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Itaipu Dam – ParaguayEncarnación – ParaguayBasilica of Caacupé – Paraguay
📍 Itaipu Dam📷 Jonas de Carvalho · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 South America🗓️ Best: May–Sep

Paraguay ✓

Jesuit ruins, river towns and South America's quiet heart

🕒 –:– local time3 stories this week2 sources 6 top placesCapital Asunción

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Paraguay📸 Photo album · 5 photos · Ultra-HD
Paraguay📜 History of Paraguay

The story of Paraguay

Long before Europeans arrived, the Guaraní people farmed the forests and rivers of eastern Paraguay, growing manioc and maize and living in villages linked by trade and kinship. In the dry Chaco to the west, groups such as the Nivaclé and Ayoreo lived as hunters and gatherers. The Guaraní language survived the colonial era and remains spoken by most Paraguayans today – a rare case in the Americas.

Spanish explorers founded Asunción in 1537, and for a time it was the main Spanish base in the region, sending out expeditions that founded other cities, including Buenos Aires. From the early seventeenth century Jesuit missionaries organised Guaraní communities into 'reductions' – self-governing mission towns with grand stone churches, workshops and music schools – until the Jesuits were expelled from Spanish lands in 1767. The ruins of Trinidad and Jesús are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Read the full history

Paraguay declared independence in 1811 and was ruled by Dr José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia, who kept the country isolated for decades. Under the Lópezes it modernised quickly, but the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870) against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay devastated the country. In the 1930s Paraguay fought Bolivia in the Chaco War, and from 1954 to 1989 it was ruled by General Alfredo Stroessner.

Since 1989 Paraguay has been a democracy, building one of the world's largest hydroelectric dams with Brazil at Itaipú and developing a strong farming economy. Still one of South America's least-visited countries, it rewards curious travellers with Jesuit ruins, colonial villages, the wild Chaco and its Mennonite colonies, waterfalls, and a warm, unhurried culture fuelled by tereré, the ice-cold herbal tea passed around everywhere.

Timeline

  1. Pre-1500sGuaraní farming communities settle eastern Paraguay
  2. 1537Asunción founded by Spanish explorers
  3. 1609First Jesuit missions established among the Guaraní
  4. 1767Jesuits expelled from Spanish territories
  5. 1811Independence from Spain declared on 14-15 May
  6. 1864-1870War of the Triple Alliance
  7. 1932-1935Chaco War with Bolivia
  8. 1989Return to democracy after the Stroessner era
Paraguay 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • Mercosur – Mercosur member – South American neighbours can often travel with a national ID card.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for Paraguay appears below as soon as publishers report it.

Paraguay✨ 10 best things to do in Paraguay

Things to do in Paraguay

  1. Explore the Jesuit ruins of TrinidadWander the red-stone remains of a grand mission church, especially atmospheric during evening light shows.
  2. Visit the Itaipú DamTour one of the largest hydroelectric dams on the planet on the border with Brazil.
  3. Party at Encarnación's carnivalWatch feathered dancers and floats parade at Paraguay's biggest summer carnival.
  4. Drink tereré with localsShare a cup of yerba mate brewed with ice-cold water and herbs, the national ritual.
  5. Explore the ChacoHead into the vast scrubland to meet Mennonite colonies and spot armadillos, giant anteaters and birdlife.
  6. Stroll Asunción's old centreSee the Palacio de los López, the Pantheon of Heroes and the riverside Costanera.
  7. See the Saltos del MondayWatch powerful waterfalls plunge into a gorge near Ciudad del Este.
  8. Shop for ñandutí laceBuy delicate spider-web lace in the craft town of Itauguá.
  9. Relax on Lake YpacaraíEscape to the summer resort town of San Bernardino and its lakeside.
  10. Taste chipa and sopa paraguayaTry the cheesy cassava bread and the famous 'solid soup' – actually a cornbread.
Paraguay🗺️ Where to visit in Paraguay

Where to go in Paraguay

  • AsunciónCapital · river cityOne of the oldest cities in South America, with colonial buildings, markets and a lively nightlife.
  • EncarnaciónSouth · beaches & carnivalA modern riverside city with sandy beaches on the Paraná and the country's top carnival.
  • 📍
    Trinidad & JesúsItapúa · Jesuit missionsUNESCO-listed ruins of two of the most impressive Jesuit reductions.
  • 📍
    Ciudad del Este & ItaipúEast · border city & damA busy shopping hub near the Itaipú Dam and Monday waterfalls.
  • San BernardinoCentral · lakeside townA summer retreat on Lake Ypacaraí with German-era houses.
  • 📍
    AreguáCentral · artisan townA hillside town known for pottery, strawberries and colonial charm.
  • 📍
    Filadelfia & the ChacoWest · Mennonite colonies & wildernessBase for exploring the Central Chaco, its Mennonite culture and wildlife.
  • 📍
    YaguarónCentral · colonial churchHome to a beautifully decorated eighteenth-century Franciscan church.
Paraguay✨ Must-do experiences
  • Explore the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesús
  • Share tereré with locals
  • Tour the Itaipu Dam
  • Visit the Chaco to see wildlife and Mennonite towns
Paraguay🍽️ Taste of Paraguay
  • Chipa – cheesy bread rings made with cassava flour
  • Sopa paraguaya – a solid, savoury cornbread
  • Mbejú – cassava and cheese pancake
  • Tereré – cold herbal mate drink
Paraguay🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Paraguay

Best time to visit Paraguay

Paraguay has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The east is wetter and greener, while the western Chaco is much drier and can be extremely hot.

