quite possible to buy the land and have one built. However when considering building I would suggest finding somewhere with a run down house and removing and replacing it. That way connections to both water and electric should already be on the property.

There are many fine areas of countryside in Paraguay. The one that I know best is the Cordillera hills area which contains towns such as Piribebuy and Caacupe.

Other areas such as Villarrica and Aregua amongst others also have a lot to recommend them, but it is Cordillera that I know best.

It is just a couple of hours travel from Asuncion so within easy reach of the capital for those things that can only be done there. I take day trips to Asuncion a few times a year just to see a little city life. It is though always nice to head home away from the city afterwards.

Cordillera is the nearest region of higher ground to Asuncion and it is just a little bit fresher there. It has a landscape of hills and valleys, all of which are pleasing on the eye. It is also where many of the streams and rivers in Western Paraguay start as crystal clear mountain streams. Cool, clear and refreshing.

Properties can be found, more commonly around Piribebuy, with their own private stretch of river. A stream is one of the few places where the heat of summer can truly be escaped.

I myself may not have a river but I open the curtains every morning to look out upon tree covered hills that rise sharply across the valley from my house. Then at night I can sit out behind the house looking up at a star filled sky that does not have to compete against a single artificial light.

And for most of most days I hear like is to be heard in much of the countryside little beyond the sounds of nature.

That nature must be considered as part of the countryside. It is packed with life. This includes insects and spiders of all shapes and sizes as well and larger creatures such lizards and snakes. So if you do have an issue with bugs the Paraguayan countryside might be a challenge for you.

Alternatively though there are also many colourful and exotic birds to be seen every day.

As I hope you have seen in this brief overview the Paraguayan countryside has a lot to offer anyone of the right frame of mind. Someone who wishes for a new life somewhere more peaceful, or as they say in Paraguay “tranquillo”.

If you would like to discover more please do contact me either by leaving a message below, or through the Contacts page on the website.

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Crossing the River Paraguay it is clearly visible from as far away as the Bay of Asuncion. That is a few kilometres downstream. From there it dominates the distant horizon.

The bridge itself is a Cable Stayed bridge. That give it a look not dissimilar to a Suspension bridge, although it works quite differently.

In a cable stayed bridge the cables descend from towers placed along the bridge rather from a cable running the length of the bridge as would be the case with a suspension bridge. The effect of this is that it is the towers themselves rather than anchorings at either end of the bridge that support the weight of the bridge deck.

Coincidentally the particular design chosen with cable radiating out from descending points on the towers is called a Harp. The harp is also the national instrument of Paraguay.

There are a number of reason for choosing a cable stayed bridge over a suspension bridge. One is purely artistic The clean, slim look of a bridge held up by cables fanning out from central towers.

Additionally there are practical reason for selecting a cable stayed bridge. Firstly the design is more suitable for shorter spans where building a suspension bridge would be impracticable.

Furthermore geology may affect the choice of design. Solid rocks are required for the anchoring of the chains of a suspension bridge, but with all the forces being passed down through the towers the quality of rocks on either bank is not an issue.

Construction of the Heroes of the Chaco bridge began in 2020 after the awarding of the contracts to do so in late 2019. The work was then done by two Paraguayan firms.

After the awarding of the contracts in December 2019 the first ground was broken on 12th June 2020. The date upon which the work began was highly symbolic marking the 85th anniversary of the end of the Chaco War.

From there work commenced at a pace with a total work force of 1,500 of whom the maximum working at one time was 900. The bridge was scheduled to open in December 2023 but was completed and open a little ahead the projected date.

To build the bridge 7.4 Km of new road ways needed to be constructed. These included viaducts 1 Km long at either end of the bridge and 450 m of the bridge itself over the River Paraguay.

Viaducts were placed at either end of the bridge to lift it above environmentally important wetland habitats along the banks of the river. In doing so anyone crossing the bridge will be able to pass across these natural areas without impacting them.

The height of the bridge deck is 29 m above the normal level of the river. Originally a slightly lower bridge had been proposed. The raised height will allow unimpeded travel for all shipping along the River Paraguay.

