We’re all guilty of overlooking things — even the most seasoned travelers.
Heck, it took me 35 years to visit Cancun. But that’s just it…
If there’s one thing a globetrotter like me knows for sure, it’s that the most unsung destinations often leave the most meaningful lasting impression, even more so than any mainstream favorite. We feel conditioned to follow the crowd.
I’ve had the privilege to write about first-hand experience in Iquitos, Muscat, Belo Horizonte, Tallinn, and Aguascalientes, just to list a handful of names you may not recognize.
These very places are ones that have been tattooed in my mind’s eye — not Cabo or Los Angeles.
That said, one of our favorite continents to explore here at Travel Off Path is South America, from the Caribbean coast of Colombia to beach bars slingin’ caipirinhas in Brazil.
But landlocked nations tend to draw the short straw, and that shouldn’t necessarily be the case.
Experts at Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) revealed South America’s cheapest destinations.
We believe this country is not only among the best bang for your buck, but also a safe haven where you won’t feel the need to keep your head on a swivel as you immerse in a new culture.
Where In The World Is Paraguay?
We all know Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and so on…
Sandwiched in between is a lesser-known nation that’s incredibly affordable, safe, and so authentic it still feels undiscovered.
As more travelers scratch their wanderlust itch and venture into the lesser-known, Paraguay fits the bill to a T.
Even relatively unknown countries like Guyana are trending upward. Paraguay, though? It’s still off-path for most.
Hugging Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, this trio of stunners is more known, leaving Paraguay as one of South America’s true hidden gems.
Unless you’re already enjoying a grand adventure around the continent, chances are your entry point will be flying into the historic capital of Asuncion, also the country’s largest city, but not overly crowded, with less than half a million residents and hardly any noticeable tourists.
From there, there’s no shortage of seemingly untouched pockets of the country to scope out, from the scenic riverbanks of Encarnacion to the Gran Chaco wilderness.
Paraguay Is Safe: State Department Designates ‘Level 1′ Advisory
There are only 3 South American countries with a ‘Level 1: Exercise Normal Precaution‘:
- Argentina
- Suriname
- Paraguay
Well, that is, unless you want to pick a battle with the UN and claim French Guyana is a sovereign country…
Knock yourself out.
The point is Paraguay stands in good company and many locals and tourists alike argue Uruguay should be given ‘Level 1′ status too.
Any way you slice it, Paraguay is undeniably one of South America’s safest destinations.
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What’s most surprising about that is there are no cookie-cutter experiences like you’ll find in a typical vacation hotspot that tend to make travelers feel more secure in the confines of their cushy room and guided tours.
Here in Paraguay, you can wander local markets like Asuncion’s popular Mercado 4, bounce around cheap bars, hop aboard a bus, and innie-minnie-minie-moe a map all without any extreme worries.
Is A $35 Daily Budget Really Possible?
Since I’m a college dropout, I promise you don’t want me crunching numbers.
Thankfully, Going did the work for us, and the numbers are astoundingly low, even for South American standards (or it’s possible I just lack self-discipline when traveling).
Their experts claim you can easily get by on a $25 – $35 daily budget.
Seem to good to be true? Let’s unpack this…
Not everyone is a “budget traveler” so to speak. In other words, if you don’t pack your bag with Vegemite, hostels may not be your jam.
So, yes, if you’re willing to stay in a no-frills hostel or capsule hotel, chances are you won’t meet that $35 budget.
The good news is Paraguay is very cheap across the board, but don’t expect a 3-star hotel or higher at that price and be able to devour delicious street food, find a cool excursion like a UNESCO site, and kick back at local bars and crack a few beers.
Here are the exact numbers Going came up with:
- Accommodation: $8 to $15 (hostels) to $20 to $35 (budget hotels)
- Meals: $3 to $6 per meal; $1 to $2.50 for street food
- Local transit: $0.30 to $0.60 for city buses; $3 to $6 for taxis (Paraguay does have Uber)
Your biggest expense will likely be the flight here. There are currently no direct routes to Paraguay since Eastern Airlines dropped the lone U.S. based route.
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