{"id":7761,"date":"2018-08-14T15:50:17","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T13:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7761"},"modified":"2025-05-01T10:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T08:22:10","slug":"backpacking-paraguay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/","title":{"rendered":"Paraguay Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay, along with Bolivia, is one of the only landlocked countries in Latin America. Rich in natural resources, it is home to the world&#8217;s second-largest aquifer, the Guarani Aquifer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay shares the second-largest dam in terms of hydroelectric production with Brazil and is the world&#8217;s fifth-largest soybean exporter, as well as a renowned meat producer. Despite these assets, it remains one of the poorest countries on the continent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The country lacks must-see attractions comparable to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia or Machu Picchu in Peru. Consequently, it is often overlooked even on long backpacking trips, and tourism is generally underdeveloped, making access to potentially attractive areas difficult. However, Paraguay retains its authenticity, and if you find yourself in the region with time to spare, it is definitely worth a visit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quick menu<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#when\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to visit Paraguay<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#doc\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Documents and vaccinations to enter Paraguay<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#what\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do and see in Paraguay<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#iti\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggested itineraries in Paraguay<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#how\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to get around Paraguay<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking Paraguay: costs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/paraguay-en\/backpacking-paraguay\/#safe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking Paraguay: safety<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/santisima_trinidad_de_parana_notte.jpg\" alt=\"Tour in notturna delle rovine dalla santissima Trinidad de parana.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Sant\u00edsima Trinidad de Paran\u00e1.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"when\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>When to visit Paraguay<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate in Paraguay is continental, characterized by hot and humid conditions year-round. During the summer months, from January to March, temperatures can reach and exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Winter, which lasts from July to September, is mild with average temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is concentrated between October and April, coinciding with the hottest months. Therefore, the best time to visit Paraguay is between May and September.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"doc\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Documents and vaccinations to enter Paraguay<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most passport holders receive a free 90-day tourist visa from the time they enter the country. The visa is renewable for another 90 days. It is impossible to stay more than 180 days during any 12-month period.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.migraciones.gov.py\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the official immigration website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay does not require any mandatory vaccinations but yellow fever, Hepatitis A and B are recommended.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"what\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Paraguay<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most travelers focus on the south of the country as it is easily accessible from Argentina and Brazil, making a small detour after visiting the famous Iguazu Falls using Ciudad del Este as an access point, so I will follow this order.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, prices are expressed in the local currency called &#8220;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guaran\u00ed Paraguayan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8221; often abbreviated as &#8220;PYG.&#8221; The exchange rate at the time of publication of this article is 1\u20ac = 8000 PYG. For the current exchange rate, I suggest you look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xe.com\/currencyconverter\/convert\/?Amount=1&amp;From=EUR&amp;To=PYG\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/cosa_fare_cosa_vedere_asuncion.jpg\" alt=\"Mappa turistica del Paraguay. Dove andare e cosa vedere.\" width=\"650\" height=\"731\" \/>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Ciudad del Este<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is the city that sits on the triple border with Argentina and Brazil, connected by land with Foz do Igua\u00e7u via a bridge known as the International Friendship Bridge it is basically a large commercial center for Argentines and Brazilians, the entire city is in fact a &#8220;tax free&#8221; area filled with shopping malls.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.B. If you decide to visit only Ciudad del Este coming from Foz do Igua\u00e7u, or vice versa, there is no need to go through immigration as there is an agreement between the two countries for the area around the bridge up to about 30 km where you can move freely.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Ciudad del Este<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned above, shopping is a major activity for many in Paraguay. However, for Europeans, it might not be as convenient since online prices for electronics are equally competitive. Nevertheless, there are some excellent alternatives around the city.