Asuncion

I have heard a lot of mention of staying in the Centro area of Asuncion. Been looking at hotels but I really do not know where the Centro district is. Could someone define it? Is it around Plaza Uruguaya, Estrella, Asuncion and how far would some of the streets be to be considered not in Centro district? That way I have an idea and then can look for hotels in that area. Thanks. I have to book soon!

I normally hate to answer questions like this. You are trying to get a simple answer to a complex question. You are still going to have to StudyTFF and maps.

The CENTRO is quite large and is arguably GENERAL SANTOS west to COLON and MARISCAL LOPEZ south TO AVENIDA DE FRANCIA.

The MICRO CENTRO is smaller and is arguably ESTADOS UNIDOS west to COLON and MARISCAL LOPEZ south to AVENIDA DE FRANCIA.

All of CENTRO is pretty safe during the day. Where you might feel comfortable walking at night is very small, from PLAZA URUGUAYA west to COLON over the streets PALMA, ESTRELLA, AND OLIVA. Note these streets change names at Calle Independencia National. But this is also arguable depending on your size, looks, and experience.

Depending on where you stay and the specific walking route you take and the time, there are various hotel options that work anyway. There is no good way to select a hotel by its location alone. All have their points.

Apartments are spread all over CENTRO. Look at a few on the maps.

There is really nothing all that attractive about CENTRO in the first place. The choice of hotel might be more likely to save money on taxi fares depending on the apartments you like.

I scrimped and saved for three adventures this year, first Lima, Peru, which I just got back from and had a great time.

Next, Asuncion, Paraguay and finally, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I met so many very nice Paraguayan ladies from my visits to Buenos Aires, Argentina that I decided to try to meet Paraguayans at their home base!

I RTFF and I think I will try Parada 838, Deseos, PY Escorts and I will ask around for the latest casas and the latest going-ons, and of course Nonpros. I speak Spanish and I think I will be OK. Any comments or observations would be appreciated.

Also, does anyone know at the ASU airport where do I find the Official airport taxis? Where do I find the taxi stand? Is it a fixed price or is it by taximeter? Would it be OK to walk outside of the airport and take a taxi?

And about how much would it cost from the ASU airport to about the Shopping del Sol Mall area? It's about 8. 5 kms or about 10 minutes from the airport. (I know it's away from the action but I had to stay in the area).

And as a backup I read that the bus terminal is across the street from the airport, is that right? Does anyone know the bus number to Shopping del Sol Mall?

Also, in the ASU airport are there ATM machines? I need to get some Paraguayan money to start.

I read that Paraguay charges a lot to withdrawal from the ATMs. I have a Schwab Debit card, will all my ATM charges be refunded? Or should I change USD at a Cambio Casa?

I tried to get taxi info from my hotel but it seems they are so incompetent they can't even tell me taxi info to their hotel.

Oh, thanks to others I got my Paraguayan Visa at their Embassy in LA (Los Angeles, CA) and paid $160.00 USD. It is good for the life of my passport. I plan to return to Asuncion several times so I spent the extra effort.

May be a strange question, but can you drink the water in Asuncion? Is the tap water treated? Should I buy bottled water?

Should I avoid ice?

This is my first time in ASU, I'm a little nervous, I'll report my finding when I return, thanks in advance!

Since you speak Spanish, I recommend that you take the bus into town. It is not across the street. Walk out of the front of the airport to the right and continue maybe 200 meters where the cars are leaving and there will be a little shelter and that will get you the bus into town. Most of the buses from there, but not all of them, will go downtown. My post from 2011 might have more bus info. There is a cafe there too = beer. Yes, there are ATMs or an ATM in the airport. I have E-Trade and all my ATM fees were refunded. I don't remember them as being any higher than anywhere else, 1% or so.

I did not intentionally drink the tap water there but sometimes I forgot and I had no problems. Many people claimed it was fine. But I was coming from Argentina and not from the US and I imagine that makes a difference in bacteria tolerance. I had an electric kettle to make tea or mate in my hotel room and I boiled my drinking water in that, most of the time. Paraguay is pretty hygenic Ffor a third world country but especially when it's bloody hot you want to be careful what you eat and drink. Use mosquito repellent every time you go out.

