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South America / South America

Paraguay

Jesuit missions and Chaco wilderness. As part of South America in South America, Paraguay suits travelers drawn to nature and historic. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

Paraguay

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: May – Sep

Asunción

Asunción pairs well with nearby highlights on a South America route through Paraguay.

Encarnación

Encarnación pairs well with nearby highlights on a South America route through Paraguay.

Chaco

Chaco pairs well with nearby highlights on a South America route through Paraguay.

What it is known for
facts
  • Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad ruins
  • Chaco wilderness and Mennonite colonies
  • Guaraní indigenous language still widely spoken
  • Asunción riverside costanera promenade
  • Sopa paraguaya cornmeal cake and chipa bread
key City
name
Asunción
label
Capital
why
The riverside capital holds colonial palaces and is the hub for trips east to Jesuit ruins and north into the Chaco.
Places to visit
  • area
    Asunción
    attractions
    • name
      Palacio de López
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Casa de la Independencia
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Costanera de Asunción
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Encarnación
    attractions
    • name
      Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      San Cosme y Damián Ruins
      duration
      2-4 hours
      book Ahead
      Timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead at UNESCO sites in peak season.
    • name
      Playa San José
      duration
      2-4 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
    • name
      Costanera de Encarnación
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Chaco
    attractions
    • name
      Defensores del Chaco National Park
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Filadelfia Mennonite Colony
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Fortín Boquerón
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.
    • name
      Chaco War Memorial
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Many are free outdoors; timed entry sites need 1-2 weeks notice in summer.
Itineraries
  • title
    Paraguay Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Asunción
    • Encarnación
    • Chaco
    highlights
    • Full day discovering Asunción
    • Full day discovering Encarnación
    • Full day discovering Chaco
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Asunción
      description
      Land in Asunción, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Paraguay trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Encarnación
      description
      Dedicate the day to Encarnación: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Chaco and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Chaco visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic Paraguay
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Asunción
    • Encarnación
    • Chaco
    highlights
    • Cover Asunción and Encarnación
    • Explore Chaco
    best For
    Outdoor lovers and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Asunción
      description
      Land in Asunción, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Paraguay trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Encarnación
      description
      Dedicate the day to Encarnación: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Chaco and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Chaco visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Paraguay Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Asunción
    • Encarnación
    • Chaco
    highlights
    • Coastal day in Asunción
    • Coastal day in Encarnación
    • Coastal day in Chaco
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Asunción
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in Asunción.
    • day
      2
      title
      Encarnación coast
      description
      Spend the day on Encarnación's shoreline: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, San Cosme y Damián Ruins, Playa San José, with time for cafés, boat trips, or sunset views.
    • day
      3
      title
      Chaco and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in Chaco, visiting Defensores del Chaco National Park, Filadelfia Mennonite Colony, Fortín Boquerón before you depart Paraguay.
  • title
    Paraguay Countryside
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Asunción
    • Encarnación
    • Chaco
    highlights
    • Rural stop: Asunción
    • Rural stop: Encarnación
    • Rural stop: Chaco
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Asunción
      description
      Reach Asunción, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      Encarnación countryside
      description
      Explore Encarnación at an easy pace: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, San Cosme y Damián Ruins, Playa San José with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Chaco and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Chaco, stopping at Defensores del Chaco National Park, Filadelfia Mennonite Colony, Fortín Boquerón before heading home.
  • title
    Paraguay Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Chaco
    • Encarnación
    • Asunción
    highlights
    • Must-see: Defensores del Chaco National Park
    • Must-see: Filadelfia Mennonite Colony
    • Must-see: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná
    • Must-see: San Cosme y Damián Ruins
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of Chaco
      description
      Start in Chaco with Defensores del Chaco National Park, Filadelfia Mennonite Colony, Fortín Boquerón, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Encarnación monuments
      description
      Focus on Encarnación's tourist favorites: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, San Cosme y Damián Ruins, Playa San José with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      Asunción landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in Asunción, including Palacio de López, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes, Casa de la Independencia, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
May through September is cooler dry season in Paraguay, comfortable for Asuncion historic center, Jesuit missions of Trinidad, and Chaco wildlife without summer heat and humidity. Southern hemisphere winter brings clear skies and mild days.
typical Weather
Asuncion May-Sep: highs 22-26°C (72-79°F), lows 12-16°C (54-61°F), 40-70 mm rain. Chaco hotter by day, cold at night. Dec-Feb summer exceeds 35°C (95°F).
details
  • Dec-Feb hottest and wettest; avoid Chaco midday.
  • Winter Jun-Aug mildest for sightseeing.
  • Nanduti lace and terere culture year-round in Asuncion.
  • Missions UNESCO sites best in dry cool season.
most Affordable
period
Dec – Feb
summary
Austral summer heat suppresses Paraguay tourism when Asuncion hotels discount despite humidity, offering lowest rates outside winter dry-season comfort peak.
details
  • Asuncion hotels discount 25-35% in hottest months.
  • Chaco tour operators offer summer promotions.
  • Jesuit mission circuit tours cheaper with fewer groups.
  • Regional flights from Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires less crowded.
most Expensive
period
Jun – Aug
summary
Austral winter dry season drives Paraguay's highest comfortable-travel demand when Asuncion and mission circuit tours see peak visitor numbers.
details
  • Asuncion business hotels fill at winter peak rates.
  • Jesuit missions UNESCO tours cost more in dry cool season.
  • Chaco wildlife lodges premium in comfortable Jun-Aug window.
  • Winter festival season spikes regional hotel demand.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport serves Asunción.
airports
  • name
    Silvio Pettirossi International Airport
    code
    ASU
    location
    Luque, serving Asunción
    distance From Center
    12 km (7 mi) northeast of central Asunción
    transfer Note
    Taxis reach the historic center
Getting around
overview
Paraguayans use intercity buses; Asunción has limited formal transit.
trains
    ferries
    • name
      River Ferry Paraguay
      description
      Boats on the Paraguay River where operating.
      ticketing
      Buy at river terminals.
    subways
      public Transit
      • name
        La Encarnacena
        kind
        public
        description
        Intercity coaches across Paraguay.
        ticketing
        Buy at Asunción terminals.
      • name
        Asunción Bus
        kind
        public
        description
        Urban bus routes in the capital.
        ticketing
        Pay cash when boarding.
      ride Share
        Currency
        code
        PYG
        name
        Paraguayan guaraní
        symbol
        ₲
        note
        Carry some paraguayan guaraní in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

