Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Paraguay FAQ: questions travellers ask most

This FAQ covers the questions readers ask most often, in two parts: first about travelling in Paraguay (safety, language, money, water, getting around, moving here), then about this website itself. Paraguay is still an off-the-beaten-path destination, so it is normal to have doubts, whether you are planning a three-day trip or thinking about a longer stay. The answers are general information. Things like entry rules, fees, opening hours and timetables change, so confirm anything that matters with the official source before you go.

Travelling in Paraguay

Is Paraguay safe for tourists?

Most visits are trouble-free with ordinary precautions. Petty theft is the most common issue in the bigger cities, as it is almost everywhere: keep valuables out of sight in markets and bus terminals, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night, and avoid walking alone through unfamiliar areas of downtown Asunción or Ciudad del Este after dark. For a fuller read, see our guide on whether Paraguay is safe, and check your own government's current travel advisory, for example the U.S. State Department's Paraguay travel advisory.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

In Asunción's larger hotels and tourist-facing restaurants you will find some English. In the interior, Spanish and Guaraní are the norm and English is rare. A translation app and a handful of Spanish phrases go a long way, and if you want an interpreter or guide for a specific trip, you can hire one directly (see the question on hiring a guide below).

When is the best time to visit?

Many travellers find roughly March to May and September to November the most comfortable, when temperatures are pleasant rather than extreme. Summer (December to February) can be very hot and humid, so plan outdoor activity for the morning and expect to lean on air conditioning. Seasonal averages shift from year to year, so check a current forecast close to your travel dates. Our Paraguay travel advice page has more on seasons and what to pack.

Cash or card: how do payments work?

Major cards are generally accepted in malls, supermarkets and the nicer restaurants in Asunción. For taxis, street food, small crafts, local buses or anywhere outside the capital, you will want cash in guaraníes (the local currency). Many travellers bring US dollars in good condition as a backup to exchange, though exchange practices vary. ATMs are widely available, but foreign cards may carry withdrawal fees, so check the current charges with your bank before you rely on them.

Can I drink the tap water?

In Asunción the tap water is generally treated, but many visitors still prefer bottled or filtered water, especially on a short trip, so that an upset stomach does not cost them a day. Outside the capital, bottled or filtered water is the safer default. For health questions, see the WHO's travel health advice and talk to a doctor or travel clinic before you go; nothing on this site is medical advice.

Is Uber reliable in Paraguay?

Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt operate in Asunción and are widely used, and many travellers find them more predictable than hailing a taxi on the street. Car quality and driver cancellations vary, so allow extra time for airport runs or anything time-sensitive. Our guides to getting from the airport and hiring a private driver explain the alternatives and what to check before agreeing a price.

How do I get around the country?

Long-distance buses connect the main cities and are the backbone of budget travel; the Asunción bus terminal guide explains how the system works. For remote places such as the Chaco, the Pantanal or Salto Cristal, most travellers use a rental car with a reliable 4x4 or hire a local driver or guide. Our day trips from Asunción guide shows what is realistic without a car.

How do the residency and relocation processes work?

Moving to Paraguay generally involves applying for temporary residency and later converting to permanent status, with paperwork filed in person and processing that can take months. Requirements, fees and timelines change, so treat this as a starting orientation, not the final word. This is general information and not legal advice: the authority is the Dirección General de Migraciones, and a licensed lawyer or the nearest Paraguayan consulate can confirm the current requirements for your nationality. If you are still deciding whether to move at all, start with our cost of living in Paraguay guide.

How do I hire a local guide, driver or tour operator myself?

This site does not arrange any of this, so you deal directly with the provider. A few checks that apply to almost any guide, driver or operator:

• For tour operators and travel agencies, ask whether they are registered with SENATUR, Paraguay's national tourism authority, and ask for the registration details.
• Get the price, what is included and excluded, the route and the cancellation terms in writing before you pay anything.
• Ask about insurance and safety equipment, especially for river, 4x4 or wilderness trips.
• Read recent independent reviews, and compare at least two or three providers.
• Prefer payment methods that give you some protection, and be wary of anyone who asks for full payment in cash up front.

Our trip-planning guide covers this in more detail.

About this website

Is this a travel agency or tour operator?

No. thingstodoinparaguay.com is an independent information site. We write guides about travelling and living in Paraguay. We do not sell, quote, book, reserve or arrange tours, transfers, accommodation or any other service, we do not take payments or deposits, and we are not a registered travel agency or tour operator. Pages whose names still include words like "tour" or "transfer" are self-guided guides explaining how to do the activity yourself; see our about page for the full statement.

Is any of the content sponsored?

No. There are no paid placements, sponsored listings or affiliate links on this site, and we do not receive commissions or referral fees from businesses we mention. When we name a place or an official body, it is because it is useful to the reader, not because it paid or has any relationship with us.

Where does the information come from?

From public and official sources (government and tourism authority sites, UNESCO, Wikipedia and similar references), which we link on the relevant pages, plus general travel knowledge. We do not invent prices, schedules or reviews. Where something changes often, such as entry fees, opening hours, bus timetables or visa rules, we describe how it generally works and tell you to confirm with the official source before you travel. Images labelled as AI-generated are illustrations, not photos of real places or events.

How do I report an error or an out-of-date detail?

Use the contact page to tell us what is wrong and, if you can, where you found the correct information. We cannot answer booking, quote or itinerary-building requests, but we do read error reports and update the guides.

Where should I start reading?

Try the tourist attractions overview, browse the full blog, or look at the self-guided guides and routes and the practical guides for transfers, drivers, trip planning and finding an apartment. For a broader reference on the country, see Wikipedia's overview of Paraguay.