Is Asunción safe?
Take real precautions after dark. Phone and bag snatching, often from motorbikes, and robberies downtown are the main problem; violent crime against visitors is uncommon.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-08-18.
- Homicide rate in Paraguay: 6.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Paraguay: 22.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 141 · Fire 132.
Safety in Asunción at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Bag and phone snatching by thieves on motorbikes, pickpocketing on buses, and armed robbery in the center and on dark streets after nightfall. |
| At night | Use Bolt, Uber or inDrive door to door after dark. Keep phones and bags away from the road, and avoid walking in the center at night. |
| Solo women | Catcalling is common, but serious harassment is rare. Use apps at night and avoid empty downtown streets. |
| Other risks | Heat above 38°C in Dec–Feb; Dengue and chikungunya in the hot months; Reckless drivers; few cars stop at crossings |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Counterfeit notes from street money changers; use banks or casas de cambio
- Street taxis charging inflated fares to foreigners
- Distraction thefts at markets and bus stops
Take care
- Centro histórico after dark: robberies and empty streets
- Phone use on the pavement near the road: motorbike snatching
- Bus terminal area: bag theft and loiterers
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Zero alcohol limit for drivers, with frequent breathalyser checkpoints
- Always carry ID: a passport copy with the entry stamp
- Drug possession can mean prison without bail
How Asunción compares in Paraguay
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Encarnación | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Asunción | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Asunción safe for solo female travelers?
Catcalling is common, but serious harassment is rare. Use apps at night and avoid empty downtown streets.
Is Asunción safe at night?
Use Bolt, Uber or inDrive door to door after dark. Keep phones and bags away from the road, and avoid walking in the center at night.
What is the crime rate in Asunción?
Bag and phone snatching by thieves on motorbikes, pickpocketing on buses, and armed robbery in the center and on dark streets after nightfall. Nationally, Paraguay records 6.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Asunción?
Police 911 · Ambulance 141 · Fire 132.
More about Asunción
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Municipality of Asunción
- Paraguay Tourism Secretariat (SENATUR)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.