Skill: ivangdavila/paraguay (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Paraguay slug: paraguay version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/paraguay changelog: "Initial release with Paraguay city playbooks, border logistics, river escapes, and practical trip planning." description: Plan Paraguay trips with border-savvy routing, river-city priorities, and practical guidance for Asuncion, Encarnacion, Ciudad del Este, and the Chaco. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🇵🇾","requires":{"bins":[],"config":["~/paraguay/"]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## Setup If `~/paraguay/` does not exist or is empty, read `setup.md` and start naturally. ## When to Use User is planning a Paraguay trip and needs more than generic inspiration: how to split time between Asuncion, the south, the border, and the Chaco, plus food, payments, heat, and day-to-day logistics. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/paraguay/`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ``` ~/paraguay/ └── memory.md # Trip context and evolving preferences ``` ## Quick Reference Use this map to load the module that changes the next travel decision. | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Cities and Bases** | | | Asuncion city strategy | `asuncion.md` | | Encarnacion waterfront and mission base | `encarnacion.md` | | Ciudad del Este border and shopping logic | `ciudad-del-este.md` | | Chaco and north planning | `chaco-and-north.md` | | **Planning Backbone** | | | Sample routes and trip shapes | `itineraries.md` | | Where to stay by trip type | `accommodation.md` | | Money, cash, cards, and exchange logic | `money-and-payments.md` | | Border crossings and shopping strategy | `border-shopping.md` | | Useful apps and workflow helpers | `apps.md` | | **Food and Lifestyle** | | | Core dishes and where they matter | `food-guide.md` | | Terere, cocido, and drink culture | `yerba-and-drinks.md` | | Nightlife by city and season | `nightlife.md` | | **Experiences and Nature** | | | Best experiences by trip style | `experiences.md` | | River beaches and waterfront escapes | `beaches-and-waterfronts.md` | | Parks, hikes, and nature days | `hiking-and-nature.md` | | **Reference and Practical** | | | Macro-regions and what each is for | `regions.md` | | Etiquette, timing, and social norms | `culture.md` | | Family travel guidance | `with-kids.md` | | Flights, buses, driving, and transfers | `transport.md` | | SIMs, coverage, plugs, and Wi-Fi | `telecoms.md` | | Emergencies and safety basics | `emergencies.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Pick the Trip Shape First Decide whether the trip is a city break, a river-and-missions route, a border-shopping run, or a Chaco nature trip before recommending stops. Paraguay looks compact on a map but the experience changes a lot by corridor. ### 2. Treat Border Cities as Operational Places Ciudad del Este and Encarnacion are not just attractions. They are border systems with bridge timing, shopping logic, and day-flow constraints. Use `border-shopping.md` before promising easy same-day combinations. ### 3. Heat and Seasonality Change Everything Ask for the month early. Summer heat, afternoon storms, and winter cool spells change whether waterfront time, long walks, or Chaco days are sensible. ### 4. Use Asuncion as a Decision Hub Asuncion is often the easiest arrival base for food, museums, and logistics, but not always the emotional highlight of the trip. Recommend it for structure, then decide whether to add south, east, or Chaco. ### 5. Give Payment Guidance With the Route Paraguay trips work better when cash, cards, ATMs, and border pricing are handled up front. Pair itinerary advice with `money-and-payments.md`. ### 6. Prefer Specific Recommendations Do not say "visit the Jesuit missions" or "go to the lake." Say which mission pair, which waterfront, which neighborhood, and when each works best. ### 7. Deliver Execution, Not Just Ideas Output should include: - best base or base pair - day-by-day flow with transfer buffers - weather or heat caveats - payment and safety notes - what is not worth squeezing in ## Common Traps - Trying to combine Asuncion, Encarnacion, Ciudad del Este, and the Chaco in one short trip. - Assuming a border hop is a 20-minute formality instead of a half-day variable. - Underestimating afternoon heat and planning long exposed walks in mid-summer. - Treating Ciudad del Este as a relaxed city break instead of a shopping-and-logistics environment. - Adding lake or river beach time without checking the season and local conditions. - Staying only in transit zones and missing Paraguay's stronger food and cultural experiences. ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** Trip preferences in `~/paraguay/` **This skill does NOT:** Access files outside `~/paraguay/` or make network requests. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` - General trip planning and itinerary structure - `booking` - Reservation workflows and confirmation hygiene - `food` - Deeper restaurant and cuisine planning - `spanish` - Language support for bookings and practical interactions - `argentina` - Better regional planning for cross-border combinations ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star paraguay` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: accommodation.md
content: # Accommodation - Paraguay

Choose accommodation by trip shape, not by nightly rate alone. The wrong base creates avoidable transfer time, heat exposure, and border stress.

## Best Base by Trip Type

| Trip Type | Best Base | Why |
|-----------|-----------|-----|
| First Paraguay trip | Asuncion in Carmelitas, Villa Morra, or Las Mercedes | Easiest dining and transport |
| Summer leisure | Encarnacion near the Costanera or Playa San Jose | Lets the waterfront do the work |
| Border shopping | Functional hotel near the retail corridor, not the noisiest core | Better sleep, easier resets |
| Jesuit missions route | Encarnacion or south-road lodge | Keeps day trips shorter |
| Chaco road trip | Filadelfia, Loma Plata, or a lodge | Cuts long daily backtracking |
| Family pool weekend | Resort-style property outside the dense core | Better for heat management |

## What to Prioritize

| Priority | Why It Matters |
|----------|----------------|
| Air conditioning that actually works | Heat changes the trip quality fast |
| Parking if doing self-drive | Useful in south routes and the Chaco |
| Reliable breakfast timing | Important before transfers or border days |
| Quiet over "central" in Ciudad del Este | Sleep matters more than location prestige |
| Pool or shaded outdoor area | High value in warm months |

## Area Guidance

### Asuncion
- Carmelitas and Villa Morra are easiest for short stays.
- Centro can be fine for a purposeful historic stay, but it is rarely the simplest first base.

