PRACTICAL TIPS

See entry and exit requirements, for current vaccination requirements to enter Paraguay.

Travelers are recommended to be current on their standard vaccinations.

We recommend visit your doctor a minimum of 4-6 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. Some vaccines require multiple injects, so please allow enough time.

As health notices are constantly changing, we encourage travelers to review your country’s public health website.

The Center for Disease Control (USA) 

National Travel Health Network and Centre (UK) 

Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are mosquito-born viral infections and have been reported in Paraguay.  In the majority of cases, affected persons experience mild flu-like symptoms and it is important to stay hydrated. Some people and infants born to pregnant women may suffer more sever outcomes.

World Health Organization Fact Sheet: Dengue Fever

Epidemiological Update for Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika in 2023.

While the probability of contracting these infections on a short stay is relatively low, the threat is real, and travelers should follow mosquito bite prevention measures. Personal protection against insect bites can best be achieved by avoiding habitats where mosquitos are prevalent, using protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), applying insect repellent, and sleeping in accommodations with air-conditioning and/or screens and ceiling fans.

Healthcare facilities are good in Asuncion, but may be limited beyond the capital. Please notify Trico Tours of any health concerns before traveling. If you are taking any medications, bring an adequate supply for the entire duration of the trip, plus a few extra days should your travel plans be delayed.

This is general information offered as a courtesy. Travel requirements can change at any time, and guests are responsible for ensuring they are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates based on their nationality and/or travel itineraries.

Valid Passport
All tourists should travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry.

Passport Pages
Be sure you have enough space/sheets for entry and exit stamps and/or visas. Usually passports can accommodate 4 stamps per page and each border crossing will require two stamps (one stamp exiting the country you are leaving, and an entry stamp for the country you are entering). A travel visa can take up a full page!

Photo of Passport
It is always a good idea to take a photo or make a scan/photocopy of your passport and airline tickets when traveling abroad. Copies can prove invaluable in helping you get replacements if your originals are lost or stolen. You should keep the copies in a separate bag or accessible online.

Last updated: Mar 1, 2025

This is general information offered as a courtesy. Travel requirements can change at any time, and guests are responsible for ensuring they are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates based on their nationality and/or travel itineraries.

Visit the Paraguayan Immigration or Foreign Affairs websites for the most current information in entry and exit requirements and entry visa requirements.

Passport
All tourists need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Paraguay.

Vaccinations

• There are no longer any COVID-19 specific entry requirements regardless of your vaccination status.
• International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever (only mandatory for people from 1 to 59 years old who have recently been in areas with high risk of yellow fever (see list of countries: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/countries-with-risk-of-yellow-fever-transmission-and-countries-requiring-yellow-fever-vaccination-(november-2022)

Visas

• Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, who wish to travel to Paraguay for tourism purposes are currently exempt from paying the fee for a visa.
• Citizens of Other Countries should consult their nearest Paraguayan consulate for entry requirements.

Exit Requirements
If you do not meet the entry requirements of your destination country, you will not be allowed to board your flight. Please know the entry requirements of your next destination and advise us with time if you would like us to facilitate Covid testing or other requirements for your travel plans.

Proof of Entry/Exit
Whenever you enter or leave the country, you will need to get your passport stamped at the border. Any tourist checking in for return flights without the required border stamps could be fined and/or even be refused permission to fly. When you cross borders into Paraguay, always verify they actually stamp your passport (unfortunately, this is a little trick they play to charge you a $100 fine when you exit the country).

Last updated: April 20, 2025

This is general information offered as a courtesy. Travel requirements can change at any time, and guests are responsible for ensuring they are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates based on their nationality and/or travel itineraries.

Learn about visas, documentation, climate, safety, and vaccines for Brazil.

Vaccinations

• In Brazil, there is no obligation to provide proof of vaccination to enter the country.However, the Ministry of Health recommends that all travellers update their vaccination status before arriving in Brazil, following the guidelines for the vaccination schedule in the country of origin or residence, in particular, vaccines for yellow fever, polio, measles, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus.

Proof of Entry/Exit
Whenever you enter or leave the country, you will need to get your passport stamped at the border. Any tourist checking in for return flights without the required border stamps could be fined and/or even be refused permission to fly.

Entry to Brazil

Before arriving to the border, each person is encouraged to complete the pre-registration on their mobile phone for speed up the migrations process. Simply enter your information in advance and at the border show the officer the QR code.

access the online pre-registration form

Visas for Brazil

European Union
EU citizens do not need a tourist visa to enter Brazil.

Australia, Canada and the United States
As of April 10, 2025, citizens traveling with passports from Australia, Canada and the United States visiting Brazil for tourism and business need a visa to enter into Brazilian territory. These citizens can acquire e-Visas through the portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/.

Currently, the visa fee is $80.90 with a 10-year validity.

Brazilian eVisa application general information

The process is easy, and quick and if the requirements are met. Be sure to pay close attention to the photo guidelines.
Seriously: no shadows, do not smile or show teeth, no glasses, show shoulders, submit the correct size, etc. If you do not, your application will not be approved, though you will have the opportunity to submit a new photo.

