Things to Do in Paraguay: City Guides & Audio Tours

Paraguay is a landlocked country where Guaraní and Spanish traditions meet, shaped by the Paraguay River and a long history of cultural exchange. The country is worth visiting for its living Guaraní heritage, varied landscapes and capital, Asunción, where colonial history and contemporary Paraguayan culture come together. Neywo has a free audio guide for Paraguay, covering 1 city and 43 narrated places in 11 languages.

Things to do in Paraguay

Discover Guaraní culture and language

Paraguay’s identity is closely connected to Guaraní culture. Guaraní communities had lived in eastern Paraguay for at least a millennium before the arrival of Spanish conquistadores. Colonial rule introduced European culture and Christianity, but Guaraní traditions endured.

Today, Spanish and Guaraní are both official languages, and more than 90 percent of the population speaks Guaraní. Many Paraguayans speak both languages, while Jopara—a blend of Guaraní and Spanish—is also widely used. Guaraní is not merely a historical influence: it remains part of everyday life and conversation.

The country’s name is also linked to Guaraní, although its exact origin is uncertain. One interpretation connects it with words meaning “feather crown of waters”; other explanations relate it to the Paraguay River.

Explore Asunción, Paraguay’s capital

For many travellers, Asunción is the natural starting point for exploring the country. Most Paraguayans live in the eastern region, including the area around the capital, where grassy plains and wooded hills shape the landscape.

The city’s narrated places on Neywo include the Palacio de López, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Cultural Center of the Republic. Together, these sites offer a way to explore Asunción’s political, religious and cultural history while walking through the capital.

If you are planning a visit, see the Asunción city guide for more places to discover in Paraguay’s capital.

Follow the Paraguay River

The Paraguay River is one of the defining features of the country. It divides Paraguay into two distinct regions: the eastern part, with its plains and wooded hills, and the vast Western Region, also known as the Chaco.

Although Paraguay has no coastline, its rivers connect the country to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway. The river system has therefore played an important role in the country’s geography and connection with the wider region.

Understand the contrast between eastern Paraguay and the Chaco

The eastern region contains most of Paraguay’s population. It is characterised by grassy plains and wooded hills, with many people living in and around Asunción.

To the west, the Chaco covers most of the country’s territory but is home to only a small share of its population. Its landscape consists of low, often marshy plains. The contrast between the more populated east and the sparsely inhabited Chaco is one of the clearest ways to understand Paraguay’s geography.

See the importance of the Paraná River and Itaipu Dam

The Paraná River forms part of Paraguay’s eastern landscape and supports one of the country’s most important sources of energy. The Itaipu Dam stands on the river at the border with Brazil and is the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam by energy produced.

The dam also reflects Paraguay’s relationship with its rivers: waterways are not only part of the landscape, but also provide routes and generate much of the country’s electricity.

Look for Paraguay’s varied wildlife

Paraguay’s different natural regions support a wide range of wildlife. Marsh deer, armadillos, anteaters, tapirs and jaguars are among the animals found across the country.

The variety of habitats—from the eastern plains and wooded hills to the lowlands of the Chaco—helps explain this diversity. Weather can also change quickly. Warm winds arrive from the Amazon Basin, while cold winds come from the Andes, and without mountain ranges to block them, strong winds can cross the country and temperatures can shift sharply.

Explore Paraguay with Neywo

Download Neywo to discover Paraguay with a free audio guide that brings the country’s places to life as you reach them. In Paraguay, Neywo currently offers 2 walking tours in Asunción, with 43 narrated places in total.

The app tells the story of each place as you arrive, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Choose a route, walk through the city and listen when you reach each stop.