### Encarnacion
- Waterfront proximity matters if the trip is leisure-first.
- If the trip is only mission-focused, center-city practicality can beat beachfront hype.

### Ciudad del Este
- Use a hotel as a recovery tool, not as part of a romantic city narrative.
- Favor secure parking, late check-in reliability, and controlled access.

## Traps

- Booking a bargain hotel far from the useful neighborhood and paying for it in daily transport.
- Choosing a border-hub hotel for a family leisure trip.
- Ignoring heat and booking a pretty place with weak cooling.


path: apps.md
content: # Apps - Paraguay

Apps are support tools, not the backbone of the trip. Paraguay usually works best with a hybrid of downloaded maps, messaging, and simple transport apps.

## Core App Stack

| Need | Suggested Tool Type | Why |
|------|---------------------|-----|
| Messaging | WhatsApp | Default coordination layer in much of the region |
| Navigation | Google Maps with offline areas | Useful once signal drops or data is patchy |
| Translation | Google Translate or DeepL | Helpful outside straightforward hotel interactions |
| Ride-hailing | Bolt, Uber, or the app that is actually active locally | Better than improvising street pickups in cities |
| Weather | Standard weather app with radar if available | Afternoon storms and heat matter |

## Workflow Tips

- Download the city or corridor map before longer transfers.
- Save hotel names and screenshots, not just map pins.
- Keep bridge, mission, or park addresses in plain text so they can be shared by message if navigation fails.
- In hot weather, use apps to reduce exposed waiting time rather than to over-optimize every minute.

## What Matters More Than the App

- Having cash backup
- Knowing the actual base neighborhood
- Saving offline notes for drivers
- Confirming opening hours for major sights

## Traps

- Assuming the same ride-hailing app dominates every Paraguayan city.
- Depending only on live data in the Chaco or on longer rural routes.
- Using too many apps when one saved map and one messaging thread would do.


path: asuncion.md
content: # Asuncion - Paraguay

Asuncion is the best place to start when the traveler wants food, museums, river sunsets, and a soft landing before deciding whether to go south, east, or into the Chaco.

## Neighborhoods to Know

| Neighborhood | Best For | Vibe | Notes |
|--------------|----------|------|-------|
| Centro Historico | Landmarks, museums, older cafes | Historic, uneven, more daytime than night | Good for half-day walking, not always the best hotel base |
| Carmelitas | Dining, bars, modern hotels | Upscale, busy at night | Strong default for short stays |
| Villa Morra | Restaurants, shopping, nightlife | Polished, practical | Easy if traveler wants comfort over atmosphere |
| Las Mercedes | Cafes, leafy streets, local feel | Calmer, residential | Good middle ground |
| Sajonia / Costanera edge | Views, sports, sunset walks | Open and breezy | Better for time outside than for hotel density |

## What Is Worth Prioritizing

| Place | Why It Matters | Time Needed |
|-------|----------------|-------------|
| Costanera de Asuncion | Best urban sunset and people-watching | 1-2 hours |
| Palacio de Lopez exterior | Iconic postcard view, especially at dusk | 20-30 min |
| Panteon Nacional de los Heroes | Fast historical stop in the center | 20 min |
| Manzana de la Rivera | Easy culture stop near the bay | 45-60 min |
| Museo del Barro | Best museum choice if only picking one | 1.5-2 hours |
| Loma San Jeronimo | Colorful short wander with views | 30-45 min |

## Food Anchors

These are useful starting points. Verify current hours before promising a visit.

| Spot | Area | Why Go |
|------|------|--------|
| Bolsi | Centro | Classic all-day stop for a first meal or late fallback |
| Lido Bar | Centro | Traditional local dishes and downtown identity |
| Tierra Colorada | Near Villa Morra | Strong modern Paraguayan cooking |
| Pakuri | Villa Morra side | Better when the traveler wants a more contemporary meal |
| El Cafe de Aca | Centro | Good old-school cafe stop between sights |

## Best Day Shapes

### Half Day
- Centro Historico
- Panteon
- Manzana de la Rivera
- Late lunch downtown
- Sunset on the Costanera

### Full Day
- Museo del Barro in the morning
- Long lunch in Carmelitas or Villa Morra
- Slow afternoon cafe or shopping break
- Costanera at sunset
- Dinner in Carmelitas

### Two Nights
- Use one day for the city
- Keep one half day for Aregua, San Bernardino, or an easy countryside meal

## Practical Notes

- Asuncion works better with ride-hailing than with aggressive walking between scattered neighborhoods.
- Heat hits hard. Put exposed walking before 11:00 or after 17:00.
- Downtown can feel quiet at night outside specific pockets. Do not assume European-style evening street life.

## Traps

- Booking deep in Centro only because it is cheap and then spending the whole trip in taxis.
- Treating Mercado 4 as a casual tourist stroll without local context, time, and comfort for chaos.
- Planning a museum-heavy Monday without checking closures.


path: beaches-and-waterfronts.md
content: # Beaches and Waterfronts - Paraguay

Paraguay does not sell an ocean product. Its stronger warm-weather leisure angle is river and lake life: promenades, urban beaches, marinas, and summer resort towns.

