Asuncion, Paraguay

For years, travelers wouldn't so much as consider a visit to Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, but in recent days things have changed dramatically. The city still holds the distinct flavor of crowdedness and the sharp contrast between the rich and poor is ever more clearly defined, but all peoples within the bustling metropolis seem to have altered their attitudes tremendously. What once was a jumble of pedestrians going about their way unyielding to fellow commuters, and the massive lack of communication and cohesion, has turned in a large - albeit still quite dysfunctional - group under one sky. The wealthy still reserve their places in the suburbs of Asuncion for luxury sedans and various toys, where cobblestone drives are commonplace and trees outnumber bricks, and the poor still reside in what can be described as shantytowns - though to their credit, living closer to the city center and their workplaces does have its advantages. If you've visited Asuncion before and had found it to be rather disorienting and even maddening, such thoughts are sure to drift back into your mind the second time around, but with major renovations and a noticeable bump in the city's environment as a whole, the level of enjoyment you experience has a way of overshadowing the disappointments encountered. Historic architecture continues to be preserved with the utmost care and consideration in Asuncion, so you won't be left without anything for your eyes to feast upon. Also, the rundown of monthly activities held here appears to have grown exponentially, leaving you with...well...more than you can chew. Take it all in good stride, and you'll be given a great ride (pardon the poor play on words)! What are you waiting for? Book your flight to the Paraguayan capital today!

When to go

Situated just south of the center of South America, Paraguay is home to searing temperatures for much of the year, and its winter (Europeans' summer) is really the only window to relatively mild climatic conditions. Rain is an issue those of Asuncion only deal with on a frequent basis in the height of summer, so chances are you won't have to carry any waterproof attire unnecessarily during the low season. You heard right, winter is in fact Paraguay's slowest time of year, which in effect makes it the knowledgeable traveler's perfect period, leaving only warm, sunny moments and short waiting lines to remember. Don't let the cat out of the bag!

Getting there and around

The capital's flight center, Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi, is about a 30-minute ride from downtown, which may make even an open-road hour of the day a no go for bus travel. Even more discouraged are car rentals, so you should probably grow comfortable with hailing cabs from Asuncion's curbsides. Note: If it seems a cab is charging towards you, fear not. Nearly all drivers within the capital follow this unease-inducing methodology. Low season is an OK time for utilizing the city's bus service, though actually finding an available seat may become the trickiest task you'll encounter during your stay.

Attractions

Magnificent in and of themselves, Asuncion's mansions follow a common theme: make large, larger. A stroll along the Avenida Mariscal Lopez will have you pausing much more frequently than you'd expect. For city-owned behemoths, one must only find a way to the Bay of Asuncion, where both the Government and Legislative Palaces overlook the water like kings of their personal aquatic domain. Not to worry; the fish are by no means enslaved by the concrete facades watching over them. (Sea creatures only need worry about the pollution of the harbor.)