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Paraguay 🇵🇾

backpacking South America Paraguay 🇵🇾Jesuit ruins, a giant dam and everyday life with few travelers.

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Backpacking Paraguay in 2027

A complete guide including when and where to go, costs, transport, itineraries, and practical travel advice.
What a trip here is really like

Backpacking Paraguay
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 9, 2026

The Jesuit ruins at Trinidad stay open after dark. On most evenings a light and sound show picks out the carved stone of the 18th-century church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, and the site sits roughly 30 km from Encarnación on the main road north.

Paraguay gives you red-earth roads, the Río Paraguay sliding past Asunción, and a bilingual culture where Guaraní is heard as often as Spanish. The highlights are real: the mission towns of Itapúa, the Itaipú Dam on the Brazilian border, and the dry thorn forest of the Chaco with its Mennonite colonies. At a bus stand in Asunción someone passed me a guampa of tereré, the metal straw so cold from the iced water it stung my lip, crushed mint sharp in the heat. The challenges are plain too: long distances, slow buses, summer heat above 40°C, and very little English.

Next to Argentina or Bolivia, the country sees a fraction of the travelers and has thinner tourist infrastructure. It suits patient people who speak some Spanish and like ordinary daily life. Anyone wanting big-ticket sights in quick succession will do better elsewhere.

👉 Get the 📖 Travel Guide of Paraguay

Asunción

The capital is low, hot and spread out, with colonial buildings, mango trees dropping fruit onto sidewalks, and traffic that thins only on Sunday. The airport and main bus terminal are here, so every trip starts in Asunción. It suits travelers who like markets and street life, and the reward is an evening on the Costanera watching the river turn copper.

Cordillera and Lake Ypacaraí

An hour or so east, the land rises into green hills around San Bernardino, Areguá and Caacupé. Weekends fill with families from the capital, while weekdays are quiet and slow. Areguá’s clay pottery stalls and ceramic workshops line the hill to the church. Good for a calm break, ending with a lakeside sunset.

Itapúa and the Jesuit Missions

Encarnación has a long sand beach on the Río Paraná and Paraguay’s loudest summer carnival. Smaller towns nearby hold the mission ruins of Trinidad and Jesús. The roads are paved and buses frequent, which makes this the easiest region for a first trip. You get carved sandstone and wide, empty fields.

Alto Paraná

Ciudad del Este is a dense, chaotic trading city on the Brazilian border, all shopping galleries and motorbike taxis. Few people linger, but Itaipú and the Monday falls are close. It suits travelers heading to Iguazú who want a short detour with spray in their face.

Gran Chaco

The western Chaco covers over half the country and holds a small share of its people. The Ruta Transchaco runs straight through scrub to the Mennonite towns of Filadelfia and Loma Plata, where dairy plants and tidy streets feel German-speaking. It suits self-sufficient travelers comfortable with heat and distance, and the reward is wildlife and enormous skies.
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Why go?What sets this destination apart

Low cost

Backpacking Paraguay costs less than neighboring Argentina or Brazil on most days, because accommodation, buses and food are priced for local wages rather than tourists. A typical daily average runs around 200,000 to 300,000 guaraníes (US$25 to 40), covering a hostel bed or simple guesthouse room, street food and lunch menus, and intercity buses. Few attractions charge high entry fees. I would eat lunch at a comedor offering the daily menú and buy … read more 👉
Backpacking Paraguay costs less than neighboring Argentina or Brazil on most days, because accommodation, buses and food are priced for local wages rather than tourists. A typical daily average runs around 200,000 to 300,000 guaraníes (US$25 to 40), covering a hostel bed or simple guesthouse room, street food and lunch menus, and intercity buses. Few attractions charge high entry fees. I would eat lunch at a comedor offering the daily menú and buy chipa from roadside vendors in the mornings, which keeps food costs low without missing anything worth tasting.