## Best Waterfront Options

| Place | Best For | Notes |
|-------|----------|-------|
| Playa San Jose, Encarnacion | Urban beach feel | Best-known national beach-style stop |
| Encarnacion Costanera | Sunset walks, family evenings | Works even when not swimming |
| Carmen del Parana area | Slower beach-town rhythm | Better with car and more time |
| San Bernardino | Summer weekends and social energy | Seasonal and heat-dependent |
| Costanera de Asuncion | Waterfront city time, not a swim beach | Great urban sunset |

## When It Works Best

| Season | Reality |
|--------|---------|
| Dec-Mar | Peak waterfront logic, hottest period |
| Apr-May | Good for walks, less beach-centric |
| Jun-Aug | Fine for promenades, weak for beach framing |
| Sep-Nov | Shoulder season with improving warm-weather potential |

## Recommendation Rules

- Be honest that Paraguay waterfront leisure is about atmosphere and heat relief, not tropical beach perfection.
- If the traveler wants sand-and-water plus nightlife, Encarnacion is the best fit.
- If the traveler wants an easy half-day from Asuncion, use San Bernardino or Aregua zone logic rather than overselling the capital waterfront itself.

## Traps

- Selling a winter lake stop as a beach vacation.
- Confusing promenade time with full-day swimming value.
- Forgetting sun protection and shade strategy in peak heat.


path: border-shopping.md
content: # Border Shopping - Paraguay

Paraguay border trips work when the user wants something specific: electronics, tri-border routing, Itaipu, or an east-corridor logistics chain. They fail when added casually.

## Main Border Contexts

| Border | Best For | Friction Level |
|--------|----------|----------------|
| Ciudad del Este - Foz do Iguacu | Shopping, Itaipu, tri-border logic | High |
| Encarnacion - Posadas | Flexible cross-river add-on | Medium |
| Smaller crossings | Niche routing | Variable, not default |

## When a Border Day Is Worth It

| Scenario | Recommendation |
|----------|----------------|
| Traveler has a precise shopping list | Yes, if paired with early start and clear return plan |
| Traveler only wants "to say they crossed" | Usually no |
| Traveler has same-day flight or long onward transfer | No |
| Traveler already hates queues and crowds | Keep it optional or skip |

## Ciudad del Este Border Logic

- Start early.
- Know whether the goal is formal retail, market-style shopping, or simply Itaipu plus one controlled shopping block.
- Keep documents, receipts, and return timing organized.
- Plan lunch and rest away from the most chaotic zones when possible.

## Encarnacion - Posadas Logic

- Better for a softer urban contrast than for big-ticket shopping.
- Works best when the traveler is already based in Encarnacion.
- Keep it as a half-day or flex day, not as the backbone of the route.

## Practical Safeguards

- Never place a border crossing right before a non-refundable departure.
- Use ride-hailing or trusted taxis instead of improvising every move under time pressure.
- Tell the traveler that customs and import rules change. This skill can guide strategy, not replace current legal checks.

## Traps

- Promising exact crossing times.
- Turning a cultural trip into an exhausting shopping marathon by accident.
- Buying without a shortlist, then spending the entire day negotiating friction.


path: chaco-and-north.md
content: # Chaco and North - Paraguay

The Chaco and northern Paraguay are for travelers who want wildlife, open roads, Mennonite colony history, ranch stays, and a much slower rhythm than the east. This is a commitment zone, not a casual detour.

## Who Should Add It

| Traveler Type | Fit |
|---------------|-----|
| Wildlife and birding traveler | Excellent |
| Road-trip traveler | Strong fit |
| Family wanting pool-and-ranch time | Good if expectations are realistic |
| First-time visitor with 4-5 total days | Usually not worth it |
| Traveler relying only on public transport | Weak fit |

## Main Bases

| Base | Best For | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Filadelfia | Soft landing into the Chaco | Easiest planning base |
| Loma Plata | Similar to Filadelfia, quieter | Fine paired base |
| Estancias and lodges | Wildlife and immersion | Best with car or arranged transfer |
| Mariscal Estigarribia corridor | Deep Chaco transit | For committed routes only |

## Why Go

| Angle | What You Get |
|-------|---------------|
| Mennonite colony history | Different cultural layer from eastern Paraguay |
| Wildlife | Birding, mammals, wetland and dry-forest contrasts |
| Big-sky road trip | Space and isolation that the east does not offer |
| Ranch stays | Slower rhythm, family-friendly downtime |

## Planning Rules

- Give the Chaco at least 3-4 dedicated days if it is the main point.
- Prefer self-drive or arranged transfers. Public transport reduces the value too much.
- Build in fuel, water, and daylight buffers.
- Dry season is operationally easier, but heat still matters.

## Stronger Pairings

| Pairing | Good? | Why |
|---------|-------|-----|
| Asuncion + Chaco | Yes | Cleanest combination |
| South Paraguay + Chaco | Usually no | Too much transfer cost |
| Ciudad del Este + Chaco | Rarely | Wrong axis unless trip is very long |

## Traps

- Adding the Chaco just because it looks empty on the map and therefore "easy."
- Promising abundant services once the route leaves main colony areas.
- Driving long stretches after dark.
- Selling deep-nature days to travelers who mainly want urban dining and easy sightseeing.


path: ciudad-del-este.md
content: # Ciudad del Este - Paraguay

Ciudad del Este is best used as a high-friction border tool: shopping, Itaipu, Saltos del Monday, and tri-border logistics. It is usually not the right answer for a relaxed city stay.

## Use Cases

| Goal | Is Ciudad del Este Worth It? | Why |
|------|------------------------------|-----|
| Cross-border shopping | Yes, if the traveler actually wants it | Main reason most visitors go |
| Itaipu visit | Yes | Strong anchor outside the shopping chaos |
| Monday Falls and quick nature | Yes, as an add-on | Good contrast to commerce |
| Slow cafe city break | Usually no | Wrong product |
| Base for Iguazu side trips | Sometimes | Works only if logistics are handled carefully |

## Zones That Matter

| Zone | Best For | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Microcentro | Shopping and bridge access | Chaotic, busy, tactical |
| Shopping mall corridor | More controlled retail | Easier for travelers who hate market pressure |
| Hotel areas away from the core | Sleep and reset | Often better than staying in the center |
| Monday / outskirts | Nature add-ons | Better by car or taxi |

## What to Prioritize

| Place | Why Go | Time Needed |
|-------|--------|-------------|
| Itaipu Binacional | Best flagship visit in the area | Half day |
| Saltos del Monday | Easy nature contrast | 2-3 hours |
| Shopping del Este / similar formal retail | Better for travelers who want structure | 2-4 hours |
| Friendship Bridge viewpoint logic | Understand the border dynamic | Brief stop, not an attraction day |

## Shopping Logic

- Start with a list. Ciudad del Este punishes vague browsing.
- Separate formal malls from street-market style buying.
- If the traveler hates noise, pressure, or heat, narrow the list and shorten the stay.
- Use `border-shopping.md` for customs and crossing tradeoffs before giving detailed plans.

