At the heart of South America, Paraguay is a bewildering blend of contrasts. The colonial capital, Asuncion, now has a burgeoning bar and cafe scene, while its eastern counterpart, Ciudad del Este, is a neon-swathed boomtown. Yet dig a little deeper and a different picture emerges: Jesuit ruins echo with centuries of history, rural families keep craft traditions alive and everything stops as people share a leisurely drink of terere. And beyond lies the country's inimitable natural beauty, from butterfly-thronged tropical forests to the rolling fields of the campo and the wild wetlands of the Chaco.

With background sections covering the rich history and culture of this hospitable country as well as all the practical information you will need, Margaret Hebblethwaite's Paraguay remains the essential choice for the curious visitor.