People from every corner of the globe are drawn to Asunción, where Paraguay’s laid-back capital has quietly become a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and ambition. Each Tuesday evening from 18:00 to 21:00, digital nomads, expats, and friendly locals come together at the ever-popular English networking event organised by The Asunción Times. Held in a different charming bar or restaurant across the city every week, these gatherings offer the perfect blend of Paraguayan warmth and international energy. In this People of Asunción series, we introduce the inspiring individuals who make this scene so uniquely alive. In #21, we meet Io Del Álamo from Spain.
Meet Io Del Álamo
Io Del Álamo, 40, is originally from Madrid, Spain, and works as an online Spanish teacher while travelling between countries throughout the year. Over the last three years, she has spent several months annually in Paraguay, building friendships and returning frequently to Asunción. Sitting beside the networking crowd, she smiles warmly while speaking about community, travel, and the emotional connection she now feels toward Paraguay.
Where are you from?
“I am from Spain, from Madrid. But I travel constantly and spend time living in different countries throughout the year.”
Although she moves frequently, Paraguay has become one of the places where she stays the longest during her travels. She explains that returning to Asunción already feels natural because she builds strong friendships and routines here. “I usually spend around half the year in Paraguay. I have been doing that for around three years now.”
What are you doing in Paraguay?
“I have an online school where I teach Spanish. I travel around the world while working remotely with students who want to learn the language.”
Her work allows her to move constantly while maintaining a lifestyle centred around language, culture, and human connection. Paraguay gradually becomes one of the places she emotionally considers home because of the relationships she builds here over time. “I always come back to see the people I love. For me, Paraguay already feels like home.”
What is your favourite place in Asunción, and why?
“I think my favourite place is the Ñu Guazu park. I love the nature there, and I love how peaceful it feels. You can walk around, see animals, and feel like you are outside the city, even though you are still in it.
I also love going there to eat açai, take photographs, and spend quiet afternoons outside. I always feel very happy there. It is calm, beautiful, and very easy to enjoy.”
What is your favourite place outside Asunción, and why?
“One place I loved was Salto Cristal. It is incredibly beautiful, and I think more people should know about it.”
She also remembers travelling to Encarnación during carnival season, where music and celebration completely transform the city streets. “We danced beside the parade and enjoyed every moment. The atmosphere there felt unforgettable.”
What do you love most about Paraguay?
“The people. People here welcome you very naturally and make you feel part of their lives. In Europe, everything feels much more individualistic sometimes, but here people invite you into their homes, celebrate with you, and genuinely care about you. People here really make you feel loved, and I think that warmth feels very special today.”
What do you miss from home?
“Sometimes I miss my family and friends in Spain. Because I travel so much, there are weddings, birthdays, and important moments I cannot always attend.”
She also misses the sea because beaches and ocean landscapes remain closely connected to her life growing up in Spain. “I am very connected to the ocean. That is probably what I miss most.”
If you were to move away tomorrow, what would you absolutely take with you from Paraguay?
“I would take the way people treat each other here. Paraguay has suffered so much throughout history, but people still continue being kind and helping one another. Even when life becomes difficult, people still smile and try to support each other. I also really love the energy between women here. Women protect each other and help each other a lot, and I think that is something very beautiful. I would carry that spirit with me forever.”
Meet Io
You can find Io Del Álamo on Instagram or, even better, bump into her in person at one of The Asunción Times English networking events, every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00, popping up in a different lively bar or restaurant across Asunción. Check the What’s on Guide to discover exactly where the next one is taking place.