[QUOTE=Hollywood124;1586980]I scrimped and saved for three adventures this year, first Lima, Peru, which I just got back from and had a great time.

Next, Asuncion, Paraguay and finally, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I met so many very nice Paraguayan ladies from my visits to Buenos Aires, Argentina that I decided to try to meet Paraguayans at their home base!

I RTFF and I think I will try Parada 838, Deseos, PY Escorts and I will ask around for the latest casas and the latest going-ons, and of course Nonpros. I speak Spanish and I think I will be OK. Any comments or observations would be appreciated.

Also, does anyone know at the ASU airport where do I find the Official airport taxis? Where do I find the taxi stand? Is it a fixed price or is it by taximeter? Would it be OK to walk outside of the airport and take a taxi?

And about how much would it cost from the ASU airport to about the Shopping del Sol Mall area? It's about 8. 5 kms or about 10 minutes from the airport. (I know it's away from the action but I had to stay in the area)...[/QUOTE]Here now. I can answer some of your questions and I'll add some general comments.

Taxis from the airport are a fixed price: $88,000.

If you are arriving at a normal hour, another option is bus #30. It costs $2,500 (about $. 45) and it goes on Espana and then splits onto Chaco (which is the nicer part of the city with malls and stuff).

Lot of rain here now. The roads often get flooded. It's crazy.

838 was $80,000 for one girl for 30 minutes and $130,000 for two girls for 30 minutes. So $20 for one or $30 for 2. You can find 838 in google maps and it appeared to be off by one block. That's easy to figure out because 838 is the number on the building. It's an off white building with red trip and you walk up like half a flight of steps.

Asuncion is actually a fairly well off city. A lot of mansions in the city and lots of high end malls and stores. I haven't drunken the water, I guess it depends where you are staying. I'm sure a nice hotel near the area you mention is fine.

Another cheap option if you are staying in one of the nice areas (by malls like Shopping del Sol or Mariscal Lopez) is bus #28. It's practically door to door service from those areas to 838.

So 30 will take you from the airport to the mall you named; 28 will take you from the mall you named to 838. In any case, you can even take 30 to 838 if you are willing to walk 10 blocks or so. But with 28, you would only have to walk like 2 blocks if you get the bus driver to stop on the right corner.

Thank you both very much for responding to my questions about ASU!

This will be my first time in ASU and I'm a little nervous I guess. Yes, I will take the bus to Shopping Del Sol Mall where I am staying at moderately priced international hotel. (It's like a student dormatory) Also, I will take the bus to Parada 838, Deseos, PY Escorts etc. I think I will walk back just to see the city since I have the time. (I walk a lot so a two or three hour walk is no problem).

I have met many nice Paraguayan ladies in Buenos Aires, Argentina that I said to myself that I must go to Asuncion, Paraguay to meet these wonderful angels at their source. I be going there the first week in July, 2014. OK, lot of rain, no problem, I'll bring my raincoat.

I RTFF that some ladies do "Completo" without asking and that some will ask for a tip. Can you tell me which Privados do "Completo" without tips? (If not, I'll just ask before service).

Thanks again for your comments!

Yahoo! I can't wait.

Hollywood

[QUOTE=Hollywood124;1586980]I scrimped and saved for three adventures this year, first Lima, Peru, which I just got back from and had a great time.

Next, Asuncion, Paraguay and finally, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I met so many very nice Paraguayan ladies from my visits to Buenos Aires, Argentina that I decided to try to meet Paraguayans at their home base!

I RTFF and I think I will try Parada 838, Deseos, PY Escorts and I will ask around for the latest casas and the latest going-ons, and of course Nonpros. I speak Spanish and I think I will be OK. Any comments or observations would be appreciated.

Also, does anyone know at the ASU airport where do I find the Official airport taxis? Where do I find the taxi stand? Is it a fixed price or is it by taximeter? Would it be OK to walk outside of the airport and take a taxi?..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Lexton;1586893]I normally hate to answer questions like this. You are trying to get a simple answer to a complex question. You are still going to have to StudyTFF and maps.

The CENTRO is quite large and is arguably GENERAL SANTOS west to COLON and MARISCAL LOPEZ south TO AVENIDA DE FRANCIA.

