Three or four weeks allow you to discover Paraguay, its more or less lively cities and isolated villages. The first week can be devoted to the Asunción region, with three days in the capital and excursions to the small craft towns in the surrounding area. Visit the cultural centre of Manzana de la Rivera (and have a drink, in front of the Palacio de Gobierno), the Andrés Barbero ethnographic museum, or the Museo de las Memorias, which is morally more difficult to access, showing the cruelty of the repression during the dictatorship. Less than an hour from the capital, the Guildo Boggiani Ethnographic Museum in San Lorenzo and the Ramón Elías Museum in Capiatá (dedicated to Guaraní mythology) are also interesting. The South American Football Museum in Luque will appeal to fans who are sure to attend a match one evening in a stadium in Asunción. The second week can be devoted to the south of the country, where the famous missions of Trinidad and Jesus are located, to be completed by visits to interesting sacred art museums in San Ignacio and Santa María de Fé, two very pleasant small towns, as well as the former mission of San Cosme y Damián, which has a modern astronomical observatory, to immerse you in the magnificent Guaraní sky. In the region, you can also go surubí fishing in Ayolas on the banks of the Paraná River. A little away from the traditional circuits, go to Pilar and the small villages steeped in the history of Ñembucú. The third and possibly fourth week will be dedicated to adventure in the Chaco and/or Pantanal: visiting Mennonite settlements in the Chaco and nearby lagoons, observing the exceptional fauna and flora of these wild regions.
Day 1: Discovery of the city of Asunción
Day 2: The capital in depth
Day 3: Shopping day
Day 4: Around Lake Ypacaraí
Day 5: Local culture and thrills
Day 6: Day relaxing
Day 7: Stroll in the surroundings
Day 8: At the foot of the Villarica volcano
Day 9: Nature excursion
Day 10: Museum day to discover the local culture
Day 11: Morning in Santa María and overnight stay with a local resident
Day 12: Along the Río Paraná
Day 13: Visit by Encarnación
Day 14: Visits to former Jesuit missions
Day 15: Discovery of the world's largest hydroelectric power plant
Day 16: A walk in the heart of nature
Day 17: Impressive Waterfalls
Day 18: Heading for the Mbaracayú Reserva
Day 19: Observation of wildlife and flora
Day 20: Road to Concepción
Day 21: Excursion to sumptuous landscapes
Day 22: Escapades in deep Paraguay
Day 23: End of stay
Visit of the monuments of the historical centre and the banks of the Río Paraguay. Fast boat crossing to Chaco'i to admire the capital on the other side of the river.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Visit of the Museo del Barro. Botanical garden in the afternoon. Sunset on the beach of La Costanera.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
In the morning, go and get lost in the Mercado 4 near the centre, where you can have lunch. In the afternoon, if you want to continue shopping, in a very different atmosphere, the shopping centres of Villa Mora or shopping del Sol await you. Drink a drink in the evening at Paseo Carmelitas or in a pub in the historic centre.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Visit Luque, then Areguá or San Bernardino, a pedal boat on Lake Ypacaraí at sunset.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Visit one or more villages in the region known for their crafts: Itá, Itauguá, Tobatí... In the latter village, schedule a bike ride to Chorro Karumbé, a climb in the rocks, or a parachute jump.
Stay in a estancia of the region. Rest!
Take advantage of this stopover to take a horseback ride and enjoy a typical asado
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Visit Villarica and explore the Ybyturuzú mountain range with a guide.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Visit Salto Cristal or the Ybycuí reserve. Night at La Colmena or Ybycui.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Return to Ruta 1 to visit the museums of San Juan Bautista, including one dedicated to the guitarist Agustín Barrios Mangoré, or the sacred art of San Igancio. A peaceful night in Santa María de Fé, if the howler monkeys of the central park are wise.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Discover the Jesuit Art Museum and the brand new museum dedicated to the French botanist Aimé Bonpland. Road to San Cosme y Damián. Night at the inhabitant's house, in one of the posadas turísticas.
©Guillaume Violette
Departure early in the morning to reach the sand dunes in the middle of the Río Paraná. In the late afternoon, visit the mission and the astronomical centre (at night).
Drink on the beach while admiring the lights of Posadas on the other side of the river.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Discover the world of mate grass in one of the yerbateras of Bella Vista, then go to the ruins of the Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesus, close to each other. Travel to Ciudad del Este.
©Diego Grandi - Shutterstock.com
Visit of the barrage d'Itaipú
Discovery of the natural reserves around Itaipú.
Excursions at the Iguazú Falls (Brazilian and Argentine sides). Night in Puerto Iguazú in Argentina.
Long day of travel to reach the Mbaracayú Reserva
Walk by canoe or foot in the reserve to observe wildlife and discover the rich ecosystem of the Atlantic forest of the upper Paraná.
Visit this charming city on the banks of the Paraguay River. Overnight in town or at El Roble farm in Belén, a village where the Tropic of Capricorn passes through.
Day at the farm, or day in his hammock aboard the Aquidaban, to reach Bahia Negra, in the Pantanal; or head for the equally wild Chaco, by bus or 4x4.
Bahia Negra, biological station of Tres Gigantes, ecotourism in the Pantanal. Or discover the landscapes and populations of the Chaco. In both cases, the use of a guide is essential and at least 3 days on site are necessary to enjoy it.
©Nicolas LHULLIER
Allow some margin if you have a flight to catch to Asunción from the Pantanal or Chaco. Last artisanal shopping and night outings of despedida with your new Paraguayan friends.
Each Travel Idea is customizable according to your wishes
