Paraguay - Paraguay

Paraguay located in South America and belongs together with Bolivia to the two landlocked countries of the continent. Other neighboring countries are Argentina and Brazil.

Regions

Paraguay is usually divided into two regions:

• the Oriente, east of the Río Paraguay, a hilly, fertile landscape in which more than 90 percent of all Paraguayans live.
• the Paraguayan Chaco, west of the Paraguay River, a sparsely populated plain that is very hot in summer.

Cities

• Asunción - Capital
• Ciudad del Este - The most famous shopping city in South America with the character of a bazaar, near the Itaipú dam.
• Encarnación on the Río Paraná with a beautiful old town half submerged in the river.
• Filadelfia, the capital of the Mennonite colonies of the Chaco plain.

Other goals

The Gran Chaco is particularly interesting for safari tourists.

background

getting there

Entry requirements

By plane

The currently only non-stop connection from Europe to Paraguay is offered by Air Europa from Madrid. Transfer flights usually lead via Sao Paolo, e.g. with TAM Airlines.

By train

There are no international rail connections to Paraguay.

By bus

From neighboring countries Argentina and Brazil From here, the bus is a popular means of transport. Asunción is served by almost all major cities in southern Brazil and Argentina. The bus connection to Bolivia via the Chaco, on the other hand, is less recommended, as the road is very bad and often sinks into the mud in the damp summer.

Biggest bus companies are NSA and La Encarnacena.

In the street

The best way to travel from Europe with your own vehicle is to take a ride on a cargo ship (mostly Grimaldi Lines). Car (camper) plus 2 people currently (March 2006) cost around 2,700 euros. The route starts from Hamburg from over West africa to South America and takes about 30 days.

By boat

mobility

By plane

Domestic flights are possible in Paraguay with the military airline SETAM. Some of these offer irregular and very weather-prone flights to many smaller airports in Paraguay. The airline TAM also operates two flights per day to and from Asunción a stopover in Ciudad del Este a.

There is also the option of renting an air taxi:

• Airmen S.A., Hangares DECSA, Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi, Luque. Tel.: (021) 645 990, Mobile: (0991) 203 971, (0981) 415 473, Fax: (021) 645 980, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified
• Helitactica, Headquarters: Shopping Villa Morra, 3er piso, San Roque González e / Mcal. López, Asunción. Tel.: (021) 661 921, Mobile: (0971) 911 000, Fax: (021) 661 921, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

By bus

The main means of transport in Paraguay is the bus. In the larger cities there are city buses, so-called Colectivoswhose route network partly also includes suburbs or more distant small towns. Longer distances and trips to neighboring countries are served by intercity buses, which are not only the cheapest but also by far the most convenient means of transport. There are different price ranges, in the best of them the seats can be folded almost horizontally to form a bed, and the legroom is far greater than in European coaches. However, the long-distance buses in Paraguay are much worse and sometimes more expensive than in neighboring countries such as Bolivia or Argentina.

In the street

Driving in Paraguay takes some getting used to. Only the main routes of the country that are subject to tolls (between 5,000 and 10,000 Gs per route) are paved and in reasonably good condition. In smaller villages there are often only dirt roads, some of which are no longer passable for all-terrain vehicles after the usual rainfall in the country. The general right of way rules are defined according to the road conditions: asphalt road before cobblestone road and cobblestone road before earth road.

Since street signs are not paid much attention to by the Paraguayos, so-called "speed bumps" are often used to calm traffic in the cities. (Lomadas) used, but they are not always signposted. These speed bumps can either be elevations or such. B. in Encarnación also be depressions in the road.

The following regulate should be noted, as non-compliance, especially with foreigners, usually results in a fine (multa) is considered:

• When driving overland it should be noted that also during the day the Low beam switched on have to be!
• Even if no one seems to be adhering to it, it still exists Seat belt compulsory!
• Speed ​​limits should be observed in any case, as police checks are frequent, especially in rural areas.
• In the event of a police check, car papers (from the landlord), an international driver's license and passport must usually be presented.
• First aid equipment is not mandatory, but a functioning one must be Fire extinguisher and two (!) warning triangles are carried. It is best to have the car rental company show you this before departure.

There are some other peculiarities in Paraguayan road traffic that could irritate Europeans who are used to the rules:

• In the big cities, each street has as many lanes as there are cars next to each other, any markings are irrelevant.
• "Threaded" is not based on the zipper system, but rather: whoever is further ahead is allowed to go first.
• Horn and headlight flasher signal: "Now I'm coming!" Not "You can drive". These are sometimes also used when the traffic lights have already switched to red. That is why it is widespread to wait for the first few seconds of your own green phase to see if someone else comes "shot" on the other lane.
• Every now and then there are traffic lights on the opposite side of the street, you have to be careful not to miss them.
• A gas station attendant takes over the refueling, the driver remains seated in the car and simply says how much he would like to fill up - full, a number of liters or for a certain amount.
• Even if there is basically right-hand traffic in Paraguay, it is widespread to drive on the left on two-lane lanes. Drivers in old, slow vehicles in particular seem to have a preference for it; in such a case it is possible to overtake on the right.

