Paraguay is a country located in South America and adjacent to Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. This state is not included in the list of places that are in high demand among tourists. This is largely due to the lack of access to the sea. At the same time, sophisticated travelers are advised to come to Paraguay for at least a few days in order to see with their own eyes the originality and uniqueness of this place.
What to see in Paraguay, who should safely go to this country? This is best taken care of before buying tickets.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Paraguay, so those who want to relax in such an exotic place should choose the option that is most convenient for them (flying through Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil or Chile).
Intercity communication is represented by public transport - bus flights, however, for a more comfortable movement, you can choose a taxi.
Upon arrival at the airport of Asuncion, tourists receive a multiple visa, the validity of which will last 90 days. Thus, the visa regime for travelers will not be a problem.
City Asuncion
The capital of Paraguay, the city of Asuncion, is considered the largest city in the country and its tourist center. Its construction began in 1537. Since then, almost nothing has changed in the old quarters. On both sides of the main streets are buildings made in the Baroque style. A reminder of colonial times is the old rich mansions located in the neighborhood of the poorest neighborhoods. The guided tour mainly affects the architectural attractions of Paraguay.
- Place de la Constitucion. Now in this building of the XVI century is the building of the National Congress. The main feature is that since the moment of construction, the architecture of the building has not been changed / This caused the Place de la Constitucion to be assigned UNESCO heritage status. The park located nearby is a resting place for citizens and tourists.
- Cathedral. This is another attraction of Paraguay, which is included in the list of must-see. The construction of the cathedral was begun in 1561 at the direction of Philip II (King of Spain). The building began to be built on the spot where there used to be a wooden church, which was completely burned down in a fire.
- Lopez Palace. The palace received its original name due to the fact that the order for its construction in 1857 was given by the ruler Carlos Antonio Lopez. You can still see the building from afar - the snow-white facade and arched vaults with stucco elements stand out from other buildings.
Itaipu Dam
On the border of Paraguay and Brazil flows the deep and fast river Parana. Here in 1979 it was decided to build the Itaipu Dam. The design has reached impressive dimensions - its length is 7235 m, height is about 200 m, and width is 400 m.
Now the dam has become the largest source of electricity, since the hydroelectric power station has become the main building element.
The name of the dam comes from the name of the island located at the mouth of the river. Itaipu Island was the main site for the construction of the dam. According to the literal translation from the language of Guarani, “Itaipu” means “the sound of stone.”
In addition to the main function, the dam is an important attraction of Paraguay. After the construction was completed in 1991, more than 9 million people from 162 countries visited it. It will not be possible to see such a massive structure in another country - the construction of the structure required as much metal as needed for the 380 Eiffel towers.
The ruins of the Jesuit missions of Jesus and Trinidad
Another UNESCO heritage site is the ruins of Jesuit missions. They were erected in the period of the XVII-XVIII centuries and look like small city-states that were formed during the integration of civilians into the Christian faith.
Paraguayan missions are rightfully considered the most famous and impressive buildings that are religious. In total, there were about 50 miniature city-states, but so far only 30 have survived. For tourists, the ruins of Jesuit missions are open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Cerro Cora National Park
Just 45 km from the city of Pedro Juan Caballero lies the Cerro Cora National Park. Very close to it is the border zone of Brazil. The park is located quite far from the capital of Paraguay (Asuncion city) (about 454 km), so you should spend the whole day visiting this attraction of Paraguay.
Many tourists in their reviews note that this conservation area is one of the best places that they found in Paraguay. The status of the park Cerro Cora received in 1976. The basis of its landscape was made up of small hills and dry tropical forests located on the banks of the Parana River. At the same time, the picturesque surroundings are not the only thing the park is famous for. In 1870, in the territory now occupied by the park, the final battle of the Triple Alliance took place, it is here that the place of the death of Francisco Solano Lopez is located.
The excursion program also includes visits to caves belonging to the Celtic era.
Saltos del Mondai Waterfall
In the photo below - the attraction of Paraguay, which deserves special attention.
This waterfall is Saltos del Mondai. It is located in the Mondai National Park, in the area of President Franco. The width of the waterfall reaches 120 m, streams of water rush down from a height of 45 m, turn into millions of splashes and clubs of white foam. At the very edge of the waterfall, bridges and viewing platforms are arranged, thanks to which the natural beauty can be seen very close.
One of the most vivid impressions from visiting the country of Paraguay can be a picnic on a green lawn to the sounds of a waterfall.
Maca Village
Adventure lovers will hardly deny themselves the pleasure of visiting the village of Maca, one of the most interesting places in Paraguay. Here on a small territory there is a village of indigenous people who do not know the language of Guarani and Spanish. All that can be seen in the village is a traditional way of life that the locals have carefully preserved for many centuries.
Arriving here, you can plunge into the original culture, get acquainted with the life of people who are far from civilization. However, a real success will be the presence at one of the holidays. At this time, residents wear colorful national costumes, dance and sing.
You can get to the village by bus, but tourists should find a guide.
Gastronomic tourism
Tourists can find international dishes in cafes and restaurants of Paraguay, but not to try national dishes is a big mistake. Europeans speak of Paraguayan cuisine as unusual, but very tasty.
In small cozy cafes, visitors will be offered pies of emponadas with a filling for every taste and a soup with rice and noodles called soyo-sopi. Even sophisticated gourmets will appreciate the rich, rich taste of meatballs soo-kui, gazpacho tomato soup and paella that has become world famous.
As a dessert, you should choose palmitos (the core of the palm), mbaiphei (cereal, cereal, milk and molasses) or candied fruit.
Given all of the above, it can be noted: despite the lack of coast and noisy nightlife, Paraguay can be called an amazing place to relax. You can recommend it to lovers of excursion programs and quiet relaxation against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes. The only drawback is the insufficiently wide selection of tours to this country.