Romy Natalia Goldberg - Paraguay (Other Places Travel Guide)

Other Places Travel Guides

Paraguay

Romy Natalia Goldberg

Published by

OTHER PLACES PUBLISHING

Other Places Publishing 2012

First edition

Published August 2012

Paraguay

Other Places Travel Guide

Written by: Romy Natalia Goldberg

Edited by Nicole Arriaga

Cover designed by: Carla Zetina-Yglesias

Front cover photo by: Ricardo Brickman

Back cover photo of monkey and the photo of trees by: Emily Horton Reilly Back cover photo of woman by: Junior Ortiz, courtesy of Ahecha Paraguay National Exhibit, 2009

Published by:

Other Places Publishing

www.otherplacespublishing.com

All text, illustrations and artwork copyright

2012 Other Places Publishing

ISBN 978-1-935850-11-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise). No part of this publication may be sold or hired, without written permission from the publisher.

Although the information in this book is believed to be reliable and accurate, it is not guaranteed. Other Places Publishing and the books authors disclaim all liability arising from its use.

About the Author

The daughter of a Paraguayan mother and American father (a Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Paraguay), Natalia spent most of her childhood living in and traveling throughout Latin America. As a child she often played guide book author with her sister, who would pretend to be a hotel owner. From an early age she visited Paraguay frequently, soaking up the countrys unique traditions, marveling at the beautiful landscapes and eating plenty of chipa . In writing this guidebook she hopes to share the country she knows and loves with fellow travelers. Natalia writes the bilingual blog Discovering Paraguay ( www.discoveringparaguay.com ) and currently lives in Paraguay with her husband and twin daughters.

Este libro est dedicado a Ta Nuni, la mujer ms paraguaya que conozco. Nde guapa!

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge my family, Alex Little, Robert and Carmen Goldberg, Adriana Goldberg, Sara and Art Little, Alicia Little, Mia and Sienna. Words cannot express how thankful I am for your support. I could not have done this without you.

This book would not have been possible without the help and friendship of Paraguays Peace Corps community, in particular the members of G-25, 26, 27 and 28, who were always willing to share their homes, experiences, and terer with me. Special thanks to Gariety Pruitt, Carin Paupore, Alizabeth Brady, Brigitta Mast, Adam Drolett, Fred McClelland, Anne Kenney, Mary Cinadr, Anthony Fierstos, Nathan Antonio, Travis Long, Mandy Horvath, Joan Ngo, Emily Horton, Alistair Kerlin, Kevin Pierce, Krisin Tanis, Eric Murphy, Betsy Curry, Courtney Wong, Austin Durr, Adam Poinsett Hall, Eric Morrison, Jess del Rosario, John Robinson, Brad Vanderford, Manuel Coln, Ricardo Brickman, and to Ashley McPhee for her editing assistance.

I also owe a huge thanks to my Paraguayan friends and family for sharing their insights into Paraguays fascinating culture: Ana Mara del Castillo, Oscar and Luchi Brtez, Jos Mara and Nuni Gerez, Margarita Sotelo, Enrique and Ida Rodriguez, Juan Ramn and Mercedes Fleitas Colmn. Mil gracias por su apoyo y por compartir conmigo la belleza de la cultura paraguaya!

Thanks as well to Paul Smith, Patrick Wilson, Craig Anthony Rychel, Sal rias, and David Donmoyer.

And to my wonderful Guaran teacher Mariela Gonzalez, Graciamante!

Quick Reference

Since most travel throughout Paraguay is done by bus or automobile, this book has been organized around Paraguays highway system. There is also a chapter on the Paraguay River, another transportation route. For Routes 1, 2, 3, and the TransChaco Highway, directions are listed with Asuncin as your starting point. Meanwhile, listings along the Paraguay River begin with travel downriver.

Prices in this book are in Paraguayan Guaranies (Gs), the national currency for Paraguay, unless specifically given in U.S. Dollars.

Currency: Guaran

Exchange Rates at time of publication:

1 USD = Gs 4,300

1 Euro = Gs 5,657

Electricity: Paraguay accommodates 220V

Hours of operation:

Government offices tend to open from 7am to 1pm while businesses such as supermarkets and cyber cafs open from 9am to about 6pm. Many businesses break in the middle of the day for a siesta (this practice is more common in rural areas than in urban ones). The majority of small businesses remain closed on Sundays. As many smaller stores are connected to peoples houses, it is worth ringing the doorbell if you are in need of immediate assistance or goods, even if the sign says they are closed ( cerrado ).

Climate: Tropical to Subtropical

Administrative Regions (Departments): Central, Cordillera, Paraguar, eembuc, Misiones, Itapa, Caaguaz, Alto Paraguay, Alto Paran, Amambay, Canindey, San Pedro, Concepcin, Presidente Hayes, Boquern, Caazap, Guair Neighboring Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia

Capital: Asuncin

Population: 6,068,000

Official Languages: Spanish and Guaran

Area: 406,752 km (157,048 mi) approximately the size of California Religion: Majority Roman Catholic

Type of Government: Republic with presidential elections held every five years.

Population makeup: mixed race ( mestizo s), immigrant colonies, indigenous (for more, see ) Time zone: GMT-4 (GMT-3 during summertime daylight savings)

Calling Paraguay: Landline: 595 (country code) + local number. Cell phone: 595 + cell phone number (omitting 0 from start of the cell phone number) Calling internationally from Paraguay: Landline: 002 + international country code. Cell phone: plus sign + international country code (on most cell phones press the * key twice to dial the plus sign) Texting internationally: plus sign (+) and international country code

Calendar of Holidays & Festivities

January 1st: Ao Nuevo (New Years Day) Official Holiday January 6th: Da de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day)February 3rd: Da de San Blas (Feast of St. Blaise)February/March (dates vary): Carnaval (Carnival)March 1st: Da de los Hroes Official Holiday March/April (dates vary): Semana Santa (Easter/Holy Week); Jueves Santo and Viernes Santo (Holy Thursday and Good Friday) Official Holidays May 1st: Da del Trabajador (Labor day) Official Holiday May 15th: Da de la Independencia Nacional (Independence Day) Official Holiday June 12th: Paz del Chaco (End of Chaco War) Official Holiday June 24th: Fiesta de San Juan (Feast of St. John)July 30th: Da de la Amistad (Friendship Day)August 15th: Fundacin de Asuncin (Founding of Asuncin) Official Holiday September 29th: Da de la Victoria de Boquern (Victory of Boquern) Official Holiday December 8th: Da de la Virgen de Caacup (Feast of Virgin of Caacup/The Immaculate Conception) Official Holiday December 25th: Navidad (Christmas Day) Official Holiday (A complete calendar of events is available on the Paraguayan governments tourism website www.senatur.gov.py.)

Municipal Office Telephone Numbers

Altos 0512 230030

Aregu 0291 432410

Asuncin 021 663 311/20

Atyr 0520 20188

Ayolas 072 222 384

Baha Negra 021 490 237 (rings in Asuncin)

Bella Vista 0767 240 219

Caacup 0511 242 382

Caaguaz 0522 42393

Caazap 0542 232 201

Capiat 0228 634727

Carapegu 0532 212 234

Colonia Independencia 0548 265 477

Concepcin 0331 242 212

Coronel Oviedo 0521 203 468

Emboscada 0529 20025

Encarnacin 071 203 982

Filadelfia 0491 433 374/6

Fuerte Olimpo 021 452 652 (rings in Asuncin)

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