        Convert your travel budget ↗

        Visas & official entry links
        Local customs
        summary
        Paraguay is bilingual Guaraní and Spanish, landlocked, and relaxed in pace, with mate culture shared socially. Asunción is low-key; Chaco trips need planning. Tereré cold mate is national refreshment ritual.
        customs
        • Mate and tereré sharing follows local circle etiquette.
        • Two-kiss greeting among friends in cities.
        • Sunday family asados dominate social life.
        dos
        • Greet with buenos días and mba'éichito for Guaraní effort.
        • Tip 10 percent at restaurants if not included.
        • Use registered taxis in Asunción at night.
        • Dress modestly at churches and rural towns.
        • Carry cash guaraníes for markets.
        donts
        • Do not move bombilla in shared mate unless invited.
        • Do not photograph military sites without permission.
        • Do not assume credit cards work in rural Chaco.
        • Do not drink tap water without confirming safety.
        • Do not discuss Brazil border politics provocatively with strangers.
        Useful travel phrases
        language
        Spanish
        phrases
        • english
          Please
          local
          Por favor
          pronunciation
          por fah-BOR
        • english
          Thank you
          local
          Gracias
          pronunciation
          GRAH-syahs
        • english
          Yes
          local
          Sí
          pronunciation
          see
        • english
          No
          local
          No
          pronunciation
          noh
        • english
          How much?
          local
          ¿Cuánto cuesta?
          pronunciation
          KWAHN-toh KWES-ta
        • english
          Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
          local
          ¿Dónde está el restaurante o bar más cercano?
          pronunciation
          DOHN-deh es-TAH el res-tow-RAHN-teh oh bar mahs ther-KAH-no
        • english
          Where is the airport?
          local
          ¿Dónde está el aeropuerto?
          pronunciation
          DOHN-deh es-TAH eh-ay-ro-PWER-toh
        • english
          I need help
          local
          Necesito ayuda
          pronunciation
          neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah
        • english
          I need a hospital
          local
          Necesito un hospital
          pronunciation
          neh-seh-SEE-toh oon o-spee-TAHL
        • english
          Call the police
          local
          Llame a la policía
          pronunciation
          yah-MAH a la po-lee-SEE-ah
        Longer stays
        visa Summary
        U.S. citizens may enter Paraguay visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism under Mercosur-related entry rules in many cases. Temporary and permanent residence are available through proof of income, investment, or employment processed by Paraguayan migration offices. Mercosur and national visa policies evolve periodically, so verify current requirements before relocating.

        Practical tips.

        • Carry guaraníes in cash for Asunción markets and long-distance buses because card acceptance is spotty outside malls.
        • Use registered taxis at the airport because unmetered cabs often overcharge arriving travelers.
        • Visit Iguazu Falls from the Paraguayan side midweek when Brazilian and Argentine tour groups thin slightly.
        More travel tips ↗

        Locate Paraguay.

        Location map of Paraguay

        Before you go.

        Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for Paraguay ↗