The MICRO CENTRO is smaller and is arguably ESTADOS UNIDOS west to COLON and MARISCAL LOPEZ south to AVENIDA DE FRANCIA.
All of CENTRO is pretty safe during the day. Where you might feel comfortable walking at night is very small, from PLAZA URUGUAYA west to COLON over the streets PALMA, ESTRELLA, AND OLIVA. Note these streets change names at Calle Independencia National. But this is also arguable depending on your size, looks, and experience.
Depending on where you stay and the specific walking route you take and the time, there are various hotel options that work anyway. There is no good way to select a hotel by its location alone. All have their points.
Apartments are spread all over CENTRO. Look at a few on the maps.
The choice of hotel might be more likely to save money on taxi fares depending on the apartments you like.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the info. After reading other mongers posts, I understand that the girls 'houses' or departmentos are on the East side of the Centro and Colon calle is a bit far off. Been looking at a couple of apartments, one is at calle Piribebuy and 14 de Mayo, near Excelsior Mall and cheaper while another is on the east of PLAZA URUGUAYA. The apartment is located on Calle Mariscal Estigarribia, between the ESTADOS UNIDOS and Brazil. Is located at a distance of 3 blocks of both the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and the Uruguayan Square. It's a nicer apartment and more expensive. I like to stay in the eye of the hurricane, in this case, the pussy, and minimum travel to houses of love. I do touristy stuff too but my base would be in the centro. I understand that everyone has their own likes and dislikes and no one would be 'blamed' for anything, I would like to know which one of the two apartments would be a better choice without taking the cost into account as both are affordable. Thanks.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1587630] I do touristy stuff too but my base would be in the centro. I understand that everyone has their own likes and dislikes and no one would be 'blamed' for anything, I would like to know which one of the two apartments would be a better choice without taking the cost into account as both are affordable.[/QUOTE]The Centro area is small, compact, walkable to all areas. Go for best apartment in best building. After all, you might actually encounter a non-pro, and if you can figure out to do with her, the apartment will matter a lot. Also, the casa girls can meet you off-time.

"Touristy stuff"? Jeje, about an afternoon to see it all. Otherwise you can walk up and down the number and named streets looking for open doorways to walk up and discover what awaits within. Nightlife downtown bar weekends starts late.

[QUOTE=Golfinho;1587679]The Centro area is small, compact, walkable to all areas. Go for best apartment in best building. After all, you might actually encounter a non-pro, and if you can figure out to do with her, the apartment will matter a lot. Also, the casa girls can meet you off-time.

"Touristy stuff"? Jeje, about an afternoon to see it all. Otherwise you can walk up and down the number and named streets looking for open doorways to walk up and discover what awaits within. Nightlife downtown bar weekends starts late.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the advice Golfinho. The more expensive one seems to be better choice as it is in a better location and in a Medical building on the 6th floor. I do aim to see other parts of Paraguay and intend to take trips outside of Asuncion, not for mongering but see life as is in a laid back country, not hustle and bustle of other industrialized nations. That's the beauty of Paraguay and why people like it. It is not a tourist trap like Siem Reap where the temples are at Angor what. It is what it is and that's all I am expecting. Paraguay trip was chosen for what Paraguay is and wanting anything else. Thanks.

I am not sure if I understand what you are trying to do, and this is how it gets complicated. You were talking about hotels, and then you talk about 2 apartments. Are you planning on renting a temporary apartment instead of a hotel? For how long?

The area on the east and north of el centro has the newer buildings, since the city grew easterly. But there isn't much else out there. It is relatively lonely. I think the area of Estados Unidos and Estigarriba is near Hotel Cecilia, which has a restaurant. Also Crowne Plaza.

For more than a day or two, you would probably be more comfortable near the Mall Excelsior. It is a straight trip from there to the area of Palma-Estrella, and you have the mall, with a supermarket. I have walked it many times by day but never at night. It is probably not bad with normal caution. The apartments would generally be east of Mall Excelsior, but there are some in the north also, in the area 25 de Mayo and Azara. What night activity there is is in the Palma-Estrella area, with some restaurant options.

But if you are going to take a lot of taxis, the comfort of the building might be more important. Also the distance to the girl's apartments. So pin a few of interest on the map if being central to those is important.