The minimum age is one rent a car to be able to is 21 years; an international driver's license must be presented. Addresses of car rental companies are listed in the city articles. If you want to drive to the Iguazu Falls by rental car, you should ask the landlord beforehand whether he can drive it in Argentina.

language

The official languages ​​are Spanish and Guaraní. Anyone who would like to take a closer look at Guaraní will find here a free language course in PDF format to download.

The Mennonite colonies in the northwest are German-speaking, but a dialect similar to Low German is spoken in everyday life, which is difficult to understand for southern Germans, Austrians and Swiss. However, since standard German is taught in schools, tourists usually have no communication problems.

Regionally will also Italian and spoken Japanese.

to buy

The official currency in Paraguay is the guaraní (symbol: ₲), but in most shops in larger cities - for a percentage surcharge on the purchase price - the dollar is also accepted as a means of payment. It should be noted that 100 dollar bills with certain serial numbers dating from 2003 are not accepted in shops, banks or exchange offices. Euros can be exchanged without any problems. Some ATMs in Asunción offer the choice between guaraníes and dollars when withdrawing, debit and credit cards can be used.

In July 2020, the price was 6600 for one dollar and 7200 for the euro.

Outside of the larger cities, it is difficult to find ATMs or to pay with dollars or credit cards.

Current exchange rates can be found on the homepage of the Paraguayan Central Bank can be retrieved.

Popular souvenirs from Paraguay are:

• Ñandutí: finely woven cotton tablecloths and towels with traditional patterns
• Teréré mug: made of cow horn, silver or rosewood with matching drinking tube
• Ao-poí: embroidered blouses, shirts or dresses made of cotton
• Leather goods: e.g. bags, jackets, belts ...
• Ceramics
• wooden carved figures, icons or objects of everyday use

kitchen

The main food in Paraguay is beef - mostly grilled or fried. Sausages, poultry and the river fish Surubí and Dorado are also popular. As a side dish is often used Mandioca served. This root tastes similar to potato and is prepared the same way.

Frequent snacks are Chipa, a pastry made from cornmeal, eggs and cheese, which tastes best warm and fresh, as well as Empanadas - Dumplings that are filled with meat, fish, cheese, corn, etc.

Due to its favorable location, bananas, pineapples, papayas and other tropical fruits grow in Paraguay. These are offered cheaply in markets and supermarkets and are a real taste experience.

Paraguay is the home of yerba mate. The dried leaves of the ilex plant are washed with hot water (Mate) infused, in summer with ice-cold (Teréré). There are special thermos flasks and suitably shaped ice cream to buy for this purpose.

nightlife

There are strict curfew laws in Paraguay. After 1 or 2 a.m. it is usually over. Nevertheless, there are numerous discos in the cities.

accommodation

In Asunción in particular, there are accommodations in every category and for every budget.

In Paraguay as well as in many other countries, e.g. Brazil, there are no stars for hotels, but categories. These are officially awarded by the Ministry of Tourism. Many hotels give stars so as not to confuse the international tourist. One should also give little credence to so-called, unrepresentative hotel reviews on the Internet. Such sites are often put online for personal reasons in order to harm others!

Aparthotels with a small, fully equipped kitchen are particularly popular for long-term tenants.

In the interior of the country, accommodation is cheap and often very simple.

On the weekends, more and more people go to small farms where you can ride and swim, sometimes horse-drawn carriage rides are offered.

Learn

Work

Paraguay has one of the most liberal immigration laws in the world. You have to prove an amount of money of currently about 5000 euros in the account of a bank in Paraguay, then you can contact the immigration authorities -

- a residence / work permit can be applied for. That doesn't mean, however, that you get a job.

public holidays

security

Compared to other Latin American countries, Paraguay is relatively safe for tourists. If you follow the current rules and don't carry jewelry, cameras and money too obviously with you, you usually have nothing to fear. Pickpockets do occur; these are often committed by the poorer part of the population and primarily serve to "cover expenses", i.e. violence is relatively rare.

There are occasional armed robberies on public transport, so you shouldn't defend yourself here and hand in your cell phone and money, as the perpetrators can be quite aggressive.

If you want to report to the police after a theft or attack, you can dial 911 or go to a police station. A log is then created here, which can be helpful if, for example, the passport fell victim to theft.

Despite allegations of corruption, the Paraguayan police are not as bad as their reputation when it comes to the recovery of stolen property, and they have always been able to achieve greater successes.

health

Since the state health system primarily ensures basic care for the population, foreigners will go to a private hospital in an emergency. Here, as is usually the case abroad, the treatment must be paid for immediately, i.e. a foreign health insurance is always useful.

