Major city · Paraguay
Mariscal Estigarribia
Stop here only if you are crossing the Chaco by car or bus: one night to refuel, restock and see the base, then move on.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PYG
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler)
- avoid Nov–Mar (up to 45 °C), late Sep–early Oct if you dislike rally crowdsavoid Nov–Mar (up to 113 °F), late Sep–early Oct if you dislike rally crowds
- Airport
- unknown
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
- Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
- Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
Mariscal Estigarribia (locals say Mariscal) is a frontier town on the Transchaco Highway, 520 km northwest of Asunción and 231 km from Bolivia. It is the last place with fuel, supermarkets, a bed and an ATM before the deep Chaco, and the base for guided trips to the national parks and private reserves of the central and northern Chaco. There is little to see in town itself: the military base, two churches and the indigenous neighbourhood of Santa Teresita. Come for the crossing, the Areté Guazú festival or the Transchaco Rally, not for a holiday.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mariscal Estigarribia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG, ₲).Paraguay-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo, Personal and Claro; prepaid SIMs with a passport at shops and malls, or an eSIM before you fly.Paraguay-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in Asunción but many drink bottled; bottled outside the city.Paraguay-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% if not included.Paraguay-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Paraguay-wide
- SafetyLow crime, high exposure: the real risks are heat, dehydration, unsealed roads and driving after dark.
- RestroomsUse malls, restaurants and bus terminals; carry tissues.Paraguay-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 141 ambulance · 132 fire
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta about 12:00–15:00 in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Siesta about 12:00 PM–3:00 PM in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Paraguay-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Airportunknown Aeropuerto Dr.
- Getting aroundThe town is a long string of blocks along the Transchaco.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or snack at a gas station₲10,000–25,000
- Beerbar or shop₲15,000–30,000
- Budget bedHostel or inn bed, a night, per personPYG 80,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPYG 350,000
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPYG 600,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PYG 180,000 · Mid PYG 320,000 · High PYG 550,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- unknown Aeropuerto Dr. Luis María Argaña (military airfield) (3.8 km runway inside the base; no scheduled passenger service — check before counting on it)unknown Aeropuerto Dr. Luis María Argaña (military airfield) (2.4 mi runway inside the base; no scheduled passenger service — check before counting on it)
Weather and climate
Mariscal Estigarribia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
36°C97°F
23°C74°F
8 rd
Feb
35°C95°F
23°C73°F
8 rd
Mar
34°C92°F
22°C71°F
7 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
19°C66°F
5 rd
May
27°C81°F
16°C60°F
4 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
3 rd
Jul
27°C80°F
13°C55°F
2 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
15°C58°F
2 rd
Sep
33°C91°F
17°C63°F
3 rd
Oct
35°C95°F
21°C69°F
5 rd
Nov
35°C95°F
22°C71°F
6 rd
Dec
36°C96°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is a long string of blocks along the Transchaco. West of the road: military quarters, old cathedral, water reservoir. East: businesses and the new cathedral. The Municipalidad is the practical centre. No local bus network worth using; you walk, take a taxi or drive. Distances between the centre, the base and Santa Teresita are 1–3 km.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Filadelfia
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car southeast on the Transchaco
Mennonite colony with museums, hotels and food; the natural next stop.
Loma Plata
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus or car southeast on the Transchaco
Combine with Filadelfia in one day.
Neuland
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Car or bus via the colony roads
Thin public transport; easiest with your own vehicle.
Chaco national parks and reserves
overnightDoor to door: 1–3 days
Guided 4x4 tour arranged in town
Do not attempt alone; arrange the guide before you arrive.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre along the Transchaco
Supermarkets, shops, the Municipalidad and most beds; walkable but spread out.
Military base (Hotel Aeropuerto)
Inside the compound; you must ask permission at the gate to reach the hotel. Call ahead.
Santa Teresita
Indigenous neighbourhood 3 km south on the Transchaco; community church, crafts, no hotel strip.Indigenous neighbourhood 1.9 mi south on the Transchaco; community church, crafts, no hotel strip.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₲150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₲250,000–450,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₲450,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × PYG 350,000 | PYG 350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PYG 320,000 | PYG 640,000 |
| Asunción → Mariscal bus, one way2 × PYG 150,000 · check | PYG 300,000 |
| Guided Chaco day tour2 × PYG 400,000 · check; 1–3 day tours cost more | PYG 800,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PYG 60,000 | PYG 120,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PYG 221,000 |
| Trip total≈ PYG 1,216,000 per person per day, bed included | PYG 2,431,000 |
2026 estimate in guaraní; long-distance buses and guided tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or snack at a gas station | ₲10,000–25,000 |
| Simple set meal | ₲30,000–60,000 |
| Beer, bar or shop | ₲15,000–30,000 |
| Bottled water, 1.5 L | ₲5,000–10,000 |
| Indigenous craft (bag, carpet, palo santo carving)check | ₲50,000–300,000 |
| Fuel, per litrecheck | ₲7,000–9,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Severe heat Nov–Mar, up to 45 °C: hat, sunscreen, water, shade at midday.Severe heat Nov–Mar, up to 113 °F: hat, sunscreen, water, shade at midday.
- Cold nights possible in Jul–Aug; the Chaco swings hard between day and night.
- Cash only in most shops; one ATM at the roundabout by the military quarters.
- Fuel up and buy water here before heading further west or north.
- Do not enter the Chaco interior alone: go with a guide, 1–3 day tours.
- Rally week (late Sep–early Oct) fills every bed in the central Chaco; book or avoid.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance
- 141
- Fire
- 132
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mariscal EstigarribiaMariscal Estigarribia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ko dirección-pe, ikatúpaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Ambulance141
- Fire132
Embassy
No embassies in Mariscal; most are in Asunción. Consular help for a breakdown or lost passport means a call to Asunción first.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Asunción → Mariscal, bus: about ₲150,000, 7–9 h (check)
- Mariscal → Filadelfia, bus: about ₲30,000–50,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi across town: ₲20,000–40,000 (check)
Say or show
- Mba'éichapa — Hello (mba-ey-cha-pa)
- Aguyje — Thank you (a-guy-je)
- Mba'épa hepy? — How much is it? (mba-e-pa he-pu)
- Moõpa oĩ bus terminal? — Where is the bus terminal? (mo-om-pa o-im bus terminal)
- Aikotevẽ y — I need water (ai-ko-te-ven u)
- Pytyvõ — Help (pu-tu-vom)
Cash, water, fuel and a full tank before you leave town.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mariscal Estigarribia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry, cooler) · avoid Nov–Mar (up to 45 °C), late Sep–early Oct if you dislike rally crowds · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for the military airfield: confirm whether any passenger service exists before selling it as an arrival point.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Municipalidad, the base gate, the new cathedral, Santa Teresita.
- Place pages with verified access rules (base entry with ID, old cathedral, museum) and eat pages with opening hours.
- Rally and Areté Guazú date fixtures so gate pages can go green in season.