Paraguay
Paraguay is South America's quiet heart: the UNESCO-listed Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús see few visitors, Mennonite colonies farm the vast Chaco, and the Itaipu dam spans the Paraná. It is one of the continent's least-visited and most affordable countries, where tereré is shared on every street corner.
Overview
Landlocked Paraguay divides neatly along the Paraguay River. The eastern half holds nearly all the people: Asunción, the farmland and lakes around it, and the south, where the 18th-century Jesuit reductions of Trinidad and Jesús are the country's star sights. West of the river lies the Chaco, a vast thorn-scrub wilderness home to indigenous communities and the Mennonite colonies around Filadelfia. A first trip usually runs Asunción, Encarnación and the missions, then Ciudad del Este for the Itaipu dam and the Monday falls, with an easy hop across the border to Iguazú.
Paraguay is cheap and unhurried, with few foreign tourists and little tourist infrastructure beyond the main towns — which is exactly the appeal for many. Buses are frequent and inexpensive, hotels are good value, and the main expense is time. Summer heat is fierce and can top 40°C, so winter is the comfortable season. Visitors are often struck by how widely Guaraní is spoken, the national obsession with tereré, and the friendliness of people unused to outsiders. It suits slow travellers, history buffs and birdwatchers.
Map of Paraguay
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús
Two UNESCO-listed 18th-century Jesuit reductions where Guaraní communities lived and worked: Trinidad's carved red-sandstone church and plaza, and Jesús de Tavarangue's unfinished church nearby. Stay for Trinidad's evening light-and-sound show.
- 2Architecture
Itaipu Dam
One of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, shared with Brazil and nearly 8 km long. Guided tours from the Paraguayan visitor centre near Hernandarias take in the spillway and the colossal dam wall.
- 3Nature
Saltos del Monday
A broad, roaring curtain of waterfalls around 40 metres high on the Monday river, just south of Ciudad del Este, with walkways, viewpoints and few crowds compared with Iguazú.
- 4Culture
Filadelfia and the Chaco
Drive the Trans-Chaco highway to Filadelfia, heart of the Mennonite colonies, for German-speaking towns, a colony museum and dairy farms amid dry forest rich in birdlife, armadillos and, rarely seen, jaguars.
- 5Culture
Areguá and Lake Ypacaraí
A hillside town above Lake Ypacaraí, under an hour from Asunción, known for its ceramics stalls, elegant old summer villas, hilltop church and roadside strawberries in late winter and spring.
Biggest cities
Asunción
One of South America's oldest cities, founded in 1537: see the Palacio de López, the Panteón de los Héroes and the riverside Costanera, then eat well in the Villa Morra district.
Ciudad del Este
A frenetic cross-border shopping hub on the Brazilian frontier, best used as a base for the Itaipu dam, the Monday falls and day trips to Iguazú Falls.
Encarnación
A tidy riverside city facing Argentina across the Paraná, with summer beaches along the Costanera, Paraguay's biggest carnival and the Jesuit missions 30 km away.
Populations are for urban agglomerations (2022 census): Greater Asunción includes Luque, San Lorenzo and Capiatá, which would otherwise rank among the largest municipalities.
When to go to Paraguay
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Asunción
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebCarnaval Encarnaceno
Paraguay's biggest carnival takes over Encarnación's sambódromo on weekend nights through January and February, with Brazilian-style floats, drummers and feathered dancers.
- JunFiesta de San Juan
Around 24 June, towns light bonfires and play fire games — walking on embers, kicking a flaming ball — and eat traditional maize and cassava treats.
- DecVirgin of Caacupé
On 8 December hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, many walking from Asunción, converge on the basilica at Caacupé for Paraguay's biggest religious gathering.
How much does Paraguay cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Sopa paraguaya
Despite the name, not a soup but a dense, savoury cornbread baked with cheese, onion and milk — the classic partner to an asado.
Chipa
Chewy ring-shaped rolls of cassava starch, cheese and egg, sold warm from baskets at bus stations and on roadsides for breakfast or a snack.
Tereré
Paraguay's national drink: yerba mate steeped in iced water, often with crushed medicinal herbs, sipped through a metal bombilla from a shared cup.
Getting around
Long-distance buses are the backbone, running frequently from Asunción's main terminal to Encarnación, Ciudad del Este and across the Chaco to Filadelfia; companies such as NSA and La Encarnacena run comfortable services. There are no regular passenger trains. In Asunción, Bolt and Uber work well, while hiring a car makes the missions and smaller towns easier.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AC220V — bring a UK-to-A/C adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +595
- Time zone
- UTC-3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants, sometimes added to the bill as 'propina'; round up for taxis and tip guides.
- Etiquette
- If offered tereré, accept and pass the cup back to the server, not your neighbour; saying 'gracias' signals you've had enough. Expect slow afternoons during siesta hours.
- Main airports
- Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU), Asunción; Guaraní International Airport (AGT), Ciudad del Este
Visas & entry for Paraguay
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You do not need a visa to visit Paraguay. You will normally get permission to stay for 90 days on arrival.
If you want to stay for another 90 days, check with the Paraguayan Immigration Department (in Spanish).
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Paraguay
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Caacupe Virgin Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 1 Mar 2027 | Patriots Day |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Maundy Thursday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Workers' Day |
| Fri 14 May 2027 | National Holiday |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | National Independence Day |
| Sat 12 Jun 2027 | Chaco Armistice Day |
| Sun 20 Jun 2027 | Constitution Oath Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Asuncion Foundation's Day |
| Wed 29 Sep 2027 | Boqueron Battle Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-la |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ass |
| Please | Por favor | por fa-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-ta |
Know before you go
- Iguazú Falls lie across the border in Argentina and Brazil. Crossing from Ciudad del Este, make sure you get exit and entry stamps — buses won't always stop at immigration.
- Learn a couple of Guaraní words — mba'éichapa (how are you?) and aguyje (thank you) — for instant goodwill, especially outside Asunción.
- From October to March temperatures regularly pass 35°C; plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning, carry water, and expect smaller towns to shut down after lunch.
Paraguay travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Paraguay?
The best time to visit Paraguay is generally May–Sep. Peak months are May, June, July, August and September. Average highs in Asunción range from 23°C to 34°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Paraguay cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £65 mid-range and £140+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Paraguay?
Paraguayan guaraní (PYG).
What plug type does Paraguay use?
Type A and C sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Paraguay?
Traffic drives on the right in Paraguay, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Paraguay?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Paraguay?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa to visit Paraguay. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Paraguay before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/paraguay/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Paraguay?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Yellow fever sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
