Paraguay

U.S. Embassy Asuncion

1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue
Asunción, Paraguay
Telephone: +(595)(21) 213-715
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(595)(21) 229-581
Fax: +(595)(21) 228-603
Email: ParaguayACS@state.gov

U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Paraguay. U.S. citizens with expired or damaged passports may not be allowed to enter and could be sent back to the United States at their own expense. Private U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Some minor children need a special notarized authorization from Paraguayan authorities to enter and exit the country when not accompanied by both legal parents/guardians. Please visit the Embassy’s website for more specifics about whether this applies to your situation.

To leave Paraguay by air, you must pay an airport departure tax. Some airlines include the Paraguayan airport departure tax in the cost of the airline ticket. It is recommended that you check with the airline in order to determine whether or not the departure tax has been included.

Visit the Embassy of Paraguay website for the most current visa information.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Paraguay.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Security Messages: Messages regarding demonstrations, strikes, and weather-related events are posted on the Embassy’s website.

Terrorism: The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any specific threat to U.S. citizens in Paraguay. Nevertheless, you should remain vigilant at all times while travelling.

Crime: Transnational criminal organizations facilitate the illicit trafficking of arms, narcotics, and other goods in Paraguay, particularly along Paraguay’s eastern border with Brazil, most prominently from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este, including the Tri-Border Area of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Coupled with the lack of sufficient police enforcement, the involvement of these organizations heightens violent crime in these areas. The U.S. Embassy in Asuncion requires U.S. government personnel and their family members to provide advance notice and a travel itinerary when traveling outside of the capital, particularly when traveling to Ciudad del Este, or to the departments of Alto Parana, San Pedro, Concepcion, Amambay, and Canindeyu.

U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Paraguay should also avoid large gatherings or events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate, protest, or cause damage as a byproduct of celebrating an event, such as after soccer matches.

Street crime is prevalent in the cities and the number of pickpockets and armed assaults is increasing. Robbers are more regularly using motorcycles to approach victims with a weapon and demand a wallet or purse, before quickly fleeing.

Thieves have been known to pose as service people (e.g., mailmen, reporters, water meter readers, electrical repairmen, delivery persons, maintenance personnel) to gain access to homes. They sometimes wear uniforms and travel in vans and automobiles with markings that make the vehicle appear official. Do not let such people inside your home unless you have contacted the service provider directly to verify the appointment.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:

• U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy. 
• Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+595) 021-213-715 and press 2210 (Dial (+595) (21) 229 581 after hours).
• Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Paraguay are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Additionally, it is not uncommon for individuals detained on drug-related charges to spend extended periods in detention before trial.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Paraguay. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Paraguayan law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of state services, and the government seeks to enforce these prohibitions. Nonetheless, access to buildings, pedestrian paths, and transportation is extremely difficult for persons with disabilities, as mandated accessibility requirements are rarely enforced.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Paraguay to ensure the medication is legal in Paraguay. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor-issued written prescription. 

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Diarrheal illness
• Mosquito-borne illnesses including:
  • Zika
  • Dengue Fever
  • Chikungunya
• Rabies

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety: U.S. citizens have been injured and killed in traffic accidents throughout Paraguay. Only minimal standards must be met to obtain a Paraguayan driver’s license, and a driver’s education prior to licensing is not common.

Traffic Laws: Drivers throughout Paraguay routinely ignore traffic regulations. No vehicle insurance is required, and many Paraguayans drive without insurance coverage.

Public Transportation: Public transportation is readily available for urban and intercity travel. Buses vary in maintenance conditions and may not meet U.S. safety standards. Taxis are available and may be called using telephone numbers listed in newspapers. Mobile ride hailing services are also available in the capital area. No passenger train service exists. Bicycle travel may not be safe because of traffic and other road hazards.

Most urban streets consist of cobblestones over dirt. Nearly all rural roads are unpaved and may be impassable during rainy periods and the rainy season (November-April). Driving or traveling at night is not advisable outside of Asuncion, due to the presence of pedestrians, animals, or vehicles without proper lighting on the roads.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Paraguay’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety. The Touring and Automobile Club provides some roadside assistance to its members. The club may be contacted in Asuncion by visiting its offices at 25 de Mayo near Avenida Brazil or by calling 210-550 to 210-553. Intercity highway maintenance is not equal to U.S. standards. The privately maintained toll road between Caaguazu and Ciudad del Este and the routes between Asuncion and Encarnacion and Asuncion and Pedro Juan Caballero are generally in good condition. The Trans-Chaco route is in fair condition except for the portion between Mariscal Estigarribia and the Bolivian border, which is unpaved and at times impassable.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Paraguay, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Paraguay’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.