BestApril-May and September-October – warm, pleasant days without the extreme summer heat.
ShoulderJune-August – mild and mostly dry winter weather, with occasional cool spells.
AvoidDecember-February for intense heat and humidity, especially in the Chaco, though this is carnival season.
34°💧💧Jan
33°💧💧Feb
32°💧💧Mar
29°💧💧Apr
25°💧May
23°💧Jun
23°💧Jul
25°💧Aug
27°💧Sep
30°💧💧Oct
31°💧💧Nov
33°💧💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Asunción (approximate averages).

Paraguay🎉 Festivals & events in Paraguay
  • January-February
    Carnaval EncarnacenoEncarnación's lively carnival with costumed dancers, samba-style music and parades.
  • June
    Fiesta de San JuanTraditional games with fire, including walking on hot coals, along with festive foods.
  • 14-15 May
    Independence DayNational holidays celebrated with parades and patriotic events.
  • 8 December
    Caacupé PilgrimageHundreds of thousands walk to the Basilica of Caacupé for the feast of the Virgin.
Paraguay🧭 Paraguay itinerary ideas

How many days in Paraguay?

5 daysAsunción and the missions

Day 1-2 explore Asunción and day-trip to Areguá and San Bernardino. Day 3-4 head south to Encarnación and the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesús. Day 5 return via Yaguarón.

10 daysMissions, waterfalls and the Chaco

Day 1-3 Asunción and the Circuito de Oro villages. Day 4-5 Encarnación and the Jesuit missions. Day 6-7 Ciudad del Este, Itaipú and the Monday falls. Day 8-10 travel north-west into the Chaco to Filadelfia and the Mennonite colonies.

Paraguay🎒 Backpacking Paraguay – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $25–40 a day

  • Long-distance buses are cheap and comfortable between major cities; choose established companies for overnight trips.
  • Asunción and Encarnación have a handful of hostels; elsewhere look for budget hospedajes.
  • Eat at local comedores for affordable set lunches and street snacks like chipa and empanadas.
  • Paraguay is one of South America's cheaper countries, especially for food and transport.
  • Learning a few words of Guaraní will delight locals.
Paraguay🛡️ Safety & money in Paraguay

Stay safe

  • Paraguay is generally calm for travellers, but watch for pickpockets in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.
  • Check your government's latest travel advice for northern border areas, where criminal groups operate.
  • In the Chaco, travel with plenty of water and fuel, as distances are huge and services sparse.
  • Use ride-hailing apps or official taxis at night.

Money

  • The currency is the Paraguayan guaraní.
  • ATMs are available in cities, and cards are accepted at larger hotels and supermarkets; carry cash for buses and small towns.
  • Tipping around 10 percent in restaurants is common if service isn't included.

Emergency: 911

Paraguay🛬 Getting to Paraguay

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción is the main gateway, with connections via Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Panama and other hubs. Land borders connect with Argentina (at Encarnación and Asunción), Brazil (at Ciudad del Este) and Bolivia via the Chaco.

✈️ Cheap flights to Paraguay: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Paraguay💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Paraguay
  • Guaraní is an official language alongside Spanish, and most Paraguayans speak it.
  • Paraguay is one of only two landlocked countries in South America.
  • Paraguay's flag has different designs on its front and back.
  • The Itaipú Dam supplies a large share of Paraguay's electricity and much of Brazil's too.
  • Sopa paraguaya, despite its name, is a solid cornbread, not a soup.
Paraguay❓ Paraguay travel FAQ

Paraguay travel questions

Is Paraguay safe for tourists?

Paraguay is generally safe for visitors, with normal precautions against petty theft in cities. Some northern border areas carry risks, so check your government's latest travel advice.

What is the best time to visit Paraguay?

Autumn (April-May) and spring (September-October) offer the most pleasant temperatures. Summer is very hot but brings carnival season.

Do I need a visa for Paraguay?

It depends on your passport – some nationalities enter visa-free while others need to apply in advance. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.

What language is spoken in Paraguay?

Spanish and Guaraní are both official and widely spoken, often mixed into Jopara. English is not widely spoken outside tourist services.

How many days do I need in Paraguay?

Five days covers Asunción and the Jesuit missions. Around ten days lets you add Itaipú, waterfalls and the Chaco.

Paraguay💰 What a trip costs
$price level
$25–40backpacker / day
$60–120mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Paraguay🚌 Getting around

Long-distance buses link the main towns cheaply. Use taxis or ride-hailing apps in Asunción.

Paraguay🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Basilica of Caacupé – Paraguay's main pilgrimage church, busy every December 8
Paraguay🤝 Local etiquette
  • If offered tereré, accept – passing it around is a social ritual
  • Greet with a handshake or cheek kiss
  • Speak calmly and politely; the pace of life is relaxed

📰 Older Paraguay stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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