Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Rigoberto Gauto Vielman
Embassy: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
Fax: [1] (202) 234-4508

US Diplomatic Representation in Parguay:
Ambassador: James H. Thessin
Embassy: 1776 Mariscal Lopez Ave., Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
Mailing Address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
Telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
Fax: [595] (21) 213-728

Consulate(s) General are in:
Miami
25 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 705
Miami, FL 33131.
(305) 374-9090 Tel
(305) 374-5522 Fax
Email: paraguay@bellsouth.net
New York
211 E. 43rd St., Suite 2101,
New York, NY 10017.
Tel. 1-212-682.9441/2
Fax 1-212-682.9443
Los Angeles,
6033 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90045
Tel. 1-310-417-9500
Fax 1-310-417-9520

Consulate in Los Angeles has jurisdiction for the following States:
CA, HI, WA, OR, NV, AZ, NM, TX, CO, UT, KS, OK.


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Paraguay
Consulate General of Paraguay in Los Angeles

Embassy of the United States of America in Paraguay


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Paraguay in 1861, approximately fifty years after Paraguay declared independence from Spain. Post-independence, Paraguay experienced a mix of coups, civil war, and dictatorships, with a more recent transition to civilian leadership and democratic elections. The United States and Paraguay have an extensive relationship and are united by common democratic values and respect for individual rights and liberties. The United States supports consolidation of Paraguay's democracy and continued economic reform, the cornerstones of cooperation among countries in the hemisphere.

Paraguay is a partner in hemispheric initiatives to improve counternarcotics cooperation; combat money laundering, trafficking in persons, and other illicit cross-border activities; and adequately protect intellectual property rights. The United States looks to Paraguay, which has tropical forest and riverine resources, to engage in hemispheric efforts to ensure sustainable development. The United States and Paraguay also cooperate in a variety of international organizations. Paraguay has taken significant steps to combat illegal activity in the tri-border area it shares with Argentina and Brazil. It participates in antiterrorism programs and fora with its neighbors and the United States.

U.S. Assistance to Paraguay

The U.S. Government aids the Government of Paraguay in stemming corruption, creating jobs, reducing rural poverty, and countering international criminal organizations operating in the country. U.S. assistance is aimed at improving the stability and security of Paraguay by strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, increasing economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, encouraging a more efficient business environment, and institutionalizing reform.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Paraguay has a predominantly agricultural economy, with a struggling commercial sector. There is a large subsistence sector and a large underground re-export sector, including the import of goods from Asia and the United States for re-export to neighboring countries. U.S. exports to Paraguay include machinery, video games, perfumery and cosmetics, vehicles, and agricultural products. U.S. imports from Paraguay include sugars, wood, animal products, gold, and tobacco.

The United States is one of the largest foreign investors in Paraguay. More than a dozen U.S. multinational firms have subsidiaries in Paraguay. These include firms in the computer, agro-industrial, telecom, banking, and other service industries. Some 75 U.S. businesses have agents or representatives in Paraguay. Paraguay and the United States discuss investment and trade priorities at the annual Joint Council on Trade and Investment, a bilateral mechanism to advance common investment and trade objectives.

Paraguay's Membership in International Organizations

Paraguay and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay is James H. Thessin; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Paraguay maintains an embassy in the United States at 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-483-6960).

More information about Paraguay is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Paraguay Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Paraguay Page
U.S. Embassy: Paraguay
USAID Paraguay Page
History of U.S. Relations With Paraguay
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Paraguay check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (PYG) Guarani
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 595, City Code, Asuncion 21+7D, Ita 24+7D, Concepcion 31+7D



Evenly distributed throughout the year, rainfall in Paraguay is at its heaviest near the Brazilian border and July is the coldest month.

Paraguay's celebration of Carnival in February is liveliest in Asunción. The religious center of Caacupé is the most important site for the Roman Catholic Immaculate Conception.

Paraguay is cheaper for the traveler than Argentina or Uruguay but more expensive than Bolivia. Budget travelers can get by on US$10 a day; those looking for a bit more comfort and nutrition should expect to spend between US$15-30 a day.

Cambios in Asunción and at border towns change both cash and travelers' checks (with small commissions); try banks in the interior. Some travelers have reported that cambios will not cash travelers' checks without the bill of sale. Street changers give slightly lower rates, and for cash only, but can be helpful on weekends or evenings. Better hotels, restaurants and shops in Asunció accept credit cards, but their use is less common outside the capital. Paraguayan ATMs generally do not recognize foreign credit cards.

In restaurants, it's customary to tip about 10% of the bill. Taxi drivers do not require tips, although you may round off the fare for convenience.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco........................................................reasonable quantity for personal use
Liquor..........................................................1 bottle
Camera........................................................ no restrictions
Film............................................................. reasonable for personal use
Perfume........................................................reasonable for personal use
Agricultural items/currency/gifts...................... refer to consulate



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