## Practical Notes

- Early starts matter. Midday heat plus bridge congestion burns energy fast.
- Hotel location matters more than romance. Most travelers benefit from a practical base, not a central one.
- Pairing Ciudad del Este with Encarnacion is usually awkward. Pairing it with Iguazu or a short east-Paraguay block is more logical.

## Traps

- Treating the city like a normal sightseeing destination.
- Crossing the bridge without a clear re-entry and transport plan.
- Booking same-day flights after a shopping or border day.
- Assuming every apparent bargain is worth the friction.


path: culture.md
content: # Culture - Paraguay

Paraguay feels more understandable once the traveler expects bilingual identity, family-centered rhythms, heat-aware pacing, and a lower-volume tourism scene than in neighboring giants.

## Cultural Signals

| Signal | What It Means |
|--------|---------------|
| Spanish and Guarani both matter | Identity is bilingual even when the visitor only hears fragments |
| Terere everywhere | Social rhythm is visible in daily life |
| Family lunch culture | Midday and weekends can feel slower and more home-centered |
| Less performative tourism | The country often feels more lived-in than curated |

## Etiquette and Practical Behavior

| Situation | Better Move |
|-----------|-------------|
| Greeting | Start polite and direct, no need for theatricality |
| Shared drink customs | Accept naturally or decline kindly |
| Heat-heavy day | Slow down rather than fighting the climate |
| Sunday planning | Expect some places to feel quieter or more family-oriented |

## Communication

- English support is strongest in better hotels, some restaurants, and structured tours.
- Basic Spanish helps a lot.
- The traveler does not need to perform Guarani knowledge, but should recognize that it is part of the cultural texture.

## Traps

- Reading Paraguay through Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo expectations.
- Expecting every good experience to be professionally packaged for tourism.
- Treating local rituals like terere as staged folklore.


path: emergencies.md
content: # Emergencies - Paraguay

Emergency response quality changes by city and distance. In complex situations, stabilize fast and move toward major urban care rather than improvising.

## Emergency Numbers

| Service | Number | Notes |
|---------|--------|-------|
| General / Police emergency | 911 | Primary emergency line |
| Firefighters | 132 | Fire and rescue response |
| Ambulance / SEME | 141 | Public emergency medical response |

## Medical Reality

| Situation | Better Move |
|-----------|-------------|
| Serious issue in Asuncion | Go toward major private or larger hospital care quickly |
| Minor issue | Pharmacy first can be efficient |
| Rural or Chaco problem | Stabilize locally, then escalate toward bigger centers if needed |

## Practical Safety Issues

- Heat exhaustion and dehydration are more common travel problems than dramatic crime scenarios.
- On border or shopping days, keep documents and backup cash separated.
- Do not drive tired after dark on longer rural routes.

## Documents and Theft

1. Contact card providers immediately if cards are stolen.
2. File the necessary report for insurance or document replacement.
3. Contact your embassy or consulate for passport problems.

## Health Notes

| Risk | Response |
|------|----------|
| Heat | Shade, hydration, slower midday pacing |
| Mosquitoes | Repellent and coverage, especially in warm months |
| Stomach issues | Hydration first, pharmacy if mild, medical care if persistent |

## Traps

- Assuming every town will have the same medical depth as Asuncion.
- Waiting too long to cool down or rehydrate in extreme heat.
- Treating a long rural drive as harmless when fatigue is already high.


path: encarnacion.md
content: # Encarnacion - Paraguay

Encarnacion is the cleanest leisure base in Paraguay for waterfront time, southern day trips, and the Jesuit missions. It works best in warm months and on slower routes.

## Why Use Encarnacion as a Base

| Strength | Why It Matters |
|----------|----------------|
| Costanera and Playa San Jose | Gives Paraguay an easy summer city-beach rhythm |
| Jesuit missions access | Trinidad and Jesus are realistic day trips |
| Cleaner urban feel | Easier to relax than in pure transit cities |
| Posadas link | Cross-border add-on possible if the traveler wants Argentina context |

## Best Areas to Stay

| Area | Best For | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Costanera / Playa San Jose | Summer atmosphere, easy walking | Best if the trip is about the waterfront |
| Centro | Value, practical food options, transport | Good year-round default |
| Edge-of-town resorts | Families, pools, parking | Better for car travelers than walkers |

## Core Experiences

| Experience | Time Needed | Notes |
|------------|-------------|-------|
| Costanera sunset | 1-2 hours | Core city ritual |
| Playa San Jose | Half day | Better in hot weather and weekend mood |
| Trinidad mission | Half day | Strongest ruins experience |
| Jesus de Tavarangue | Half day | Pair with Trinidad if energy is good |
| Posadas add-on | Half or full day | Only if border timing looks favorable |

## When It Works Best

| Season | Reality |
|--------|---------|
| Dec-Mar | Strongest beach and nightlife energy, also hottest |
| Apr-Jun | Good balance for missions and city time |
| Jul-Aug | Fine for culture, less for beach framing |
| Sep-Nov | Good shoulder season with warm days returning |

## Food and Evening Rhythm

- Use the waterfront for sunset and casual evening movement.
- For stronger meals, center-city spots often outperform the most obvious waterfront choices.
- Summer weekends are much livelier than weekdays.

