Jurisdiction Guide

Visit between May and September for cooler, drier weather. Summers are humid and very hot, especially in the Chaco region.

Few people outside major cities speak English, so basic Spanish or Guarani helps a lot. Cash is still king in smaller towns, while cards are mostly accepted in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. Public Wi-Fi can be unreliable; buy a local SIM card from Tigo or Personal at the airport. City buses are cheap but slow and sometimes crowded. Tipping is about 10 percent in restaurants but not expected for taxis.

People greet with a handshake or a cheek kiss among friends. Dress tends to be modest outside Asunción, so covering shoulders and knees is smart. Lunch is the main meal and often stretched out for family time. Don't refuse tereré (cold herbal tea) when offered, it's a sign of friendship. Criticizing Paraguay openly is frowned upon, especially to locals.

Bag snatching and petty theft happen in crowded city spots, so keep valuables secure. Roads can be rough outside big cities; look out for unmarked potholes and livestock. Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue pop up seasonally, so use repellent. Avoid walking alone at night in central Asunción and border areas.

Explore Ybycuí National Park for waterfalls and hidden trails. Visit the quiet town of Areguá, famous for its pottery and strawberry treats. South of Encarnación, you can wander the ruined Jesuit missions at Trinidad without big crowds.

Citizens of the EU, UK, and most South American countries do not need a visa for short visits. Australia, Canada, and US travelers can get a visa on arrival at the airport for a fee. Long-term stays require a residency application, and the digital nomad route is not formalized yet.

Long-distance buses connect main cities and are affordable, though not luxurious. Domestic flights are limited, so most travel is by road. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Bolt operate in Asunción. Hiring a car is easy but inspect vehicles for insurance and tire quality before heading out.

Try sopa paraguaya (cornbread) and chipa (cheesy bread) from bakeries and street stalls. Grilled meats dominate menus, with asado a weekend favorite. Tereré, cold mate tea, is popular year-round and often shared. Vegetarians will find options limited outside urban centers, mostly salads or mandioca (cassava). Tap water is not always safe to drink, so buy bottled.

Paraguay is inexpensive compared to neighbors. Budget travelers can get by on $25-35 a day with hostel beds under $10. A mid-range meal costs $5-10, and a taxi across Asunción rarely tops $7. Asunción is pricier than small towns, but both food and lodging stay affordable countrywide.