Asunción
Visit the presidential palace, the railway museum and the house of independence in Paraguay’s capital. A large selection of souvenirs and handicrafts can be found near the Plaza de la Libertad, so walk through the streets and take it all in.
There is a lot of hustle and bustle during rush hour at Mercado 4, where people meet, chat and make plans for the night. North in the city is a large zoo with a botanical garden that has 110 hectares of open space. Be sure to drink Tereré, a cold tea with herbs, and try Chipa Guasú, a kind of cornbread you can buy on every street corner.
Other interesting sites are the pilgrimage church, Catedral Virgen de Caacupé (Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles), and Calle Palma, which turns into a party mile at night with clubs and restaurants. However, protect yourself from the tiger mosquito, particularly in Asunción and Ciudad del Este, as it transmits dengue fever.
Stay overnight in Isla Francia for €7 per night in a six-bed dorm.
Ciudad del Este
Continue by bus for about €9 to one of Paraguay’s most popular cities: Ciudad del Este.
Enjoy the shopping centres and grab some lunch – you will find the best restaurants in Lago de la Republica. Let yourself be enchanted by the South American flair and watch the city centre’s colourful hustle and bustle.
The Iguazu Falls are not far away, so take a ferry directly to Puerto Iguazu. Here, you can hear the roaring waterfalls from afar, which are 2.7-kilometres wide and up to 82 metres deep. More than 1.500 litres of water per second, from over 200 waterfalls, fall into the depth. Additionally, about 20 kilometres from Ciudad del Este is Itaipu Dam, the second-largest dam in the world. Book a guided tour to see what it looks like behind the scenes.
Situated another five kilometres south of the city are Paraguay’s largest waterfalls, Saltos del Monday; there are two platforms from where you can admire them.
Spend the night in the Teko Arte Hostel & Bar for €10 per night in a ten-bed dorm.
Encarnación
For about €9, take the bus to the border town, Encarnación. It is located on the banks of the Paraná River and has a population of 60,000 people. You’ll even get a San Jose Beach feeling, as the artificial sandy beach is near a freshwater lake, surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars.
The Jesuit ruins at Trinidad, near Encarnación, are where the Jesuits converted the Guaraní people to Christianity. Visit Acuatico y Ecologico El Dorado and enjoy the water park’s various slides and pools. If you prefer visiting more cultural sites, go to Parroquia Catedral Nuestra Senora.
You can stay in Maui Waui International Hostel for €10 a night in a ten-bed dorm.
San Bernardino
Transportation to San Bernadino costs about €8. This former German colony gracefully lies on Ypacaraí Lake’s shores. The small town is about 50 kilometres from the capital and is a popular holiday resort. The city’s flag is black, red and yellow – strongly resembling the German flag. Also, some bakers and restaurant owners still speak German, as they are descendants of the founding families.
The town’s busiest season is during the summer months when all the clubs and restaurants are open along the main road. There are parties at night by the lake, and during the day you can partake in some sports activities or go for a swim. Either way, you will find pure relaxation here, as San Bernardino is idyllically situated and surrounded by mountains.
The city offers great accommodation in the Hostal del Lago for about €13 per night in a four-bed dorm.
Have fun in Paraguay!
