Introduction
Get to know South America's wild enigma. Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter' - little known even 'an island surrounded by land'. After slating it as 'nowhere and famous for nothing', PJ O'Rourke promptly fell in love with the place during a short visit. You might well do the same.
Paraguay has become increasingly involved with its neighbors. As a result, problems of corruption and political isolation are slowly being tackled. It also has plenty to offer visitors: impressive Jesuit missions, national parks and the vast, arid Chaco - the epitome of South American wilderness.
'Paraguay had a long period of progress, tranquility and peace. It took giant steps.' - Alfredo Stroessner
Geography:
Paraguay is a landlocked country surrounded by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Much of the country's frontiers are drawn by three rivers - the Pilcomayo and the Paraguay, both of which flow into the mighty Paran á , the third largest river in the western hemisphere. The Paraguay also divides the country in two. To the west of the R í o Paraguay is the Chaco, a largely infertile and sparsely populated tract of land that makes up nearly 60% of the country's area. To the east, where almost all the population is concentrated, is a plateau of grasslands and forest stretches all the way to the Paran á on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Wildlife is diverse and includes a number of birds such as the parrot, parakeet, wood stork, hyacinth macaw and the once-thought-to-be-extinct Chacoan peccary, plus large reptiles such as the caiman, anaconda and boa constrictor. However, due to the dense human population of rural eastern Paraguay, mammals such as the giant anteater, Brazilian tapir and jaguar are fast disappearing.
Destination Facts
Capital: Asunci ó n
President: Fernando Lugo
Government: Constitutional Republic
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 406752
Population: 6500000
People: 95% mestizo, 5% other (European and indigenous)
Languages: 97% Roman Catholic, 3% Mennonite and other Protestant
Currency: Guaran í(G)
Major industries: Soybeans, cotton, timber, beverages, textiles, sugar, electric power, corn, wheat, tobacco, cement, steel
Major Trading Partners: Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland, China, USA
Daylight Saving: From third Sunday in October to second Sunday in March
Country Dialing Code: 595
Getting there and away
Paraguay's only international airport is in Asunci ó n. Direct international flights from here are limited to neighboring countries: Buenos Aires, Argentina; La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia; S ã o Paulo and Rio be Janeiro, Brazil; Iquique and Santiago, Chile. Transportes A é reos Mercosur has daily flights from/to Buenos Aires, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, S ã o Paolo, Santiago and Ciudad del Este. Bolivian carrier LAB shuttles between La Paz, Santa Cruz and Asunci ó n. Varig has daily flights to Foz de Iguaz ú , S ã o Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian GOL heads to Brasilia and Buenos Aires. There are only a few overland crossings: three from Argentina, two from Brazil and a sometimes-tricky border crossing from Bolivia. Boats cross into Asunci ó n and Encarnaci ó n from Argentina, but immigration procedures are more complicated if entering by boat. With patience, unofficial river travel from Concepci ó n to Isla Margarita on the Brazilian border is possible. By bus, negotiating Paraguayan borders can be interesting to say the least; on, off, on and off again. Ask the driver to stop at immigration (locals don't always need to) and be sure your papers are in order. Note that some bus companies claim to travel further into Brazil than border towns, but actually change buses after crossing the border.
Getting around
There are passenger boats from Asunci ó n and Concepci ó n up the R í o Paraguay to a number of river ports. Buses dominate transportation throughout Paraguay with cheap fares and reasonably efficient service. None go from start to end without picking someone up. Servicio removido makes flag stops; servicio directo collects passengers at fixed locations; com ú n stops at fewer locations, while ejecutivo is a faster, deluxe bus. Metered taxis also operate in the capital. Your own wheels come at a cost, but it can be worth it if there's a few of you. Driving can be dangerous with wooden oxcarts and livestock among the more obvious road hazards. Hitchhiking is quite safe is Paraguay although women should always exercise caution. Beware of afternoon heat and carry water. Most drivers will not ask for money.
Weather
Since elevations do not exceed 600m (1968ft) in Paraguay, temperatures are almost uniformly hot in summer - the east of the country has the added bonus of humidity. Average highs hover around 35 ° C (95 ° F), with daily temperatures ranging between 25 ° C and 43 ° C (77 ° F to 109 ° F). The mercury has been known to drop to freezing in winter due to southern polar air - average lows sit around 6 ° C (42 ° F). That said, the average high in July, the coldest month, is a balmy 22 ° C (71 ° F). Rainfall is moderate throughout the year with the winter months usually being a bit drier. Conditions are wetter in the east where rainfall averages an abundant 2000mm (79in) a year, declining to about 1500mm (59in) near Asunci ó n. In southern Paraguay, rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
Places of Interest
Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter' - little known even 'an island surrounded by land'. After slating it as 'nowhere and famous for nothing', PJ O'Rourke promptly fell in love with the place during a short visit. You might well do the same. Paraguay has become increasingly involved with its neighbors. As a result, problems of corruption and political isolation are slowly being tackled. It also has plenty to offer visitors: impressive Jesuit missions, national parks and the vast, arid Chaco - the epitome of South American wilderness.