⭐ HighlightsStandout locations across the country

  • Trinidad and Jesús Jesuit Missions: Two reduction sites a few kilometers apart, built by Jesuits and Guaraní communities in the 18th century. At Trinidad you walk across a grassy plaza toward a roofless church whose red sandstone friezes still show angels playing harps and organs. The stone is warm to the touch by late afternoon, and birds nest in the arches.
  • Itaipú Dam: One of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world, shared by Paraguay and Brazil on the Río Paraná. The panoramic bus tour runs along the top of a concrete wall that hums faintly, with the spillway dropping away beside you. The scale is hard to grasp until you see trucks on the road below looking like toys.
  • Mercado 4, Asunción: A sprawling street market of tarps, stalls and alleys where you can buy medicinal herbs for tereré, hammocks and plastic sandals. Vendors pound yuyos in wooden mortars, and the air smells of crushed mint and frying chipa.
  • Saltos del Monday: A wide horseshoe of falls just outside Ciudad del Este,
… read more 👉
  • Trinidad and Jesús Jesuit Missions: Two reduction sites a few kilometers apart, built by Jesuits and Guaraní communities in the 18th century. At Trinidad you walk across a grassy plaza toward a roofless church whose red sandstone friezes still show angels playing harps and organs. The stone is warm to the touch by late afternoon, and birds nest in the arches.
  • Itaipú Dam: One of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world, shared by Paraguay and Brazil on the Río Paraná. The panoramic bus tour runs along the top of a concrete wall that hums faintly, with the spillway dropping away beside you. The scale is hard to grasp until you see trucks on the road below looking like toys.
  • Mercado 4, Asunción: A sprawling street market of tarps, stalls and alleys where you can buy medicinal herbs for tereré, hammocks and plastic sandals. Vendors pound yuyos in wooden mortars, and the air smells of crushed mint and frying chipa.
  • Saltos del Monday: A wide horseshoe of falls just outside Ciudad del Este, around 40 meters high. The viewing platforms put you close enough that mist soaks your shirt in seconds, and the roar drowns out conversation.
  • Defensores del Chaco National Park: Paraguay’s largest protected area, a remote stretch of dry forest near the Bolivian border. Jaguars, peccaries and armadillos live here, and the silence at night is broken only by insects and the creak of thorn trees.
For off-the-map spots, consider Laguna Blanca near Santa Rosa del Aguaray with its clear sand-bottomed water, Cerro Tres Kandú near Villarrica, or the cliffs of Cerro Corá; I would pick Laguna Blanca first.
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🧭 RoutesPlanning a route that makes sense

The 5-Day Lakes and Crafts Route


A slow loop of museums, pottery towns and lakeside streets within easy reach of the capital. Short bus rides and long lunches make it an easy first taste of Paraguay.
  • The independence story in colonial Asunción
  • Clay workshops and hill views in Areguá
  • German-era villas in San Bernardino
  • Paraguay’s great pilgrimage basilica at Caacupé

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Missions and Waterfalls Route


Red sandstone Jesuit ruins in the south and roaring water in the east, linked by long, straight bus rides. It balances history and nature with beach time on the Paraná.
  • Asunción’s Panteón and riverside promenade
  • The UNESCO-listed mission of Trinidad
  • Saltos del Monday near Ciudad del Este
  • The Itaipu dam and nature reserve

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Chaco to Missions Route


A deep cross-section of the country, from Mennonite farm towns in the dry west to quiet hill towns and the southern river border. The pace leaves room for small places most visitors never see. … read more 👉

The 5-Day Lakes and Crafts Route


A slow loop of museums, pottery towns and lakeside streets within easy reach of the capital. Short bus rides and long lunches make it an easy first taste of Paraguay.
  • The independence story in colonial Asunción
  • Clay workshops and hill views in Areguá
  • German-era villas in San Bernardino
  • Paraguay’s great pilgrimage basilica at Caacupé

