Paraguay — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Riverside Asunción, the World Heritage Jesuit missions, and the living Guaraní culture”
Paraguay is the heart of South America that still keeps its original charm — Asunción, the capital on the Paraguay River, where the Palacio de los López stands tall; the World Heritage ruins of the Trinidad and Jesús Jesuit missions; the Paraguay River and the Pantanal wetlands; the living Guaraní culture; and tereré, the cold herbal tea people drink every day.
Paraguay at a glance
Choose a city in Paraguay
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Paraguay right for you?
Why people love Paraguay, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Riverside Asunción
One of the oldest capitals in South America, with the Palacio de los López, colonial buildings, and riverside life.
World Heritage Jesuit missions
The 300-year-old ruins of the Trinidad and Jesús churches, UNESCO World Heritage remnants of the Jesuit spirit.
Tereré and herbal tea
Cold Guaraní herbal tea drunk from a gourd through a metal straw — part of everyday Paraguayan life.
The Paraguay River and the Pantanal
A vital river and the Pantanal wetlands, rich in wildlife, rare birds and natural scenery.
The Chaco
The especially arid Chaco region in the west, with traditional Mennonite and indigenous communities.
Guaraní culture
Language, music, handicrafts and traditions still alive in everyday life.
Paraguay vs its neighbors
| Paraguay | Argentina | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $35–75 | $55–130 | $35–70 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Check the latest before travel | Check the latest before travel | Check the latest before travel |
| Known for | World Heritage · rivers · low prices | Buenos Aires · Patagonia · tango | Scenery · lakes · low prices |
| Currency | Guaraní (PYG) | Peso (ARS) | Boliviano (BOB) |
| Tourist crowds | Low (not yet mainstream) | High (lots of tourists) | Medium |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
History and World Heritage
Follow the Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús, colonial Asunción, and the Guaraní museums over 4–5 days.
See this plan → 🌿Chill and culture
Drink tereré with the locals, visit the markets, enjoy folk music, and travel slowly and unhurried.
See this plan → 🦜Nature and wildlife
The Pantanal, the Paraguay River and the Chaco, for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
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- 1🌿
Terere
Cold Guaraní herbal tea drunk from a gourd with a metal straw (bombilla) — an everyday ritual.
📍 National drink - 2🍖
Sopa Paraguaya
A baked cornbread with cheese and onion — despite the name meaning soup, it's a solid dish.
📍 National dish - 3🍲
Locro
A hearty stew of corn, cassava and meat — a filling Guaraní staple.
📍 Traditional - 4🥟
Empanada
Pastry filled with meat, cheese or vegetables, baked or fried — sold at markets and on the street.
📍 Snack - 5🍮
Mamba
Paraguayan-style peanut butter, eaten with cassava and chipa or spread on bread.
📍 Sweet - 6🍞
Chipa
A donut-shaped cassava-cheese bread, crisp outside and soft inside — a popular snack all day long.
📍 Baked
- 1🏛️
Palacio de los López
The neoclassical presidential palace on the riverfront — a symbol of the capital.
📍 Asunción - 2⛪
Trinidad Jesuit Mission
The ruins of a 17th-century Jesuit church, a UNESCO World Heritage site — baroque architecture in the forest.
📍 World Heritage - 3⛪
Jesús Jesuit Mission
Another Jesuit church ruin near Trinidad — visit both in the same day.
📍 World Heritage - 4🏛️
Casa de la Independencia
The colonial house where Paraguay declared independence in 1811 — an important history museum.
📍 Asunción - 5🌊
Costanera Asunción
A riverside promenade in the heart of the city, with sunset views, cafés and parks.
📍 Asunción - 6🎭
Mercado 4
A big, colorful market in the city center with food, herbs, crafts and Paraguayan daily life.
📍 Asunción
🚆 Getting around Paraguay
Intercity buses
A bus network covers the whole country and is cheap; Asunción to Encarnación takes 4–5 hours.
Taxi / ride apps
Metered taxis in the city at fair prices, or use Uber/InDriver, which operate in Asunción.
Rental car
Good for visiting the Trinidad and Jesús missions; the main highways are in good condition.
Silvio Pettirossi Airport
ASU, the main international airport, is 15–20 minutes from central Asunción with direct flights from several South American cities.
River boats
Cruise the Paraguay River from Asunción to see both banks and the life of the fishing communities.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Paraguay
Tereré culture
Tereré is more than a drink — it's about sharing, socializing and friendship, all through a single shared gourd.
Two languages in daily life
Paraguayans switch between Spanish and Guaraní depending on context; Guaraní is alive at every level of society.
Strong family ties
Family is the center of society, with shared meals and guests welcomed with food and tereré.
Catholic faith
Most Paraguayans are Catholic, and church festivals and religious celebrations are an important part of life.
Guaraní music
Folk music on the harp (arpa paraguaya) and Guaraní songs still sung at festivals.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $15–35
Paraguay is very cheap — eat at local markets, take cheap buses, and walk the colonial quarter for free.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3★ hotel $40–80
A mission tour, good restaurants, and clean, comfortable accommodation.
Premium
🛏️ Upscale hotel $85+
A luxury riverside hotel, private tours, and special experiences.
🗓️ When to visit Paraguay
Dry season
Apr – SepDry and pleasantly cool (15–22°C in Jun–Aug) — the easiest time to travel.
Early year
Feb – MarAfter New Year the weather is still warm and humid, with festivals and cultural events.
Late year
Oct – NovSpring brings warm weather and blooming flowers, good for traveling (with occasional rain).
Avoid
Dec – JanVery hot and humid (35°C+) with frequent rain, especially in the south — more tiring than other times.
Book — hotels our team picked
If we had to pick just a few, we'd start with these three — compare prices across 3 sites.
Want to see every option in Paraguay?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Paraguay
How many days do I need in Paraguay?+
4–6 days — Asunción for 2–3 days (old town, museums, river) and Encarnación for 1–2 (the Trinidad and Jesús missions); add the Chaco if you have time.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Check the latest visa conditions with the embassy before you travel, as visa policy may change.
Is Paraguay safe?+
Generally safe for tourists; be careful with pickpockets in crowded areas and markets. Asunción's tourist areas are safe by day.
Which currency should I use?+
The guaraní (PYG) mainly; US dollars are accepted in some places. Exchange money at banks or ATMs in Asunción — not at the airport.
Tips before you go to Paraguay
- Try drinking tereré with the locals — sharing one gourd is the Paraguayan way of welcoming you.
- The Trinidad and Jesús missions are close together and can be done in one day from Encarnación.
- Paraguay is very cheap compared to South America — a market meal fills you up for just a couple of dollars.
- The main languages are Spanish and Guaraní; English is limited even in tourist areas, so Google Translate helps a lot.
- June–August is pleasantly cool, perfect for walking Asunción's old quarter and for hiking.
- Chipa (cassava-cheese bread) is sold everywhere — try it as a local breakfast.