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Itaipu Dam<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, this dam is the second largest in the world in terms of hydroelectric production. Located halfway between Paraguay and Brazil (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/gP5uPhB9msATHwCA9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), it can be visited from both sides. However, I recommend the Paraguayan side as the tour is free. Yes, you read that right\u2014the tour is offered by the government and is completely free. It includes an introductory video about the project, followed by a bus tour of the dam with two stops where you can take pictures.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it may not feature ancient ruins or breathtaking scenery, the dam is certainly impressive and worth a visit, especially given the free tour. Tours run every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All buses going to Hernandaria can drop you off at the intersection leading to the dam visitor center (<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/5KWpkVvFxWTwFG3L6\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). You can get on the bus at the terminal <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/WX145iTKdSmBW1PK6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or just wait along Avenida Mariscal Lopez. Alternatively, you can take a taxi. On the way back, simply wait across the street and catch any bus heading to Ciudad del Este.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/diga_itaipu_paraguay.jpg\" alt=\"diga itaipu lato paraguayano durante il tour gratuito\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Itaipu Dam.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Saltos del Monday\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This impressive waterfall (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/po6hgjXztyUWnp236\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is about 45 meters high and 120 meters wide, but it often takes a back seat due to its proximity to Iguazu Falls. Located only 10 km from the center of Ciudad del Este, it offers a peaceful retreat from the city&#8217;s hustle and the crowds visiting the nearby Iguazu Falls. The mini park surrounding the waterfall features a zip-line, a restaurant, and some trails. Entrance for foreigners costs 12$.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City buses can drop you off about 1 km from the waterfall. They depart from the intersection of Capitan Miranda and Avenida San Blas (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/WX145iTKdSmBW1PK6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Alternatively, you can take a taxi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><b>Where to sleep in Ciudad del Este?<\/b><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FTeko-Arte-Hostel-and-Bar%2FCiudad-del-Este%2F83270%3FdateFrom%3D2018-09-12%26dateTo%3D2018-09-13%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teko Arte Hostel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, excellent hostel to spend a night or two with a pool for hot Paraguayan days.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><b>How to reach Ciudad del Este?<\/b><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buses depart frequently from the Ciudad del Este terminal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/5rNAdW4pXTmyM8CS6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asunci\u00f3n (5 hours) and Encarnaci\u00f3n (4 hours). Local buses shuttling to and from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foz do Igua\u00e7u <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are really frequent.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Paraguay_Saltos_del_Monday.jpg\" alt=\"Cascata Saltos del Monday vicino a ciudad del este in paraguay\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Saltos del Monday.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Trinidad<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this small town about 30 km from Encarnaci\u00f3n, you&#8217;ll find the only UNESCO site in the entire country: the ruins of former Jesuit missions. Around 30 of these missions were built throughout the area, but the most impressive and well-preserved are in the town of Trinidad (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/p5KU93Xt5EFqeA7U6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ticket, valid for three days, costs PYG 25,000 and includes entry to the nearby Jes\u00fas de Tavarangue site and two less impressive sites near Encarnaci\u00f3n. From Thursday to Sunday at 21:00 p.m., you can participate in a guided reenactment tour, featuring lights illuminating the ruins and background music\u2014an impressive and highly recommended experience. The best part? In the afternoon, the ruins are almost empty, and in the evening, there are typically no more than 20 people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reach the nearby ruins of Jes\u00fas de Tavarangue (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ErmCWddmq82ghMCYA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), taxis and colectivos are usually waiting outside the office where you purchase your ticket. I shared a taxi with three other people, but there should also be a shuttle between the two sites. I suggest asking at the office for more information.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/rovine_gesuite_trinidad_notte.jpg\" alt=\"rovine missioni gesuite di parana.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Sant\u00edsima Trinidad de Paran\u00e1.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to reach Trinidad?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trinidad is located along the road from Ciudad del Este to <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encarnaci\u00f3n so buses are really frequent during the day. It is about 4 hours from Ciudad del Este and 45 minutes from Encarnaci\u00f3n.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.B. If you decide to join the 21:00 p.m. tour, there are no buses back to Encarnaci\u00f3n and you must then spend the night in Trinidad.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Trinidad?