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Missions and Waterfalls Route


Red sandstone Jesuit ruins in the south and roaring water in the east, linked by long, straight bus rides. It balances history and nature with beach time on the Paraná.
  • Asunción’s Panteón and riverside promenade
  • The UNESCO-listed mission of Trinidad
  • Saltos del Monday near Ciudad del Este
  • The Itaipu dam and nature reserve

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Chaco to Missions Route


A deep cross-section of the country, from Mennonite farm towns in the dry west to quiet hill towns and the southern river border. The pace leaves room for small places most visitors never see.
  • Filadelfia and the open Chaco
  • Craft villages and lakes of the Cordillera
  • Laid-back Villarrica
  • Encarnación’s beach and Jesuit ruins

👉 explore this 15-day route

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right months to travel

The best time for backpacking Paraguay is April to September, when daytime highs mostly sit between 20 and 28°C, storms ease off, and prices stay flat because foreign crowds barely exist here in any month. The Chaco in the northwest runs hotter and more extreme than the eastern half, and its dirt roads turn to impassable mud after summer rain, so the dry winter months are the only dependable window for reaching it.
  • Summer (December to February): Asunción regularly hits 35 to 40°C with heavy humidity and violent afternoon storms. Paraguayans pour onto the river beaches at Encarnación, so weekend rooms there fill up and cost more, while Carnival weekends add parades and late nights.
  • Autumn (March to May): The heat breaks gradually and rain thins out. Semana Santa packs the buses and puts fresh chipa on every roadside, so book around Easter week.
  • Winter (June to August): Dry, sunny days of 18 to 25°C, with the occasional southern cold front (a “surazo”) pushing nights close to freezing. This is peak time for Chaco trips, wildlife spotting and the San Juan fire festivals, though July school holidays fill domestic buses.
  • Spring (September to November): Warming fast, with pink lapacho trees still flowering early on. September keeps the Chaco open; by November the storms are back.
For a winter trip I’d pack a proper fleece and wool socks, because most budget rooms have no heating and a surazo night feels far colder indoors than the forecast suggests.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
pixabay - paraguay - swamp-184745

