Essentials
- City
- Asunción, Capital District, Paraguay
- Population
- Approximately 525,000 (Metropolitan area: 2.7 million)
- Internet Speed
- Average 65 Mbps (Fiber optics available via Tigo and Personal)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7,450 PYG (Paraguayan Guaraní)
- Tap Water
- Generally unsafe to drink; bottled water like 'Seltz' is recommended (15,000 PYG for 5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C (European) and Type I (Australian/Argentine) sockets
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Personal; 50,000 PYG ($7) for 10GB/30 days at Paseo La Galería
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Itaú or Sudameris; Revolut works at most ATMs (Ueno bank has lowest fees)
- Accommodation
- Modern high-rises in Villa Morra or Santa Teresa via Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards and 'Bancard' QR codes accepted in 90% of shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'Booking' listings (Avg. $600-$900/month for 1BR)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Hub Hotel ($45/night) or Black Cat Hostel ($12/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico for sightseeing or Las Mercedes for a leafy bohemian vibe
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Villa Morra / Lillo area (walkable to malls, gyms, and coworking spaces)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Loffice Bulnes (Villa Morra) - 1,200,000 PYG ($160)/month for hot desk
- Best Cafe for Work
- Juan Valdez Café at Manzana T; excellent WiFi and AC
- Networking Events
- Koga Impact Lab events and 'Startup Paraguay' meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Asunción official events or Expats in Paraguay Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber or Bolt (Bolt is significantly more popular and cheaper here)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available; personal bikes used in Costanera park via 'Bici-Cena'
- Best Beach Nearby
- San Bernardino (Ypacaraí Lake), 45 mins away (Stay at Hotel del Lago)
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Paraguay and Paranair
- Top International Airline
- Air Europa (direct to Madrid) and Copa Airlines
- Highway Access
- Route PY02 connects Asunción to Ciudad del Este
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción (Regional/International buses)
- Public Transport Passes
- Jaha Card or Más Card (Required, 25,000 PYG start, ~3,400 PYG per ride)
- Regional Travel
- NSA (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) luxury buses to Encarnación ($15)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sanatorio La Costa (Avenida Artigas) - High-end private care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espacio Yoga (Villa Morra) - 350,000 PYG for 8 sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Premier Fitness Club at Paseo La Galería ($55/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lava Ya (various locations) - ~45,000 PYG ($6) per load washed/dried
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa and Monchis
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sopa Paraguaya and Mbejú at Lido Bar (Centro)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pink Cow (Villa Morra) - Plant-based buffet lunch
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Vienesa (Avenida España) - Famous for 'Facturas' and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado 4 for local prices; Superseis for international brands
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tienda Naranja or Hendyla
- Grocery Delivery
- Biggie Express (Open 24/7, delivery via app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Paseo Carmelitas (Upscale) or Senador Long street
- Local Brewery
- Sacramento Brewing Co. in Avenida España
- Wine Bars
- In Vino Veritas (Villa Morra)
- Street Food Stalls
- Lomito trucks found at every corner - try 'Lomito Completo' ($3)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tierra Colorada Gastro (Contemporary Paraguayan/Global) and Hiroshima (Japanese)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Panteón Nacional de los Héroes and Palacio de los López
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo del Barro (Indigenous and contemporary art)
- Historical Sites
- Casa de la Independencia (Historic colonial house)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Metropolitana de Asunción
- Annual Events
- Expo Mariano Roque Alonso (July) - Largest trade/agriculture fair
- Cultural Districts
- Loma San Jerónimo (Colorful neighborhood with narrow stairs)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane
- Local Markets
- Mercado 4 (Chaos but authentic culture)
- Music Scene
- Kilkenny Irish Pub for live rock; Jazz Cube for jazz
- Street Art
- Murales on Calle Estrella and Loma San Jerónimo area
- Cooking Classes
- IGA (Instituto Gastronómico de las Américas)
- Art Galleries
- Galería Matices (Villa Morra)
- Historic Buildings
- The Railway Station (Estación Central del Ferrocarril)
- Local Heritage
- Tereré (iced yerba mate drink), declared UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jardín Botánico y Zoológico de Asunción
- National Parks Nearby
- Ybycuí National Park (2.5 hours away, stunning waterfalls)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Costanera de Asunción (Riverside promenade)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cerro Lambaré (Best sunset view of the city and river)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bahía de Asunción (Eco-reserve)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Quinta de los Santos (Event spaces outside city limits)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- AEX or DHL Asunción
- Tech Repair Services
- Nissei (Authorized Apple and electronics center)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Federación Paraguaya de Tenis de Mesa (FPTM)
- Language Classes
- Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano (CCPA) for Spanish/Guaraní
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional del Paraguay
- Community Centers
- Manzana de la Rivera
- Gaming Lounges
- Level Up Gaming Center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Asunción (Avenida España)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $38,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $29,750)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = $71,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = $52,250)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $119,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $89,250)
- Corporate Tax
- 10% (IRE - Impuesto a la Renta Empresarial)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8% for residents, 15% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Paraguay is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% (IRP - Impuesto a la Renta Personal)
- VAT
- 10% (Standard); 5% for certain items
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual (approx. 1% of fiscal value, very low)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax of 0.3% plus notary fees/stamp duties (Approx 2% total)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% tax on foreign-sourced income if structured correctly