travel to Uruguay

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Republic of Paraguay is an American country located in the central zone of South America. It is administratively subdivided into seventeen departments and a capital district, all of them, occupied by 7 022 646 citizens. It limits with Argentina to the southeast, south and southwest; with Bolivia, to the north, and with Brazil, to the east. Paraguay is also the fifth smallest country and the fourth less populated in South America. Its territory is composed by two different regions separated by the Paraguay River, the Oriental Region which is the most populated, and the Western Region, which is part of the Chaco Boreal.  

Its capital and most populated city is Asunción with 524 190 inhabitants, and the Guaraní is the official currency in legal course, likewise, it shares denomination with one of the two official languages ??of the Republic, together with the Spanish.

Guaraní, as a language, mainly in its modern variant, is completely spreading and is spoken by 90% of the population. This language has indigenous origin as it was used by indigenous tribes who were settled in the Andes mountain range. Had a rapid development, because was the language using by the national army in the battlefield. Since 1992 it has a formal recognition thanks to the Paraguayan constitution.

The weather in Paraguay could be divided in two principal categories: Humid subtropical climate, predominant in the south region, and tropical savanna climate that occurs in the north. Because of that, the thermal range between the different seasons it’s barely ten degrees, the summer is generally hot and humid surpassing, by average, 30ªC that will cause, in certain times, a suffocating heat feeling. Summer starts on December and finishes on March.

On the other hand, winter it is the driest period and is characterized by soft temperatures, having by average, between 15ªC-20ºC. Rainfalls are also continuous all year long.

HISTORY

The pre-Colombian period was a troubled period where several tribes fought against each other, to conquer the territory that existed between the Paraguay and Paraná rivers. The indigenous Guaraní were the biggest and most highly developed tribe, that’s why they managed to impose their culture on the other groups. That culture, even nowadays, is very present in the Paraguayan idiosyncrasy.

Later on, after almost three hundred years of Spanish dominance, Paraguay started its independence movement in 1811, precisely in May, due to a riot against the former ruler, Velasco who quit his functions by force, and handed his weapons, and his money. In June of this year, the riot’s leaders began to govern the country, but    several political problems delayed the official independence Paraguay’s proclamation until 1842.

TOURISM

Despite of, being considered one of the less development countries on this matter in the continent, in recent years it has experienced an interesting growth. According to the statistics of Senatur, official organization responsible of tourism promotion in Paraguay, the number of tourist has increased an 87% between 2014-2015.

Asunción, is settled between seven hills and it is known as “Green capital city of Latin America”, because of the quantity of gardens and greenery that the city contains which have a crucial importance in its natural scenery.

Furthermore, it has a first-class infrastructure that made the city an ideal destination for business tourism. However, it isn’t the only activity that you could enjoy. It also possesses a lot of commercial premises where you’ll savor its excellent gastronomy, do shopping or enjoy the night atmosphere.

Regarding heritage tourism, the capital has multitude of monuments that give you a chance to know the history of the city. Its wonderful monuments and museums, highlight its historic center, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palace of the Lopez, the Pantheon of the Heroes among others.

 In its surroundings, we will find the central district, the most industrialized, where we can enjoy all kinds of crafts, such as  Areguá that stands out for its work in clay, while in Luque, Itauguá and other cities they work various materials such as stone , silver, or its traditional ñanduti weave.

Also around its Paraguay and Paraná rivers, and its multiple lakes, an intense tourist activity is developed proposing to the visitor activities such as cruises, zones of sport fishing and diving.

 Thanks to its forest areas and hills ( Mbaracayú forest) we find the ideal environment for adventure tourism and we can go hiking, rappeling ... Within these areas you can also see a large amount and variety of flora and fauna, especially birds,  of which more than seven hundred varieties can be observed from privileged environments such as Chaco Húmedo, Chaco Seco, Pantanal, Canindeyú Caaguazú ...

Another of its most popular destinations is Ciudad del Este, 327km away from the capital. It is a national reference point in terms of shopping tourism, thanks to the existence of a tax-free zone, although this is not its only activity. Nearby we find a spectacular waterfall, Salto del Monday, where we can enjoy wonderful views and an enviable natural environment, and also, because they are very close to the world-recognized Iguazu Falls, it will go unnoticed by most part of tourists.

Finally, we will stand out the Jesuit Missions of the Holy Trinity of Paraná, the best preserved and largest Jesuit settlement in the country, located twenty-eight kilometers northeast of Encarnación, in the district of Trinidad in Itapúa, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1993. And the Encarnación’s Carnival, the most important in the country, attracts 50 000 tourists on average every year. Thanks to which, the city has experienced a remarkable development, in recent years, becoming an important national tourism referent point renewing its accommodation infrastructures and implementing shopping centers, sports halls and even artificial beaches in order to face the recent increase of the demand.

After this summary we could determine that, despite of being an unknown and under developed tourism destination, Paraguay possesses varied and attractive natural and cultural spots which, together with an always predisposed population  and friendly citizens and increasingly steady state support, get the perfect assembly, thanks which you’ll enjoy of a different and enriching trip.

SECURITY

Generally, the country is safe, but you must avoid some possible risky places like suburbs of Montevideo and Canelones and Maldonado departments.

Take precautions about your personal goods and money.

HEALTH

Uruguayan public healthcare is good, but it is recommendable to hire a medic and a travel insurance, especially if you are interested in doing adventure tourism.

Avoid drinking directly from the tap.

CLIMATE & TEMPERATURES

Climate is generally mild and wet, but weather change between the North and the South: The North is hotter, meanwhile the south has fresher temperatures. The four seasons are clearly differenced, although the temperature rises from January to May and decrease June to September.

BUSINESS HOURS

Businesses are usually open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays. Shopping centres opens all days from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Offices opens Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

TIPS

Tips are generally obligatory, being the 10% of the total prize.

There are exchange houses and banks where you can exchange your currencies. It is also possible to do it in tourist accommodation establishments.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage is 230 volts and the frequency 50 Hz. The types of sockets are C, F, I and L.

PHONES OF INTEREST

The international calls prefix is +598.

Police and firefighters telephone number is 911. The road emergency service’s telephone number is 108.

TIME ZONE

UTC-3 in summer and UTC-2 in winter.