💰 Costs (as of 2026)How expensive it really is

Backpacking Paraguay costs most budget travelers US$30 to 45 a day, with a dorm, street food and long-distance buses included, and the guaraní (Gs.) is what you pay in almost everywhere at roughly Gs. 7,000 to 7,500 to the dollar.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 18 a night (Gs. 75,000 to 130,000)A dorm bed in central Asunción usually runs Gs. 90,000 to 130,000 (US$12 to 18), and Encarnación is a little cheaper at about Gs. 75,000 to 110,000 (US$10 to 15). Book three nights or more, or pay cash in guaraníes, and many places will knock 10 to 15% off. That is cheaper than a hostel in Buenos Aires or Florianópolis, but a bit more than in La Paz or Sucre.
MealsUS$8 to 15 a day (Gs. 60,000 to 110,000)Street food covers most of your needs: a chipa costs Gs. 3,000 to 5,000, an empanada Gs. 5,000 to 8,000, and a stuffed lomito árabe Gs. 20,000 to 30,000. A set lunch (“menú del día”) at a local comedor costs Gs. 25,000 to 35,000 (US$3.50 to 5). If you cook from Stock or Superseis supermarkets, figure on Gs. 40,000 to 60,000 a day. I’d skip restaurant dinners completely and make the set lunch your big meal, since it’s the best-value plate in the country.
Local transportUS$2
… read more 👉
Backpacking Paraguay costs most budget travelers US$30 to 45 a day, with a dorm, street food and long-distance buses included, and the guaraní (Gs.) is what you pay in almost everywhere at roughly Gs. 7,000 to 7,500 to the dollar.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 18 a night (Gs. 75,000 to 130,000)A dorm bed in central Asunción usually runs Gs. 90,000 to 130,000 (US$12 to 18), and Encarnación is a little cheaper at about Gs. 75,000 to 110,000 (US$10 to 15). Book three nights or more, or pay cash in guaraníes, and many places will knock 10 to 15% off. That is cheaper than a hostel in Buenos Aires or Florianópolis, but a bit more than in La Paz or Sucre.
MealsUS$8 to 15 a day (Gs. 60,000 to 110,000)Street food covers most of your needs: a chipa costs Gs. 3,000 to 5,000, an empanada Gs. 5,000 to 8,000, and a stuffed lomito árabe Gs. 20,000 to 30,000. A set lunch (“menú del día”) at a local comedor costs Gs. 25,000 to 35,000 (US$3.50 to 5). If you cook from Stock or Superseis supermarkets, figure on Gs. 40,000 to 60,000 a day. I’d skip restaurant dinners completely and make the set lunch your big meal, since it’s the best-value plate in the country.
Local transportUS$2 to 18 a day (Gs. 15,000 to 130,000)Asunción city buses cost about Gs. 2,300 to 3,400 a ride (under US$0.50). Long-distance buses are the cheapest way to cover the country: Asunción to Encarnación is roughly Gs. 90,000 to 130,000 (US$12 to 18), and Asunción to Ciudad del Este is Gs. 70,000 to 110,000 (US$10 to 15). Per kilometer, that’s well below Argentine or Brazilian bus fares.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 25 a day, more for the ChacoMost of Asunción’s museums and plazas are free or cost a token fee, and the panoramic tour of the Itaipú dam near Ciudad del Este is free. Entry to the Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús costs about Gs. 50,000 to 100,000. The Chaco is what really drives costs up: a guided 4x4 trip into the remote parks easily tops US$100 a day per person unless you split it with a group.
MiscellaneousUS$2 to 6 a dayMany ATMs charge Gs. 25,000 to 35,000 (US$3.50 to 5) per withdrawal, so take out the maximum each time. A Tigo or Personal SIM costs around Gs. 10,000 to 20,000, with weekly data packs from about Gs. 20,000. Bottled water, bus terminal snacks and yerba for tereré add up to Gs. 10,000 to 20,000 a day.
Total Daily BudgetUS$30 to 45A typical Asunción day looks like this: a Gs. 110,000 dorm, Gs. 80,000 on food, Gs. 10,000 on city buses and Gs. 20,000 on extras, about US$30 in total. A day with a long bus ride or a mission visit pushes you toward US$45. Paraguay comes out cheaper than Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, and only slightly pricier than Bolivia.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutParaguay Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (304 pages) contains:
✅ 79 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
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✅ Best areas to stay
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base for your trip

Paraguay has a small but solid choice of hostels and budget guesthouses, with dorm beds usually costing 70,000 to 120,000 guaraníes (US$9 to 16) and private rooms from about 150,000 guaraníes (US$20). In Asunción, the historic center puts you within walking distance of the main sights and the cheapest beds, but it empties out and feels sketchy after dark, while Villa Morra and Recoleta are safer and closer to bars, restaurants and malls, at the cost of a bus or app ride downtown. Outside the capital, Encarnación’s area near the costanera beach and old town offers budget stays with summer nightlife, … read more 👉
Paraguay has a small but solid choice of hostels and budget guesthouses, with dorm beds usually costing 70,000 to 120,000 guaraníes (US$9 to 16) and private rooms from about 150,000 guaraníes (US$20). In Asunción, the historic center puts you within walking distance of the main sights and the cheapest beds, but it empties out and feels sketchy after dark, while Villa Morra and Recoleta are safer and closer to bars, restaurants and malls, at the cost of a bus or app ride downtown. Outside the capital, Encarnación’s area near the costanera beach and old town offers budget stays with summer nightlife, and San Bernardino has quieter lakeside options that fill up on summer weekends.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Paraguay