For Destination Guides...click here
Related Country: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil
Get to know South America's wild enigma. Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter' - little known even 'an island surrounded by land'. After slating it as 'nowhere and famous for nothing', PJ O'Rourke promptly fell in love with the place during a short visit. You might well do the same.
'Paraguay had a long period of progress, tranquility and peace. It took giant steps.' - Alfredo Stroessner
Paraguay is a landlocked country surrounded by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Much of the country's frontiers are drawn by three rivers - the Pilcomayo and the Paraguay, both of which flow into the mighty Paran á , the third largest river in the western hemisphere. The Paraguay also divides the country in two. To the west of the R í o Paraguay is the Chaco, a largely infertile and sparsely populated tract of land that makes up nearly 60% of the country's area. To the east, where almost all the population is concentrated, is a plateau of grasslands and forest stretches all the way to the Paran á on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Wildlife is diverse and includes a number of birds such as the parrot, parakeet, wood stork, hyacinth macaw and the once-thought-to-be-extinct Chacoan peccary, plus large reptiles such as the caiman, anaconda and boa constrictor. However, due to the dense human population of rural eastern Paraguay, mammals such as the giant anteater, Brazilian tapir and jaguar are fast disappearing.
Capital: Asunci ó n
President: Fernando Lugo
Government: Constitutional Republic
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 406752
Population: 6500000
People: 95% mestizo, 5% other (European and indigenous)
Languages: 97% Roman Catholic, 3% Mennonite and other Protestant
Currency: Guaran í(G)
Major industries: Soybeans, cotton, timber, beverages, textiles, sugar, electric power, corn, wheat, tobacco, cement, steel
Major Trading Partners: Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland, China, USA
Daylight Saving: From third Sunday in October to second Sunday in March
Country Dialing Code: 595
Paraguay's only international airport is in Asunci ó n. Direct international flights from here are limited to neighboring countries: Buenos Aires, Argentina; La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia; S ã o Paulo and Rio be Janeiro, Brazil; Iquique and Santiago, Chile. Transportes A é reos Mercosur has daily flights from/to Buenos Aires, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, S ã o Paolo, Santiago and Ciudad del Este. Bolivian carrier LAB shuttles between La Paz, Santa Cruz and Asunci ó n. Varig has daily flights to Foz de Iguaz ú , S ã o Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian GOL heads to Brasilia and Buenos Aires. There are only a few overland crossings: three from Argentina, two from Brazil and a sometimes-tricky border crossing from Bolivia. Boats cross into Asunci ó n and Encarnaci ó n from Argentina, but immigration procedures are more complicated if entering by boat. With patience, unofficial river travel from Concepci ó n to Isla Margarita on the Brazilian border is possible. By bus, negotiating Paraguayan borders can be interesting to say the least; on, off, on and off again. Ask the driver to stop at immigration (locals don't always need to) and be sure your papers are in order. Note that some bus companies claim to travel further into Brazil than border towns, but actually change buses after crossing the border.
There are passenger boats from Asunci ó n and Concepci ó n up the R í o Paraguay to a number of river ports. Buses dominate transportation throughout Paraguay with cheap fares and reasonably efficient service. None go from start to end without picking someone up. Servicio removido makes flag stops; servicio directo collects passengers at fixed locations; com ú n stops at fewer locations, while ejecutivo is a faster, deluxe bus. Metered taxis also operate in the capital. Your own wheels come at a cost, but it can be worth it if there's a few of you. Driving can be dangerous with wooden oxcarts and livestock among the more obvious road hazards. Hitchhiking is quite safe is Paraguay although women should always exercise caution. Beware of afternoon heat and carry water. Most drivers will not ask for money.
Weather
Since elevations do not exceed 600m (1968ft) in Paraguay, temperatures are almost uniformly hot in summer - the east of the country has the added bonus of humidity. Average highs hover around 35 ° C (95 ° F), with daily temperatures ranging between 25 ° C and 43 ° C (77 ° F to 109 ° F). The mercury has been known to drop to freezing in winter due to southern polar air - average lows sit around 6 ° C (42 ° F). That said, the average high in July, the coldest month, is a balmy 22 ° C (71 ° F). Rainfall is moderate throughout the year with the winter months usually being a bit drier. Conditions are wetter in the east where rainfall averages an abundant 2000mm (79in) a year, declining to about 1500mm (59in) near Asunci ó n. In southern Paraguay, rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter' - little known even 'an island surrounded by land'. After slating it as 'nowhere and famous for nothing', PJ O'Rourke promptly fell in love with the place during a short visit. You might well do the same. Paraguay has become increasingly involved with its neighbors. As a result, problems of corruption and political isolation are slowly being tackled. It also has plenty to offer visitors: impressive Jesuit missions, national parks and the vast, arid Chaco - the epitome of South American wilderness.
For Destination Guides...click here
Related Country: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil
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