The average processing time for an eVisa application is typically 5 working days after everything is submitted correctly, but it is best to allow time as they sometimes are picky about the photos and/or may request additional information (bank statement, etc)

Last updated: April 20, 2025

This is general information offered as a courtesy. Travel requirements can change at any time, and guests are responsible for ensuring they are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates based on their nationality and/or travel itineraries.

Passport Entry Stamp

When entering Argentina, you typically won't receive a physical passport stamp because the country primarily uses an electronic entry system, meaning your passport is not stamped upon arrival and instead, your entry details are recorded digitally. 

Vaccinations

• As of the latest information, Argentina currently does not have any mandatory vaccination requirements for entry, including for COVID-19; this means you do not need to show proof of vaccination to enter the country; however, it is still recommended to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations like Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever depending on your travel plans.

Visas for Argentina
Citizens of the EU, US, Australia, and Canada do not require a tourist visa. Visa requirements by country

Entry and exit requirements for Argentina

The currency of Paraguay is the Guarani (PYG). There are plenty of banks, exchange houses and ATMs in Asuncion. Keep in mind:

• US dollars with writing, smudges, folds or tears will not be accepted anywhere in the country - the bills must be in nearly PERFECT condition
• Only the "new" USD $100 bills (with the blue line) will be accepted
• Some places will only exchange $50 and $100 bills, so don't count on exchanging smaller bills or using small bills in a foreign currency to pay for items.
• You will typically be required to show your passport when exchanging money

Minimize changing money at the airport
Do not exchange money within the secured area of the airport – the exchange rate is terrible (about 75% of the value). In the public area of the airport there are a couple exchange kiosks, including Cambios Chaco, which offer fairly reasonable exchange rates (only about 5% less than other locations).

Where to exchange currency
It is best to exchange money is at one of the exchange houses downtown or near the shopping malls; street vendors do not offer better rates.

Cash Machines
ATMs are widely available in Asuncion and other larger cities, including at the airport.  Be aware that your withdraw limit may vary ($200-600 in a single transaction) and you will likely incur an ATM fee of $3-5 for each transaction.

Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted at most merchants in cities. You may also be able to use your credit card at some shops and restaurants on the Golden Circuit. Many small shops and individual artisans outside large cities do not accept credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are preferred; other cards may not be accepted.

Some credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee (typically around 3%) however you receive a better exchange rates, so you may benefit from using a credit card even if there is a fee.

Please review Trico Tours' cancellation policy.

Trico Tours highly recommends travel insurance.
When selecting a travel insurance plan, at a minimum you should consider a plan with benefits for trip cancellation and emergency medical expenses. You may also wish to choose a plan which includes trip interruption and baggage loss and delay coverage.

Trip cancellation insurance may cover penalties or fees if you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly due to a covered illness, injury or other circumstances beyond your control.

Please contact a travel insurance provider directly, as Trico Tours does not sell trip insurance.

Some popular travel insurance companies that provide free quotes on their websites:

Allianz Travel 

World Nomads - Travel Insurance for South America

We recommend you download the WhatsApp app onto your phone. All of our guides and most hotels and businesses use WhatsApp. It's how most people communicate! If you have wifi or a data plan, you will be able to use WhatsApp for messages and calls.

Consult you cell phone service provider to inquire if you will have service in Paraguay. Some cell phone service providers offer texting and the ability to make/receive calls while in Paraguay. Many companies also offer international cell and data plans.

Unless you have purchased an international plan, most US/European carrier data plans will not work in Paraguay.

You might consider buying an international e-SIM service. There are different companies, one I have personally used is Airalo - they offer single country and regional/multi-country options. Just make sure your phone is compatible with loading an eSim and remember to activate it before departure.

While it is possible to purchase a prepaid physical SIM card in Paraguay, it is a bit inconvenient. You need to go to a store, show your passport to create an account, purchase a SIM... the process takes a good hour.

You can eat very well in Asuncion, and even vegetarians can find good options (especially salad bar and buffet options) these days. Meal options are somewhat limited outside of the main cities. It’s important to let us know of any dietary restrictions, in advance, so we can plan for them. We carefully plan itineraries to be in areas with selected restaurants that are clean, safe and serve tasty foods around meal times, however some meal-time flexibility may be required when traveling to parts of the country where quality restaurants may be a few hours apart. Many restaurants throughout the country don’t open for dinner until after 7:00pm or 8:00pm.

Meals
For meals, we recommend budgeting between $10 to $40 per meal:

• If you are happy with a light meal or eating at an average restaurant, you may pay little as $5-10 per meal.
• A meal at a nicer or mid-tier restaurant or all-you-can-eat buffet can cost between $15-20 per meal.
• If you are on a super tight budget, you can easily eat a good meal for under $5 (shopping mall or grocery store food courts are good places for inexpensive meals).
• If you want to try just the finest food at the finest restaurants, then you can expect meals to cost as much as similar restaurants in western countries, anywhere from $30-60+ for a good meal.

