Vehicles

1. mba'yru

   Vehicle / car

   Usage

   Originally "vessel, container"; it covers vehicles in general, though in daily speech people usually say auto

2. colectivo

   Colectivo (city bus)

   Usage

   Asunción's city buses. Check the number and destination on the windscreen; drivers often stop wherever you raise a hand

3. ómnibus

   Intercity coach

   Usage

   The main way between cities. "Moõpa oho ómnibus Asunción-pe?" = where does the Asunción bus leave from?

4. taxi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Some have meters, some do not; agree the fare in advance when there is none

5. moto

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   Extremely common as the family vehicle in Paraguay; they shoot out at unsignalled junctions, so watch out even on foot

6. mototaxi

   Motorcycle taxi

   Usage

   The handiest ride in provincial towns. Agree the fare first; helmets are often not provided

7. bicicleta

   Bicycle

   Usage

   The heat is punishing, so ride at dawn or dusk and always carry water

8. camión

   Truck

   Usage

   Used to haul farm produce; in villages with no bus service people ride in the back

9. ambulancia

   Ambulance

   Usage

   It can be slow in rural areas; sometimes asking your host to drive you to a clinic is faster

10. ygára

    Boat / canoe

    Usage

    Built on y, "water". Used for river crossings and fishing craft on the Paraguay and Paraná, though people often say barco or lancha in daily speech

11. balsa

    River ferry

    Usage

    The flat-bottomed craft that takes vehicles across the river where there is no bridge, including at border crossings

12. mba'yruveve

    Airplane

    Usage

    Coined from mba'yru (vehicle) plus veve (to fly). Taught at school, though people usually say avión in daily speech

13. tren

    Train

    Usage

    Scheduled passenger rail in Paraguay has effectively ended; only a short heritage line runs for visitors. Use the bus between cities

Browse all TravelPhrases languages