[QUOTE=Lexton;1587967]I am not sure if I understand what you are trying to do, and this is how it gets complicated. You were talking about hotels, and then you talk about 2 apartments. Are you planning on renting a temporary apartment instead of a hotel? For how long?

The area on the east and north of el centro has the newer buildings, since the city grew easterly. But there isn't much else out there. It is relatively lonely. I think the area of Estados Unidos and Estigarriba is near Hotel Cecilia, which has a restaurant. Also Crowne Plaza.

For more than a day or two, you would probably be more comfortable near the Mall Excelsior. It is a straight trip from there to the area of Palma-Estrella, and you have the mall, with a supermarket. I have walked it many times by day but never at night. It is probably not bad with normal caution. The apartments would generally be east of Mall Excelsior, but there are some in the north also, in the area 25 de Mayo and Azara. What night activity there is is in the Palma-Estrella area, with some restaurant options.

But if you are going to take a lot of taxis, the comfort of the building might be more important. Also the distance to the girl's apartments. So pin a few of interest on the map if being central to those is important.[/QUOTE]Right now I am looking at both apartments and also hotels. I am going to be staying about 10 days in Asuncion. I do get tired of hotels after a few days. I like the idea of getting up when I want, eating when I want and generally to be struck by the hotels schedule. I do not want to take taxis if I do not have to. I would prefer to walk to the chicca places. So you think that the area around calle Piribebuy and 14 de Mayo, near Excelsior Mall is quite safe and also chica convenient? This place is also USD 11.00 cheaper than the place on Estigarriba between Estados Unidos and Brazil. Having looked at the map , at Colon, we have Palma, Estrella and Olivia and going East, they change the names to Mcal Estigarriba, 25 de Mayo and Cerro Cora. I read on the past posts of punters that Colon is too far for girls departmentos and the action is on the East. Approximately which cross streets of Palma and Estrella are the girls departmentos? I do not think they are in the southern part of Centro but I could be wrong.

I have tried to compile this list with addresses and comments from other punters and may be helpful. I needed it to figure out where the casas are in my hotel / apartment choice. I am not sure that google is correct in pointing out the places and addresses. The list may need to be updated and please do so. Lexton, you mean "What night activity there is, is in the Palma-Estrella area, with some restaurant options. " street girls etc. ? I saw some fast food places, a few bars and a club. I'll decide tomorrow and your choice of staying near the Mall Excelsior may be good as I might hit on some women there with my broken Spanish!

Budget Sex in ASU.

Parada 838 on Itubre 838. On Itubre, between Eduardo Victor Haedo and Fulgencio are Moreno.
This was the best budget place I tried. It had air conditioned rooms.
8 girls ranged from 3-8 in looks. I tried a petite one.
Price 100,000 for 45 minutes. There was a special in April. 2 girls for 30 minutes (Price 130,000).

PY Escorts house at 462 Cerro Cora. On Cerro Cora and Radio Operadores del Chaco.
2nd best place I tried. 4 girls ranged from 3-7 in looks.
Price 100,000 for 30 minutes. If you look at the girls and don't choose one, the host will charge you a 10,000 look fee.
PYEscorts seems to be the classiest place in the Centro. PYEscorts encourages the chica to display themselves in attractive street clothes: dresses or jeans. PYEscorts sometimes has only three chicas available at 11 AM and sometimes up to nine. The price is 150.000, and I don't know if they even have a 30-minute rate. Servicio completo is negotiated with the chica in the room, usually an additional 100.000.

Deseos Agency. Located on 14 de Mayo street and Manduvira.
It's on the left hand side almost at the corner, blue windows and doors. The key is the loud music coming from the building, that's how you know you are there. There is no signs anywhere. The best way to find it is get to Plaza Italia and get on 14 de Mayo which is a one way street on the corner of Manduvira there is a small grocery store its right before it. There are a lot more girls there than on the website and they are very fine. The price has not changed, it is 100,000 GU ($22.00) for 30 minutes, Place is very clean and the beers are only $2. 00 US.

