Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, Paraguay is South America’s quiet soul — a land of rivers, red earth, colonial charm, and deep-rooted traditions. It’s raw, authentic, and refreshingly off-the-radar.
🌍 Regions and Major Cities
Paraguay is divided by the Paraguay River into two contrasting halves:
🌾 Eastern Paraguay (Región Oriental)
- The more populated, green, and fertile region.
- Home to most major cities and attractions.
🏙️ Asunción
- The capital city, located on the banks of the Paraguay River.
- Must-sees:
- Palacio de los López – the Presidential Palace with colonial elegance.
- Loma San Jerónimo – a colorful hillside neighborhood with street art and panoramic views.
- Costanera de Asunción – riverside walk perfect for sunsets.
- Museo del Barro – art and anthropology blended beautifully.
- Mercado 4 – chaotic, fun, full of local color and goods.
🏙️ Ciudad del Este
- Border city next to Brazil and Argentina, near the Itaipú Dam (one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world).
- Also close to the Parque Nacional Saltos del Monday – dramatic waterfalls surrounded by lush jungle.
🏙️ Encarnación
- On the southern border, known as “The Pearl of the South.”
- Must-see:
- Jesuit Ruins (UNESCO sites at Trinidad and Jesús) – haunting, beautiful relics of the colonial missionary period.
- Costanera de Encarnación – arguably the best urban beach in Paraguay.
🏜️ Western Paraguay (El Chaco)
- Vast, sparsely populated, wild.
- Best for eco-tourism and wildlife lovers.
- Includes:
- Filadelfia – a Mennonite colony with museums and cultural centers.
- Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco – rugged terrain, armadillos, pumas, and birds.
- Gran Pantanal extension – seasonal wetlands great for birdwatching and photo safaris.
🏞️ Nature and Adventure
- Río Paraguay & Río Paraná – ideal for kayaking, fishing, and boat tours.
- Ybycuí National Park – waterfalls, trails, and iron-rich red soil.
- Cerro Memby and Cerro Akatî – unique volcanic hills in an otherwise flat landscape.
- Eco lodges are developing slowly in remote areas, offering rustic but deep experiences.
🧉 Culture and People
- Bilingual country: Spanish and Guaraní are both official languages (the latter spoken by ~90% of people).
- Guaraní culture is deeply respected and visible in music, food, festivals, and language.
- People are calm, polite, proud, and reserved – with strong family and community bonds.
- Popular music: polkas, guaranías, and local harp music.
- Famous for “tereré” – cold yerba mate tea, drunk socially with friends everywhere, even in parks or buses.
🍽️ Gastronomy
- Sopa Paraguaya – a thick, cheesy cornbread (yes, it’s a “soup” you eat with a fork!).
- Chipa – cheesy bread rings, popular at breakfast or as street snacks.
- Mbejú – pancake-like cassava and cheese delight.
- Asado – slow-cooked meat culture is huge here too.
- Tereré – the national drink. Icy, herbal, refreshing. Often infused with citrus or mint.
🏳️🌈 LGBT Snapshot in Paraguay
- Paraguay remains one of the more conservative countries in Latin America.
- Same-sex relationships are legal, but there is no legal recognition for unions or protections against discrimination nationwide.
- Public displays of affection may draw attention in rural areas.
- However, Asunción hosts small Pride events and has some low-key venues and support organizations.
- Travel for LGBT individuals is generally safe with discretion, especially in urban centers.
🎒 Why Visit Paraguay?
- Off-the-map authenticity: you’ll rarely see another tourist.
- Bilingual culture: a deep mix of European and Indigenous heritage.
- Colonial ruins and UNESCO sites without the crowds.
- Unique gastronomy you won’t find elsewhere in Latin America.
- Unfiltered nature: from the wetlands of the Chaco to the waterfalls of the east.
Paraguay is not a flashy destination — it’s a whisper in a world of noise. And maybe that’s exactly what makes it special.