OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM Paraguay is generally a safe country though it has its many dangers in the form of petty crime, violent crime, smuggling, money laundering, corrupt police and many other. Just apply basic precaution measures and you should be fine.

Guillermo Lasso

Soybeans

Paraguay has been one of the poorest and most unequal nations on the continent for a long time. The total poverty rate — defined by the World Bank as those with an income of less than $3.10 a day — of Paraguay rose in 2016 from 26.6 percent to 28.8 percent.

The most famous are ‘the heart of South America’, ‘the land of water’ and ‘the island surrounded by mainland’. Largest navy: Although Paraguay only has land borders, it has a large navy. Of all the countries in the world without access to the sea, Paraguay has even the largest naval power.

Paraguay is a country blessed with freshwater. You can drink the water in Asunción, though if you are sensitive to minor dietary changes you may prefer to avoid it. Bottled water is cheap.

Sopa paraguaya

Paraguay maintains a free monetary exchange policy and the purchase and sale of foreign currencies is not subject to any controls or regulations. US Dollars, which are more easily negotiable than Pounds Sterling, are widely accepted throughout the country.

Breakfast usually consists of cocido (a type of maté with cooked sugar and milk) or coffee, bread and butter, and rolls or pastries. Lunch, the main meal, is generally eaten around midday and is traditionally followed by a siesta. Dinner is often served after dark when work is finished.

Dining and Entertainment An 8:00 p.m. social engagement could begin at 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. Dinner is usually served around 10:00 p.m. and never earlier than 9:00 p.m. Never invite anyone for a 7:00 p.m. dinner, which would be far too early. Invite people at 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., and serve dinner at 10:00 p.m.

Yerba Mate