For the bridge deck itself the width is approximately 30 m. This allows for two lanes of traffic in each direction. Furthermore the bridge also has a cycle way and a footpath ensuring that it is accessible to all.

This bridge represents only the 3rd bridge across the River Paraguay in Paraguay. The other two are Ramanso Bridge 8 Km further up stream and Nanawa in Concepcion. As such it will represent a mayor increase in connectivity between Eastern and Western Paraguay and the only crossing in Asuncion itself.

Ramanso Bridge has become highly congested and the addition of another bridge across the river will resolve that issue.

The increased connectivity across Paraguay is also projected to improve connections across the region in general and in doing so benefit both Brazil and Argentina.

Linked by it’s 7.4 Km of roadways to the Paraguayan road network the bridge is just a few Km from Asuncion Old Town at the far end of the Costanera. From there it crosses to the town of Chaco’i on the northern bank of the river. Then from there to the growing towns north of the river and beyond.

The bridge will greatly shorten journey times to and from Asuncion and it has been designed with an anticipated capacity of 10,000 vehicles per day.

This new bridge and a number of other infrastructure projects are aimed at ensuring the continued economic growth of Paraguay. This growth will be both in Asuncion and in the towns across the country that will benefit from increased and faster connectivity.

The recent upgrading of the main East – West route across the country is another example of this policy.

For those though who are in Asuncion without any great need to get anywhere quickly the graceful profile of the Heroes of the Chaco bridge will simply be something of beauty to observe and enjoy.

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It is though a country town. As such things like shopping malls, cinemas and international brand name stores are nowhere to be seen. Not such a bad thing as their with their absence the town remains more traditional. What there is though is generally sufficient.

On those occasions when what is available in the town is not enough larger places are easily reached. Caacupe is just a short distance away and the drive into Asuncion takes less than two hours.

For the most part however when just looking for supplies everything can be found in Piribebuy.

The town has a relaxed laid back atmosphere which make shopping or simply spending time there a pleasure. It is the sort of place where no one is rushing to make their purchases and where you could just sit in a cafe for a couple of hours watching the world go by.

There is just a small compact area of the town which functions as it’s commercial centre. Two streets which bisect each other in the centre of town.

An infinitely walk able town there is hardly any need to drive from store to store outside of making trips to stock up at the supermarket.

That supermarket is modern and well stocked. It is by far the largest store in town and privately owned rather than being part of a chain.

It does mean that the bulk of anyone’s shopping can be done in one location, rather than requiring visits to a whole host of smaller stores.

Thankfully the arrival of a supermarket did not kill of the small stores and the great majority of the stores in Piribebuy are still small family owned businesses.

For general shopping the supermarket may be the only store in town you will need to visit. It is also one of the few places in Piribebuy where payments can be made with credit cards.

Heading away from the supermarket you soon reach the commercial streets where the bulk of the businesses in town have their premises.

These include stores which in other places supermarkets have driven out of business such as general stores and green grocers. These continue to attract trade and offer a more personal service than the supermarket. All the general stores in Piribebuy have had refurbishments over the past few years and continue to thrive.

The greengrocers tempt customers with fresh produce displayed out in the street.

Also in town are to be found clothing stores. Some of these sell functional items reflecting the rural nature of the surrounding countryside while others sell more fashionable clothes. The fashions on display are generally those of younger shoppers and of that market mainly aimed at the female portion.

Piribebuy is additionally like most Paraguayan towns well served by building suppliers. Everything needed for building and maintaining a house can be obtained with ease. From bricks to paint, from spades to light bulbs.

For larger purchases home delivery will be available.

Then once the house is built it will need fitting out. To that end there are a couple of national chains plus a number of local businesses selling a wide range of electrical goods and furnishings.

These again offer delivery which is usually the same day and normally free.

The town is not just somewhere to head to buy things before heading back to your house. It is also a good place to relax for a few hours.

It is a quiet town and a very easy place to walk around. There is rarely much traffic on it’s streets and there are plenty of green spaces.

In addition to a couple of large plazas Piribebuy has the Rio Piribebuy running just a couple of blocks from it’s centre. This has been laid out as a smart park where the river runs through the town.

There is a paved boulevard running along the banks of the river with ample benches from which to take in the view.