If you need special drugs, you should bring a sufficient supply with you, as supply cannot be guaranteed, especially in the interior of the country. Most of the drugs offered in Paraguay are imported from neighboring countries, rarely from North America or even Europe. Therefore, despite the same ingredients, the mode of action can be different than what you are used to.

Vaccinations

In the summer of 2007, cases of yellow fever again became known in Paraguay for the first time in several decades.

The standard polio, diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations should also be boosted before departure if necessary Hepatitis A / B- as well as one typhus- Vaccination recommended.

Insect repellent

There are numerous cases of Dengue fever which is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. So far, there is neither a vaccination nor a specific treatment option, so insect repellants should also be used during the day.

A heightened one malariaThere is no risk in large parts of Paraguay. However, if you want to travel north to the Chaco and the jungle on the Brazilian border, you should take a prophylactic agent with you.

Heat and sun

Especially in summer, temperatures in the southern part of the country can rise to 45 ° C, and in the northern Chaco to over 50 ° C. Sun protection cream and headgear protect against sunburn, great exertion should be avoided in order not to overload the body, it is essential to regularly compensate for the lost fluids with water or tea. Who at lunchtime one "Siesta" can avoid the greatest heat.

climate

Depending on the region, Paraguay has a warm temperate to subtropical climate with floods and drought. It is generally hotter and drier in the Gran Chaco. Summer is humid throughout the territory, while winter in the west is a distinct dry season, when temperatures are generally most pleasant.

	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean highest air temperature in ° C	35	34	33	29	25	22	23	26	28	30	32	34	O	29.3
Mean lowest air temperature in ° C	22	22	21	18	14	12	12	14	16	17	18	21	O	17.3
Rainy days in the month	8	6	6	7	6	6	5	4	7	8	8	7	Σ	78
Relative humidity in%	69	69	69	73	76	75	70	66	62	62	64	62	O	68.1

respect

Post and Telecommunications

post

To Europe: Post is best posted in Asunción at Correo Central or at the airport. A letter or postcard to Germany costs around 16,000 Gs.

To Paraguay: In Paraguay there is no mail delivery as we know it from Europe. Important mail should always be sent by registered mail. Especially at Christmas time, thick letters tend to get "lost". If you want to send something valuable to Paraguay, freight forwarders such as DHL or UPS are ideal. In addition to the address, shipments should always be clearly labeled with the recipient's telephone number, as otherwise they may be deemed undeliverable.

phone

Fixed line: You can call Europe from any hotel, but this is expensive. Usually you go to one of the many offices of the COPACO telephone company. Domestic calls can be dialed from there yourself, international calls are often still arranged. The country code from Paraguay to Germany is 49, to Austria 43 and to Switzerland 41. There are also many shops marked with "Cabinas" or "Fax" from which you can make phone calls and faxes.

Cell phone: Cell phone is called Celular here, the largest cell phone providers are Tigo, Vox, Personal and Claro. At least one tri-band mobile phone is required to make calls with a European card / number using the roaming procedure. The mobile phone then dials in to the roaming partner and there are correspondingly high fees. For longer stays, it makes sense to get a suitable SIM card from one of the providers mentioned above. The network coverage is generally relatively good, in larger cities (especially Asunción) even LTE is offered.

Internet

Internet cafes are becoming more and more popular. You can now find them in almost all shopping centers and on the main streets. The fees are the equivalent of around one euro per hour. Most hotels, especially urban ones, now offer WiFi (free of charge / for a fee) or provide computers with Internet access.

literature

History:

• Lily Tuck: The Dictator's Lover: A Paraguayan Story, Hardback edition, ISBN 3-45817-310-2 , Insel-Verlag, August 2006, 331 pages, German
• Sian Rees: Elisa Lynch, Hardback edition, ISBN 3-20381-501-X , Europa-Verlag, 2003, 347 pages, German

Politics:

• Ernst Bergen: Development, Power and Corruption: As a Christian in the Government of Paraguay, Hardback edition, ISBN 3-93789-671-6 , Neufeld-Verlag, January 2009, 192 pages, German

Language:

• Wolf Funny: Gibberish - Guarani for Paraguay word for word, Paperback, ISBN 3-89416-299-6 , Reise Know-How Verlag, 2nd edition February 2006, 160 pages, German

Cards:

• Günter Nelles (Ed.): Nelles Map Bolivia, Paraguay, 1: 2,500,000, special cards: Cusco / Machu Picchu, Iguaçu, Tiahuanaco; City maps: Asunción, Cusco, La Paz, Potosí, Santa Cruz, Sucre, ISBN 3-86574-005-7 , Nelles-Verlag, August 2008, folding map, 2 pages, English
• Andrew Duggan: Paraguay, 1 : 800.000, ISBN 1-55341-363-6 , International Travel Maps, February 2003, folding map, 2 pages, English

Web links

• Tourism in Paraguay
• Ministry of Tourism of Paraguay - Very comprehensive site with a lot of information in English and Spanish, a German site is under construction
• Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Paraguay in Munich