Off the Beaten Path – Paraguay

Paraguay is itself off the beaten path. The Cinderella of South America, Paraguay lacks the flamboyance of Brazil or the stylish class of Argentina. Without the beautiful beaches of the former and the rich culture of the latter, there is seemingly little to offer even the most hardy of Tourists. Yet given time to explore and you’ll find an understated charm and a laid-back friendliness that rewards you with a sense of adventure.

Here’s why you should consider adding Paraguay to your South America itinerary.

No-One Else Goes There

Literally. If you’re in search of an authentic experience away from well-worn trails then consider Paraguay, where there is barely even a path, let alone a beaten one.  You’ll have UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesus to yourself; find friendly locals who aren’t jaded by a constant stream of backpackers; and discover little known gems like Laguna Blanca: a quiet lake with white beaches and crystal clear Caribbean-style waters.

Get Off the Trail

Getting to those elusive, less-visited spots in South America usually involves long, uncomfortable and dusty bus rides. But Paraguay is only one hour away from Iguaz˙ Falls: one of the most popular destinations on the continent. From the border town of Ciudad del Este you need only hop on a bus to, well, anywhere in the country and in a few hours you’ll be far away from the tourists.

It’s Peaceful

Paraguay is a place to enjoy the simple pleasures, like spending an afternoon in a sunny spot in one of the many plazas and enjoying a cold herbal tea with the locals. There is no hassle or touts trying to sell you things, only the slow, relaxed pace of life that is all too easy to fall into.

Practice Your Spanish

It’s difficult to improve your Spanish when you are staying in hostels filled with English speaking backpackers, and the locals insist on speaking English to you. In Paraguay things are different: practically no-one speaks English so you are forced to speak Spanish. The welcoming locals are really curious about foreigners and keen to get to know you, and they honestly don’t care if your Spanish isn’t perfect.

History

Paraguay is great for history buffs, especially if you like your historic sites without souvenir stands and tour buses. The Jesuits were a big part of Paraguayan history and there are many ruins and museums you can visit in the south of the country.

Wildlife

The tropical wetland of the Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland and a popular destination in Brazil for wildlife watching. Not many people know that the Pantanal also crosses Paraguay’s border, but receives far fewer visitors. For a real adventure hang your hammock on the Aquidaban cargo boat for the three day trip from Concepcion to Bahia Negra, where you’ll find pure wilderness teeming with bird and animal life.

Even if you don’t make it that far, Paraguay is a renowned bird watching destination and there are plenty of National Parks to enjoy.

The People

While there are wildlife reserves, historic ruins and museums to visit, the real attraction of Paraguay is the people. Your best memories may very well be a small town where you met the locals and were taken to festivals to see crazy activities like fireball: literally football with a flaming ball. You won’t find experiences like these in any guidebook, and that’s what makes Paraguay unique. 

Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

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