Paraguay
Like a precious gemyet to be discovered, Paraguay is located in the center of the South American continent, bordering Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.
The country is recognized for its desirable macroeconomic stability, low production costs and privileged geographic proximity to the region’s large markets and capitals. Asuncion is located less than two hours by fight from Buenos Aires (1,256 km), São Paulo (1,345 km), Montevideo (1,344 km), Rio de Janeiro (1,771 km), Santiago (2,109 km), and others. It is based on the largest freshwater reserve in the world, the Guarani Aquifer, and is on its way to becoming a relevant logistics hub in the region.
In 2022, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), described Paraguay as "the best investment environment in the region", and highlighted that Paraguay was a global leader in 2020, increasing its foreign direct investment despite a regional drop of approximately 40%.
The IDB president, said at the Invest in Paraguay 2022 Forum, before hundreds of investors, that "more than ever, it is the best time to invest in Paraguay." The sectors with the most opportunities for investment include forestry, textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.
In 2021, Paraguay ranked first in Latin America as the country with the best business climate, according to the ranking lead by the prestigious Getulio Vargas Foundation.
Official name: Republic of Paraguay
Capital: Asuncion
Political division: 17 departments, plus the capital
Official languages: Spanish and Guarani
Area: 406.752 km²
Population: 7,453,695 (projected by the National Institute of Statistics as of 2022)
Literacy rate: 94,3%
Currency: Guaraní (PYG)
Climate: Tropical to subtropical. Country with the lowest risk of natural disasters.
Average temperature: 25°C to 35°C in the summer, and 10°C to 20°C in the winter
Time zone: GMT -4
Government: Presidencialismo
Source: Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP in Spanish), National Statistics Institute (INE in Spanish), World Bank.
Paraguay, the Land Without Evil in Guarani mythology, stands out and dazzles with its exuberant nature, its fertile land, ancestral culture, social peace, modernity, real estate development in permanent growth and security, guaranteeing enjoyment, rest, and pleasant surprises. The history of the Guarani people is that of a pilgrim- age in search of the mythical yvy marãe’ỹ (Land Without Evil), the promised land. Whoever discovers it will find the earthly paradise itself.
Every visitor is also captivated by the beauty, charm, and courage of its women, as well as the cordiality of its people. Pope Francis described the Paraguayan woman as “the most glorious in America”, for her courage during the most trying moments of the country’s history.
The country is naturally divided by the Paraguay River into two regions: Western (Chaco) and Eastern. It has 17 departments, 3 in the west (Presidente Hayes, Boquerón and Alto Paraguay) and 14 in the east (Concepción, San Pedro, Cordillera, Guairá, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Itapúa, Misiones, Paraguarí, Alto Paraná, Central, Ñeembucú, Alto Paraná, Amambay and Canindeyú).
Paraguay is a landlocked country, but it has an extensive hydrological network thanks to the mighty Paraguay and Paraná rivers and their numerous affluents. It is set on top of the Guarani Aquifer, the world’s largest freshwater reserve.
Its extraordinary cultural diversity represents a complete mosaic, with native populations of 5 linguistic families and 20 ethnic groups that preserve their cultural heritage and live in the two regions of the country. In addition, immigrants from different parts of the world contributed their culture to the Spanish - Guarani symbiosis that occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries, giving rise to a homogeneous, intrepid, but calm population.
Its impressive ecosystems involve an environ- mental heritage of great contrasts where felds and wetlands in the south of the Eastern Region, combine with the xerophytic forests (in semi-desert territory) in the Western Region, beautiful hills in the center of the Eastern Region, an infinity of streams with paradisiacal waterfalls that invite you for a dip, as well as the Pantanal.
A great attraction is its native fauna and flora, made up of hundreds of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrate species, vascular plants and leafy trees and shrubs.
It is the country of the so-called “green tourism” par excellence. It has an infinity of natural reserves and protected wild areas where guided walks allow you to observe the fauna and fora in their natural setting.
