This country is not planned like a stay in Argentina or Brazil, according to travel guides and testimonials from French-speaking travelers I cross-referenced while preparing this guide. Tourist infrastructure is limited, English is uncommon, and some regions (the Chaco in summer, the northeastern border) require specific precautions. With the right information, verified and updated here, a trip to Paraguay is described as one of the most authentic experiences in South America. This guide covers all practical aspects: entry procedures, budget, safety, health, transport, accommodation, climate and more. Each section was built from official sources, recognized guides and testimonials from French-speaking travelers, to give you a complete and reliable picture of what awaits you. Whether you travel backpacking, as a couple or with family, you will find here the essential information to prepare your stay with complete peace of mind. Here is a complete guide, organized into 4 main themes.
The main themes of the guide
Essentials
- •Paraguay is the most affordable country in South America, budget 30-50 €/day/person all inclusive
- •No visa required for EU, Swiss, Canadian citizens for stays < 90 days
- •Spanish is essential: English is almost non-existent, even in tourism
- •Best period: March to May and September to November (25 °C, little rain)
- •Allow flexibility: transport can be delayed, Chaco tracks are unpredictable
Planning a trip to Paraguay differs significantly from preparing a stay in Argentina or Brazil. Tourist infrastructure is less developed, English is practically absent outside some high-end hotels in Asunción, and distances can be deceptive on a map. The country nevertheless offers a unique experience: immersion in a mixed culture where Guaraní is spoken daily, varied landscapes ranging from the Iguazú Falls on the Paraguayan side to the UNESCO-listed Jesuit missions, through the vast and arid Chaco. This guide is structured in four main themes to accompany you at every stage of your trip.
- 11. Prepare your trip, procedures, visas, plane tickets, insurance, currency exchange, packing, when to go. Everything to sort out BEFORE you leave.
- 22. Once on the ground, transport, health, hygiene, scams to avoid, safety. Everything to know DURING your stay.
- 33. Residency, temporary and permanent residence, administrative procedures, support, moving, pets. For those who want to settle.
- 44. FAQ, the 20 most frequent questions from travelers, with concrete and updated answers. The ideal starting point.
Each theme links to dedicated articles that go deeper into the subject. You will find at the bottom of this page the sources used to verify each piece of information, as well as an FAQ answering the most common questions. Feel free to use the navigation bar to go directly to the section that interests you.
Budget, safety and insurance
Paraguay is regularly cited as the most affordable country in South America by travel guides and collaborative databases such as Budget Your Trip. This reputation is deserved, but you need to know how to allocate the budget and anticipate unexpected expenses. Here is an overview of the main expense items, safety issues and recommended insurance.
Estimated daily budget
- •Accommodation: 5-15 € (dorm), 15-30 € (family guesthouse), 25-40 € (decent hotel), 50-80 € (4-star)
- •Meals: 3-7 € (menu of the day / lunch spot), 8-15 € (restaurant), 1-2 € (empanada / chipa on the street)
- •Transport: 0.30 € (urban bus), 3-5 € (taxi / Uber in the city), 10-20 € (long-distance bus 5-6h)
- •Activities: 3-10 € (museum / historical site entry), 20-50 € (day excursion in the Chaco)
- •Estimated total: 30-50 €/day/person all inclusive, without international flights
Regarding safety, Paraguay is considered a generally safe country for travelers, with a lower rate of violent crime than several neighboring countries. Precautions remain the same as everywhere: avoid displaying valuables on the street, prefer official taxis or Uber at night, and inform yourself about sensitive neighborhoods in Asunción. The northeastern border (departments of Amambay and Canindeyú) is not recommended at night according to foreign affairs ministries. Ciudad del Este is safe during the day in commercial areas but you should stay alert near the Triple Frontier. For a detailed safety analysis, see the Travel insurance page.
Travel insurance is highly recommended, and even required by some tour operators for Chaco excursions. Verify that your contract covers medical repatriation, on-site medical expenses and cancellation. Visa Premier and Mastercard Gold cards usually include basic travel insurance, check the limits and exclusions. For residents and long stays, international insurance such as ACS-AMI or April is recommended. More details on the Budget page.
When to go and what to pack
Paraguay has a subtropical climate with two main seasons: the rainy season (October to April) and the dry season (May to September). Temperatures vary considerably by region and altitude. Choosing your travel period well is essential to fully enjoy your stay, and a well-adapted suitcase makes all the difference.
Seasons and recommendations
- •March to May (austral autumn): 22-28 °C, little rain, ideal for travel, moderate crowds. The best period.
