South AmericaParaguay is a country in central South America with big rivers, green landscapes and a strong mix of European and indigenous cultures. Tourist services are limited, but visitors can explore colonial history, mission ruins and large wilderness areas.
Why go
Explore the historic centre of Asunción, the capital.
Visit the Jesuit mission ruins near Trinidad.
See Itaipu Dam and Salto del Monday waterfall.
Relax on San José river beach in Encarnación.
Explore nature parks in the Pantanal and other wilderness areas.
Best time to go: June to September brings warm, generally sunny and dry days around 20–25°C, with cool nights and occasional morning frost. November to February is the hottest period, with daytime temperatures sometimes reaching 45°C.
Getting there
By air
- The main international airport is Silvio Pettirossi, about 10 km outside Asunción. Its airport code is ASU.
- The source lists a direct Air Europa flight from Madrid to Asunción four times a week.
- Most overseas visitors change planes in cities such as São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima or Panama City.
By land
- International buses connect Paraguay with cities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.
- Some long-distance buses have seats that turn into beds, called coche-cama. Semi-cama seats recline most of the way.
- The Santa Cruz–Asunción bus crosses the Chaco and takes at least a full day, often longer. The source gives a minimum fare of US$45 and says travellers should bargain.
By sea
- River boats run weekly from Concepción to Bahía Negra or Fuerte Olimpo and back, stopping at Paraguayan ports. They allow travel to and from Brazil and Bolivia.
- These boats mainly carry cargo and can be crowded and sticky. Private cabins hold up to four people, and food and drinks are sold on board.
Customs
- Adult visitors from South American countries, except the Guyanas, may enter with a national identity card. Other visitors need a valid passport.
- Check entry requirements with the nearest Paraguayan embassy before travelling if your nationality is not covered by the source's entry exemptions.
- For land crossings, check whether your bus stops at border control so you can arrange the necessary stamps.
Getting around
Bus
Buses, also called colectivos, are the most common public transport. You can buy tickets directly at bus terminals, sometimes for less than online. The Plataforma10 website lists routes and departure times, mainly in eastern Paraguay. Some smaller operators are not listed. The Asunción bus terminal website lists departure times and ticket prices in Spanish. It does not list journey lengths or schedules towards Asunción.
Car
Highways connect the main regions, but most have only one lane in each direction. Some roads have toll booths. Drive on the right and keep headlights on at all times, including during the day. Road police may stop drivers and demand bribes, especially on country roads. Do not pay a bribe; if you committed an offence, pay the fine and ask for a receipt. Storms from September to November can make travel off paved roads harder.
Taxi
A taxi ride is one way to see Asunción's historic centre lit up at night. The source lists a December 2025 taxi cost of GS.9,200 per kilometre.
What to see and do
Asunción
The capital has many of the country's sights. Its historic centre has former grand buildings, bars and restaurants.
Jesuit missions near Trinidad
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue form Paraguay's only World Heritage Site recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Itaipu Dam
Visit this huge hydroelectric dam near Ciudad del Este. Tours on the Paraguayan side are free, though some require early registration.
Salto del Monday
This impressive waterfall is in Presidente Franco, just south of Ciudad del Este.
Encarnación
This relaxed city has San José river beach, a promenade and local bars.
Catedral Virgen de Caacupé
This church in Caacupé, near Asunción, has a tower viewpoint.
Food and drink
Asado
Grilled meat is a local favourite. Beef is generally good quality and cheap.
Manioc
Restaurants normally serve this as a free side dish, much like bread elsewhere.
Street food
Stalls sell panchos, meaning hot dogs, as well as hamburgers and empanadas.
Pasta
Pasta is popular, and local food also shows some Brazilian influence.
Vegetables and salads
These are available but less common than beef dishes. Paraguayan food is generally not very spicy.
Mate
The source shows mate served in a vessel called a guampa.
Money
Paraguayan guaraní (PYG), written as ₲ or GS.
- Check exchange rates online or in major newspapers before changing money.
- Use established exchange offices, called cambios. Street money changers offer poor rates and cannot be trusted.
- Exchange offices in Asunción offer competitive rates for US dollars and other currencies.
- Cash machine fees were about GS.40,000 in October 2026. Larger withdrawals reduce the effect of fees, but carrying too much cash is not a good idea.
Tipping: Tipping is uncommon, and service charges are included in the bill.
Typical costs
- December 2025: an inexpensive restaurant meal cost about GS.35,000.
- December 2025: a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant, without drinks, cost about GS.200,000.
- December 2025: a 1.5-litre bottle of water cost about GS.3,100.
- December 2025: a 0.5-litre domestic beer cost about GS.5,500.
- December 2025: a one-way local transport ticket cost about GS.3,600.
- The source lists cheap, decent accommodation from GS.40,000 in or near Asunción and Concepción, and GS.60,000 in Encarnación.
- The source lists admission to the three Jesuit sites near Trinidad at €4.
Language
- Spanish and Guaraní are official languages.
- Most people speak Spanish, but Guaraní is especially common outside Asunción and the big cities.
- Guaraní is often mixed with Spanish in everyday speech. This mixture is called Jopara.
- English is very limited.
- Portuguese is widely spoken in parts of northern and eastern Paraguay.
- Some Mennonite communities speak Low German and standard German.
- Mba'eichapa?
- How are you?