Lilith at 313 Cerro Cora. On Paraguari.
This is a day-only casa. Usually there are only 4 or 5 chicas working there at 11 AM. Had great attitudes. This might be the cleanest casa in the Centro, and so far I have gotten the same room with private bath on all six visits.

Valkyries on Azara 905 Apartments A & B. On Felix de Azara and Tacuan.
3 girls. I liked a petite one, but didn't try her.
Cost 100,000 for 30 minutes.

Cabellero 903. On Cabellero and Dr. Manual Dominguez.
Located on the southeast corner of Cabellero and Dr. Manuel Dominguez streets. The door is open. 4 ugly girls. Sometimes my standards can be pretty low, but even I had to say no thanks. That explains the price.
Price 70,000 for 30 minutes.

Estados Unidos 258 Apartment B. On Estados Unidos and Fulgencio are Moreno.
3 girls. 2 ugly and one OK. The OK girl had a bad attitude. She looked Ok in her high heels, but did not have enough curves for me. If you like a girl that is flat in the hips and ass, you would like her.
Price 120,000 for 30 minutes.

Estados Unidos 525. Google shows this also at on Estados Unidos and Fulgencio are Moreno. Must be close.
3 girls. I liked one of them. She seemed demure. I didn't buy a girl.
Price 100,000.

Azara 1270. On Felix de Azara and Tacuan.

Azara 1565. On Felix de Azara and Tacuan.

New Elite at 217 Cerro Cora.
Here I am not sure if they change the sheets regularly, but there is at least one room with a private bath.

Hi "LifeIsABeach,

Thank you kindly for the very helpful post as I am going to ASU in about a week!

I'm a little nervous as I never have been to ASU before.

The list of "Casas" that you have been to will greatly save me time and money.

I will be on the lookout for non-pros also as I prefer everyday, girl-next-door types. (Plastic Colombianas with heavy makeup that I have seen in Panama really turn me off).

I speak Spanish well and have been to many places in Latin America. I think I will be taking the bus to the "Casa" and walking back to see the city of ASU. I'll post my finding for all to see.

Thanks again,

Hollywood

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1588123]I have tried to compile this list with addresses and comments from other punters and may be helpful. I needed it to figure out where the casas are in my hotel / apartment choice. I am not sure that google is correct in pointing out the places and addresses. The list may need to be updated and please do so. Lexton, you mean "What night activity there is, is in the Palma-Estrella area, with some restaurant options. " street girls etc. ? I saw some fast food places, a few bars and a club. I'll decide tomorrow and your choice of staying near the Mall Excelsior may be good as I might hit on some women there with my broken Spanish!

Budget Sex in ASU.

Parada 838 on Itubre 838. On Itubre, between Eduardo Victor Haedo and Fulgencio are Moreno.
This was the best budget place I tried. It had air conditioned rooms.
8 girls ranged from 3-8 in looks. I tried a petite one.
Price 100,000 for 45 minutes...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Hollywood124;1588399]Hi "LifeIsABeach,

Thank you kindly for the very helpful post as I am going to ASU in about a week!

I'm a little nervous as I never have been to ASU before.

The list of "Casas" that you have been to will greatly save me time and money.

I will be on the lookout for non-pros also as I prefer everyday, girl-next-door types. (Plastic Colombianas with heavy makeup that I have seen in Panama really turn me off).

I speak Spanish well and have been to many places in Latin America. I think I will be taking the bus to the "Casa" and walking back to see the city of ASU. I'll post my finding for all to see.

Thanks again,

Hollywood[/QUOTE]Hollywood, nothing to worry about. I like to travel to different countries and mostly each country is new for me. I have never been to Paraguay nor Peru, my trip this time. I have never worried about my limited Spanish though I am going to brush up on that. I have been to countries where French is spoken and the French I learned via computer was pretty useless though I still got the girls. I am looking forward to Paraguay, about 10 days and I meet some very beautiful Paraguayan women in Argentina with smooth skin and decided on that trip in 2009 to visit Paraguay. Right now I m looking up the flights to ASU from Lima. Have a good trip.

Crap. I knew that I didn't want to get involved in this. But I did. I used to post here years ago, but have been busy. But I was actually accused of writing bad reports on Paraguay on purpose also. But if you go read some of my past posts, nobody has ever said anything different.