Yacaré Yrupe en la Reserva Ecológica Banco San Miguel. Asunción
Sopa Paraguaya
Asado con picada de chorizo, morcilla y mandioca
Frutillas y postres
In 2022, Paraguay was distinguished with the World Travel Awards (WTA), in the Leading South American Nature Destination category. It is the most important tourism award in the world. The country also received numerous awards from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Tourism Fair (FITUR).
Paraguay is the only place in the region where two civilizations met, forming an amalgamation that gave rise to a racially, socially, and culturally homogeneous nation, to the point that it has two official languages recognized by the National Constitution: Spanish and Guarani.
The sweet native language survived, adapted, and then overcame Spanish over the centuries. This language is used by more than 90% of the population and is immortalized in the country’s immense literary and musical heritage, through its polkas and guaranias, recognized and admired throughout the world, such as the “Pájaro Campana”, “Recuerdos de Ypacaraí”, “Galopera” and others.
Paraguay is not only nature and ancestral culture. Today, the country has cosmopolitan cities, such as its capital Asuncion, Encarnacion and Ciudad del Este, where real estate development and commerce are impressive, and where one has the most modern and advanced things in all fields at their fingertips.
The two gigantic binational hydroelectric dams in Paraguay, Itaipu and Yacyreta, the first built and managed jointly with Brazil and the second with Argentina, are evidence of the country’s techno logical progress. Itaipu is the largest electricity generator in the world.
In addition to becoming important tourist attractions due to their magnificence, both dams significantly support environmental conservation, Including the maintenance of reserves and special areas of environmental protection. They also contribute considerably to the fight against climate change, since they avoid the use of fossil fuels and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, climate-altering gases and fine particles, limiting pollution and the greenhouse effect.
In this land of polkas and guaranias, past and present, modernity and traditions coexist and dance at every step, in a fantastic setting, where timelessness executes a perfect choreography. Samples of this are its gastronomy and its crafts.
Paraguayan cuisine uses beef, corn, and manioc(cassava) as main ingredients. Among the typical delicacies we can name chipa, mbeju, the paradoxical sopa paraguaya or Paraguayan soup, which is actually a solid, corn cake; bori bori, so’o apu’a, chipa guasu and asado (barbecue). However, cities like Asuncion, Encarnacion, Pedro Juan Caballero or Ciudad del Este offer restaurants with the finest international cuisine. One can come across Peruvian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, French, or Italian cuisine, among others. All you have to do is choose!
Paraguayan crafts combine ancient cultures and European colonial trends. Among the most Appreciated are the ñandutí, the a’o po’i, filigree work in gold and silver, embossed leather, and ceramics.
Right in the center of South America, adventure, leisure, and business opportunities coexist in the same place. Tourists can explore the secrets of this Latin American gem, while investors discover the opportunities offered by its growing economic diversification.
Most important museums in the country
ASUNCIÓN
Casa de la Independencia
14 de Mayo y Presidente Franco
(+595) 21 493918
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Eligio Ayala 1345 e/ Pa’i Pérez y Curupayty
(+595) 21 211578
Museo General Bernardino Caballero
Sebastián Gaboto y Andrés Barbero
(+595) 21 223549
Casa Bicentenario del Teatro “Edda de los Ríos”
25 de Mayo 993 c/ Estados Unidos
(+595) 21 453908
Casa Bicentenario de la Música “Agustín Pio Barrios”
Cerro Corá 848 c/ Tacuary
(+595) 21 491010
Casa Bicentenario de las Artes Visuales “Ignacio Núñez Soler”
Félix de Azara c/ Tacuary
(+595) 21 443736
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes y Oratorio Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Palma y Chile
(+595) 973 816299
Teatro Municipal “Ignacio A. Pane”
Pdte.Franco e/ Chile y Alberdi
(+595) 21 445169
*Visita guiada con presentaciones artísticas.
