Overland Paraguay Travel
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Pan American Highway > Paraguay
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Paraguay
- 2 Entering Paraguay with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Paraguay
- 4 Gas price in Paraguay and Diesel price in Paraguay
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Paraguay
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Paraguay
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Paraguay
South America's least visited country Spanish speaking country is in itself a reason to go. The people are always delighted to see tourists because they are such a rarity, we've not met more hospitable folk. Huge diversity of ethnic backgrounds and fascinating history. First country in South America to build railways (with British engineers). Great Spanish speaking route from Brazil's Pantanal to Brazil's Iguazu Falls for those who find Portuguese confusing. Worlds 2nd largest dam, anyone? Ok, I'm out
Entering Paraguay with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (November 2015)
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Paraguay, application instructions and fees see: Paraguay Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
EU nationals do not need a visa. US and various others do. Visa in advance only. In Bolivia, Paraguayan Embassy in La Paz and Consulate in Santa Cruz both said visas officially take 3 days but they could usually get them processed the following day.
Process at border
Ponta Pora, Brazil to Juan Pedro Caballero, Paraguay. These are basically two towns that act as one and the border runs straight through the middle. You need to find all the offices and they are spread out. Brazil side, get your exit stamp from the immigration office in the Aeroporto Internacional de Ponta Pora from the immigration window on the left end near departures. You don't require vehicle paperwork for Brazil so no need to visit customs. Paraguay side, Migración is in a large Y shaped building (as seen on Google Maps satellite image) west, south-west from where Campeones del 65 (Route 5) meets Avenue International. They weren't busy and it didn't take long. Aduana is 1km further west on the corner of Jose Gaspar R De Francia and R Juan E Oleary. Unlike Migración, there is a big sign on the building. First floor office, again, not much going on. Very polite and interested in our journey. Both buildings are facing Brazil directly.
There is no immigration office in Bella Vista, so you'll need to go to Juan Pedro Caballero for paperwork anyway if you cross there.
Cost of entry
No charge for vehicle entry and you get the same amount of time as your entry stamp
Permitted length of stay
As long as your immigration stamp. Max 90 days
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.
Driving in Paraguay
Recommended books for Overlanding in Paraguay
Travel insurance for Paraguay
Vehicle insurance requirements
'Paraguay has an obligatory SOAT insurance system much like elsewhere in South America. As a foreigner, if you have a MERCOSUR insurance policy covering Paraguay then you are exempt from the SOAT.
Cost of vehicle insurance
MERCOSUR Policy, $16 a month, bought in La Paz, Bolivia through Seguros Illimani. See Bolivia page.
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Bold text==Driving license== We've used UK and US driving licenses only
Driving side of road
Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Paraguay.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Main routes are generally In good condition for Latin American standards. Once off the main routes things can get tricky as most are unpaved, especially access roads to properties. Lots of mud when it rains. Roads between Ponta Pora & Concepción, Concepción & Ciudad de Este, Ciudad de Este & Encarnación fully paved. Between Santa Rosa de Aquaray and Laguna Blanca, it's 30km of unpaved sandy roads. We got through in a Toyota Corolla, but if it rains it gets nasty. A new road is being built but it's been several years in the making and is clearly several years from completion. Route 8 is unpaved south of Caazapa, so not possible for access to Encarnación. Nov 2015
Road signs
If you've come from Bolivia you'll be delighted, if you've been in Brazil... Bad times
Toll roads
Most Peajes we've seen have been in construction. From Ponta Pora to Encarnación we've paid 3 times, 10000-11000 Guaranies ($1.80-$2). Most charge in one direction only
Bribery in Paraguay
We have found the Police to be interested and very helpful. We've not experienced bribery here
Checkpoints
High frequency of Police checkpoints across the country. They have little interest in stopping tourists, police cars can be seen at either side of most towns. We were only stopped once near the border at Pedro Juan Cabellero and they only asked to see passports, no car documents. Very polite and tranquillo
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Paraguay and Diesel price in Paraguay
Last updated: November 2015
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded | €0.86 EUR per Liter[1] |
| Diesel | €0.75 EUR per Liter[1] |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Lots and lots. Price is not state controlled. Might be a problem in the Chaco, but we didn't go, so we don't know
Gas and Diesel Quality
Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Paraguay - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Paraguay
Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Paraguay
GPS Maps of Paraguay
- Proyecto Mapear has great coverage and version 10.0 also includes Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Bolivia [2]
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Paraguay
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Paraguay
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Paraguay: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Paraguay - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Paraguay travel guides at wikivoyage
- Paraguay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
