Capital: Asuncion
Time zone: GMT + 5
Telephone services: Country Code: 595
Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 00.
Tourist information: Direccion General de Turismo, Ministerio de Obras, Pulicas Y Communicaciones, Palma 468, Asuncion, Paraguay Tel: (21) 441530 or 441 620. Fax: (21) 491230.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay with valid ID cards entering as tourists directly from their own country. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure
Visa information: Required by all except for the following entering as tourists for stays up to 90 days: Nationals of Australia, Japan, and the USA. Nationals of EU countries (except France, Greece and Portugal who do require visas) Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Israel, Norway, Peru, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel and Uruguay.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety in some rural areas from Oct – May
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for visitors arriving from endemic areas. A certificate is also required from travellers leaving Paraguay to Endemic areas.
Other Health Risks: Rabies
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink
Currency: Guarani (G) Exchange Many of the expensive hotels will accept credit cards and exchange travellers cheques. US$ are preferred to sterling travellers cheques. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although Diners Club has a more limited acceptance.
ATM availability: Over 26 locations
Cost of living: Accommodation is limited to the city and needs to be booked, in writing, well in advance. Other commodities tend to be moderately expensive.
Languages: Spanish. Guarani.
Weather: Sub tropical climate. Hottest and wettest period is Dec – Mar.
Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz
Post: 5 days by airmail.
Transport: FLIGHTS: Several visitor flights operate providing a popular view of local sites. RAIL: Services are unreliable and irregular. ROAD: Roads serving the main centres are in good condition. Approx. 10% of roads are unsurfaced and therefore impassable in poor weather. DOCUMENTATION: IDP and national driving licences are all accepted. BUS: The cheapest method of transport NOTE: for longer distances advance booking is necessary. Express links to major cities operate.
Special information: Beware of poisonous snakes. Paraguay is generally safer than its nearby neighbours but common sense precautions should be followed.