Asuncion Journals

Passing time in Paraguay

A travel journal to Asuncion by chiquitalinda

Quote: Paraguay is an often overlooked country in the middle of South America, but its laid back atmosphere, friendly people and lack of tourists make it a great destination to relax in the middle of a cross-continent trip.

Passing time in Paraguay

Overview

Quote:

Walk around the downtown Colonial district during the day, later enjoy a first rate meal at one of the city's affordable restaurants, and finish off the evening dancing to tango, techno, or tropical music in one of the numerous dance clubs along Avenida Brasilia. There are a number of day trips from Asuncion that allow you to see the surrounding countryside and the typical arts and crafts: go to Aregua for the pottery, or Luque for handcrafted guitars and harps. In the summer months of December to February, a day or overnight trip to San Bernardino is a must - this lake-side community is the summer home for the Paraguayan middle class and is buzzing with activity. In June,...Read More

There are a number of day trips from Asuncion that allow you to see the surrounding countryside and the typical arts and crafts: go to Aregua for the pottery, or Luque for handcrafted guitars and harps.

In the summer months of December to February, a day or overnight trip to San Bernardino is a must - this lake-side community is the summer home for the Paraguayan middle class and is buzzing with activity.

In June, don't miss St. John's Day (Dia de San Juan) when neighborhoods, civic groups, and cities celebrate the holiday with carnivals featuring traditional foods and games.

Quick Tips:

Asuncion is HOT in the summer, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees C, so make sure to find a room with air conditioning for comfort. The budget traveller will have trouble finding people who speak English, so brush up on your Spanish before you arrive (there are a few language schools in town that can set you up with lessons, homestays, etc). The city is fairly safe, but take the usual precautions, especially at night and in the downtown area, and keep close watch of your bags at the bus terminal.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is your best bet in the center, and a taxi is an inexpensive way to get to other parts of the city and to get around at night, when buses are either not running or are sporadic. Most taxis are metered - make sure yours is before you start off, or negotiate the fare beforehand. The number 30 bus runs from the center to Luque, passing through the length of the city, and runs frequently. Ask for bus directions at the reception in your hotel - there is no city-wide timetable and each bus line is independently owned.

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