Seriously, Life, look at some of those apt cross streets on the map like I said. You will see that they are mostly east and some north of Mall Excelsior and west and south of the Estigarriba / Estados Unidos corner. Maximum distance to an apart is about 15-20 blocks from either address. Try to decide which might be more convenient for the apts you like.

Calle Colon defines the extreme west of Centro. It terminates in what used to be the Port of Asuncion. For this, it had activity like many streets near ports, and still has a little. But yes, of course, ALL of the apts will be east of Colon, except one which is actually on Colon.

Generally, for all, let me say this. Asuncion is very decentralized. It is not a high density city like the center of Panama City. It is more like San Jose, Costa Rica. Except that there is no Gringo Gulch equivalent anymore. The micro center is still a central point during the day because of the large number of government buildings and the congress, but this is also changing slowly. Thus, the night life is decentralized. There is no equivalent of Palermo in Buenos Aires.

Buses entering from the airport and Villa Morra over Ave España and Mariscal Lopez enter Centro over Mariscal Estigarriba and exit over Oliva. Buses that come from Eusebio Ayala and Ave Fernando de la Mora generally enter over Diaz and exit over Humaita (or Haeda? Buses over Espaa and Lopez only run until about 2100 inbound and 2200 outlbound. That includes Shopping Del Sol, Hollywood. Bus #27 runs 24 hours over Ayala, but will not help you guys. Bus transport after about 2100 is not frequent. The buses are very crowded, especially during peak hours, and outbound after about 1400.

When I said the area around Estados Unidos and Estigarriba is lonely, that is figurative. Most things close at 1700-1800 and then it is residential. There ARE some bars and restaurants, but not one after another. For example, Pub Britannia is over near Crowne Plaza. It is locals, all spanish speakers. Most of the streets are practically deserted after about 2000.

There is still some activity in the streets of Palma and Estrella at night, more than any other street in Centro. Hotel Guarani and the casino are on Plaza Independencia there. There are some fast food restaurants, and there is a new Fridays that I think is open now. There are also some SW at night, but not more than 5-6 generally. There are a couple of discos. I think Africa is still open.

Most of the growth was in the areas of Carmellitas and Villa Morra. Now it is Aviadores del Chaco (read airport) and Santa Teresa. Thats where the new World Trade Center is, the Hotel Sheraton, Shopping Del Sol. All of these areas are characterized by new money and actually many rich, especially Carmellitas. There are several discos in Villa Morra / Carmelitas, with wealthy clients. There are a couple of discos around ave Madame Lynch. Big night in discos is Sat. You are not likely to find much.

Walking by day is generally safe all over, unless you find yourself in a real slum suddenly. Not a joke, neighborhoods can change from one to another quickly. One of the worst slums used to be right behind congress, illegally built on the flood plain. It was cleared to put in the new Costanerea, but parts still remain, Much of the river area is flooded now, and there are thousands of homeless. Many indigenous are camped out around the old train station beside Plaza Uruguaya. But they generally don't cause trouble. Just pay attention and you will be OK.

Walking at night, the streets are generally deserted, as I said. So you are best off thinking of travel at night as point A to point B, not meandering. Except on Palma and Estrella, and of course out in the wealthier areas. But distances tend to be further out there, not good for walking anyway.

Mercado 4 (quatro) can be an interesting experience by day once, especially for you, Hollywood, since you speak spanish well. It is a large old market area, highly concentrated. It is relatively cheap and generally poor people, but safe by day. Closes about 1800. Look for it on the map. It is just possible you may hit something, with a good game.

I can't help on the apartments, because I do't go to them. But you can help me. If by chance you SHOULD encounter a waif type of 44 kilos (five foot two type), report where. But I don't hold out much hope.

So you are looking at sex in apts by day and iffy by night. Which is why I said the Mall Excelsior might be useful, it is open till 2130 or so with a food court and supermarket.

There are really only 3 malls in Asuncion proper: Mall Excelsior, Shopping Mariscal Lopez, and Shopping del Sol. There are a few big stores in the Micro Center, near the Palma-Estrella stretch. There are big stores over Calle San Martin, between Shopping del Sol and Shopping Mariscal. I have walked this stretch many times, Hollywood.

That's enough to think about for today.