Centro Cultural de la Ciudad Manzana de la Rivera
Ayolas 129 c/ El Paraguayo Independiente
(+595) 21 492524
Visitas guiadas: (+595) 982596364
Museo Monseñor Juan Sinforiano Bogarín
Comuneros e/ Independiente y Yegros
(+595) 983 475 412
Centro de Artes Visuales - Museo del Barro
Grabadores del Cabichuí e/ Emeterio Miranda y Cañada
(+595) 21 607996
Museo de Sillas
Artigas 4289 c/ Juana Pabla Carrillo
(+595) 21 293084 / (+595) 972 264605
Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Independencia Nacional y Mariscal López
(+595) 21 449512 / (+595) 981 134150
Museo Etnográfico Dr. Andrés Barbero
España 217 y Mompox
(+595) 981 677131
Iglesia de La Encarnación
Haedo y 14 de Mayo
(+595) 21 490860
Museo del Ministerio de Defensa
Mariscal López y 22 de Septiembre
(+595) 21 223965 / (+595) 21 2490000
Museo de las Memorias
Chile 1072 e/ Jejui y Manduvirá
(+595) 21 493873 / (+595) 981 470514
Museo de Arte Sacro
Manuel Domínguez esq. Paraguarí (+595) 21 449439
Muci Museo de Ciencias
Avenida Gral. Santos 1030
(+595) 981 773417
CONCEPCIÓN DEPARTMENT
Museo al Aire Libre
Exposición permanente.
Paseo central de la Avda. Agustín Fernando de Pinedo y Mcal. López – Concepción
Museo Municipal del Cuartel de la Villa Real
Pte. Franco, e/ Gral. Diaz – Concepción
(+595) 982 544676
Casa de la Cultura Carlos Colombino
Calle Mcal. Francisco Solano López – Concepción
(+595) 971 803951
Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro e Histórico
Ntra. Sra. de la Concepción y Mcal. Estigarribia – Concepción
(+595) 21 331242382
SAN PEDRO DEPARTMENT
Museo de Antigüedades Alejo García
Cerro Corá esq. San Pedro del Ycuamandiyú – San Pedro de Ycuamandyjú
(+595) 342 222252
Museo Histórico de San Estanislao
Av. Mcal López y Defensores del Chaco - San Estanislao
CORDILLERA DEPARTMENT
Parque Nacional Vapor Cue – Museo Naval al Aire Libre
A 4 km del casco urbano de la ciudad de Caraguatay
Museo Histórico Comandante Pedro Pablo Caballero
Calle Mariscal López – Piribebuy
(+595) 984 461337 / (+595) 976380355
Yryvu keha (Nido del Cuervo) Galería de Arte
Monte Alto – Atyrá (parque privado)
GUAIRÁ DEPARTMENT
Museo Municipal Maestro Fermín López
Natalicio Talavera y Juan Pablo II – Villarrica
(+595) 541 41521
Antiguas Estaciones del Ferrocarril
Exhibición y exposición de máquinas ferroviarias centenarias y de artes: pintura, fotografía y otras.
Ciudades de Tebicuary, Hyaty (hoy llamada Félix Pérez Cardozo), Villarrica, San Salvador, Iturbe, Ñumí, Gral. Garay, Fassardi.
