Traveling in Paraguay: Staying safe

To ensure you travel safely and relaxed in Paraguay, this article guides you through all the key aspects of your planning. From practical tips on transportation and weather to accommodations, cultural attractions, outdoor adventures, and seasonal recommendations, you'll find everything you need to enjoy Paraguay to the fullest.

🚗 Mobility & Transportation

Within Paraguay, you have several options: comfortable long-distance buses, domestic flights, and even boat trips along the Paraguay River. This way, you can easily connect different regions and reach more remote corners.

The main roads (Rutas) in Paraguay are generally in fairly good condition. Nevertheless, potholes can suddenly appear even here. Potholes and road dips are common on secondary roads, so always drive with extreme caution. There are also constant speed bumps (called lomadas) in both urban and rural areas to help you reduce your speed. These are usually marked by signs, but these signs may sometimes be missing. So always drive with extreme caution!

• Road network & long-distance buses: The main routes (Rutas 1–9) are paved and connect all cities; secondary roads in rural areas are often dirt with frequent potholes.
  
• Domestic flights & airports: Silvio Pettirossi (Asunción) and Guaraní (Ciudad del Este) offer internal connections.
  
• River traffic: Río Paraguay navigable up to Fuerte Olimpo – river cruises via Villeta and Concepción possible.
  
• Rental cars & guided tours: Self-drive routes, e.g. Transchaco (Ruta 9), and off-road tours in the Chaco.
  

☀️ Climate & Regions

Paraguay is divided into the wetter Oriental Region and the partly dry Western Region (Chaco). This influences both your daily and seasonal planning, as well as your gear: light clothing for the east, dust- and heat-resistant gear for the Chaco.

• Región Oriental (Paraneña): Humid subtropical climate, 1,300–1,800 mm of rain per year, mild winters, 72 °F, and hot summers, 90 °F (average temperature).
• Región Occidental (Chaco)Semi-arid to tropical, with intense rainfall from November to April in the humid Chaco (1,000–1,200 mm) and a marked dry season from May to October in the dry Chaco (550–800 mm). The average temperature is 77 °F in winter and 100 °F in summer.

🏨 Accommodation & Infrastructure

Whether in a city hotel in Asunción, an ecolodge next to Lake Ypacaraí or a rustic stay in the Chaco, Paraguay offers accommodation options for all tastes. From hotels to private apartments or rooms to hostels.

• Urban: Hotels, boutique lodges, private apartments, private rooms, and hostels in Asunción, Ciudad del Este, and Encarnación.
• Rural & Eco-Lodges: Farms (Estancias) in the Chaco, ecolodges and guest rooms on Lake Ypacaraí.
• Pilgrim accommodations: Inns and hostels around Caacupé.
• Camping & Trekking: Official campsites in Ybycuí national park and Defensores del Chaco national park.

🎉 Activities in Paraguay

🎭 Culture & Festivals

Immerse yourself in Paraguay's cultural richness with unforgettable celebrations.

Experience Paraguay at its most vibrant during traditional festivals such as the pilgrimage to Caacupé or the Fiesta de las Colectividades in the German-influenced settlements, with unforgettable insights into folk culture.

• Año Nuevo (New Year): New Year's is celebrated here in the summer (southern hemisphere). That's why Paraguayans celebrate outdoors, on the Costanera, until late at night.
• The Carnival of Encarnación is celebrated on weekends in January and February.
• Fiesta de las Colectividades in Colonias Unidas (September): Festival with traditions of the nations living there.
• Choppfests (Oktoberfests) in September and October
• Pilgrimage to Caacupé (December 8th): The country's biggest popular religious event.

🏞️ Outdoor & Adventure

For adventurers and nature lovers.

From the roaring Salto del Monday to bird watching in Defensores del Chaco National Park to river cruises on the Río Paraguay, adventurers will find plenty to enjoy here.

• Saltos del Monday: Waterfall with cascades and slackline
• Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco: Jaguar and bird watching
• Kayak & River Cruises on the Río Paraguay
• Trekking in Ybycuí National Park: Waterfalls and rainforest
• Jesuit reductions in Itapúa (UNESCO):
  • Misión Jesuítica Guaraní La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná
  • Misión Jesuítica Guaraní de Jesús de Tavarangue
  • Misión Jesuítica Guaraní de San Cosme y San Damián

🏙️ City trips

Discover the historical and urban heritage.

Asunción with its colonial old town, Ciudad del Este as a commercial metropolis and Encarnación with Costanera and Jesuit reductions offer varied sightseeing experiences.

• Asunción: Colonial old town, museums, waterfront promenade (Costanera)
• Ciudad del Este: Shopping capital and excursions to the Saltos del Monday (waterfalls)
• Encarnación: Waterfront promenade (Costanera), carnival, Jesuit reductions
• Concepción & Pilar: Colonial churches and war museums War of the Triple Alliance)

🍽️ Culinary Experiences

Pamper your palate with the best of local cuisine.

Enjoy typical local specialties such as chipa, sopa paraguaya and asado – whether in local markets, street stalls or upscale churrasquería restaurants (grilled meat).

• Tour de Tereré: Regional Yuyos blends in Western and Eastern Paraguay
• Chipa- and Sopa Paraguaya-Workshops in Itauguá
• Asado on farms (estancias) in the Chaco or in churrasquerías (grilled meat restaurants)

Read more about "Traditional Cuisine in Paraguay" here.

🛍️ Shopping & Markets

Take home an authentic souvenir from Paraguay.

From the colorful Mercado 4 in Asunción to modern shopping centers like Shopping del Sol and craft markets in Itá and Altos: Paraguay is an El Dorado for souvenirs and regional products.

• Mercado 4 in Asunción: local products, handicrafts
• Shopping del Sol & Mariscal López Shopping: international brands
• Craft markets in Itá and Areguá (ceramics) and Altos (wood carvings)

🏥 Health & Safety

With basic vaccinations, careful water consumption, and the necessary respect for local traffic and safety conditions, you are well prepared for a worry-free trip.

• vaccinations: Hepatitis A/B, tetanus, typhoid; Yellow fever only during Amazon transit
• Water and food: Boiled or bottled water recommended
• SafetyCentral zones are safe. Travel with caution in border regions and peripheral areas at night

📅 Seasonal planning

Plan according to the time of year: The dry season (May–September) is ideal for hiking and pilgrimages, while the rainy season (November–March) offers lush nature and dramatic waterfalls.

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Temperatures up to 104°F; ideal for water activities and festivals
  
• Rainy season (Nov–Mar): lush vegetation, in the Chaco some tracks are impassable.
  
• Dry season (May–Sep): perfect for trekking and pilgrimages
  

💰 Practical tips & budget

The Guaraní (PYG) is Paraguaya's currency, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and prepaid SIM cards from Tigo or Claro keep you online. Long-distance buses start at around USD 15, domestic flights from USD 100, and basic accommodations from USD 12 per night—so you can keep your travel budget under control.

• Currency & Cards: Guaraní (PYG); credit cards accepted almost everywhere
  
• Language: Spanish and Guaraní; English rarely
  
• Internet & SIM-Cards: Tigo/Claro Prepaid without bureaucracy
  
• Reference costs: Long-distance bus from 15 USD, domestic flight from 100 USD, eco-lodge from 50 USD/night

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🖼️ Impressions

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