Seaside city Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, is officially the cheapest city on the planet yet tourists are still not flocking there in large numbers and its’s hardly heard of
If you’re after a holiday where your money stretches further and are willing to explore somewhere less travelled, then Asunción could be just the ticket.
Despite being officially named the cheapest city in the world, it’s yet to become a tourist hotspot.
Travel journalist Rob Crossan once found himself the butt of local jokes when he paid 55p for a ham and cheese empanada in the city – a price which is steep by local standards.
Then it was 2007, but Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, has maintained its reputation for affordability while remaining largely untouched by tourism.
The Express reports how it is named after the Feast of the Assumption celebrated there on August 15, 1537, It grew significantly in 1541 when Buenos Aires was evacuated after an attack by the Pampa Indians.
The area also became the hub of Spanish colonial activities in eastern South America for almost half a century before Buenos Aires was re-established.
Now it is a blend of old and new, with colonial-style suburban buildings near the river and modern high-rises in the city centre.
The cathedral, presidential palace and the Pantheon (tomb) of Heroes, a smaller replica of the Invalides in Paris, are all worth a visit. These were all constructed in the 19th century
Most cities in Paraguay hold parades to commemorate the city’s founding and are a fantastic opportunity to experience culture, music, and traditional attire. T
To delve deeper into the history of Asuncion and its importance in Paraguayan history, visit historical sites such as the Palacio de los López or the Church of La Encarnación.
Visitors can also sample traditional Paraguayan dishes such as sopa paraguaya (a cheesy cornbread) or chipa (a type of bread)
If they want to explore its cuisine further travellers can also attend a food festival or cooking demonstration to learn more about the cuisine.
Many cities in Paraguay put on spectacular fireworks displays to celebrate the founding of Asuncion.
Some adventurous tourists even participate in the festivities by joining a traditional dance group.
The Mirror, meanwhile, reported about a travel vlogger who wants to visit every country in the world and described one Central American spot as the world’s most “underrated country”.
Jordan Egbert, known as Counting Countries on Instagram, is in the process of visiting all 195 countries in the world, having already made it to 131 of these.
He shared his travels on social media and labelled a recent visit to Guatemala the world’s most “underrated country.”
He wrote: “This is one of the most underrated countries in the world in my opinion. It is beautiful, clean, affordable and has so many activities. This is GUATEMALA.”