Experiences in Paraguay

Cuisine
The natural resources inherited from Guaraní culture and its merging with European culture resulted in a unique cuisine, infinitely different from the rest of South America. When it comes to Paraguayan cuisine, there are many exquisite dishes that stand out, such as the chipa, sopa paraguaya, chipá guazú, soyo and borí borí. Additionally, there is also a great variety of desserts.

Paraguayan cuisine, however, still maintains some common elements that can also be found in the cuisine from other South American countries. These are the use of corn, cassava, peanuts, and legumes. Furthermore, the high quality of Paraguayan beef provides consumers with the best meat cuts for the traditional barbecue. Be that as it may, the most essential ingredient in Paraguayan gastronomy is corn, which can be either ground, cooked or fermented, and in this way be part of the elaboration of several of the most renowned traditional dishes.

Plus, there are presently plenty of restaurants that offer the finest international cuisine. You will find various options for traditional Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Cuban, Brazilian, Argentine, German, or Italian cuisine.

Shopping
Paraguay is the perfect country to shop in, for it offers vast quantities of varied products of the highest quality, of both national and international renowned brands. Precisely because of what Paraguay has to offer in the area of shopping, the country is presently part of the World Tourism Organization’s Shopping Tourism Network, so as to further develop it.

In the capital, Asunción, there are various shopping malls to choose from, mainly in the areas of Villa Morra, Carmelitas and Aviadores del Chaco, close to the best hotels of both national and international acclaim.

Ciudad del Este offers a wide range of options in terms of electronic devices, such as the “Shopping del Este”, “Casa Americana” and “Casa China”. The latest in perfumery and cosmetics can be found in “Shopping Vendome” and “Shopping Monalisa”. Other very popular shopping malls are the “Sax” and “Shopping Zuni”, which provide a variety of items. The newest of them all are “Shopping Jesuitas Plaza” and “Shopping París”.

Pedro Juan Caballero and Salto del Guairá are two other cities known as business centers, characterized by the busy commercial life in their streets and avenues. “Shopping China” offers a wide range of electronic products in both cities, on top of the countless other shops. Encarnación, a border city next to Posadas (Argentina), welcomes tourists and visitors daily, especially from all the bordering countries. The “Nuevo Circuito Comercial” (New Commercial Circuit), located just a few steps away from the International Bridge San Roque.

Popular Events
Paraguayan customs and traditions take shape into popular events that not only gather citizens from all over the country, but also encourage visitors to join in and learn about what it means to be Paraguayan.

These celebrations exhibit that which is typical of a specific region, such as the traditions, ideas, and rituals, all passed down from generation to generation and kept carefully preserved.

For example, the religiosity of the Paraguayan people is displayed in the so-called “fiestas patronales” (Patron Saint Festivals). Every community honors the Patron Saint of their region, through a program of activities both religious and pagan.

There are also national festivals that celebrate important historical dates through Paraguayan art, music, and cuisine; as well as fairs and national exhibitions that display the absolute best of the Paraguayan industry. Furthermore, the events in which the different cities and regions of the country present their delicious cuisine by showcasing their traditional dishes cannot go unmentioned.

International Events
The strategic location of Paraguay, right in the heart of South America, makes it a very accessible country, only a few hours from the most important capitals of the world. This factor has made of Asunción – and other important cities like Ciudad del Este and Encarnación – an extremely attractive meeting place for large international events, such as exhibitions, conferences and conventions, fairs, sport and cultural events, among others. The national and international chain hotels, rich cuisine and remarkable Paraguayan hospitality add to the exceptional experience the participants of these events live in our country.