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I spent the night at the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.it\/maps\/place\/Posada+Don+Paraguay\/@-27.129051,-55.7076104,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m15!1m7!3m6!1s0x9458e447af41e893:0xce8268b16d9a58f1!2sBuena+Vista,+Paraguay!3b1!8m2!3d-26.1871724!4d-56.0835437!3m6!1s0x0:0xd704b4e5f9ee3986!8m2!3d-27.1290555!4d-55.7054217!9m1!1b1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Posada Don Paraguay<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, clean and cheap but there are other similar accommodations in the village. The only hotel is just outside the ruins and is called <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/N7PqEHaM5wAWD1Kg9\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotel a Las Ruinas<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Encarnaci\u00f3n<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encarnaci\u00f3n is situated along the banks of the Paran\u00e1 River, directly across from Posadas, Argentina. The town is compact and easily navigable on foot, with a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Here&#8217;s what to do and see in Encarnaci\u00f3n<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encarnaci\u00f3n is primarily used as a base for visiting the nearby Jesuit ruins, but I recommend walking around Plaza de Armas (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/FGc2HYuzKHniWxz87\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and its surroundings if you have some spare time. Another enjoyable activity is strolling along Avenida Costanera in the evening, where you can witness the sunset behind the buildings of Posadas or just head to Playa San Jos\u00e9 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Dm2EPXkbGiK2HfL77\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you happen to be in Encarnaci\u00f3n during carnival season, you&#8217;re in for a treat as one of the continent&#8217;s best carnivals, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vagabundler.com\/paraguay\/carnaval-encarnaceno\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Carnaval Encarnaceno<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, takes place here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Costanera_encarnacion_paraguay.jpg\" alt=\"Il lungo mare di encarnacion in paraguay, la costanera\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Avenida Costanera.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in <\/i><\/b><b><i>Encarnaci\u00f3n?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/py\/la-casa-de-pedro-hostel.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Casa de Pedro Hostel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a good and clean hostel with a nice back garden where you can also camp. The location within walking distance of the bus station and downtown is great.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to reach <\/i><\/b><b><i>Encarnaci\u00f3n?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Ciudad del Este via Trinidad is about 6 hours, frequent buses during the day and to Asuncion, about 7 hours. To Posada in Argentina there are buses marked &#8220;Internacional&#8221; that leave about every half hour. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/H5tKfLdwHUbmbvQE9\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bus terminal is located here<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Asuncion<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asunci\u00f3n is Paraguay&#8217;s capital and largest city. Situated along the banks of the Paraguay River and founded in 1537, it is one of the oldest cities in South America. For this reason, it is often referred to as the &#8220;Mother of Cities.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Asunci\u00f3n<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asunci\u00f3n may not be a spectacular city; in fact, it can appear somewhat decayed. However, there are still a few noteworthy places to visit. These include the Pante\u00f3n de los H\u00e9roes (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/bS8WPfGZ6Q1WiTRLA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), a monument commemorating those who died in the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance, in which about 70 percent of the male population at the time lost their lives; the presidential palace (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Rev6rP4xRqZ77gdU7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and the Cementerio de la Recoleta (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/utWfK5KmrgPaZvpFA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other popular destinations near Asunci\u00f3n include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mylatinlife.com\/2022\/11\/30\/san-bernardino-paraguay-city-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Bernardino<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a lakeside town on the shores of Lake Ypacara\u00ed, about 45 minutes away. Here, you can still see some buildings from its founding by German immigrants. Another charming town on the opposite side of the lake is Aregu\u00e1.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/palazzo_del_congresso_asuncion.jpg\" alt=\"Il palazzo del congresso ad Asuncion in Paraguay.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Presidential Palace.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in <\/i><\/b><b><i>Asunci\u00f3n<\/i><\/b><b><i>?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FEl-Nomada-Hostel-Asuncion%2FAsuncion%2F69295%3FdateFrom%3D2018-08-08%26dateTo%3D2018-08-09%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Nomada Hostel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was awarded as the best hostel in Paraguay. Ok the competition is not high but the hostel is really nice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to reach <\/i><\/b><b><i>Asunci\u00f3n<\/i><\/b><b><i>?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent buses from Encarnaci\u00f3n and Ciudad del Este, about 7 hours. From <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concepci\u00f3n it is about 6 hours. Philadelphia 9 hours. There are also international departures to Santa Cruz in Bolivia (24 hours, long and winding journey), Buenos Aires (17 hours), S\u00e3o Paulo (21 hours), Montevideo (26 hours) and others.