World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Typical local dishes include chipas (maize bread flavoured with egg and cheese), sopa paraguaya (soup of mashed corn, cheese, milk and onions), soo-yosopy (a soup of cornmeal and ground beef), albndiga (meatball soup) and boribori (soup of diced meat, vegetables and small maize dumplings mixed with cheese). Palmitos (palm hearts), surub (a fish found in the Paran) and the local beef are excellent. There is a wide choice of restaurants in Asuncin, most with table service.
The national drink is caa, distilled from sugar cane and honey. Sugar cane juice, known as mosto, and the national red wine are worth trying, as is yerba mat, a refreshing drink popular with nearly all Paraguayans. There are no strict licensing hours and alcohol is widely available.

Nightlife
In Asuncin there are numerous bars, casinos and discos. The parrilladas or open-air restaurants offer by far the best atmosphere, especially in Asuncin. There is a casino at the border towns of Ciudad del Este and Encarnacin. The most popular traditional music in Paraguay is polcas and guaranas which have slow and romantic rhythms and which are used as serenades.

Shopping
Special purchases include andut lace, made by the women of Itagua, and aopo sports shirts, made in a variety of colours and designs. Other items include leather goods, wood handicrafts, silver yerba mat cups and native jewellery. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1500-1900, Sat 0730-1300.

Special Events
The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Paraguay; contact the Embassy or Direccin de Turismo for exact dates (see Contact Addresses section):
Feb San Blas Fiestas. Mar/Apr Semana Santa (Holy Week festival). May Da de la Independencia (Independence day parades and festivities). Jun Verbena de San Juan (traditional fiesta, including walking on hot embers). Jul Expo Feria de la Industria; Nanduti Festival (traditional folk festival with arts and crafts), Itaugua. Aug Da de la Virgen de la Asuncin and Aniversario de la Fundacin de Asuncin (religious and cultural celebrations). Sep Festival de la Alfalfa, Sapucai. Oct Encuentro Internacional de Coros (choir festival), Encarnacin. Nov Festival del Poyvi (arts, crafts and music fair), Carapegu. Dec Apertura de Temporada (opening of the tourism season), San Bernadino.

Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Smoking is not allowed in cinemas and theatres. Dress tends to be informal and sportswear is popular. Photography: Avoid sensitive subjects such as military installations. Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is normally included in hotel, restaurant and bar bills.