Fun things to do in Paraguay

Typically I would add this tip to the Shopping section, but for Paraguay in particular, I think its proper place truly is "Things to Do". As we were staying in Argentina, I inquired with several people for things to do near Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, knowing I was not going to blow the opportunity to add another country onto my VT Map. Every single person I spoke to said... shop for electronics. With a funny look, I asked them... what about the Paraguay Tres Frontiers site? No... absolutely nothing there. What about dining in Ciudad del Este... no, nothing worth your time... on and on it went.

We soldiered on into Paraguay anyway only to find out that most of the people we spoke to were exactly right. The southeastern border of Paraguay where Ciudad del Este is located is a dump. It is one large industrial zone with not much in the way of entertainment or culture or history, just one large shopping mall for discount electronics.

Ciudad del Este is a tax-free shopping zone for most items, so do feel free to compare deals here, but I noticed that the quality was not that of the US, and most of the items here were not really "deals". I guess if you lived in the region the deals would be better, but I would warn bargain hunters not to get their hopes up.

Die Wasserfälle von Igauzu befinden sich am 3 Ländereck Paraguay Argentinien und Brasilien.
Auf einer Breite fast dreimal so groß wie die Niagarafälle stürzen die Wassermassen hier in die Tiefe. Iguazú bedeutet in der Sprache der Guaraní-Indianer "große Wasser".

Zu beiden Seiten des Stromes erstreckt sich ein Nationalpark. Dort hält sich bis heute eines der vielfältigsten Ökosysteme der Erde. Die gewaltige Sprühnebelwolke der Wasserfälle versorgt die gesamte Umgebung mit der notwendigen Feuchtigkeit.

"Iguazu" means in the native language of the Guarani "The big Waters". One can say this without exaggeration if you think about the 275 waterfalls, falling down up to 70 meters on a length of just 2,5 kilometers at the Argentinian-Brasilian border.

The Falls, which would be memorable in any setting, are made all the more beautiful by their lush surroundings. The luxuriant forests are filled with bamboo, palms, and delicate tree ferns. Brilliantly feathered parrots and macaws flit through the foliage, competing for attention with the exotic blooms of wild orchids, begonias, and bromeliads.

San Bernadino ist der Sommerurlaubsort der Paraguayer. Jede Menge junger Leute und Diskotheken. Während des restlichen Jahres ist es dort angenehm ruhig. Es besteht die Möglichkeit für eine Gruppe von 8 - 10 Leuten eines der tollen Häuser dort zu mieten und
von den Bewohner betreut zu werden. Bitte mich konaktieren.

San Bernadino is the most frequented vacation place during Paraguayan summertime ( November December). Placed on the lake Ypacaraí it offers a lot of water sport facilities. There is an opportunity for a group of 8 – 10 people for staying in one of the great houses there. You will supported by the owners family in visiting the surrounding.

Zirka 60 km von Asuncion entfernt gibt es ein kleines ÖKO Reservat welches auf privater Initiative beruht. Neben einer tollen Aussicht besteht die Möglichkeit geführter Wanderungen und eines Abenteuer Erlebnisses mit Abseilen, sich auf Höhe der Baumkronen gesichert zu bewegen und noch einiges mehr.

Eine Übernachtungsmöglichkeit bietet die Estancia La Quinta in der Nähe. Die Anreise mit dem Bus ist etwas mühsam. Von Asuncion ( Bus Terminal) nach Piribebuy und von dort den Bus Richtung Chololo nehmen.

60 km away from Asuncion you will find an ecological area in the green nature of Paraguay. The people there are very friendly and supporting and you can enjoy climbing between the trees. Travelling with the bus is an adventure itself. You have to take the Bus form Terminal Asuncion to Piribebuy and then the bus to Chololo. A nice accommodation there is Estancia la Quinta.

through the open countryside. steaming hot and humid, it rains often. in the west, along the third largest River in the the world, the Rio Paraguai, infrastructure is as sparse as the population. the Gran Chaco dense and still the second biggest Rainforest in the world.
the vast and inhospitable Chaco is the most unexplored area in South America, maybe in the world, stretching to the southeastern borders of Bolivia, I mentioned the fierce Chaco War, Brasil and Argentina. the Chaco held its enigma, no Oil has been found, no Gold, the Spaniard realized that when they trudged across the great plains, they couldn't find Eldorado, it wasn't there. the Chaco has never given away its secrets. still, I think its an awesome place one has to expirience when in South America.
somewhat, Paraguay is an enigma as well, not much known about and not realy famous for anything. and I think thats the Beauty of it., made me realy curious, and I was not disapointed to travel around the country.
when you are a Golfer you might know its famous son: Carlos Franco

Caacupe, the spiritual capital of Paraguay is about 30 miles west of Asuncion. The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Caacupe was visited in 19 by pope John Paul II. This visit had a profound impact in the lives of many Paraguayans which are deeply catholic. The overthrow of the dictatorship of Gen. Stroessner who ruled Paraguay for more than 35 years is liked to the impact of this visit. The leyend said in the 1600's a guarani indian who was being persecuted by rivals in order to kill him seek refuge behind a tree and prayed to the Virgin Mary to help him and promise to carve a statue in her honor. The indian was saved and he fulfilled his promise carving two images, a large one for the church in nearby TObati and a smaller one for himself. This small image is the one venerated in Caacupe. There are many places to eat nearby but I personally do not like them. Vendors around the plaza sell candels and other religious stuff.
A visit of the basilica is a great short trip out of Asuncion

The new building for the legislative branch of paraguayan power was completed in 2001. The cost of $20 million was one of the big controversies in a country troubled so much by povrety and corruption. Even worse, the builing is just a few hundred feet from "La chacarita" one of Asuncion slums. The design is modern, mixing it with older preexisting structures.

The picture says it all. You cannot visit Paraguay without enjoying an "asado". There is a very important social component on it. I mean, any family gathering of any importance includes one. The paraguayan "parrilla" have both brazillian and argentinian influences. Important cuts include "Tapa de Cuadril" (my personal favorite), "Costilla", "Vacio", "Picaña" and many others. Don't forget your "chorizos" and "morcillas" (sausages). Sorry if your cholesterol is above 200, but it's worth it.

PS Every year, around July, there a national fair in Asuncion where all kinds of produce, crafts and meats are exhibited. This is the shocase for local exporters and the best of the best is brought including angus meats. Try to be there if you can!!