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reach the center from the bus station take bus 38 (2300 PYG) just outside the station (<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yDwhVCCkZMi7m3rq7\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) along Avenida Fernando de la Mora. By taxi it is about 35000 PYG.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Concepcion, Philadelphia and Independencia, some truly off the beaten path destinations<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I personally have not gone that far, but I want to say a few words about these destinations visited by some friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Philadelphia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serves as the gateway for anyone wishing to explore the region known as Gran Chaco, also called the last South American frontier. This vast, semi-deserted area is shared with Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina, though most of it is located in Paraguay. While a few natural parks exist, visiting them requires either a tour or a private vehicle. From Philadelphia, you can continue your journey to Bolivia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Concepci\u00f3n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not a tourist town either, but from here you can reach Brazil and continue to the Pantanal by first traveling to the border town of Pedro Juan Caballero, a 4-5 hour bus ride. In this area, you can hike to Cerro Memby and Cerro Cor\u00e1, both conveniently located along the main road connecting Concepci\u00f3n to Pedro Juan Caballero, making them easily accessible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Villarrica del Esp\u00edritu Santo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can visit a beautiful waterfall called &#8220;Campamento Salto Suizo,&#8221; Cerro Tres Kand\u00fa\u2014the highest peak in the entire country at only 842 meters\u2014and the Sierra del Ybytyruzu. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wikitravel.org\/en\/Villarrica_del_Espiritu_Santo#Do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you will find instructions on how to reach these places starting from Villarrica.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these destinations are off the beaten path and require an adventurous spirit, but if you have the time, they are certainly worth visiting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Cerro_Memby_conception_paraguay.jpg\" alt=\"Il cerro Memby vicino a Conception in Paraguay.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Cerro Memby.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"itinerari\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"iti\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2><b>Suggested itineraries in Paraguay<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my opinion, the best way to explore Paraguay is to add it to a trip to Argentina or Brazil by entering from Ciudad del Este. Here\u2019s a suggested 5-day itinerary:<\/span>\r\n<h4><b>5-Day Itinerary in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This itinerary is designed to briefly savor Paraguay and visit its most iconic places while maximizing your time. Of course, you can spend more time there; use the following as inspiration and modify or create your itinerary according to your interests and schedule.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I strongly recommend arranging to be in Trinidad any day between Thursday and Sunday so that you can participate in the nighttime tour of the ruins.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/itinerario_settimana_paraguay.jpg\" alt=\"Mappa itinerario di due settimane in Paraguay.\" width=\"650\" height=\"731\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Ciudad del Este (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morning transfer from Foz do Igua\u00e7u or Puerto Iguazu. Afternoon at Saltos del Monday.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Trinidad (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit to Itaipu Dam in the morning.Transfer to Trinidad <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the afternoon. Depending on the time you arrive you may decide to visit the ruins of Trinidad and those of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jes\u00fas de Tavarangue the same day or the following morning. In either case join the night tour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Encarnaci\u00f3n (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short transfer from Trinidad. Explore the small town. Watch the sunset along Avenida Costanera.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Asunci\u00f3n <\/b><b>(2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfer to Asunci\u00f3n in the morning. Explore downtown in the afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cementerio de la Recoleta and a few museums or day trip to San Bernardino or Aregua. Night bus to any destination you are interested in.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>One- or two-week itinerary in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have more time available, once you arrive in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asunci\u00f3n <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">following the itinerary just described, you could continue toward Conception to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hike <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cerro Memby and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cerro Cora and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">then <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">descend toward Villarrica where you can visit the waterfall &#8220;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salto Suizo&#8221; (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ZYLsTtKYTEocqeN26\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) , <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cerro Tres Kand\u00fa (highest peak in the entire country at only 842 meters) and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sierra del Ybytyruzu. From here return to Ciudad del Este. It can all be done in 10 to 15 days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"how\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to get around Paraguay<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Buses in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buses are by far the most common way to get around. During the day, connections are really frequent. Buses are often not of very good quality except for long-distance or international buses. