Along the Paraguay River

[[file:Along the Paraguay River WV banner.jpg|1280px|Confluence of the rivers Bugres (on the left) and Paraguay River (on the right), in the city of Barra do Bugres. For a full list of itineraries, please visit our Halal Food and Travel website. Rio Paraguay - Paraguay River near Asunción

The Paraguay River (Río Paraguay in (Spanish), Rio Paraguai in Portuguese) is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. It flows roughly 2,549 kilometers from its headwaters in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso to its confluence with the Parana River north of Corrientes. It divides Paraguay into two regions and the oriental and the occidental.

An introduction to Along the Paraguay River

The Paraguay River was discovered by Alejo García in 1524. It has historically been of vital importance for transportation in South America, because it connects Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, as well as other countries throughout the Cuenca del Río de la Plata (Plata River Basin). In absence of roads and routes and the Paraguay River was the fastest and most efficient means of transportation and communication, giving Paraguay, a land-locked country, access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Today, it is not the main transit artery for travel in the area, but is still used for various purposes, mainly for the transportation of bulk cargo (crops, minerals, fuel, etc.) and riverside people. Low water level is from March to October; this limits transit to boats of medium or low draft.

Crossing Paraguay, it has numerous tributaries, such as the rivers: Tebicuary, Ypané, Manduviré, Aquidabán, Apa, Confuso, Verde and Montelindo.

Prepare

There are no berths: have a hammock or a camping mat with you.

Get Around in Along the Paraguay River

GPS -23.87|-57.33|zoom=6}} As it's a river, boats are really the only option. You can rent a private boat, take a cruise, or ride a cargo boat.

Boat trips

Fishermen and other local residents are keen to offer their boats and canoes as water taxis for tourists. Just ask: even if he's busy, he'll know someone else who will be willing to take you.

Cruises

Boat Cuñatai

This boat travels short distances in the limits of Asunción.

Cargo boats

The main long-distance river transport. These general-purpose boats take passengers as well as cargo, though they're not designed for passengers so there are generally no berths; if you're travelling overnight, you'll have to find a level surface to sleep on.

Boat Aquidaban

Goes from Concepción (Paraguay) | Concepción to Bahia Negra, 4 days, ₲100,000

Upstream: leaves Concepción (Paraguay) | Concepción

Tuesday around 11am, arrives in Bahía Negra on Friday. Downstream: leaves Bahía Negra on Friday, arrives in Concepción on Sunday.

Boat Cacique II

Goes from Asunción to Vallemi, 2 days, ₲53,000

Upstream: leaves Asunción Wednesday morning, calls at Concepción on Thursday evening. Downstream: leaves Concepción on Friday around 6am, arrives Asunción about 22 hours later.

Sights

Template:Marker GPS -20.167,-58.168 Puerto Caballo Located 872 kilometers from Asunción, is in the confluence of the Paraguay River and the Negro (Black) River. This place shares borders with three countries: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Historically and the surrounding area produced tannin.

Template:Marker GPS -20.237,-58.168 Bahía Negra Located 859 kilometers from Asunción. At certain times of the year, when roads are impassible, it can only be visited by river or in small planes. The Chamacoco natives live nearby.

40 kilometers from Bahía Negra, by the Río Negro and there is the biologic station GPS -20.078,-58.156 “Los Tres Gigantes” which is the first marshland investigation centre in Paraguay, covering 15,000 hectares. It is administrated by Guyra Paraguay, an NGO tasked with the defence and protection of biological diversity.

Template:Marker GPS -21.040,-57.872 Fuerte Olimpo Located 697 kilometers from the capital, in Alto Paraguay Department. It is an attractive and small city with a fort established on a hill.

Template:Marker GPS -21.6891,-57.8888 Isla Margarita Thit is picturesque island inhabited mostly by fisherman. Across the island, is the Brazilian city of Port Murtinho. Near and there are many Native establishments. It is located 545 kilometers from Asunción.

Template:Marker GPS -22.161,-57.955 Vallemi (Small Valley) Located 449 kilometers kilometers from the capital and is the site of Paraguay's main cement factory. This urban center is also by the Apa River.

Template:Marker GPS -23.409,-57.449 Concepción (Paraguay) It is the capital of the department with the same name, 310 kilometers from Asunción.

Template:Marker GPS -25.295,-57.641 Asunción Paraguay's capital city.

Template:Marker GPS -26.185,-58.145 Alberdi This urban center is across from the Argentine city of Formosa, 133 kilometers from Asunción.

Template:Marker GPS -26.857,-58.304 Pilar This urban center is the capital of the Ñeembucú Department, located 301 kilometers from Asunción. Features old buildings in the Spanish colonial style.

Where to go next after Along the Paraguay River

Onward travel by boat leads to Brazil and Bolivia in the north, or Argentina in the south.