- Iporã
- Good.
- Ha nde?
- And you?
- Iporã avei
- Good as well.
Staying safe
- Paraguay is generally safe, but crime occurs in cities. Stay alert to pickpockets.
- Keep an eye on your bags and wallet, especially in Ciudad del Este.
- Avoid involvement in drug smuggling, including unknowingly carrying drugs.
- Road police may demand bribes. Refuse bribes and ask for a receipt if paying a fine for an actual offence.
Local customs
Do
- Be polite and soft-spoken, as Paraguayans generally are.
- Understand that people may be curious about visitors in this little-visited country.
- Respect the value placed on tranquillity, known locally as tranquilo pa.
Don't
- Do not pay bribes, known as coimas.
Staying healthy
- Hospital standards vary widely, from decent to unsanitary and poorly equipped. If seriously ill, try to reach the best hospital even if the journey takes longer.
- Avoid stray dogs in the streets. They usually leave people alone.
- Summer heat can be extreme, with daytime temperatures reaching around 45°C from November to February. Even walking outside can be difficult.
Phone and internet
- The Facebook group Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay Backpacker / Traveler can help you find other travellers and recent information.
Where to stay
- Good accommodation is easy to find in major towns and can be reasonably cheap when paying with dollars or euros.
- The source lists cheap, decent rooms from GS.40,000 in or near Asunción and Concepción, and GS.60,000 in Encarnación.
- In Ciudad del Este, the cheapest accommodation is near the bus station. The source lists double rooms for less than €10 and describes the area as pleasant in the evening.
- For higher-quality accommodation near Ciudad del Este, the source suggests Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil or Puerto Iguazú in Argentina. The crossing into Argentina takes considerably longer.
Outdoor adventures in Paraguay
Paraguay has big rivers, waterfalls, forests and wild plains, with options for short walks, nature visits and river trips. June to September generally brings warm days and drier weather, while November to February can be extremely hot. Visitor facilities are limited in many areas.
Salto del Monday waterfall
More to doParaná Plateaunear Presidente Franco
Visit the waterfall in Presidente Franco, just south of Ciudad del Este.
San Jose Beach
Beachenear Encarnación
Visit this river beach and its promenade in Encarnación.
Cerro Corá National Park
Hike
1–2 days June to September generally brings warm days and sunny, dry weather across Paraguay.Visit the national park and explore its short trails. Transport and guide arrangements are not specified.
- November to February can bring daytime temperatures around 45°C.
- Winter nights can be cool, with occasional morning frost.
Estación Biológica Los Tres Gigantes
WildlifePantanal
Visit this nature park in the Paraguayan Pantanal. Access and booking arrangements are not specified.
Nature Reserve Cordillera San Rafael
More to do
June to September generally brings warm days and sunny, dry weather across Paraguay.Visit the reserve between Encarnación and Ciudad del Este. Transport and visitor arrangements are not specified.
- Eastern Paraguay can be very humid.
- Storms become more frequent from September to November and can make off-road travel harder.
Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve
More to do
Arrange a visit to this privately run nature reserve. Specific transport and booking details are not provided.
Aquidabán Cargo Ferry
More to doParaguay River
3 daysTake the cargo ferry north along the Paraguay River. Departure points and booking details are not specified.
Snow Park
SkiingParaná Plateaunear Ciudad del Este
Visit Snow Park in Ciudad del Este to ski or snowboard on its slope.
Airports, metros and trains in Paraguay
Airports with scheduled flights
- AGTGuaraní International AirportCiudad del EsteMain international airport
- ASUSilvio Pettirossi International AirportAsunciónMain international airport
- ENOTeniente Ramon A. Ayub Gonzalez International AirportEncarnaciónMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 38 km
People and safety in Paraguay
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.
- Christian97%
- Folk religions2%
- No religion1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #54 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
44% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 76 of 198 countries can visit Paraguay easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required67
- Freedom of movement4
- Visa on arrival5
- eVisa2
- Visa required120
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe36 of 46 countries
- Americas21 of 34 countries
- Asia16 of 50 countries
- Oceania2 of 14 countries
- Africa1 of 54 countries
Questions
When is the most comfortable time to visit?
June to September usually has sunny, dry days around 20–25°C. Nights can be cool, with occasional morning frost.
Can I travel around without booking online?
Yes. You can buy bus tickets directly at terminals, sometimes at a lower price than online.
Will people understand English?
English is very limited. Spanish and Guaraní are the main languages, with Guaraní especially common outside the big cities.
Where should I change money?
Use an established exchange office, called a cambio, and check rates first. Avoid street money changers.
Do I need to leave a tip?
Tipping is uncommon. Service charges are included in the bill.
Is the food spicy?
Paraguayan food is generally not very spicy. Grilled beef is popular, and restaurants normally provide manioc as a free side dish.
Is accommodation easy to find?
Good accommodation is easy to find in major towns. In Ciudad del Este, cheaper options are concentrated near the bus station.
What should I know before driving?
Drive on the right and keep your headlights on even during the day. Most highways have one lane each way, and some have toll booths.
What electricity supply does Paraguay use?
The supply is 220 volts at 50 hertz, using Europlug sockets.
Do major sights charge admission?
Government-run parks and historic sites are generally free or cheap. Tours of Itaipu Dam on the Paraguayan side are free, but some need early registration.
Reviewed by @snuck