Best quality hotels in Paraguay

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around Paraguay

Long-distance buses leave from Asunción’s Terminal de Ómnibus, and in Paraguay paying a little extra for a direct, air-conditioned service saves hours over the cheaper común buses that stop at every roadside wave. Buy at the company window the day before on busy routes, and check the departure board yourself, because platform changes are announced only in rapid Spanish.
  • Long-distance buses: Asunción to Encarnación or Ciudad del Este takes 5 to 6 hours and costs roughly 90,000 to 140,000 guaraníes
… read more 👉
Long-distance buses leave from Asunción’s Terminal de Ómnibus, and in Paraguay paying a little extra for a direct, air-conditioned service saves hours over the cheaper común buses that stop at every roadside wave. Buy at the company window the day before on busy routes, and check the departure board yourself, because platform changes are announced only in rapid Spanish.
  • Long-distance buses: Asunción to Encarnación or Ciudad del Este takes 5 to 6 hours and costs roughly 90,000 to 140,000 guaraníes (US$12 to 19), more for semi-cama or cama seats. Asunción to Filadelfia in the Chaco runs 7 to 8 hours on Ruta Transchaco. Pay cash at the terminal window; several companies also sell online. Keep your daypack on your lap, not in the overhead rack. The reward is the slow change of country outside the window: red soil, cattle ranches, then the flat dry scrub of the Chaco.
  • Asunción city buses: fares run about 2,300 to 3,600 guaraníes (US$0.30 to 0.50), paid only with a rechargeable transport card sold at kiosks and some shops, since drivers no longer take cash. Buses are old, loud and often packed at rush hour, and stops are rarely marked, so wave clearly. You get across the capital for pocket change, alongside students and office workers.
  • Ride-hailing apps: Bolt and Uber both work in Asunción, Encarnación and Ciudad del Este, with most city rides between 20,000 and 50,000 guaraníes (US$3 to 7), usually 30 to 40 percent below a street taxi. Pay by card in the app or in cash. At night this is the calm, safe option, door to door.
  • Regional buses: short hops such as Asunción to San Bernardino or Areguá take 1 to 1.5 hours and cost about 8,000 to 15,000 guaraníes (US$1 to 2), paid in cash to the driver or a conductor. Seats are hard and the windows stay open. It is the easiest way to reach lake towns and craft villages for a day.
  • Moto-taxis: in small towns, short rides cost 5,000 to 15,000 guaraníes (US$0.70 to 2). Agree the price before you climb on, and skip them with a big backpack. They cover the last few dusty kilometers to a mission ruin or a waterfall.
For a loop through the country, I would route Asunción to Encarnación to Ciudad del Este by bus, because the road between the two southern cities connects directly and spares you a backtrack to the capital.
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport sits in Luque, about 15 km (9 miles) northeast of central Asunción, Paraguay. The cheapest option is city bus line 30, which stops on the main road just outside the terminal and runs to the downtown center in about 45 to 70 minutes depending on traffic; the fare is roughly 2,300 to 3,600 guaraníes (US$0.30 to 0.50), paid with a rechargeable transport card, as drivers don’t accept cash. With luggage, a ride-hailing app is far easier: Bolt and Uber both operate in Asunción and charge about 50,000 to 90,000 guaraníes (US$7 to 12) to the center or Villa Morra, taking 25 to 40 minutes. Official airport taxis wait outside arrivals and charge about 120,000 to 180,000 guaraníes (US$16 to 24) to downtown; confirm the price before you get in.
⚠️ Prices and routes can change, so take this as a rough guide and ask for local advice when you arrive.
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🔒 Safety (risk Level: low)Staying safe while traveling

Safety for solo travelers, including women and LGBTQ+ individuals
Paraguay is generally safe for solo travelers who use normal big-city caution, with violent crime against tourists uncommon and petty theft the main issue. In Asunción and Ciudad del Este, watch for “motochorros” (motorbike thieves snatching phones and bags), avoid empty downtown streets at night and use ride-hailing apps after dark; the northern departments of Concepción, San Pedro and Amambay, including Pedro Juan Caballero, carry risks linked to drug trafficking and are best avoided. Women traveling alone may face catcalls and persistent attention, but serious harassment is rare, and dressing modestly in rural areas reduces unwanted looks. Same-sex relationships are legal but not recognized, attitudes are conservative and Catholic, so LGBTQ+ travelers will find small, friendly scenes in Asunción but should keep public affection discreet elsewhere.


