Paraguay Travel Costs in 2026

Paraguay is not an expensive country to visit. For a backpacker, daily costs average $20, which works out to $600 a month; even a digital nomad with a decent apartment and regular cafe visits spends only $50 per day, or $1,500 a month. The main reason is that Paraguay has a very low cost base: local street food, buses, and hostels are priced for the local economy, where average wages are among the lowest in South America. Tourism infrastructure is thin, so there is little premium-priced accommodation beyond a few high-end hotels.

What does push prices up are imported goods. Paraguay has no coastline, so most electronics, wine, and even some food items carry heavy import costs. In Asuncion, a decent meal in a tourist-friendly restaurant might cost $10–15, but you can eat well for $3–5 at a market stall. The luxury figure of $250 per day reflects the top end of Asuncion's hotel scene, where you get full air conditioning, a pool, and imported everything. In practice, most travellers land somewhere between $20 and $50 a day, and your money goes further here than in Brazil or Argentina.

Paraguay's published destination is just Asuncion, so there is no regional price gap to exploit. The 'cheapest' and 'most expensive' destinations are both Asuncion, at $20 a day on a backpacker budget. Within the city, the real spread comes from your accommodation and dining choices. A dorm bed in a hostel in the historic centre costs $8–12 a night; street empanadas and bus rides cost under $1. On $20 a day you can sleep, eat three meals, and take public transport.

Go up to the $50-a-day digital nomad level and you'll add a private, air-conditioned room in a mid-range hotel, a rental co-working space (Asuncion scores 6.5/10 for remote workers), and meals at sit-down restaurants. For comfort, expect to pay $100–150 a day for a good hotel and excursions. At the $250 luxury ceiling, you get the top hotels like the Palmaroga or the Granados Park, with their pools, spas, and imported menus. That $250 a day buys a lot in a city where a taxi ride across town still costs $5.

The sweet spot for visiting Paraguay on a budget is April–May and September–October. These shoulder months have warm, dry days (temperatures around 25–30°C) and low hotel occupancy, which keeps room rates near the bottom of Asuncion's scale. June–August is the coolest time, with nights sometimes dropping to 10°C; it's also the driest, making it a good time for outdoor trips, though Asuncion can feel chilly indoors because buildings are not heated.

December–January is the most expensive stretch. Asuncion swelters in 35–40°C heat, locals go on holiday, and the city's hotels fill with regional visitors. New Year's week sees the highest prices, and Carnival in February (the country's biggest street party, focused in Encarnacion but with events in Asuncion) also nudges rates up. Semana Santa (Easter) in March or April brings a short spike around Asuncion's churches and travelers from the region. If you want the best combination of price and comfort, aim for May, when the rain has eased, the grass is green, and no major festivals inflate costs.

Getting around Asuncion is cheap and workable without a car. The city's bus system ('colectivos') covers most of the capital and costs about 2,500 guaranies (roughly $0.35), though you'll need to know your route. Taxis are metered and a ride across the city runs $3–6; ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber are popular and slightly cheaper. For short trips, moto-taxis are common in the suburbs for under $1.

To reach the rest of Paraguay, the long-distance bus network is the backbone. From Asuncion's Terminal de Ómnibus, you can take a bus to Ciudad del Este (around 4 hours, $10–15) or Encarnacion (5–6 hours, $15–20). These buses are comfortable, with air conditioning, and run several times a day. Domestic flights exist but are limited and often costly — a flight to Ciudad del Este on Paranair might cost $80–120 one-way, so few travellers take it. Within the city, walking is feasible in the historic centre, but the sprawl makes buses or your own feet the practical choices.

Most nationalities — including US, UK, EU, Australian, and Canadian passport holders — get 90 days in Paraguay on arrival, with no visa needed for tourism. You'll need a passport valid for at least six months and sometimes proof of onward travel. At the airport, the entrance is quick, but land border crossings from Brazil or Argentina can involve a small fee and a passport stamp, so keep cash in guarani at the border.

The local currency is the Paraguayan guarani (PYG). Cards are accepted in Asuncion's hotels, upmarket restaurants, and supermarkets, but cash is king for street food, buses, and local markets. ATMs are plentiful, but many charge a high withdrawal fee (often $5–10), so withdraw larger amounts at once. Exchange money at a bank or official 'casa de cambio'; the rate is only a fraction worse than the official one. Tipping is not deeply ingrained, but leaving 10% in sit-down restaurants is appreciated. Check that your card has a chip and PIN; contactless payments are still patchy.