For much off the year a dam built across the river is closed. This creates a lake which is the town’s swimming pool. Access to the pool is free and unrestricted.

Piribebuy is also a town of culture and history. The town’s principal church contains a number of old carvings and items of church furniture which are all worth seeing.

Furthermore there is a well kept town museum with a helpful and knowledgeable keeper. The museum focuses on the Battle of Piribebuy and the men from Piribebuy who fought in the Chaco War.

After exploring the sights it is good take a seat and watch the world go by.

To do this in Piribebuy you may wish to visit one of the many cafes that are to be found around the town. The majority are simple traditional Paraguayan cafes supplying the local population with snacks such as empanadas and chipa along with cold drinks. Places where both locals and visitors eat.

There are a number of bars around town. They do not generally open until the evening.

In terms of restaurants there are a couple of places that offer restaurant meals, however on the whole as most of the customers are locals on their lunch breaks most places that serve meals offer simple but tasty traditional Paraguayan country dishes. These are well worth a visit to experience for the price of a few dollars real Paraguayan food.

Around Piribebuy can be found other services you may need from time to time. There are hairdressers along almost every street and dressmakers if ever that should be required along with other similar businesses.

In terms of health the town has a small hospital, a private clinic and a several health centres. There are also dentists and opticions to be found in town.

All considered with the stores and services to be found in town and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it Piribebuy is a good place to live and a very pleasant place to visit.

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Unsurprisingly given all that it is a popular resort area. Many people head out from Asuncion on a summer’s weekend to enjoy it’s numerous country parks.

The town is a quiet place but contains everything anyone living in town or visiting would need. In addition to a well stocked supermarket there are bars, cafes and restaurants along with a couple of streets lined with small family owned stores.

All this makes Piribebuy a suitable candidate for somewhere to make one’s home. The Paraguayans came to realise this long ago and there have always been holiday homes belonging to residents of Asuncion and other places in and around the town.

The same factors, the ease of access to Asuncion and the prettiness of the countryside, have also drawn expats to Piribebuy. There is a small established expat community spread lightly around the area.

Enough to give new arrivals people to meet up with but too few to change the character of the town.

Many of the properties out in the countryside are rural in nature, but that is not the only way to live in and enjoy Piribebuy.

One alternative option is a small gated community that is slowly being developed on the edge of town. It currently has just three residents with a fourth house being the property that is up for sale.

The community is behind a gate and fence but those are there to define it’s borders rather than as a security requirement.

It is enclosed by a wire mesh fence not a wall and this allows for unbroken views of the surrounding countryside. The gate ensures there is no through traffic keeping down noise and allowing children to wander and explore where ever they choose.

From the paved road access is via 1 km of good unpaved road and on foot the centre of Piribebuy is just 10 minutes away.

The house that is for sale here is brand new. All is in place for an owner to move in and make it their home. It is the building shown at the top of the article.

It sits on a plot of 912 m2 of which the house occupies 180 m2. This gives ample room for a garden to be planted up and a pool to be installed.

Throughout the building the best quality of materials available have been used. From the roof to the floor tiles, from the doors to the windows. Many of those items were imported and the property is built to European standards.

For example the doors are all heavy wooden ones with solid locks and the windows contain built in sunshades to keep out the strongest of the sun’s rays. Being integral to window units they are than out of sight when not in use.

Furthermore Wi Fi is fitted and there is air conditioning in every room.

Within the house there is to be found, a lounge, a kitchen, an office, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.

The lounge is a large spacious area with a high ceiling and a doorway out onto the terrace. As with everywhere in the house there are ample electrical sockets located at convenient points.

Facing the lounge is an open plan kitchen. Between lounge and kitchen there is a long breakfast bar and then the kitchen itself has a long worktop giving ample space for food preparation. A further door leads from the kitchen out onto the terrace.

From the lounge a corridor runs through the centre of the house to the bedrooms.

There are three bedrooms. All are of a good size and the largest, the principal bedroom again has direct access out onto the terrace.

The bathroom is spacious and in line with the rest of the house fitted with top quality fixtures. A good size shower and double wash basins.

One further room is a little smaller. This is designed as an office space but could equally well be used as a store room.

