Your questions

I used to live in Paraguay in the 1950s, when I was a child. Not knowing anyone there today, I would love to find out where to obtain a visa and what kind of tours are available, especially if there are river cruises on the Paraguay River.

- Dieter Lorenz, Rockdale

Answer

Visitors from Australia need a valid passport and visa, available from the Paraguayan consulate in Melbourne. Single-entry visas cost $US45 ($58). See www.paraguayconsul.org for detailed information on visa requirements.

Vantage World Travel has a number of cruises departing from Asuncion travelling up the Paraguay River, from four-day to 11-day trips.

There are opportunities to hop off and visit the eco-region of the Chaco and visit historical ports along the way. See travelvantage.com.

Pantanal Tours has a six-night cruise leaving from Corumba (just over the border in Brazil) and visiting Porto Sao Pedro and the Acurizal nature reserve. See pantanaltours.com.

Crucero Paraguay has a three-day cruise departing Asuncion and travelling to the branches of the Paraguay River. Stops include the city of Villa Hayes, the Chaco region and a typical ranch. See www.cruceroparaguay.info/eng/index.php.

Elite Tour Operators offer a number of circuits travelling the river, from eight to 21 days. See www.elite-paraguay.com.

Aerolineas Argentinas flies from Sydney to Asuncion via Buenos Aries. Qantas also flies to the capital via Santiago. See www.aerolineas.com.ar and qantas.com.au.

- Lynne Whiley

If you have any travel questions, we'd love to hear from you. Write to travelshd@fairfaxmedia .com.au. Personal correspondence cannot be entered into. Only questions appearing in print will be answered. If your question is published, you will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.