Full official government travel advisory (live updates)
View details 👉

✈️ VisaDo you need a visa to visit?

Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most South American countries can visit Paraguay visa-free for up to 90 days, and Mercosur nationals can enter with just their national ID card. Travelers from countries that still need a visa must apply in advance at a Paraguayan embassy or consulate with a passport valid for at least six months, a completed form, photos, proof of funds and an onward ticket. Check current rules with Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking, as the exempt list changes from time to time.
⚠️ Visa requirements can change over time, so always check the latest visa requirements with the official embassy or government website before you travel.

🎒 What to pack?Packing essentials for the trip

Backpacking Paraguay from October to March means serious heat, often 35°C to 40°C with heavy humidity, so pack light, breathable clothes and a hat you’ll actually wear. Winter (June to August) is milder but brings sudden cold snaps that can drop close to freezing at night, and many cheap rooms have no heating, so a warm layer earns its space in your bag. Dusty red-earth roads and sudden downpours mean closed shoes that can get dirty and a light rain jacket are smarter than delicate sneakers, especially if you head into the Chaco. Paraguayans dress neatly in cities, so bring one clean, slightly smarter outfit for churches, nicer restaurants and government offices, and keep beachwear for the river beaches and lakes.

Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. authorOver the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

View the full list 👉

🙋 FAQThings travelers often ask

Trip Planning

Planning a backpacking route through Paraguay can be tricky — you need to balance must-see places, travel times, budget, and how long to stay in each destination. Our free personalized Paraguay itinerary planner creates a route based on your travel style, trip duration, and interests, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.



Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.


Travel Essentials

No vaccinations are required to enter Paraguay unless you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, in which case you need a yellow fever certificate. The yellow fever vaccine is still recommended for travelers aged 9 months and older heading outside Asunción, plus routine shots, hepatitis A and typhoid; hepatitis B and rabies are worth considering for long trips or work with animals. There is no malaria risk, but dengue outbreaks are common in the hot months, so strong mosquito repellent is your main protection.


vaccination requirements
When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.

These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Paraguay, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.

There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Holafly, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.