The property is priced at US$130,000 which for the quality of the build and the location is a very fair price.

For someone wishing to enjoy the peaceful and relaxed lifestyle of the Paraguayan countryside from the comfort of good quality home this house is defiantly worth some consideration.

If you are interested in this property please do get in contact with me. I will be able to supply any further details you require and if you are in Piribebuy arrange a viewing.

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The result of which is that potential buyer will have many places to choose between. If they can only track down properties that are for sale.

Some are listed on agents websites, be they national or local, but the vast majority aren’t. Those are instead simply put up for sale by their owners.

At times a sign may be put up on a fence advertising a properties availability, but more often than not there are no visual clues that somewhere is for sale.

Furthermore even if a sign is put up it may remain there slowly fading for years. It is not uncommon for someone to advertise in this way not really wanting to sell but just to test the market to see if there are any takers.

Additionally without a comprehensive system for valuing properties in place it is hard for an owner to gauge the true value of their house. Unsurprisingly this often results in properties being advertised at over valued prices. It is sensible for a home owner to start by quoting a price rather higher than he wishes to receive and then to negotiate downwards.

To seek a price that is realistic to everyone it can be of use for a buyer to look around the local area to obtain an idea of what the average prices are.

In order to do this and also to track down properties that are only advertised through word of mouth it is extremely helpful to have a local contact to help you negotiate the largely unregulated property market.

This is a service I offer in the Cordillera area. Especially around the towns of Piribebuy and Caacupe which I know best and where I have local contacts.

If this is something I could help you with the services I provide in addition to finding properties are viewing them, reporting on them, acting as a point of contact between you and the sellers and giving guidance on the legal matters relating to a property purchase.

Furthermore I would be happy to assist with any other help you required regarding properties or Paraguay in general.

As for the properties themselves many types can be found out in the Paraguayan countryside.

Here are a few of the most common ones.

Firstly there are town houses which can be found in every town or village. These are often built to the same general with most of their internal space given over to bedrooms. They normally also include a lounge or kitchen diner as well as a small garden.

These are mostly built for the local population to Paraguayan designs and styles. A small place may cost as little as $20,000 but larger properties can reach up to levels ten times that.

The larger more luxurious town houses are generally to be found on the edges of towns. They are built either by a rich Paraguayan family or by a property developer aiming for the international market.

Despite the seemingly high price of some of these properties they are far cheaper than their equivalent would be elsewhere.

Next come country houses. These tend to have larger gardens. Sometimes as much as a hectare or two and on occasion with a stretch of river. The majority are built in a style somewhere between a town house and a farm and as such generally require some modernisation.

Other country houses are in effect simply summer houses., These range from spartan up to high fashion but in almost all cases will require a bit of redesigning as however good the quality of the buildings they were built with only short term accommodation a few times of year in mind.

In this category prices range generally between $30,000 and $100,000. With of course a good number of exceptions.

Upwards from these are farm houses. The main focus of these unsurprisingly is their lands. They all are or were working farms. These lands can be many hectares in extent. Depending on the location it may be agricultural, pastoral or for timber.

A farm house may have been on the site for generations and so they are often basic in appearance. This also reflects the working nature of the properties. A rural and rustic life can be found in one of these traditional farm houses.

With the buildings themselves being generally simple and functional it is the extent of the land rather than the house itself which here dictates the price.

Land prices vary widely from area to area and even between zones within the countryside surrounding a town. Hence giving anything like a set figure is impossible. However working from a figure of $10,000 per hectare does give a rough ball park figure when trying to assess values.

There are even numerous plots of land lying unused an undeveloped upon which a country hideaway could be built.

Life in the Paraguayan countryside is a peaceful and relaxed one. Everything is green and spacious away from the crowds and pollution of the cites.

As I mentioned above my area of expertise is the countryside around the towns of Piribebuy and Caacupe. It is well known as a picturesque area, popular with sightseers. Additionally it is within easy reach Asuncion and an area that is well used to welcoming newcomers.

Elsewhere across the countryside there are variations in property prices but the styles of homes available is relatively consistent.

Even if Paraguay is not as yet on your radar as a potential place to live it may be worth giving some consideration to the quality of life it’s countryside offers.

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