In a year filled with inspiring stories and uplifting voices, The Asunción Times is proudly publishing this Top 5 Adventurers Stories of 2025. These are the articles that readers cherished, shared with friends and family, and came back to time and again. By sharing several Top 5’s with our readers on the edge of 2026, we celebrate the very best of human connection, hope, and community in Paraguay in 2025.
1. From Paraguay To Antarctica: Edgar Espínola’s Journey To The Ends Of The Earth
Edgar Espínola is a Paraguayan explorer who achieved his dream of visiting every continent, culminating in a life-changing expedition to Antarctica in 2025. Originally from Asunción, he moved to Dublin to pursue a career in tech, eventually working for Google and TikTok. His journey to the frozen south involved kayaking through icy waters and witnessing rare wildlife. An experience he describes as profoundly humbling.
Despite the extreme conditions, Edgar emerged with a deeper appreciation for the planet’s fragility. He credits his international success to the Paraguayan value of humility and encourages others to look beyond conventional borders. With plans to visit the Arctic in 2026, his story serves as a reminder that bold decisions can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Read From Paraguay To Antarctica: Edgar Espínola’s Journey To The Ends Of The Earth.
2. ‘2LoveBears’: A Venezuelan Couple’s Viral YouTube Channel Celebrating Paraguay!
‘2LoveBears’ is a viral YouTube channel run by Antonella Luciani and David Tovar, a Venezuelan couple who moved to Paraguay in 2020. Through hundreds of unscripted vlogs, they document their daily lives and explore the country’s hidden gems, garnering millions of views. Their content highlights the warmth of the local people and the beauty of the Paraguayan landscape.
The couple has fully embraced the local culture, famously adopting chipa and tereré as part of their daily routine. By sharing their journey from immigrants to successful digital creators, they aim to promote domestic tourism and reshape international perceptions of their adopted home. Their story is a celebration of Paraguayan hospitality and the opportunities found in a new beginning.
Read ‘2LoveBears’: A Venezuelan Couple’s Viral YouTube Channel Celebrating Paraguay!
3. Reaching The Sky: Paraguayans Climb Mount Fuji in Japan
Yoshio Gono and Kenji Furuya, two Paraguayans residing in Japan, should not be missing from this Top 5 Adventurers Stories Of 2025. They recently reached the 3,776-metre summit of Mount Fuji. Gono, inspired by his father’s previous ascent, braved the demanding Gotemba trail to fly the Paraguayan flag at the peak. Despite battling altitude sickness, he achieved a childhood dream and shared a message of perseverance.
For Gono, the feat was a testament to courage and sacrifice, proving that no goal is too distant with enough determination. He noted the surprisingly large number of his fellow countrymen living in Japan, describing the experience as “Paraguay conquering the world”. His journey highlights the strength of the Paraguayan spirit, even thousands of miles from home.
Read Reaching The Sky: Paraguayans Climb Mount Fuji in Japan.
4. Dancer And Doctor: The Extraordinary Life Of Paraguayan Soffy Varela
Soffy Varela is a remarkable Paraguayan polymath who successfully balances two demanding careers as a professional ballet dancer and a medical doctor. After rising to international acclaim on the stage, she earned a medical degree and is currently a resident in anatomic pathology. Her life is defined by an extraordinary level of discipline, as she transitions daily from hospital rounds to the dance studio.
Rather than seeing these fields as separate, Varela uses her medical knowledge of anatomy to improve her dance technique and prevent injury. She views the stage as her ultimate sanctuary for self-expression, while her medical work provides a profound connection to human nature. Her story serves as a powerful example of how the arts and sciences can harmoniously coexist through dedication and passion, both in and outside her country.
Read Dancer And Doctor: The Extraordinary Life Of Paraguayan Soffy Varela.
5. Tiphaine Poulon: A French Soul On Paraguayan Soil
Tiphaine Poulon is a Frenchwoman who discovered a “cowboy dream” in rural Paraguay after marrying footballer Adilson Aguero Maringá. Captivated by the countryside lifestyle of Pedro Juan Caballero, she quickly traded French café culture for early-morning asados and a deep fascination with the local way of life.
Now a regular visitor, Tiphaine has fully embraced Paraguayan traditions, from her “love at first sight” for chipa to the habit of drinking tereré. She finds the relaxed, hospitable nature of the people a welcome contrast to the fast pace of Europe. She describes the country as a place where she truly feels at home. For more about her Paraguayan adventures, follow Tiphaine on Instagram.
Read Tiphaine Poulon: A French Soul On Paraguayan Soil.
All the best for 2026!
We hope you loved this look back at The Asunción Times’ Top 5 Adventurers Stories of 2025. From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the entire team, we thank you for reading, sharing, and being part of our journey. Feliz Año Nuevo, Happy New Year!