## Practical Notes

- Encarnacion shines with two nights minimum. One night is enough only if the traveler mainly wants the missions.
- If pairing with Asuncion, use Encarnacion for decompression, not for constant rushing.
- If the user wants a beach vacation, clarify early that these are river and waterfront experiences, not ocean beaches.

## Traps

- Going only for the beach in a cool or rainy spell and then deciding the city has "nothing."
- Trying to do two missions, the beach, and a border crossing in one day.
- Booking far from the waterfront without a car and then losing the easy evening walk that makes the city worth it.


path: experiences.md
content: # Experiences - Paraguay

Paraguay is strongest when the trip mixes one urban base, one distinctive experience layer, and enough downtime to absorb the climate.

## Best Experiences by Type

| Experience | Best For | Where |
|------------|----------|-------|
| Sunset on the Costanera | First-time visitors, relaxed city breaks | Asuncion or Encarnacion |
| Jesuit missions | Culture travelers | Trinidad and Jesus area |
| Itaipu visit | Engineering, energy, tri-border context | East corridor |
| Saltos del Monday | Light nature add-on | Near Ciudad del Este |
| Aregua ceramics and lakeside feel | Slow half-day | Near Asuncion |
| San Bernardino warm-season weekend | Couples, friends, families | Lake area |
| Estancia stay | Ranch rhythm, families, nature | Central countryside or Chaco |
| Chaco wildlife days | Birders, road-trippers | Chaco lodges and reserves |

## Match the Experience to the Trip

| Trip Shape | High-Value Add-On |
|------------|-------------------|
| 3-4 day city break | Aregua or San Bernardino |
| 6-7 day south route | Missions plus Encarnacion waterfront |
| East-border route | Itaipu plus one nature stop |
| 9+ day road trip | Chaco lodge or estancia stay |

## What Makes Paraguay Feel Distinct

- Bilingual Spanish and Guarani culture
- Terere as a visible daily ritual
- River and waterfront life instead of ocean culture
- Strong contrast between city corridors, mission south, and the Chaco

## Traps

- Filling the route with only transit and malls.
- Treating Itaipu as a quick photo stop instead of an actual half-day anchor.
- Ignoring the softer cultural half-days that make a short Paraguay trip memorable.


path: food-guide.md
content: # Food Guide - Paraguay

Paraguay food works best when recommendations are tied to context: city lunch, roadside stop, family meal, market breakfast, or countryside grilling. Do not reduce the country to one bread or one soup.

## Core Dishes to Know

| Dish | What It Is | Best Context |
|------|------------|--------------|
| Sopa paraguaya | Dense cornbread-style dish with cheese and onion | Side dish, home-style meals |
| Chipa | Cheese bread ring or bun | Breakfast, road snack, bus snack |
| Mbeju | Cassava and cheese pancake-style staple | Breakfast or afternoon merienda |
| Vori vori | Cornmeal-and-cheese dumpling soup | Comfort food, rainy day, slower lunch |
| Asado | Grilled meat culture | Weekend meal, family setting |
| Pira caldo | Fish soup | Better near river zones or traditional menus |
| Chipa guazu | Corn casserole-style dish | Strong side dish in family-style meals |
| Lomito arabe | Local fast-food favorite | Late-night or casual stop |

## Where the Food Angle Changes

| Area | Food Strength |
|------|---------------|
| Asuncion | Best range from traditional to modern Paraguayan cooking |
| Central department towns | Casual bakeries, grill culture, snack foods |
| Encarnacion and south | Leisure dining, waterfront meals, mission-route lunches |
| Chaco | Ranch meals, grilled meats, practical hearty food |
| East border zone | Mixed menus, commerce-first eating, choose more selectively |

## How to Build Better Recommendations

- Offer one classic meal and one more contemporary meal when the traveler has 2+ nights in Asuncion.
- In summer, suggest lighter lunches and terere-compatible pacing.
- Use bakeries and chiperias to solve travel-day breakfasts.
- Save the strongest dining nights for Asuncion unless the route has a specific countryside or lodge angle.

## Food Rules

- Lunch can be the most useful meal for traditional dishes.
- Weekend grilling culture matters more than a long list of random restaurants.
- Ask whether the traveler wants traditional, polished, or street-casual food before naming places.

## Traps

- Recommending only grills to every traveler.
- Ignoring the role of breakfast snacks and merienda in the daily rhythm.
- Overpromising culinary density in pure transit zones like parts of Ciudad del Este.


path: hiking-and-nature.md
content: # Hiking and Nature - Paraguay

Nature in Paraguay is less about alpine epics and more about forests, waterfalls, viewpoints, wetlands, and wildlife spaces that pair well with slower pacing.

## Strong Nature Picks

| Place | Best For | Notes |
|-------|----------|-------|
| Parque Nacional Ybycui | Easy nature day from the capital side | Waterfalls, forest, picnic feel |
| Cerro Cora National Park | History plus landscape | Better on longer north routes |
| Saltos del Monday | Short, easy-impact nature stop | Best near east corridor |
| Mbatovi reserve area | Short hikes and viewpoints | Works on a day-trip scale |
| Chaco reserves and lodges | Birding and wildlife | Best with deeper planning |

## How to Recommend Nature Days

| Traveler Type | Better Option |
|---------------|---------------|
| Family with young kids | Ybycui or easy lodge grounds |
| Traveler wanting one nature break from Asuncion | Ybycui or lake-area stop |
| East-corridor traveler | Saltos del Monday |
| Dedicated wildlife traveler | Chaco lodge circuit |

## Planning Rules

- Start early to beat heat.
- Carry more water than the traveler thinks they need.
- Treat weather, insects, and road surfaces as part of the plan.
- Do not oversell trail infrastructure. Some places are better described as nature outings than as formal hikes.

