Paraguay travel guide
Paraguay is a quiet, little-visited heart of South America, and that is much of its appeal. In one trip you can see the red-stone Jesuit ruins of Trinidad, ride the dam at Itaipú, stroll the lakeside craft town of Areguá and meet Guaraní culture, which is still strong in the language, crafts and food of the country, with sopa paraguaya and chipa on many tables. The towns are modest and varied. Encarnación is a lively river city on the Paraná, Ciudad del Este is the gateway to Itaipú and Iguazú Falls, San Bernardino is the lake resort near Asunción, and the Mennonite town of Filadelfia lies in the dry Chaco. In the north, Concepción is a river port on the road to the Pantanal. The cooler months from May to September are the most comfortable, as summers are very hot. Paraguay suits independent travellers, history lovers and those who prefer unhurried places, and you can plan the itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Asunción.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Visa required, apply before you fly.
Before you go to Paraguay
- Currency
- PYG ₲
- Emergency number
- 911
- Plug type
- Type C
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- PYG 25,000-50,000 flat per withdrawal for foreign cards regardless of amount
Cities in Paraguay
- Asunción Capital and largest city of Paraguay, on the east bank of the Paraguay River — one of South America's oldest cities ("Mother of Cities"),…
- Ciudad del Este Paraguay's second-largest city in Alto Paraná, a major tax-free border-shopping hub at the Triple Frontier. Gateway to the colossal Itaipú…
- Areguá Historic artisan town on Lake Ypacaraí (~30 km from Asunción), famed for ceramics, strawberry farms, cobblestone streets and colonial…
- Encarnación Capital of Itapúa on the Paraná River opposite Posadas, Argentina. Known as "the Pearl of the South," it is Paraguay's premier summer/beach…
- San Bernardino Lakeside resort on the west shore of Lake Ypacaraí, founded 1881 by German immigrants (originally "Nueva Baviera"). Known as "Sanber,"…
- Concepción Northern river-port city on the Río Paraguay, "La Perla del Norte," with early-20th-century mansions, a working river port and a lively…
- Trinidad Small Itapúa village ~28 km NE of Encarnación, home to the UNESCO-listed La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná — the largest of the 17th-century…
- Filadelfia Largest town of the Paraguayan Chaco and seat of the Fernheim Mennonite Cooperative, founded by German-speaking Mennonites in 1930 ~460 km…
Frequently asked questions about Paraguay
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Paraguay?
- Visa required, apply before you fly.
- What currency is used in Paraguay?
- The currency in Paraguay is the Paraguayan Guarani (₲). ₹1 is about 60 ₲.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Paraguay?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Paraguay?
- Tipping in Paraguay: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Paraguay?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Paraguay use?
- Paraguay uses Type C plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Paraguay?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 911. Ambulance: 141. Tourist helpline: SENATUR +595 21 494 110.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Paraguay?
- SIM and eSIM available in Paraguay.
- What is the capital of Paraguay?
- The capital of Paraguay is Asunción. Time there: IST - 8 h 30 min.