Air
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, located 15kms from downtown Asuncion, is Paraguay’s main airport and the primary entry point for international travellers. There are not many direct flights into this somewhat isolated country. American Airlines is the only US carrier serving Paraguay, flying from Miami via Sao Paulo. The country’s national airline is TAM Mercosur. It does not fly directly to the US, but connects with Sao Paulo in Brazil for flights to other regions of the world. Most of the scheduled flights into the airport come from South American capitals such as Santiago, Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz.

The single terminal has an ATM, currency exchange booth, as well as a restaurant and souvenir shops. An information desk is located in the Arrivals area. The most practical way to get from the airport into Asuncion is by taxi. They all charge a fixed rate to each part of the city, which makes it a refreshingly hassle-free experience. For groups of six or more, you can hire a private Omnibus, which will shuttle you to your destination. Arrangements for all transportation can be made at the airport information desk. If saving money is your goal, public bus 30A departs from the tollbooth located about 200 yards from the airport. It leaves for downtown Asuncion every 15 minutes and makes an interesting start to your visit if you are travelling very light.

Bus
There are only a handful of overland border crossings into Paraguay, but buses do run from neighbouring South American cities. There is daily service from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil; Buenos Aires in Argentina; and Rosario, Cordoba, Santa Fe and Montevideo in Uruguay. All long-distance buses arrive in the capital Asuncion at the central bus terminal.

Car
Driving a car into Paraguay isn’t the easiest task for a number of reasons. Only 25 per cent of the roads in the country are paved and most drivers are unaware of any traffic rules. There are only a couple of land crossings into Paraguay: two from Brazil, three from Argentina and a really rough one from Bolivia. The roads coming in from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Asuncion are pretty good. They are paved and fairly safe. The road from Buenos Aires is also in good condition, but distances between gas stations are usually very far apart so keep your tank full.

Sea
One of the best ways to get to Paraguay overland is by using the rivers. There are ferry services from Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia and they are fairly safe and easy to manage. From Brazil, boats depart from Corumba on their way to Asuncion. From Argentina, there are a couple of choices. The traditional route from Buenos Aires is about 300kms longer than the newer route from Posadas, Argentina to Encarnacion in Paraguay. But hopefully, time is not an issue and both routes are enjoyable and visually stimulating.

Air
Domestic air service is organised and operated by LATN and TAM Mercosur. Most visitors take the popular flight between Asuncion and Iguazu Falls using Varig Airways. Small air-taxis are also popular with travellers who want to explore the Chaco region in a shorter period of time. Since the locals don’t use air travel to get around there simply isn’t an infrastructure for decent domestic flights.

Bus
Buses are the most popular way to get around Paraguay. They run frequently to most destinations in the country are very inexpensive, relatively fast and mostly reliable. The special long-distance coaches are equipped with reclining seats, air-conditioning and movies. They speed between the major cities, offering the most convenient way to move about the country. For shorter journeys, brave travellers may consider taking one of the bone-shaking local buses called colectivos. These older, basic buses run between the smaller villages and towns around the country. All intercity buses depart from Asuncion’s Terminal de Omnibus Asuncion (tel: +595 021 551 740) east of downtown. There are three major bus companies in Paraguay: Pluma, La Encarnacena and Rapido Yguazu; all of which have information booths on Plaza Uruguaya.

Within Asuncion itself, private companies provide bus and minibus service around the city. Fares are divided into two zones, and conductors collect the money onboard. Buses hit each stop every eight minutes or so and are very affordable. There is also a government-operated tramway which runs along two routes.

Car
Cars can be rented at the airport or through tourist agencies in the city. You will need a national driving license or International Driving Permit to hire a car. Roads in the main centres of the country are usually in good shape, but potholes are always a hazard, especially in Asuncion. Outside of the cities, only 10 per cent of roads are paved, meaning they are often impassable in the rainy season. Although driving is relatively safe, you should not drive at night and be prepared for regular police checkpoints.

Taxi
The yellow Mercedes taxis operated by APTA are the best way to get around Asuncion. They are easy to find at one of the taxi stands, in front of hotels or simply cruising around the streets. Be sure your driver starts the meter when you depart, otherwise you may end up on the receiving end of an outrageous fare. After dark, a 30 per cent surcharge will be added to the fare and it’s often hard to flag down a taxi at night, so it’s better to phone for one instead.

Lake
Passenger boats regularly ply the waters of the Paraguay River from Asuncion to a number of river towns within the country. This can be a great way to see Paraguay from a unique perspective, so don’t hesitate to try a boat ride between towns if it fits into your plans.