Museo Histórico y Biblioteca de la Estación de Iturbe
Avda. Iturbe c/ Ildefonso Franco – Iturbe
(+595) 54 625
CAAZAPÁ DEPARTMENT
Museo Fray Juan Bernardo
Gral. Genes e/Palma y Pte. Hayes – Caazapá
(+595) 981 335006
ITAPÚA DEPARTMENT
Museo de la Estación de Tren
Av. Costanera Rca. del Paraguay frente a la Playa San José – Encarnación
(+595) 71 204 800
Museo Memoria Viva
Av. Costanera Rca. del Paraguay frente a la Playa San José – Encarnación
Museo Hrisuk
Ruta VI, Km 0,5 y Padre Antonio Riera – Encarnación
(+595) 71 205401
Museo Profesor Alberto Del Valle
Barrio San Blas Independencia – Encarnación (+595) 985 160137
Museo Casa Raatz
Avenida Marcial Samaniego - Bella Vista Sur
(+595) 767 240 240
Museo Los Fundadores
Calle Eusebio Ayala - Bella Vista Sur
(+595) 985 726258
Museo Histórico Ferroviario de Carmen del Paraná
Av. Costanera – Carmen del Paraná
(+595) 762 260 415
Museo, Centro Histórico y Cultural Edwin Krug
Av. Los Fundadores - Hohenau
Centro de Interpretación Astronómica Buenaventura Suarez
Misión Jesuítica San Cosme y San Damián
MISIONES DEPARTMENT
Museo Diocesano de San Ignacio Guazú
Padre Marcial Lorenzana y Cerro Corá - San Ignacio
(+595) 985 187824
Museo Diocesano de Arte Jesuítico Guaraní Santa María De Fe
Ciudad de Santa María
(+595) 975 618461
Museo Histórico Ambiental – EBY
Villa Permanente – Ayolas
Museo Diocesano de Arte Jesuítico Guaraní de Santiago Apóstol
Santiago
(+595) 995 602106
Casa Museo Mangoré
Calle Cnel. Alfredo Ramos esq. Primer Intendente (Centro Histórico) – San Juan Bautista
(+595) 217 212400 - (+595) 975671273
PARAGUARÍ DEPARTMENT
Museo del Campamento Cerro León
Pirayú
Museo Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
Ciudad de Yaguarón
Museo de la Casa Oratorio Cabañas
Caapucú
Museo La Rosada
Compañía Minas Cue – Ybycuí
(+595) 981 606993 / (+595) 983422060
Museo Vivo de los Talleres del Ferrocarril de Sapucai
Villarrica c/ Juan Pereira – Sapucai
(+595) 974 386395
ALTO PARANÁ DEPARTMENT
Museo de Historia El Mensú
Avda. Eusebio Ayala y Pampliega - Ciudad del Este
(+595) 961 411481
Museo de Itaipú de la Tierra Guaraní
Supercarretera – Hernandarias
(+595) 61 599 8040
Monumento Científico Moisés Bertoni
Distrito de Presidente Franco
(+595) 981 806284
Circuito Vivencial del Mundo Guaraní
Ruta Nacional N° 2, Km 43 – Ciudad de Yguazú
(+595) 632 20280 / (+595) 973181484
CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
Museo del Fútbol Sudamericano (CONMEBOL)
Capitán Valois Rivarola y Av. Sudamericana – Luque
(+595) 21 517 2000
Museo Mitológico Ramón Elías
Ruta Nacional N° 2 “Mcal. José Félix Estigarribia” – Km 19 – Capiatá
(+595) 986 897362
Museo del Mueble Paraguayo
Palma casi Estación Terrena - Kokue Guazú – Areguá
(+595) 983 307589
Museo Comunitario del Ñandutí
Bernardino Caballero c/ Pa’í Pérez – Itauguá
(+595) 981 156508
Centro Cultural del Lago
Fulgencio Yegros 855 – Areguá
(+595) 291 432633
ÑEEMBUCÚ DEPARTMENT
Museo Cabildo de Pilar
Mcal. Francisco Solano López y 14 de Mayo – Pilar
Museo de Humaitá
Resistencia c/ Humaitá, Barrio Centro – Humaitá
(+595) 975 164452
Museo Paso de Patria
Paso de Patria – 63 km de Pilar
(+595) 982 518915
Museo Coronel Pedro Hermosa
Casco urbano – Isla Umbú
(+595) 976 931030
AMAMBAY DEPARTMENT
Museo Regional Amambay
Plaza Pedro Juan Caballero - Natalicio Talavera e/ 14 de Mayo y Perpetuo Socorro – Pedro Juan Caballero
MUSEUMS OF THE PARAGUAYAN CHACO
Centro de Interpretación del Gran Chaco Americano
Departamento de Boquerón - Cruce Filadelfia
(+595) 971 703017
Museo de la Fundación de la Colonia Menno
Av. Central - Loma Plata
(+595) 492252301
Museo Knelsen-Haus
Av. Hindenburg – Filadelfia
Museo Científico Jakob Unger Flora y Fauna
Avda. Hindenburg y B.H. Unruh – Filadelfia
(+595) 985 820746
Museo Interactivo Ruta Chaco Boreal
Departamento de Boquerón - Fortín Isla
