Paraguay: More to Feel, and Much More to See

Lago Ypacarai Photograph by M. Gkouzouris

by Miltiadis Gkouzouris

Before I set foot in Paraguay, a friend told me something that stayed with me: “There’s not much to see there, but there’s a lot to feel.” It was meant as a compliment—an ode to the warmth and spirit of the Paraguayan people—but it also hinted at a quiet, understated land. What I found, however, was something far richer than I expected: a country full of both feeling and vision, of gentle landscapes and human authenticity.

Asuncion from above. Photograph: M. Gkouzouris

Paraguay doesn’t shout to be noticed. It doesn’t rely on blockbuster sights or flashy monuments. But when you allow yourself to sink into its rhythm, you begin to notice things—beautiful things.

Asunción, the capital, welcomed me with stone roads that echo the past. There’s a timeless charm to walking its streets, especially in the older parts of the city where life moves just a little more slowly. Cafés, bookstores, and street corners that seem paused between centuries. There’s a dignity here, quiet but undeniable.

Then came Ciudad del Este, a contrast in energy and pace. It’s loud, chaotic, dynamic—its own universe of trade, motion, and constant negotiation. The human current there is strong, and it’s hard not to get swept up in it. While it may not be conventionally “beautiful,” there’s a raw magnetism to the place that I found invigorating.

And then there’s the Chaco. Immense, empty, pure. A horizon that stretches into forever. It humbled me. It made me think of all the places in the world that speak not with architecture or history, but with silence and sky. The Chaco is that kind of place. Vast. Alive. Honest.

The Parliament in Asuncion Photograph by M. Gkouzouris

What tied all these experiences together was the people. Paraguayans are, without a doubt, among the friendliest people I’ve met in my travels—and that’s saying a lot. There’s a kindness there that doesn’t need to be earned or requested. It’s offered freely, without conditions. Whether in cities or rural areas, I was met with openness, curiosity, and a generosity of spirit that lingered long after the trip ended.

Central Department Photograph by M. Gkouzouris

So yes, my friend was right—there is a lot to feel in Paraguay. But I’d gently disagree with the first part of his statement. There is so much to see, too. You just have to look with the right kind of eyes.