## Traps

- Planning midday exposed walks in summer.
- Expecting Patagonia-style trail systems.
- Adding a far nature day to a schedule that already depends on border timing.


path: itineraries.md
content: # Itineraries - Paraguay

These route shapes keep Paraguay manageable. Good trips usually focus on one primary axis plus one contrast, not everything at once.

## 4 Days - Asuncion and Nearby

| Day | Plan |
|-----|------|
| 1 | Arrive Asuncion, settle in Carmelitas or Villa Morra, easy dinner |
| 2 | Historic center, museum, long lunch, Costanera sunset |
| 3 | Aregua or San Bernardino half-day, relaxed evening back in the city |
| 4 | Local shopping, cafe, depart |

Best for: first-timers, work trips with extra days, food-forward weekends.

## 6 Days - Asuncion plus Encarnacion

| Day | Plan |
|-----|------|
| 1-2 | Asuncion base |
| 3 | Travel south |
| 4 | Encarnacion waterfront and city |
| 5 | Jesuit missions day |
| 6 | Return or depart depending on transport chain |

Best for: balanced culture and leisure.

## 7-8 Days - South Route Done Properly

| Day | Plan |
|-----|------|
| 1-2 | Asuncion |
| 3-5 | Encarnacion base |
| 6 | Countryside or mission overflow day |
| 7-8 | Return buffer, optional San Bernardino stop if season fits |

Best for: travelers who do not want border stress.

## 7 Days - East Corridor

| Day | Plan |
|-----|------|
| 1 | Arrive Asuncion or east corridor |
| 2 | Transfer east |
| 3 | Itaipu |
| 4 | Monday Falls and shopping |
| 5 | Border-flex day |
| 6 | Buffer or Iguazu-side add-on |
| 7 | Depart |

Best for: travelers explicitly motivated by shopping or tri-border logic.

## 9-10 Days - Asuncion plus Chaco

| Day | Plan |
|-----|------|
| 1-2 | Asuncion |
| 3 | Move into the Chaco |
| 4-7 | Colony and lodge days |
| 8 | Return buffer |
| 9-10 | Flexible city close or onward travel |

Best for: road-trippers and wildlife-focused travelers.

## What Not to Do

- 5-6 days with Asuncion, Encarnacion, Ciudad del Este, and the Chaco.
- Same-day city arrival, long overland transfer, and border crossing.
- Building a trip around only transit hubs with no slow days.


path: memory-template.md
content: # Paraguay Preferences - [User Name]

Personal preferences for Paraguay travel. Update after each trip or planning conversation.

## Travel Profile

| Preference | Value |
|------------|-------|
| Travel style | [ ] Budget [ ] Mid-range [ ] Comfortable [ ] Premium |
| Pace | [ ] Fast [ ] Balanced [ ] Slow |
| Interests | [ ] Food [ ] Culture [ ] Nature [ ] Border shopping [ ] Family time [ ] Nightlife |
| Group | [ ] Solo [ ] Couple [ ] Family [ ] Friends [ ] Work trip |

## Practical Constraints

| Constraint | Details |
|------------|---------|
| Travel month | |
| Heat tolerance | [ ] Low [ ] Medium [ ] High |
| Driving comfort | [ ] No car [ ] Short drives only [ ] Comfortable self-drive |
| Border comfort | [ ] Avoid [ ] Fine for day trip [ ] Happy to cross |
| Language comfort | [ ] Spanish ok [ ] Needs English-friendly options |
| Budget notes | |

## Food and Drink

| Preference | Details |
|------------|---------|
| Dietary restrictions | |
| Favorite dishes | |
| Avoids | |
| Coffee / terere / alcohol | |

## Visited Places

| Place | Date | Notes | Would Return? |
|-------|------|-------|---------------|
| | | | |

## Planned Ideas

| Idea | Priority | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| | | |

## Learned Preferences

### Bases They Liked
- 

### Pacing Notes
- 

### Food Notes
- 

### Logistics Notes
- 

## Trip History

### [Trip Name or Date]
- **Dates:** 
- **Bases:** 
- **Highlights:** 
- **Would skip next time:** 

## Notes

Anything else relevant for future Paraguay recommendations.

---

*Last updated: [DATE]*


path: money-and-payments.md
content: # Money and Payments - Paraguay

Payment friction matters more in Paraguay than many travelers expect. Solve cash, cards, and border logic early so the itinerary runs smoothly.

## Core Rules

| Rule | Why |
|------|-----|
| Carry local currency for everyday spending | Smaller places, tolls, and casual stops may prefer it |
| Use cards for hotels, nicer restaurants, and formal retail | Easier and safer when accepted cleanly |
| Keep small notes | Reduces change problems |
| Do not build the day around finding the "perfect" exchange | Wasted time is a hidden cost |

## Practical Reality

| Situation | Best Payment Approach |
|-----------|-----------------------|
| Asuncion restaurants and hotels | Card first, cash backup |
| Markets and smaller roadside stops | Cash |
| Border-shopping formal malls | Card or whichever quoted currency is clearly best |
| Chaco and remote road sections | More cash backup than in the capital |

## Border Caution

- In east-border zones, prices may appear in guaranies, dollars, or reais. Compare the effective rate before paying.
- Avoid casual street exchange recommendations unless the traveler already understands the risk and local context.
- If the route includes both Paraguay and neighbors, make the payment plan part of the route plan.

## ATM and Cash Strategy

- Withdraw in major urban zones when possible, not after you already need the cash.
- Do not assume every ATM outside main cities will be convenient or fully stocked.
- Keep separate emergency cash so one lost wallet does not end the trip logic.

## Tipping

- Tipping is lighter and less ritualized than in the United States.
- Small rounding up or a modest extra amount is usually enough in normal service settings.
- Do not over-tip because a guidebook implied US norms.