HolaFly eSim

Culture & Customs

Paraguay runs on tereré, and the etiquette matters: if you’re offered the shared guampa, drink all of it and hand it back to the server, never stir or move the metal straw, and only say “gracias” when you want to stop, because thanks means you’re done. Do respect the siesta between roughly noon and 3 pm, when shops close and loud visits are frowned upon, and do dress modestly in churches and rural towns. Don’t bring up the War of the Triple Alliance or the Stroessner dictatorship lightly, and don’t treat the Guaraní language as a curiosity, since it is a source of national pride. Punctuality is relaxed socially, but arrive on time for buses and official appointments. Society is conservative and Catholic: women may draw comments in the street and are best ignoring them, and same-sex couples are safest keeping public displays of affection low-key outside a few Asunción venues.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Paraguay.
  1. Sopa paraguaya: despite the name, a dense, savory cornbread made with cornmeal, cheese, onion and milk. Paraguayans eat it at asados, holidays and family lunches, and it is a point of national pride.
  2. Chipa: chewy, ring-shaped cheese bread made with cassava starch and anise, sold warm from baskets at bus stops and on buses. It is the country’s everyday snack and the classic road-trip food, especially around Holy Week.
  3. Chipa guasu: a moist, soufflé-like bake of fresh corn kernels, cheese and eggs. Softer than sopa paraguaya, it is a staple side at barbecues and festive meals.
  4. Mbejú: a flat, crisp-edged cassava-starch and cheese pancake cooked on a griddle, often eaten at breakfast or with cocido (toasted yerba mate tea with milk). It comes straight from Guaraní cooking traditions.
  5. Vori vori: a hearty chicken or beef soup filled with small balls of cornmeal and cheese. It is comfort food for cold winter days and a favorite home-cooked dish.
  6. So’o yosopy: a thick, soupy dish of finely ground beef with rice or noodles, often served to people recovering from illness. It shows how central beef is to Paraguayan eating.
  7. Asado: slow-grilled beef, ribs and sausages, usually with cassava (mandioca) and chipa guasu. Sunday asados with family and friends are the backbone of social life.
  8. Tereré: ice-cold yerba mate infused with herbs, sipped from a shared guampa through a metal straw. It is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list and you’ll see it everywhere, from offices to bus stations.
In Asunción the tap water is treated and many locals drink it, but in rural areas and small towns quality varies and most families rely on filtered or bottled water. For tourists in Paraguay, bottled or filtered water is the safer choice, especially for the cold water used in tereré. Large refillable bottles are cheap at supermarkets, so refilling your own bottle cuts plastic waste.
The main language in Paraguay is Spanish. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Spanish skills have become a bit rusty.

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The complete Travel Guide for Paraguay includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.

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English is not widely spoken in Paraguay: in Asunción you’ll find it at upscale hotels, some hostels, travel agencies and among younger, university-educated locals, but bus staff, market vendors and most taxi drivers speak little or none. In rural areas English is almost absent, and many people there speak Guaraní at home alongside Spanish. Spanish is the language that helps most, and a few Guaraní words such as “mba’éichapa” (how are you) and “aguyje” (thank you) earn real smiles. Download Google Translate with the offline Spanish pack before you arrive and learn numbers for haggling and bus fares.

Money & Payments

The local currency of Paraguay is PYG (₲).
ATMs are easy to find in Paraguay’s cities and larger towns, mostly on the Bancard and Infonet networks, but scarce in rural areas and the Chaco, so withdraw before heading out. Expect a local fee of roughly 25,000 to 40,000 guaraníes (US$3 to 5) per withdrawal on foreign cards, with limits often around 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 guaraníes per transaction, and some machines also dispense US dollars. Visa and Mastercard work in malls, supermarkets, chain restaurants and better hotels, while buses, markets, small eateries and many hostels want cash. US dollars are the most useful backup currency and exchange easily, euros less so, and Brazilian reais and Argentine pesos are common near the borders. Change money at casas de cambio in Asunción, Encarnación or Ciudad del Este, which give fair rates, and skip the street changers outside bus terminals and border crossings.
Tipping in Paraguay is appreciated but modest: in sit-down restaurants, leave about 10 percent if service isn’t already included on the bill. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, so rounding up the fare is plenty, while hotel porters and tour guides welcome 10,000 to 20,000 guaraníes (US$1.50 to 3). Street food stalls, markets and buses carry no tipping expectation at all.

🧩 Nearby countriesOther countries to combine with Paraguay

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways from the trip

Paraguay is low-key and unpolished, and that is its appeal: people chat with you because you are a rare visitor, not a customer. The best surprise is how often a stranger invites you into a tereré circle. The warning is the heat, so I would skip the Chaco between December and February. Learn a few words of Guaraní before you arrive, starting with mba’éichapa (how are you); the grins that follow open more doors than fluent Spanish.

✈️ When did I visit Paraguay?
Before visiting Argentina in September 2012, I crossed through Paraguay, ending up at the magical Iguazu Falls. While my visit dates back, this guide is continuously refined using feedback from locals and current backpackers (last update: 9 October 2026)

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Paraguay, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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