Overview
Landlocked, rural Paraguay is a bit of an unknown quantity for visitors, well off the beaten track, and culturally very different from its neighbours, Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. However it’s a friendly, quirky place, easily reached by land from neighbouring attractions such as the Iguazú Falls which is just over the border from bustling Ciudad del Este where duty free goods are snapped up by Brazilian and Argentinian day trippers.
It’s more than a tax free shop however. Northwest from the capital, Asuncion, stretches a vast, flat, stiflingly hot territory of salt flats, swampland, dry forest and cattle ranches, the scarcely populated Chaco. Inhospitable, maybe: but various species of wild mammal such as armadillo, tapir and even jaguar survive here. East and south of the capital tropical forest is more lush and home to an array of tropical birds. Nature lovers won’t be disappointed and numerous national parks are abundant with wildlife.
The indigenous population of Guaraní indians is still very much in evidence and their language is spoken widely. Colonial Spain has left its mark here, in the sleepy riparian capital Asunción, and the country is dotted with the ruins of Jesuit settlements. Remote Paraguay has always offered a refuge for people under threat, from European Mennonites to refugees from Nazi Germany.
Our top holiday styles to Paraguay
Holidays Paraguay
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Group - Discovery
Peru / Lake Titicaca / Bolivia / Paraguay / Iguazu Falls / Brazil
Jacana: Crossing the continent
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Classic holidays
Private Journeys
Paraguay / Argentina / Iguazu Falls
Signature Paraguay: The Missions and the Chaco
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Places To Visit In Paraguay
Discover our guide to the most exciting, memorable and inspiring places to visit.
Asuncion and the heartland
The once sidelined capital city is now home to parks, pergolas and an attractive riverside walk which complement its graceful colonial buildings and burgeoning creative scene.
The Chaco
The semi-arid wilderness of the Chaco is rich in wildlife and a great destination for birdwatchers.
The Jesuit Missions of the south
Paraguay’s southernmost departments boast a unique cultural history as the peaceful, rolling lands of the Jesuit Missions.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Where to go when - our guide to Paraguay
The weather in Paraguay is wide and varied
Landlocked, rural Paraguay is well off the beaten track for visitors, and culturally very different from its neighbours. Made up of vast, flat salt flats, swampland, forests and cattle ranches in the north to topical forest in the east and south, nature enthusiasts will revel in the variety of wild mammals such as armadillo, tapir and even jaguar and the numerous national parks full of tropical birds. In terms of climate, Paraguay is subtropical and warm year round, but the best time to visit is considered to be April – September when the weather is less humid and there are plenty of festivals including Oktoberfest where descendants of German immigrants celebrate their heritage. Temperatures increase from mid-September to end of May with high summer from December to February when it can easily reach 35°C in Asuncion. The best time to visit the rural communities and wildlife of the Chaco is June – September. If festivals are your thing then the 5-day carnival event in February / March culminating on Shrove Tuesday includes parades, music and dancing well into the night.
View our Paraguay weather guidePapagaio
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