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laencarnacena.com.py\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encarnacena<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsa.com.py\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are probably the two companies that offer the best service, some of their buses have wifi on board. Many companies don&#8217;t even have websites and I strongly recommend heading directly to the bus terminal where, especially in large cities, the price for various routes is often negotiable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/bus_asuncion_paraguay.jpg\" alt=\"autobus per le strade di Asuncion in Paraguay.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bus in Asuncion.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Taxis in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxis are quite expensive compared to the cost of living in Paraguay. They use the taximeter only in Asunci\u00f3n, so in any other case, agree on the price before boarding and remember to bargain, as tourists are often quoted a high price. It might be helpful to ask your hostel or hotel about the correct price for a particular route.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Domestic flights in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic flights in Paraguay are virtually nonexistent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Hitchhiking in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitchhiking is common and safe in rural areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"cost\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking Paraguay: costs<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does a trip to Paraguay cost?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay is quite cheap, for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/planning\/40-tips-for-backpackers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most backpackers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a budget of about 30\u20ac per day should be more than enough.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Cost of Transport <\/b><b>in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buses are much cheaper than in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay but not as much as in Peru and Bolivia. Long-distance buses cost about 1-2 \u20ac per hour. City buses in Asunci\u00f3n, for example, cost only 2300 PYG (30-40 cents).<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Cost of food <\/b><b>in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The food is really cheap. In a typical comedor you can eat for about 15,000 to 25,000 PYG.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Cost of accommodation <\/b><b>in Paraguay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The few hostels there are in the various cities are cheap but I am sure they could be cheaper if it were not for the little competition. Expect to pay an average of 50,000 to 70,000 PYG for a dormitory bed. Breakfast is almost always included. If you are looking for cheaper accommodations local hotels (hospedajes) often offer excellent value for money with private rooms cheaper than a dorm bed in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"safe\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking Paraguay: safety<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Paraguay dangerous? Generally speaking, no. However, Ciudad del Este does not have a good reputation due to its status as a hub for illegal activities, primarily smuggling. Despite this, it should not significantly impact your safety. Asunci\u00f3n, like any large city, can pose certain dangers in certain areas, especially after dark. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/backpacking-safety\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use common sense and follow my advice on traveling safely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The real concerns in Paraguay may be the intense heat, non-potable tap water, and mosquitoes. Dengue fever is prevalent in Paraguay, so take precautions against mosquito bites.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you planning a trip to Paraguay? Check out these posts:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/best-travel-cards\/\">The best cards for traveling<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/packing-list\/\">What to bring on your trip<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ilbackpacker\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QTBBEQQCE37GA\">For donations\/pizzas and virtual beers<\/a> \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Did you like the post? Pin it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7613\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_paraguay.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"330\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_paraguay.png 330w, https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_paraguay-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay, along with Bolivia, is one of the only landlocked countries in Latin America. Rich in natural resources, it is home to the world&#8217;s second-largest aquifer, the Guarani Aquifer. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paraguay shares the second-largest dam in terms of hydroelectric production with Brazil and is the world&#8217;s fifth-largest soybean exporter, as well as a renowned meat producer.\u00a0<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-paraguay-en"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7761"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7761\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}