One of South America’s lesser-known travel destinations, Paraguay might be mistakenly perceived as subdued or uneventful. But this small country—squeezed between Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil—is more like the roaring, powerful rush of its spectacular Monday Falls, overflowing with energy and mystery, making it an ideal destination for the curious traveler.
A short drive from the tourist-heavy Iguazú Falls, Paraguay’s Saltos del Monday is a majestic 130-foot waterfall with no crowds. Journey farther inland to the enigmatic town of La Colmena, founded by Japanese families who arrived as agricultural immigrants in the 1930s. The town still proudly reflects its Japanese-Paraguayan heritage. Visit the Dr. Hideho Tanaka Museum, housed in a building with historical architecture built in the style of Japan’s Meiji Era. The museum showcases historical photographs of the colony's early days and displays cultural artifacts brought by the first Japanese families.
If the humidity gets too much, nip to the nearby Salto Cristal, a serene waterfall composed of several splintering streams that merge in a turquoise pool below. Unlike the ferocious Monday, Cristal’s gentle cascades are safely approachable, making it a relaxing spot for a splash. Several tour agencies operate from the capital city, Asunción, and combine La Colmena and Cristal in a single excursion.
In Asunción, submerge yourself into the cultural backstory. Paraguay has a long history of oppression; more than half of its population died during the 19th-century Paraguayan war against the allied forces of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Despite this, the country has fiercely held on to its Indigenous identity. Today, over 70 percent of the country’s 7.5-million population speak Guaraní regularly, and pre-colonial culture is strongly present.
Visitors interested in Guaraní mythology can stop by the Ramon Elias Mythological Museum in the capital to learn more about its ferocious gods and monsters, including lizards with flame-throwing eyes, horned serpents, and vampirish sheep. For a less fearsome activity, the city also offers an eccentric chair museum, which packs in plenty of places to sit. Grab a cheesy cassava chipa snack at one of Asunción’s plentiful cafes, and cool down with a glass of an iced mate drink called tereré.
The best bit? You’ll probably get to enjoy many treasures among the thick forests and cultural cities of Paraguay in near-solitude.
— Charis McGowan
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Get ready for an adventure! Delta Airlines and Atlas Obscura will soon unveil the top 24 destinations for 2024. Stay tuned!
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