Travel Essentials › Paraguay
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type C, 220 V. Emergency: One number for everything 911. Tipping: About 10% in restaurants is customary; small tips for other services are welcome. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Type C, 220 V
| One number for everything | 911 |
About 10% in restaurants is customary; small tips for other services are welcome.
Greetings. A handshake is standard among men; women often greet with a single cheek kiss, including with new acquaintances in social settings.
Tereré culture. Sharing tereré (cold yerba mate) from a shared guampa cup is a deeply social daily ritual; being offered some is a genuine gesture of friendliness.
Guaraní language. Guaraní is co-official with Spanish and spoken by the majority; even a few words are appreciated as a sign of respect for local culture.
Paraguay is relatively safe by regional standards, with most visitors experiencing trouble-free trips in Asunción and the interior; petty theft and taxi-related scams are the main concerns, and Ciudad del Este near the tri-border area with Brazil and Argentina warrants extra caution due to smuggling-related crime.
Taxi overcharging. Some taxis skip the meter or take long routes; agree on a fare beforehand or use a ride-hailing app like Bolt or MUV.
Currency exchange sleight-of-hand. Street money changers, especially in Ciudad del Este, may shortchange or pass counterfeit notes; use banks or official exchange houses instead.
Unauthorized bus ticket vendors. At Asunción's bus terminal, unofficial vendors pressure travelers into buying substandard tickets; buy directly from the company counter.
Women travelers. Catcalling is common and cultural attitudes can feel conservative, but serious incidents are uncommon; most solo women travelers report a safe trip while using normal precautions around nightlife and unfamiliar areas after dark.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex sexual activity is legal, but the constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, there is no partnership recognition, and Paraguay remains one of South America's more socially conservative countries on LGBTQ+ issues; public affection is best kept discreet outside Asunción's small LGBTQ+-friendly scene.
| Coffee (café) | ₲ 12,000 | $1.90 |
| Local bus ride | ₲ 3,700 | $0.60 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | ₲ 60,000 | $9.50 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | ₲ 90,000 | $14 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | ₲ 450,000 | $72 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | ₲ 350,000 | $56 |
2026-09
May-September (the mild, dry winter) is the most comfortable time, avoiding the intense subtropical heat of summer; September-November also works well with cooler temperatures before the rains build.