Paraguay
Paraguay
Capital city description
The capital of Paraguay is Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción, more commonly known as Asunción
The city was named when a stockade was completed there on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) in 1537.
It is also the largest city in the country, located on the left bank of the Paraguay River. The city is separated from Argentina and the Occidental Region of Paraguay by the Bay of Asunción and the Paraguay River in northwest and south.
The Central Department of Paraguay surrounds the city in other directions.
Climate
The climate in Paraguay can be generally described as subtropical to temperate. Situated on the Tropic of Capricorn, the average humidity is around 64% on any given day, and the average temperature is 24 degrees Celsius. Rain occurs evenly throughout the year but varies in volume across the different regions.
The heaviest rainfall happens during October up until March, with the wettest month in January. The average rainfall in the country is around 127 centimeters.
Summer months are from December to February, and winter is from May until September.
Rainfall is mainly concentrated in the summer months. However, temperatures are more variable in the winter – it can swing from freezing to a mild 22 degrees Celsius, although there is virtually no frost. The coldest month is in July, and the driest weather is in August. Spring and fall do not exist in Paraguay.
Languages spoken
The official language in Paraguay is Spanish and Guaraní. Nearly 87% of the country's population speaks Spanish. Guaraní is spoken by about 4,650,000 people, accounting for over 90% of the people of Paraguay. In rural areas, 52% of the Guaraní speakers are monolingual.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- The name Paraguay references a parrot that went by the name of Frank that was first befriended and eventually eaten by the earliest Jesuit settlers in the area. The country was called a “parrot “on ancient maps.
- The Itaipu dam built across the Parana River forms Paraguay’s south-eastern border houses the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant.
- Instead of greeting people with a “hello,” you have to say “adios,” which means goodbye. It is intended to indicate to people you bump into that you can’t spare the time to stop and share a drink.
- In Paraguay, pistol dueling is still legal as long as both parties are registered, blood donors.
- More than 80% of Paraguayans are mestizos: people of mixed Spanish and Native-American ancestry.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- In Paraguayan culture, godparents are often financially better off than the actual parents and are expected to help provide financial support to their godchildren.
- In celebrating New Year, a life-sized human is created and then dressed up like a scarecrow, then burnt at midnight. Social gatherings and special family gatherings call for a pit-roasted pig.
- Christmas is an essential holiday in Christian Paraguay and is celebrated with a Christmas festival. The churches are decorated with lights and colorful ornaments. Because it is summer during the Christmas season, colorful flowers are used in decorating homes and churches.
- The traditional food in Paraguay are grilled ribs, yuca, chipa, sopa Paraguayan, chipa guazu, locro, poroto, yopara.
- The traditional clothing worn by Paraguayans is similar to the Latin American nations, though the women favor brighter colors. Men and women wear a poncho, and women wear shawls called rebozos.
- Paraguay is also incredibly proud of its indigenous roots. Handmade crafts are a vital part of maintaining the country's native Guarani heritage.
Popular universities
Name | Description | |
---|---|---|
Universidad Nacional de Asunción | Universidad Nacional de Asunción (National University of Asunción) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the large city of Asunción . Founded in 1889 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior. Universidad Nacional de Asunción (UNA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. | |
Universidad Autónoma de Asunción | Universidad Autónoma de Asunción (Autonomous University of Asunción) is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Asunción. Founded in 1991 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay), Universidad Autónoma de Asunción (UAA) is a coeducational Paraguayan higher education institution. Offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. UAA also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, and administrative services. | |
Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción | Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic University) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Asunción. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Encarnación, Ciudad del Este, Villarrica, Concepción, Carapeguá, San Ignacio, Coronel Oviedo, Pedro Juan Caballero. Established in 1960 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay). Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (UCNSA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UCNSA also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, and administrative services. | |
Universidad del Norte, Paraguay | Universidad del Norte, Paraguay (Northern University, Paraguay) is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Asunción. Established in 1991 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay), Universidad del Norte, Paraguay (UN) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. UN also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, and administrative services. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. | |
Universidad Columbia del Paraguay | Universidad Columbia del Paraguay (Columbia University of Paraguay) is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Asunción. Established in 1991 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay), Universidad Columbia del Paraguay (UCP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e., certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor degrees in several areas of study. UCP also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library and administrative services. | |
Universidad Nacional del Este | Universidad Nacional del Este (National University of the East, Paraguay) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of Ciudad del Este Alto Parana. This institution also has a branch campus in Ciudad del Este. Established in 1993 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay). Universidad Nacional del Este (UNE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees in several areas of study. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UNE also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library and administrative services. | |
Universidad Americana | Universidad Americana (American University) is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of Ciudad del Este Alto Parana. Established in 1994 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay). Universidad Americana (UA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. UA also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library and administrative services. | |
Universidad Nacional de Itapúa | Universidad Nacional de Itapúa (National University of Itapúa) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Encarnación Itapua.Established in 1996 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay). Universidad Nacional de Itapúa (UNI) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. UNI also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including as well as administrative services | |
Universidad Iberoamericana del Paraguay | Universidad Iberoamericana del Paraguay (Iberoamerican University of Paraguay) is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Asunción. Founded in 2001 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay). Universidad Iberoamericana del Paraguay (UNIBE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e., certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. UNIBE also provides academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including online courses, distance learning opportunities, and administrative services | |
Universidad San Lorenzo | Universidad San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo University) is a private higher education institution located in the medium city of San Lorenzo Central. Founded in 2007 and officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior, Paraguay (National Council of Higher Education of Paraguay), Universidad San Lorenzo (UNISAL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees in several areas of study and also provided several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including administrative services. | |
Festivals & Events
.jpg)
Carnival
Date: February
Carnival is the largest festival held in Paraguay each year. Carnival celebrations span multiple days before Lent begins, similar to the Mardi Gras festivities in the United States and other countries. Paraguayans hold parades and pageants filled with music and dancing well into the night. Different cities take part in Carnival, but it is by far the biggest in Encarnación.

