Paraguay Travel Guide

Paraguay — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Shaking 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 Air

The national airline is TAM Mercosur (PZ) (website: www.tam.com.py).

Departure Tax

US$10-25, depending on airport of departure. Transit passengers (within 24 hours and not passing immigration) are exempt.

Main Airports

Asunción (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 Water

There 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 Rail

There are no rail services.

Getting There By Road

The 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).

Duty Free

Overview

The 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 Air

Air service is run by LATN (Líneas Aéreas de Transporte Nacional) and TAM Mercosur (website: www.tam.com.py). The most popular visitors’ flight is to the Iguazú Falls from Asunción. 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 Water

There are no regular passenger services on the river.

Getting Around By Rail

There are no rail services.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic 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% 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 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: These 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 Cities

Bus 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.