How to Get Around Chaco

The Trans-Chaco highway is the only paved road across the region, running north-west from Asuncion to the Bolivian border. Filadelfia is about 450 kilometres and six to seven hours; the border is a further long day.

Buses run daily from Asuncion to the colony towns and are cheap and reasonably comfortable; beyond them, public transport effectively stops.

A four-wheel drive is essential for anything off the highway, along with spare fuel, water, tyres and a way of calling for help. Distances between fuel stations run to hundreds of kilometres.

Defensores del Chaco requires a permit from the environment ministry, a capable vehicle and full self-sufficiency; most visitors go with an operator.

In the wet season, unpaved roads are impassable, and vehicles are stranded for days.

Tell someone your route before leaving the highway.