Día de San Blas
Date: February
Dia de San Blas celebration is in honor of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of Paraguay. Saint Blas festival sees its biggest celebrations in the city of Ciudad del Este, which has week-long open-air events leading up to it.

Nanduti Festival
Date: Last weekend of July.
The name “Nanduti” comes from a type of traditional Paraguayan lace made around Itagua. The festival is held in the city and has been running since its inception in 1970.
The Nanduti Festival features demonstrations and displays of the region’s arts, crafts, music, performances, and food, held during the last weekend of July.

Oktober Fest
Date: September or October
Paraguay’s Oktober Fest represents how various immigrant communities have helped shape the country over time.
This beer festival modeled on its German namesake, held in Munich every year. This event is also held at the same time as its German counterpart, in early September, with the main festivities taking place in Asuncion, where German descendants of Paraguay proudly celebrate their heritage.

Trans Chaco Rally
Date: July
Brought to the country in the early 1970s by a North American employee of a Paraguayan sanitation company, the Trans Chaco Rally is essentially a large car competition of resistance driving. It has grown since its founding to a rally with international appeal, as thousands of people from Paraguay and the rest of the world travel to the Gran Chaco region to see it.
Every year the Trans Chaco Rally (also known as the Rally del Chaco) begins with a festive send-off, complete with fireworks, from Asuncion’s Mariscal Lopez Shopping.
Attractions / Top Sights

Itaipú Dam
When to visit: April to June
Itaipú Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric dams on the planet found on the border with Brazil. It was built over the Paraná River as the power plant’s reservoir. This dam is also used to control the flow of the Paraná River. The construction of this dam was preceded by several intense negotiations between the governments of Brazil and Paraguay, which began in the 60s. It’s worth the trip to admire the colossal scale of this feat of engineering. The dam has its mini-ecosystem, too.

Salto Cristal Waterfall
When to visit: Between March and November
Salto Cristal is 45 meters high and spectacular. It is located in the department of Paraguarí, 150 kilometers from Asunción.
The waterfall is a natural pool of crystal clear water approximately 17 meters at the deepest point.
Salto Cristal is one of the Paraguay tourist attractions in which since 2015, improvements have been made so that travelers can easily access it.
This place also has streams and forests. It is a perfect place for tourists who want to do eco-adventure. The extreme sports that are practiced in this area are rappel, snorkel, streams, and climbing.

Flamingo Lagoon and Lost Bog
When to visit: From September to early December
These huge gorgeous lagoons are located in the heart of the Chaco rainforest, next to the Chaco Lodge. Tapir and Jabiru Stork are some of the rare species you'll see at this site, including hundreds of flamingoes.
During certain seasons the flamingos create a pink, squeaking carpet that covers the lagoon. Along the lagoon's shores, a thick mud is imprinted with the footprints of the visiting birds and animals.

Saltos del Monday
When to visit: April- September
On the outskirts of Ciudad del Este lies one of Paraguay’s most spectacular natural wonders: Saltos del Monday. This thunderous series of waterfalls is an astonishing 45 meters tall and 120 meters wide. It consists of three central falls with another minor one which is rushed up near the mouth of the River Monday. Nonetheless, it is one of the most impressive landmarks of the tiny republic from South America.
Adventurers can climb and abseil down the rocky walls, while observers keen to stay on dry land can watch the falls tumble into the depths below from wooden walkways snaking across the river

La Santisima Trinidad De Parana
When to visit: April- September
La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná, or the Most Holy Trinity of Paraná, is the name of a former Jesuit reduction in Paraguay. La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná, often referred to by the locals as simply the "ruins of Trinidad," was one of the last Jesuit reducciones to be built in the Paraná River area encompassing southern Paraguay and northern Argentina.
It is also the most highly accessible and the most visited of the historical sites today. Located near the modern-day city of Encarnación, Trinidad was initially constructed in 1706; the intended self-sufficient city came complete with a central meeting plaza, where most of the celebrations, such as Mass and matrimony were celebrated, a large church meetinghouse, a school, several workshops, a museum and housing for the local Indian population.

Palacio de Lopez
When to visit: April- September
Palacio de Lopez is one of the best places to visit in Paraguay. Located in Asunción, this enormous colonial presidential palace is the seat of the Paraguay government. The historic center has remained untouched by changing times and has elegant night lighting, amplifying its grandeur by ten-fold.
The Government palace gives off a Latin American vibe and is a spectacular site for one to behold.

Estancia Aventura
When to visit: April- September
Estancia Aventura, a secluded luxury ranch, is excellent for outdoors travelers who want to go horseback riding in the morning and shopping in Asunción at night.
This ranch offers an exclusive get-away lifestyle for anyone looking to escape the monotony of business and work.

Asuncion
When to visit: April- September
Asuncion is a world-famous attraction in Paraguay for its eclectic shopping tastes, fine living, and the unique district of Luque. This South-American destination is one of the oldest cities on the continent. The stunning location and a welcoming culture are rare to find in the rest of the places. The place also has a string of hostels which makes it an excellent spot to unwind.