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When in Asuncion
Asuncion is a beguiling mix of the old and the new and is great fun for a quick visit.
There are plenty of high rise offices and apartment buildings springing up in town as the country goes through something of an economical resurgence. However, there is plenty to appeal to the architecture historian, with a huge number of colonial government buildings around to keep them amused. Heading off the beaten track is an experience in Asuncion, with paved roads giving way to dusty tracks within just a few hundred yards of the city centre.
Paraguay has had an unenviable list of dictators in its time. Stroessner, who was overthrown in 1989, was the latest, since when the country has attempted to put its corrupt image behind it. The democratic system looks stable for the moment.
The government palace is a must for any tourists worth their salt. Constructed between the mid and late 19th century, the palace was originally owned by the country's famous Lopez family.
The National Cathedral is another draw for the visitor, although the beauty of its interior is often out of bounds as the church is frequently closed, with the siesta hours a complete write off.
The small municipal museum is a good spot to learn more about the history of the country, the city and its people while the nearby national visual arts museum houses a number of excellent paintings by Paraguayan artists.
The Panteon del los Heroes is a good -lace to go to get a feel for the bloody history of the country. The tomb of the unknown soldier can be found here as well as plaques commemorating war heroes from the Chaco war against Bolivia from 1930 to 1932.
International flights to the city's airport are minimal from outside of South America, although flights from within the region are plentiful, with many arriving from Brazil each day. The airport is ten miles out of town, with plenty of buses and reasonably priced taxis on hand for the trip in to the centre.
There are also a good number of long distance buses available to and from the city to domestic and international locations and these are of a higher quality than the local buses which ply their trade in the city centre, which are noisy and rickety. Walk if you can.
October to March can be unbearably hot, even for locals. December to April are the wettest months. Any period away from these times would be good for visiting although even the coldest month, June, has an average high of 22C.
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Introduction