Water & Food Safety
While many Paraguayans drink tap water, it is best for travelers to drink bottled water when possible. You can safely brush your teeth using tap water and eat salads and other fresh foods at reputable restaurants.

Even though standards of hygiene have improved throughout the country, travelers from high-income countries are more susceptible than locals to bacteria that may cause traveler’s diarrhea (TD) and other infections caused by contaminated food or water.  We suggest avoiding foods from questionable places and street vendors.

If you have any questions or concerns about food and water safety during your trip, just ask your guide.

Except in new, modern hotels and buildings, toilet paper should be thrown in the bin conveniently located next to the toilet. This is important so as not to block the pipes. While this practice may not be required in all areas, it is recommended the the vast majority and therefore it is best to error on the side of precaution.

Paraguay can be safe for visitors, and almost all of our tours have been trouble-free - in fact, on several occasions our guests have accidentally forgotten items (camera bag, purse) and had them returned hours later. (You gotta love kind people!!)

That said, you should be aware of crime and take reasonable precautions. I heard of a travelers that set a phone down on a park bench in a sketchy area, and it was stolen.

Visitors should note that street crime like pickpocketing and mugging do occur, especially in larger cities, and chances are higher in certain neighborhoods.  If someone should try to steal from you, the best advice is to simply “let it go”. It may go against your instincts to hand over your phone or wallet, but this is the best way to avoid escalating the situation and ensuring your personal safety.

Visitors should take sensible precautions such as not carrying large amounts of cash or displaying valuables (jewelry, cash, etc.) when walking in the streets. Always heed the advice of your guide who knows the area and cares about your safety.

Those who travel around the country will note there are military and police checkpoints in operation throughout the country. If flagged to stop, the police will check the vehicle's and driver's documents. The police may want to check the documents of everyone in the vehicle, as well, which should not be cause for alarm. When dealing with the police, show them respect and be cooperative – and even be friendly. (After all, who doesn't like a smile?) Typically they will review the documents and if everything is in order, they will send you on your way with a "have a nice day".

Electricity in Paraguay runs at 220 Volts (Europe uses 220V, whereas the US uses 110V). Many electronics today use power dual voltage chargers (110-240 volts), however you may need a transformer if your electrical appliance differs from this standard.

Rounded two-pronged round European plugs are used standard in Paraguay. Today, many outlets are designed to accommodate both round (European) and flat (US) plugs, however you may need an adaptor if dual-prong outlets are not offered at your hotel.

Tip: Electrical surges are common during storms. Even if you use a surge protector, it is advised to unplug all electrical appliances during thunderstorms. This is especially true outside of Asuncion.

Note: If you forget to bring an adapter they can be purchased in Paraguay.

Paraguay is officially bilingual. Guarani, the native language is spoken by approximately 90% of the population and 87% of the population speaks Spanish. Spanish is the language of business and is prominent in Asuncion. The Guarani language is used in homes, between friends and for humor and is almost always spoken as a mix of Guarani and Spanish, known as Jopara, meaning "mixed" in Guarani. and is not marginalized as in some other countries; Guarani is a source of pride for Paraguayans.

Other native languages are spoken in remote areas of the country by a small number of indigenous groups. There are also a number of Mennonite and immigrant communities throughout Paraguay which speak German. It is estimated that 5-7% of the population may have some amount of German ancestry.

English is not widely spoken outside of some hotels and tour operators. Without some basic Spanish, it can be difficult to navigate Paraguay independently. Business people and younger generations may have some knowledge of English. The majority of restaurants have Spanish-only menus and waiters seldom speak English.

When in Paraguay, as a general rule, tip as often as you can.

Thoughtful generosity is never inappropriate and always appreciated.

• Restaurants: The standard tip at a restaurant is 10%, though 10-15% is appropriate at nicer restaurants.
• Taxi drivers: Locals typically do not tip taxi drivers, but feel free to round up.
• Hotel staff: Porters should be tipped $1-2 per bag. Hotel maids typically receive $2-3 per day.
• Tour guide and driver: Trico Tour guides are skilled workers and paid well compared to service staff at hotels or restaurants; tipping is optional and voluntary. The "average" tip for good service is about $10-30 per day for the guide and $10 per day for the driver.

The time zone in Paraguay is GMT -3.

As of 2025, Paraguay no longer observes daylight savings time, like its neighbors Argentina and Brazil.

The sun now sets after 6pm in the winter (June) and before 8pm in the summer (Dec).

Tip: Consider downloading an international clock to your phone.

Asunción is just south of the Tropic of Capricorn so the climate is subtropical. That means hot weather especially in the South American summer; between November and March, when the temperature can consistently climb over 38 °C (100 °F) and the humidity can be high. Weather in the winter can range considerably, from nearly freezing temps to quite warm. The average temperature in June and July is 19 °C (66 °F), however the weather changes frequently from one week to another so it’s best to dress in layers.

The Chaco has a tropical climate. Chaco temperatures are usually high, the averages dropping only slightly in winter. Rainfall is concentrated in summer months, especially January and February.