Doctors and Pharmacies
In almost every small city there are hospitals. The treatment usually starts after the cost issue has been resolved. The cost, in comparsion to Europe is usually very inexpensive. Pharmacies are also common, with almost every medication available without the need of a prescription.
Important: write down the compositions of the preparations. In Paraguay, the drugs are sometimes have different names even though the same active ingredients can be found in them.

Banks and Money Exchange
The easiest way for this to work is with a debit or Visa/ Mastercard. At an ATM, which are present in all major cities, you can withdraw with your card up to 3,000,000 Guarani at a time.
For safety reasons you should always keep an „iron reserve“ if for some reason (monthly allowance- payment of wages) the machines are empty or closed in the smaller towns.

Camping
In Paraguay it is not very common, although there are some advertised campsites. The comfort and facilities are not comparable to European camping sites.

Holidays
In Paraguay, there are very few public holidays:
1.1 Año Nuevo - New Year
1.3. Día de los Héroes - Memorial Day
1.5 Día de los Trabajadores - Labor Day
15.5. Día de la Independencia - Independence Day
12.6. Día de la Paz - Day of Peace (with Bolivia)
15.8. Fundación de Asunción - National Day - (Founding of Asunción)
29.9 Boquerón
08.12. Día de la Virgen de Caacupé - Immaculate Conception (Caacupe)
25.12. Navidad - Christmas
Then there are the movable holidays: Easter and Pentecost.
In many places on holidays, most stores are open for at least half a day.

Business Hours
Banks: Mon. – Fri. 8:45 – 12:15
Some banks close at 13:30
Money Exchange : Mon – Fri 8:45 – 17:00
Shops : Mon – Fri 8:00 – 12:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 Saturdays 8:00 – 12.00
Administrative Offices: Mon – Fri 7:00 – 13:00
Shopping centers: 9:00 – 21:00 Mon - Sun continuously.
Restaurants, Theaters, etc. until 24:00 Uhr
Restaurant, Bar, Cafe: daily until 01:00 Fri, Sat and on evenings of Holidays until 03:00.
Pubs, Discos: Sun, Thur until 01:00, Fri, Sat and evenings of holidays until 03:00

Maps
The best road maps of Mapas Natursimo can be found at every bookstore around the Plaza Uruguaya in Asunción or at some of the German owned Hotels like Portal del Sol (Asunción), Hoel Florida (Filadelfia), Hotel Papillon (Bella Vista) in the Esso or Petrobras petrol stations.

Clothing
In the Paraguayan summer (December to March), light clothing, preferably without synthetic fibers is sufficient. In the summer time a strong tropical rain is to be expected once a week.
In winter (June to September), warm clothes, sweaters, long pants are essential. At night it can cool to zero degrees, and daytime temperatures can easily reach 30 degrees when the sun is out.

Travel costs
In Asuncion travelers should carry 60-90 USD daily.
For a meal at a good restaurant in Asuncion to each person about 15 USD, and restaurants in the rural areas can expected to cost about $ 7 per meal.

Phone
International code for Paraguay: 00 595

Souvenirs
Various kinds of souvenirs are available: hammocks, ceramics, guitars, leather bags, gold and silver jewelry, sculptures, or a typical Mate cup with Bombilla, Aho Poi (embroidered blouses, etc., usually natural beige).

Food and drinks
Sopa Paraguaya: solid cake of maize flour, cheese, milk, eggs, onions and oil.
Chipa: very dry corn curls, tastes best slightly warm.
Surubí: boneless loose river fish.
Tereré: tea from the leaves of the Yerba Mate plant, filled with cold water.
Mate: Tea from the leaves of the Yerba Mate plant heaped with hot water.
Cana: rum.
Cerveza: Paraguayan beer.

Language
National languages are Spanish and Guarani.
English is usually not understood.

Voltage
220 V, Schuko plug may only be used with adapters.

Transportation
Bus: In the capital, Asunción, there are 35 bus lines alone.
A ride costs approximately 0.65 USD. It is just off the road and gives hand signals to the driver to understand that you want to ride.
There are usually no fixed stops.
Taxis: Taxis are yellow and there are different places to catch them.

Car Rental
Many rental car companies are represented in Asunción.
The driver must be older than 25 years and needs an international driver‘s license, passport and credit card.

Time difference:
From about April 1st to about September 30th minus 6 hours.
From about October 1st to March 31st minus 4 hours.