Paraguay can be a very interesting and rewarding place to visit as a tourist.

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.