Social ConventionsShaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Smoking is not allowed in cinemas and theaters. Dress tends to be informal and sportswear is popular.
Photography: Avoid sensitive subjects such as military installations.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
TAM Mercosur (PZ) (website:
www.tam.com.py).
Air PassesMercosur Airpass: valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island), Paraguay
and Uruguay. Participating airlines include
TAM Mercosur (PZ),
Pluna (PU),
TAM Linhas Aéreas (JJ) and
VARIG (RG). The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America, who have a return ticket. Only eight flight coupons are allowed with a maximum of four coupons for each country and it is valid for seven to a maximum of 30 days. At least two countries must be visited and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers is allowed per country.
Visit South America: pass is valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include
Aer Lingus (EI),
American Airlines (AA),
British Airways (BA),
Cathay Pacific (CX),
Finnair (AY),
Iberia (IB),
LAN (LA) and
Qantas (QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.
Departure TaxUS$10-25, depending on aiprot of departure. Transit passengers (within 24 hours and not passing immigration) are exempt.
Main AirportsAsunción (ASU) (Silvio Pettirossi) is 16km (10 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: A coach and taxi service runs to the city (journey time - 20 minutes).
Facilities: Bureau de change, duty-free shopping, restaurants and car hire.
Getting There by WaterThere are
ferry links with Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Travelers using the river to travel to Argentina should note that the Posadas (Argentina)–Encarnación (Paraguay) route is 321km (200 miles) shorter than the more traditional route to Buenos Aires. It traverses the Argentine provinces of Misiones and Corrientes and then proceeds across a bridge over the Paraná River to Resistencia.
Those who prefer to continue along the left bank of the Paraná River will have to travel to Paraná, provincial capital of Entre Ríos, crossing under the Paraná River in the tunnel between the cities of Paraná and Santa Fé. It is also possible to reach Paraguay by river from Brazil, in boats which connect Asunción with the Brazilian city of Corumba.
Getting There by RailThere are no rail services.
Getting There by RoadThe roads from Río and São Paulo to Asunción (via the Iguazú Falls) are paved and generally good, as is the one from Buenos Aires. Another road link to Argentina is via the San Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge in Encarnación across the Paraná river.
Bus: There are daily services from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Buenos Aires (Argentina), Córdoba, Rosario and Santa Fé, and Montevideo (Uruguay).
OverviewThe following items may be imported into Paraguay without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable quantity of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and perfume for personal use;
a reasonable quantity of personal and sporting equipment.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir service is run by
LATN (Líneas Aéreas de Transporte Nacional) and
TAM Mercosur. The most popular visitors’ flight is to the Iguazú Falls from Asunción with
Varig Airways (RG). Air-taxis are popular with those wishing to discover the Paraguayan Chaco. Travel agencies offer daily city tours, but services suffer from frequent disruption by weather conditions.
Getting Around by WaterThere are no regular passenger services on the river.
Getting Around by RailThere are no rail services.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. Roads serving the main centers are in good condition and there is an ongoing program to upgrade the major routes. Potholes are a hazard, especially in Asunción. Unsurfaced roads may be impassable in bad weather, especially between November and April. Approximately 10 per cent of roads are surfaced. A highway links Asunción with Iguazú Falls, a drive of up to six hours. There are regular police checks; it is also advisable to lock doors. Traveling or driving at night are not advisable.
Bus: Often the best and cheapest method of transport within Paraguay. For longer distances, advance booking may be necessary. There are express links to major centers.
Taxis: They are readily available and may be called by using telephone numbers listed in the local newspapers.
Car hire: Cars can be hired at the airport or through local tourist agencies.
Documentation: National driving license or International Driving Permit are both accepted.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBus and minibus services are provided by private companies in Asunción, with two-zone fares collected by conductors. The government-operated tramway runs on two routes.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Asunción to other major cities in Paraguay.
| | Air | Road | Rail | River |
| Pedro Juan Caballero | 1.15 | 11.00 | - | 13.00 |
| Concepción | 1.00 | 12.00 | - | 14.00 |
| Ciudad del Este | 1.05 | 5.00 | - | - |
| Encarnación | 1.10 | 5.00 | 14.00 | 9.00 |
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