Capital city, Paraguay
Asunción
Low-cost, laid-back capital on the Paraguay River with easy residency, cheap living and a friendly pace. Sights and nightlife are modest, summers brutally hot, and the center is rough after dark.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,370–2,230Comfortable, one person · ₲8M–13MDetails
- Value for money45/100Better value than 44% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jan, 34°CDetails
- Air quality10.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · ModerateDetails
- Internet155 MbpsFixed broadband, Paraguay medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilAsunción's mains water is treated and many locals drink it; use filtered or bottled water in older buildings.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–69Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in malls, supermarkets and many restaurants; buses, markets and small shops need cash.Details
Where to stay in Asunción
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Villa Morra and Recoleta | Upscale: malls, restaurants, cafés and apartments |
| Carmelitas | Quieter, leafy area with cafés and apartments |
| Centro histórico | Sights and government buildings; empties and gets rough at night |
| Mburucuyá | Residential, cheaper, near shops and the Costanera |
Apps that work in Asunción
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: Prefer apps to street taxis, which rarely use meters. Hotels can call trusted radio taxis if apps are down.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Paraguay.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in malls, supermarkets and many restaurants; buses, markets and small shops need cash. Carry small guaraní notes.
- Currency: Guarani (PYG). US$1 ≈ ₲5,838.23 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many ATMs accept foreign cards and some dispense US dollars; expect a per-withdrawal fee. Use ATMs inside buildings.
- Tipping: About 10% in sit-down restaurants if service isn't included; round up for taxis and delivery riders.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in chains; local wallets such as Tigo Money need Paraguayan ID.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get the passport stamped at land borders, especially Ciudad del Este–Foz do Iguaçu; missing entry stamps mean fines.
- Bus drivers sometimes say immigration can be done in Asunción; it can't.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a risk country.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 141 · Fire 132
Plugs
Type C · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops in malls sell cheap prepaid SIMs with passport registration; data comes in daily, weekly or monthly packs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Paraguay
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.