Paraguay is the kind of place that attracts seasoned travellers who have already explored the rest of South America and are looking for something less discovered. For children, this translates into very little to do. There is a small zoo in the capital, Asuncion, as well as a couple of decent national parks around the country. But without any coastal territory, there are no tropical beaches or swimming.
Botanical and Zoological Gardens
If you’ve been to a zoo in a major world city, this wildlife facility won’t impress you. However, the government has done a lot of work on these gardens in recent years, and the park is now a pleasant place to spend an afternoon in the capital. There are plenty of plants, and a small zoo. The former country home of President Francisco Solano Lopez is also on the grounds and now houses a museum with interesting displays about Paraguayan wildlife, history and culture. Phone: +595 021 291 255.
San Bernadino
This holiday resort town situated on the shores of Lake Ypacarai is just 47kms from the capital, Asuncion. The lake is ringed by a number of small beaches, making it very popular with locals during the summer months. It is perfect if the kids need a place to run around and take a swim, this is it.
Ybycui National Park
This is one of Paraguay’s most popular national parks is in the eastern part of the country, and hosts one of the only areas of Brazilian subtropical rainforest. The steep hills are riddled with creeks, waterfalls and pools where kids can swim. The wildlife may be hard to spot in the dense forest, but there are plenty of electric blue morpho butterflies.
Paraguay is still at the beginning stages of developing itself into a tourist destination and as such has little to offer in the way of organised outdoor activities. Without any beaches or ocean, Paraguay must rely on its mountains and tropical rainforests to attract visitors. Ecotourism is on the rise and the few national parks the country has established are worth a visit. The fresh water fishing and hiking are both quite good and if you want to watch a sporting event, then it has to be football, the nation’s favourite activity.
This small town of Ciudad del Este, 326kms east of Asuncion, is the ideal base from which to explore the abundance of natural attractions in the immediate area. Nearby are the majestic Iguazu Falls and Monday Falls, and the massive Italpu Dam, which is the largest hydroelectric facility in the world. This vast 180km long water reservoir is home to a wonderfully diverse ecosystem of birds and wildlife. It also makes an ideal spot for tourists to enjoy outdoor activities such as water sports, sailing, fishing and hiking.
Paraguay is home to 11 protected areas and national parks in its effort to create an ecotourism industry. The largest and most popula, of these is in the Chaco region, located around the northern part of the country. Here, the birdlife is especially abundant, attracting birdwatchers from around the world. Unique wildlife such as the Chacoan peccary, which was once believed extinct, can also be seen in the park. Just be sure to bring plenty of bug repellent with you because warm-blooded creatures are always on the menu for Paraguay’s insects. Contact the Paraguayan National Parks office for more information (tel: +595 021 615 812).
Fishing is a major pastime in Paraguay, so visiting anglers will be delighted by the variety of rivers, lakes and fish species that can be enjoyed. The most famous fish in the country is the dorado, which can be found in the Paraguay, Tebicuary and Parana rivers. These fish can weigh up to 29kg, making them a popular catch. Other smaller fish which are native to Paraguay include pati, pacu, surubi, armados, manguruyus, bagres and moncholos. All of these tropical species can be eaten.
The national sport of Paraguay is football. You’ll see kids and adults playing in empty spaces every evening when the temperatures drop to tolerable levels. If you are lucky, there may be a national squad match in the capital, Asuncion. Otherwise, you can check out the local leagues, but they pale in comparison to the big leagues in neighbouring Brazil and Argentina.
One of the best ways to explore the natural regions of Paraguay and experience the unique flora and fauna, is to take a boat trip along one of the country’s many rivers. There are several different boating options and trips can even be arranged on cargo boats if you can’t find a designated passenger service. Adventurous travellers will enjoy the easy-going nature of river excursions in this country. One of the highlights is the section of the quick-flowing Paraguay River from Asuncion through Concepcion. Along the way, you will pass through some truly impressive landscape, eventually terminating in the vast marshlands in the north along the border with Brazil.
The cuisine in Paraguay is similar to that found in other South American countries. Beans and rice are the staple components of most meals, but there’s also a heavy Brazilian influence on some dishes. The food in Paraguay is not particularly spicy, so most visitors should be able to eat everything. One of the main styles of food you’ll find in every town is parrillada, huge portions of barbecued meat served in restaurants called parrillas. Beef is the primary meat in this country, but pork and chicken can also be readily found. Puchero is a popular stew of meat, sausage, vegetables and chickpeas which is eaten in the cool season. Bori-bori is another hearty soup full of meat, vegetables and little balls of cheese and corn. Paraguay’s giant catfish, the surubi, as well as the salmon-like dorado, are excellent when grilled.
The small cafés and bars mainly sell fast food like fried or grilled snacks that can be made and eaten quickly. The ever-popular empanadas, baked pastries stuffed with meat or egg, and milanesa, breaded and fried chicken, fish or beef, are considered the fast food of Paraguay and can also be found on the streets when you need a quick fix. Most cafés will offer a special of the day, which usually works out to be a good bargain. The portions in Paraguay are traditionally large, so don’t hesitate to share with your friends. Wash it all down with a local pilsner. The larger cities such as Asuncion have a great selection of eateries, but in the smaller towns and villages you may find your options limited. Lunch is generally served between 12:30 and 14:00, followed by a siesta. Dinner starts up again at 19:00, and some restaurants will stay open until 23:00. Prices are very reasonable across the country, so don’t hold back.
Shopping is not a major attraction in Paraguay, but there are a few things which will interest the average visitor. In Asuncion, shopping falls under two distinct categories: electronics and handicrafts. The prices for both of these contrasting products are among the lowest in all of South America, so you’ll often see Argentineans and Brazilians crossing the border to stock up on high-tech gadgets. By far, the best shopping options are found in the capital Asuncion, with Calle Palma being the main street for shops.
Some of the unique local handicrafts which are worth looking at include the beautiful nanduti lace made by the women of Itagua and the aopoi shirts which come in a vibrant variety of designs and colours. Other good buys are leather goods, wooden handicrafts, native jewellery and silver yerba mate cups.
Shopping hours are from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 12:00 and 15:00 and 19:00, leaving time for the requisite afternoon siesta. On Saturdays, shops open from 07:30 to 13:00.
