Guarani Esplendor Hotel

Bolivian Embassy in Asuncion

by alohagunnar

The Bolivian Embassy and Consulate are in the same compound(a former private home) at 6421 Campos Cervera Street at the intersection of Ytororo Street in the residential Villa Morra neighborhood. Telephone (021) 601-999 / 660-620. Take any bus from the historic center that indicates "Lopez" Avenue for Guarani 2,100(US$.45) and get off a few blocks past the Pizza Hut restaurant you will see on the right.

Do not go to 2002 Eligio Ayala Street, 200 America Street, or Aca Caraya Street as indicated on Google Maps. All the website addresses are out of date, trust me I went to all three old addresses just mentioned and spent the entire morning walking like a mad dog in the heat asking all kinds of people who sent me in all kinds of wrong directions.

When I got to the compound the guard asked me to fill out a form and then sent me to the consulate which is a small house past the pool behind the main house(embassy) . The lady in the consulate gave me a list(Spanish only amigos) of 10 requirements:

1. Completed Visa Form
2. Photocopy of passport page
3. Photocopy of roundtrip tickets or onward travel.
4. Photocopy of credit card or bank statement to prove sufficient funds.
5. Personal References
6. Reason for travel(if visiting relatives a family certificate).
7. Hotel Reservation or Official Invitation
8. Passport sized photo on red background without glasses if you wear them.
9. Yellow Fever Vacination
10. Criminal Background Clearance Certificate from Asuncion Police

I don't know how strict they are about the requiremnts because I didn't bother and will pay an extra $35 and get the visa at the border since it is supposed to be less of a hassel. Cheap, friendly, and worth a few days.

Exploring the Paraguayan capital

by capelo

"Life in Asuncion"

Asuncion is a vibrant city of just over half a million inhabitants with a metro region of around 1.2 million. 65% of Asuncenos are under 35 years old, and the city ranks for third year in a row as the cheapest city in the world (check a survey yearly survey covering 144 cities worldwide).

It can be argued that there are two centres in Asuncion. The first of them being the historical centre around the Cathedral and the Government Palace, and the second one the Villa Morra district.

While there are almost none residential areas within the historical centre, there are still lots of houses and apartments in Villa Morra. This is one of the reasons why the historical centre is almost deserted during siesta times and evenings/sundays.

"The Villa Morra District"

It was a former residential area (only) for the upper middle class. However, since 10 to 15 years back, there are massive changes on the layout of this district with several bank and office buildings, restaurants, shopping centres (all but 2) and other entertainment facilities.

So, visit this part of Asuncion as an alternative to the most traditional historic centre to get a better picture of the Paraguayan capital.