- •June to August (austral winter): 15-22 °C, cool nights (5-10 °C), dry weather. Good for Asunción and the Jesuit missions.
- •September to November (austral spring): 25-30 °C, flowers, active wildlife. Very pleasant, slight increase in rain in November.
- •December to February (austral summer): 30-38 °C, high humidity, frequent storms, 38-45 °C in the Chaco. Avoid if you do not tolerate heat well.
For the suitcase, prioritize light cotton or linen clothing for the day, good sun protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF50+ cream), and a fleece jacket or sweater for the nights, especially in winter. Also bring a windbreaker or rain poncho, because tropical downpours can appear at any moment. Comfortable trekking shoes are essential for visiting the Jesuit missions, waterfalls and natural parks. For evening outings in Asunción, light but proper attire is the norm in finer restaurants. Do not forget a power adapter (type A/C sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz), a headlamp for rural areas and a filtering water bottle if you plan to travel to remote regions. See the packing guide for a complete list.
Procedures and documents
Entry procedures to Paraguay are relatively simple for travelers, but you should be aware of some points of attention to avoid unpleasant surprises upon arrival. This section summarizes entry conditions, required documents and good practices to adopt before leaving.
Essential documents
- •Passport valid 6 months after return date (mandatory for all travelers)
- •No visa for citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Canada, for a tourist stay of less than 90 days
- •Exit ticket from the territory (airlines and authorities may request it at boarding)
- •Travel insurance with medical repatriation (highly recommended, sometimes required for certain activities)
- •Paper and digital copy of passport, visa (if applicable) and insurance contract
For other nationalities (United States, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa), a tourist visa may be required. Conditions vary according to bilateral agreements: some citizens can obtain a visa on arrival, others must apply at a Paraguayan embassy before leaving. See the dedicated page Procedures and visas for up-to-date information by nationality.
Some practical tips: make two photocopies of your passport and important documents, leave one set with a family member and keep the other in a separate place from your originals. Also keep digital copies in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) accessible from any device. Register on the foreign affairs ministry website (Ariane for France) to receive alerts in case of crisis. Finally, check that your national ID card is accepted: for French, Belgian and Swiss citizens, a passport is mandatory, a national ID card alone is not recognized for entry into Paraguay.
Health: vaccines and precautions
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Paraguay coming from France, Belgium or Switzerland. Yellow fever is recommended, not required, if you plan to visit rural areas, the Chaco or the border regions with Brazil. Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines are recommended by the Institut Pasteur for any stay in South America longer than two weeks. Plan this update at least three weeks before departure at an international vaccination center.
Dengue circulates during the wet season (December to March), transmitted by mosquitoes active during the day: an effective repellent (30-50% DEET) and long clothing in the evening noticeably reduce the risk. Malaria is absent from the country according to CDC data, which simplifies preparation compared to other South American destinations. Tap water is not drinkable outside major cities: bottled or filtered water remains the default rule, including for brushing your teeth in rural areas.
My method: how I verify information
Each piece of advice in this section is based on cross-referenced public sources: official websites (embassies, migration, ministries), reference travel guides and traveler testimonials published online. I do not have a presence on the ground or a team to verify day-to-day, so sources are cited at the bottom of the page and last modification dates are indicated on each article, so you can judge the currency of the information yourself. Visa and procedure information is verified against government websites (France Diplomatie, SENATUR, Dirección General de Migraciones, French Embassy in Paraguay). Budget data comes from collaborative sources such as Budget Your Trip and Numbeo, cross-checked with traveler testimonials published on specialized forums. Medical recommendations follow WHO, Institut Pasteur and US CDC publications. Each link to an external source is accompanied by the year of consultation, so you can evaluate the currency of the information. If you spot an error or outdated information, feel free to contact me via the contact form or consult the Corrections and updates page.
Last updated:
Sources
- France Diplomatie, Travel Advice Paraguay (2025)
- SENATUR, Tourism Information Paraguay
- Budget Your Trip, Paraguay Travel Costs 2024 (2024)
- WHO, Paraguay Country Health Profile (2024)
- Institut Pasteur, International Vaccination Center (2025)
- CDC, Traveler View Paraguay (2025)
- Dirección General de Migraciones, Paraguay
- French Embassy in Paraguay
- Numbeo, Cost of Living in Paraguay (2024)
My method
This page is written from France, sourced as carefully as possible, but I can be wrong or miss on-the-ground detail. A price that changed, outdated info, a photo to share? Every correction is credited if you want.
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