## Traps

- Arriving in a smaller town with only cards.
- Crossing a border for shopping without deciding which currency makes sense.
- Accepting poor card conversion choices just because checkout feels rushed.


path: nightlife.md
content: # Nightlife - Paraguay

Nightlife in Paraguay is concentrated, seasonal, and city-specific. Recommend it by neighborhood and energy level, not by broad country claims.

## Best Nightlife Contexts

| Place | Best For | Notes |
|-------|----------|-------|
| Asuncion - Carmelitas / Villa Morra | Bars, dinner-to-drinks flow, polished night out | Best national default |
| Asuncion - brewery and cafe pockets | Lower-key evenings | Better for travelers who do not want clubs |
| Encarnacion summer waterfront | Warmer-weather movement and younger energy | More seasonal |
| San Bernardino in season | Weekend and summer buzz | Works best in peak warm months |
| Ciudad del Este | Functional, not a nightlife destination first | Keep expectations lower |

## Timing

- Dinner often starts later than many travelers expect.
- Weekend energy matters more than weekday energy.
- Summer amplifies waterfront nightlife in the south.

## Recommendation Logic

| Traveler Type | What to Offer |
|---------------|---------------|
| Wants one good night out | Asuncion with dinner plus one bar cluster |
| Wants dancing and late finish | Carmelitas / Villa Morra or seasonal south hotspots |
| Wants easy social evening | Brewery, rooftop, or waterfront over club circuit |
| Family or mixed-age group | Early dinner plus sunset promenade, not "nightlife" proper |

## Practical Notes

- Use ride-hailing back to the hotel.
- Do not oversell walkability between nightlife zones in Asuncion.
- Heat and storms can change the feel of open-air plans quickly.

## Traps

- Sending a quiet traveler into the most aggressive weekend party strip.
- Pitching Ciudad del Este as a nightlife reward after a border-stress day.
- Forgetting that Sunday and weekday energy can be dramatically softer.


path: regions.md
content: # Regions - Paraguay

Paraguay is easier to plan when reduced to travel-relevant corridors rather than administrative detail.

## Macro-Regions That Matter for Travelers

| Region | Why Go | Best For |
|--------|--------|----------|
| Asuncion and Central | Food, museums, logistics, short escapes | First-time and short trips |
| Cordillera / Lake corridor | Aregua, San Bernardino, warm-weather leisure | Weekend add-ons |
| South / Itapua | Encarnacion, missions, waterfront | Balanced 5-8 day trips |
| East / Alto Parana | Itaipu, shopping, tri-border logic | Tactical add-ons, east corridor |
| Northern parks | Road trips, history, wider-open landscapes | Longer trips |
| Chaco | Wildlife, ranches, colony history | Dedicated nature or road trips |

## Fast Region Selection

| User Says | Send Them Toward |
|-----------|------------------|
| "I only have a few days" | Asuncion and maybe Cordillera |
| "I want relaxed summer energy" | Encarnacion or lake corridor |
| "I need electronics or border shopping" | East corridor |
| "I want wildlife and space" | Chaco |
| "I want history and a route" | South missions plus Asuncion |

## What the Country Is Not Great For

- Ultra-dense sightseeing itineraries with zero transit
- Huge museum depth in multiple cities
- Ocean-coast beach trips
- Casual all-in-one loops in under a week


path: setup.md
content: # Setup - Paraguay Skill

## Requirements

No external dependencies. This skill uses file-based knowledge only.

## Memory Configuration

Create `~/paraguay/` for user preferences and trip context:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/paraguay
```

Copy the memory template:

