Life in Paraguay

South America's forgotten country

Paraguay is a landlocked country lying between Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. It is slightly smaller than California with the bulk of the population concentrated in the southern half of the country.

Key facts

Capital – Asuncion
Language – Spanish and Guarani
Area – 406,752 km2
Population – 6,995,000 (2009 est)
President – Fernando Lugo
Currency – Guarani

Things to do in Paraguay

Asuncion – The capital city of Paraguay, great if you fancy museums, markets, food, or taking a ride on the first railway in South America.
San Rafael – The last remaining piece of the Atlantic Forest. Massive biodiversity combined with Guarani culture - a taste of authentic Paraguay.
Salta del Monday – A spectacular waterfall close to Cuidad Del Este.
Itaipu Dam – Take a tour of the second largest hydro-electric power station in the world followed by a visit to the zoo and Guarani culture museum.
Jesuit ruins – See the ruined Jesuit temples and purchase your souvenirs from the indigenous population.
Rio Paraguay – Take a slow boat from Asuncion or Concepcion up the into the Chaco. Take your hammock.
Chaco – Beautiful scenery, salt lakes, peccary farm, huge variety of birdlife, large mammals including puma, tapir, armadillo and a war museum. If you only visit one desert this year, visit the Chaco.

Asuncion across the Rio Paraguay

Things to do in Argentina

Puerta Iguazu/Iguazu falls – Visit the widest waterfalls in the world and see the devils throat, (Garganta del Diablo). Best viewed from the Argentinian side.
Carlos Peligrini – A beautiful and well maintained nature reserve on a floating island. It offers good food and accommodation, (we recommend Rancho Ynambu), horse riding and boat trips. See caiman, capybara and deer in their natural environment.
Tres puntas – Have one foot in Brazil and one in Argentina and look across the river at Paraguay.
Posadas – A modern border town on the Rio Panana, across the river from Encarnacion.

Iguiza falls - the widest waterfall in the world

Diplomatic representation

United States embassy:
1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
Telephone: [595] (21) 213 715
Fax: [595] (21) 228 603

British Honorary Consulate:
Eulogio Estigarribia 4846, C/Monseñor Bogarin, Asuncion
Telephone: (595) (21) 210 405
Fax: (595) (21) 600 448

British embassy:
Dr. Luis Agote 2412, (1425) Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
Telephone: (54) (11) 4808 2200
Fax: (54) (11) 4808 2274

Health

Visitors to Paraguay are advised to take advice from their doctor on the vaccinations and health precautions (including malaria and dengue) they may need to take before coming to Paraguay. All visitors to Paraguay must be immunised against yellow fever.

>> Find health information at the NHS Fit for travel website.