Paraguay is not considered a dangerous country for tourists, but as in any destination where French-speaking tourism remains a minority, some scams specifically target visitors who do not know the prices or local customs. None of these situations are unique to Paraguay, but knowing them in advance changes everything on the ground. This guide cross-references warnings from France Diplomatie, the U.S. Department of State, and the OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council), which publishes country security reports for professional travelers.
The Most Common Scams
What to remember
- •The most reported scams are street money exchange, taxis without a meter, and fake police checks
- •All of these scams rely on speed and social pressure: taking your time is the best defense
- •A real police officer never asks for cash on the sidewalk, a real money changer works in an office
- •If something happens, the reflex is to go to a busy place and report to the authorities within 24h
| Overview of reported traps in Paraguay | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi without meter | Bus terminal, airport | Low to moderate | Announced fare 2 to 3 times the real price: negotiate before getting in or use a ride-hailing app |
| Fake money changer | Street, busy markets | Moderate | Rate too good, delivers counterfeit bills: exchange only at official exchange offices |
| Fake police check | Street, tourist areas | Moderate to high | Asks for documents then money: ask for their professional ID |
| Distraction theft | Bus terminals, markets | Moderate | An accomplice distracts while another steals your belongings |
| Inflated bill | Tourist restaurants | Low | Unordered items added: check the bill before paying |
| Card skimming | Isolated ATMs | High | Tampered reader copies your data: use ATMs inside bank branches |
Money and Currency Exchange Scams
Street money exchange remains the most documented source of scams for travelers in Paraguay, as in most South American countries according to DGCCRF warnings on payments and exchanges abroad. The classic procedure: a very attractive displayed rate, then incorrect change or counterfeit bills, taking advantage of the speed of the exchange and the traveler's unfamiliarity with local banknotes. In Asunción, informal money changers operate mainly around Calle Palma and Mercado 4, two areas heavily frequented by tourists.
A more sophisticated variant involves showing a real wad of bills during negotiation, then replacing them with counterfeits at the time of the transaction. The gesture is fast, Paraguayan bills are numerous and unfamiliar to a European eye. I saw a friend fall for this: the money changer gave change in 2,000 Gs bills presenting them as if they were 20,000 Gs, taking advantage of their similar color.
- 1Never exchange money with an individual on the street, even if the rate seems excellent: see the Currency Exchange page
- 2Always count your change on the spot, in front of the person handing it to you, bill by bill. Don't put the money in your pocket without checking
- 3Refuse dynamic currency conversion (paying directly in euros) offered by some terminals: it hides an unfavorable rate according to Wise
- 4Be wary of an isolated or tampered-looking ATM: prefer ATMs inside bank branches
- 5Keep a small cash reserve in a separate place from your main wallet
A less known but frequent trap: counterfeit 50,000 and 100,000 Gs bills circulate in some shops in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. Real bills have a watermark visible against the light and a holographic band. Get into the habit of checking large bills you receive as change, especially in busy markets and small shops. Shops themselves reject counterfeit bills presented to them, which can lead to an embarrassing situation if you received fake money earlier in the day without knowing it.
Transport Scams
Bus terminals are where I saw the most scam attempts in Paraguay. Not because the country is dangerous, but because they are transit points where everyone arrives tired, laden with luggage, and unfamiliar with the surroundings. The Asunción Bus Terminal is a large, modern but lively terminal where several bus companies coexist and where touts are active.
- 1Taxi at the airport or bus terminal: negotiate the price before getting in, or use a ride-hailing app that shows the fare upfront
- 2Tout posing as an official bus company employee to sell a more expensive ticket: always buy at the company counter
- 3Luggage in the hold without a tag or ticket: demand a numbered receipt before letting your bag go
- 4False help offering to carry your luggage without being asked: politely decline if you didn't ask for it
- 5Informal moto-taxi or shared taxi: these options exist but without a regulated framework. Prefer an identified company
Vigilance on the Street and at Tourist Sites
As France Diplomatie reminds in its travel advice for Paraguay, the main risk for a tourist remains petty or distraction theft, rather than violent assault, particularly in busy markets, bus terminals, and border areas like Ciudad del Este. Mercado 4 in Asunción, the area around the Friendship Bridge, and the craft markets in Encarnación are places where vigilance is naturally more necessary.
A common scenario reported at Mercado 4: a tourist's cell phone is snatched in seconds. One person asks for the time while an accomplice grabs the phone from the counter. Without violence, without a chase. By the time the tourist turns around, both have already disappeared into the crowd.
Pickpockets usually operate in teams of two or three in markets and public transport. A common technique involves creating a small artificial crowd: one accomplice blocks the way, another gently bumps into the victim, and the third takes advantage of the confusion to reach into a bag or pocket. The craft markets in downtown Encarnación and the areas around the Asunción Bus Terminal are places where this type of scam is repeatedly reported in expat groups.
- 1Avoid taking out large sums of cash on the street, carry a discreet wallet for daily use
- 2Keep a digital copy of your documents separate from the originals, in a cloud or email account
- 3In markets and crowded areas, carry your bag in front rather than on your back
- 4Avoid displaying an expensive phone or camera for extended periods in crowded places
Border Areas: Ciudad del Este in Particular
Ciudad del Este deserves a special mention. Built around cross-border trade with Brazil, it attracts thousands of visitors every day. The OSAC mentions a higher crime rate in this area, linked to the massive informal economy surrounding the Friendship Bridge. I am not saying you should avoid Ciudad del Este, but rather that visiting requires different preparation than the rest of the country.
Counterfeit goods and contraband products are common currency, and a naive buyer can end up with a worthless product once back home. Currency exchange offices at the border offer worse rates than in the city: exchange before arriving or after crossing.
The Puerto Triunfo area, located a few kilometers from Ciudad del Este, is a giant shopping center selling everything at very competitive prices. A significant portion of the merchandise comes from parallel imports or counterfeiting. If you are looking for electronic or brand-name products at low prices, keep in mind that factory warranties generally do not apply to products imported outside official channels. A camera bought at half price in Puerto Triunfo may become unusable if it fails, since no authorized service center will accept it in Europe.
- 1Cross the Friendship Bridge on foot or by bus, not by an unidentified taxi whose fare can skyrocket along the way
- 2To visit Iguazu Falls from Paraguay, Ciudad del Este is the natural access point
- 3See the Means of Transport page for border crossing options
What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Scam
No one is immune to falling for a scam, even when taking all precautions. The important thing is to act quickly and follow a clear procedure to limit the damage. Without a formal police report filed within 24h, most insurance companies will refuse to compensate.
- 1File a police report within 24h for your insurance
- 2Contact your travel insurance quickly: most require this 24 to 48h window, see the Travel Insurance page
- 3In case of a lost passport, contact your country's embassy for a temporary travel document
- 4Report any banking fraud (cloned card, suspicious charge) to your bank without delay
Last updated:
Sources
- France Diplomatie: Conseils aux voyageurs Paraguay (2025)
- U.S. Department of State: Paraguay Travel Advisory (2025)
- OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council): Paraguay Country Security Report (2025)
- DGCCRF: Paiement à l'étranger, attention à la conversion dynamique de devises (2024)
- Wise: Understand and avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) (2024)
- Numbeo: Crime Index for Paraguay (2025)
- SENATUR: Información Turística Paraguay (2025)
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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