```bash
cp memory-template.md ~/paraguay/memory.md
```

## File Structure

```
paraguay/
├── SKILL.md
├── setup.md
├── memory-template.md
│
├── asuncion.md
├── encarnacion.md
├── ciudad-del-este.md
├── chaco-and-north.md
│
├── itineraries.md
├── accommodation.md
├── money-and-payments.md
├── border-shopping.md
├── apps.md
│
├── food-guide.md
├── yerba-and-drinks.md
├── nightlife.md
│
├── experiences.md
├── beaches-and-waterfronts.md
├── hiking-and-nature.md
│
├── regions.md
├── culture.md
├── with-kids.md
│
├── transport.md
├── telecoms.md
└── emergencies.md
```

## Usage Notes

### When to Load Which File

| User Intent | Files to Load |
|-------------|---------------|
| General Paraguay trip | `SKILL.md` -> `itineraries.md` |
| Asuncion weekend or arrival base | `asuncion.md` |
| Border-shopping question | `ciudad-del-este.md` -> `border-shopping.md` |
| South Paraguay route | `encarnacion.md` -> `experiences.md` |
| Chaco or wildlife | `chaco-and-north.md` -> `hiking-and-nature.md` |
| Money and payment friction | `money-and-payments.md` |
| Food questions | `food-guide.md` -> `yerba-and-drinks.md` |
| Family planning | `with-kids.md` |
| Emergency or safety issue | `emergencies.md` |

### Memory System

User preferences stored in `~/paraguay/memory.md`:
- travel style
- heat tolerance
- budget level
- border comfort level
- visited places
- preferred pace

Check the memory file before making recommendations.

### Quality Standards

Every recommendation should include:
- a specific base or neighborhood
- why that option fits the traveler's goal
- timing or seasonality caveats
- transfer friction when it matters
- what to skip if the schedule is tight

### Updating Information

This skill is most reliable for route logic, food culture, and practical tradeoffs. Verify current opening hours, festival dates, bridge delays, and prices before any high-commitment booking.

## Verification

Test the skill by asking:
1. "I have 6 days in Paraguay, should I do Asuncion and Encarnacion or add Ciudad del Este?"
2. "What is actually worth doing in Ciudad del Este besides shopping?"
3. "How should I plan a summer weekend around San Bernardino or Encarnacion?"

If answers stay generic or ignore route friction, the skill is not being used correctly.


path: telecoms.md
content: # Telecoms - Paraguay

Connectivity is usually fine in the capital and other major urban zones, then weaker once the trip leans rural or Chaco-heavy.

## What to Expect

| Topic | Practical Read |
|-------|----------------|
| City coverage | Usually adequate for normal travel needs |
| Rural coverage | More variable, especially on longer road routes |
| Wi-Fi | Common in hotels and cafes, quality varies |
| eSIM or local SIM | Useful if the traveler depends on maps and messaging all day |

## Common Operators

Travelers will usually compare the main local carriers such as Tigo, Personal, and Claro. Recommend checking whichever has the strongest current package and coverage for the actual route.

## Setup Advice

- If the traveler only has a short city stay, roaming or a simple eSIM may be enough.
- If the route includes long drives, a local data plan is safer.
- Download maps before rural transfers even if signal looks fine at the hotel.

## Device Basics

| Topic | Note |
|-------|------|
| Plugs | Type C is common |
| Voltage | 220V is the normal assumption |
| Power backup | Helpful on longer road days and for border-heavy travel |

## Traps

- Assuming the Chaco will behave like a capital-city data environment.
- Depending on one phone battery for maps, tickets, and translation all day.
- Forgetting adapters or voltage compatibility on older devices.


path: transport.md
content: # Transport - Paraguay

Transport in Paraguay is manageable when the route respects geography and heat. Keep the plan simple and avoid stacking long road days on top of border friction.

## Core Transport Modes

| Mode | Best For | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Domestic flight | Limited time-saving on selected corridors | Check current routes before promising |
| Long-distance bus | Budget travel between main cities | Common but not always fast |
| Rental car | South routes, lake corridor, Chaco | Most flexible outside core cities |
| Ride-hailing / taxi | Urban movement | Best in Asuncion and larger cities |

## Arrival Logic

| Arrival Point | Best Use |
|---------------|----------|
| Asuncion / Silvio Pettirossi corridor | Default entry for most trips |
| East corridor / Guarani airport side | Useful if the trip is truly about the east |

## Driving Reality

- Self-drive adds major value outside the capital if the traveler is comfortable.
- Daylight driving is strongly preferable.
- Fuel and service planning matter more in the Chaco and on longer rural stretches.

## Route Advice

| Route | Practical Note |
|-------|----------------|
| Asuncion to Encarnacion | Worth doing if the traveler wants the south, not as a random add-on |
| Asuncion to Ciudad del Este | Better for tactical east-corridor plans than leisure loops |
| Asuncion to Chaco | Strong with car, weak if rushed |

## Public Transport Reality

- Buses solve movement, but they do not automatically create a pleasant trip.
- For short trips, fewer bases usually outperform "seeing more" by bus.
- Ride-hailing is often the easiest city solution when active locally.

## Traps

- Promising same-day overland transfers plus major sightseeing.
- Treating the east and south as quick side trips from Asuncion.
- Driving long rural stretches after sunset.


path: with-kids.md
content: # With Kids - Paraguay

Paraguay works with children when the route is simple, heat is managed, and the trip mixes pools, promenades, and easy outings instead of long transit chains.

## Best Family Bases

| Base | Why It Works |
|------|---------------|
| Asuncion with pool hotel | Good logistics and easier food options |
| Encarnacion in warm weather | Waterfront rhythm and more open evening space |
| Resort or estancia stay | Best for downtime and mixed ages |
| Chaco lodge with structure | Good only for nature-oriented families who can handle road time |

## Family-Friendly Moves

| Activity | Best Age Mix | Notes |
|----------|--------------|-------|
| Costanera walks | All ages | Best late afternoon |
| Museo del Barro | Older kids | Stronger than forcing multiple museums |
| Aregua half-day | All ages | Easy craft-and-lake outing |
| Itaipu visit | School-age and older | Better if the child can handle a structured visit |
| Estancia day | Broad fit | Space, animals, slower pace |

## Planning Rules

- Use air conditioning and pool access as quality-of-life tools, not luxuries.
- Protect nap or cool-down windows in the middle of hot days.
- Do not build the trip around long border waits with younger kids unless the goal is very clear.

## Traps

- Packing the route too tightly because the country looks small.
- Choosing a pure shopping trip and hoping children will adapt.
- Forgetting shade, hydration, and bug strategy.


path: yerba-and-drinks.md
content: # Yerba and Drinks - Paraguay

Drink culture in Paraguay is a social language. Terere is not a gimmick for tourists; it is part of the day's rhythm.

## What Matters Most

| Drink | Context | Notes |
|-------|---------|-------|
| Terere | Heat, daytime, social pauses | The national default in warm weather |
| Mate or cocido | Cooler mornings, breakfast, rainy weather | More common when the day is not blazing hot |
| Fresh juice | Lunch and casual cafes | Good heat-management option |
| Beer | Social evenings, grills, waterfronts | Cold matters more than complexity |
| Clerico and festive drinks | Summer gatherings | Seasonal and social, not an everyday identity |

## Terere Etiquette

- If someone is sharing terere, the ritual matters as much as the drink.
- Accepting a round is friendly; there is no need to overperform expertise.
- Do not treat it like a one-off exotic sample. It is part of normal daily life.

## How to Use This in Recommendations

- In hot months, build pauses around terere, shade, and lighter daytime pacing.
- If the traveler loves ritual and local habits, mention markets, plazas, and road breaks where terere culture is visible.
- For travelers who dislike shared-drink customs, simply explain the ritual and move on without drama.

## Traps

- Describing terere as just "cold mate" and missing the cultural weight.
- Planning alcohol-heavy afternoons in peak heat.
- Ignoring hydration advice when the traveler is doing long outdoor days.


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: clean (LOW)