Essentials
- City
- San Bernardino, Cordillera, Paraguay
- Population
- Approximately 25,000 (increases significantly during summer months)
- Internet Speed
- 40-100 Mbps via fiber optics (Tigo, Personal, and Claro are main providers)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7,350 PYG (Guaraní). Major banks include Banco Itaú and Vision Banco.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water (e.g., Seltz or La Fuente)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C (European) and Type I (Australian) sockets
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Personal; approx. $10 USD for 20GB of data (Valid for 30 days)
- Banking for Expats
- Itaú Paraguay, Vision Banco, and digital options like Ueno or Revolut (for international use)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, or local real estate agents like Remax Paraguay
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly; cards accepted in supermarkets and hotels, but cash is needed for small shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb ($40-$120 USD/night) and local 'Quintas' for weekend rentals
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel del Lago (Classic option, approx. $50/night) or local guest houses
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro (Near the lake front and Colonos Alemanes street)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The outskirts (Urbanización El Cortijo) for peace, or near Av. Luis F. Vaché for amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Loffice (occasional pop-ups) or using high-end hotel lobbies like Hotel Alta Gracia
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tia Laura Relindas (Av. Luis F. Vaché) - Great Wi-Fi and pastries
- Networking Events
- Summer business forums organized by the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Paraguay Facebook Group meetups at local bars like El Fabriquero
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (most reliable in the area) and MUV (Paraguayan version)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available at the Ypacaraí Lake waterfront rentals ($5/hour)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Ciclovía or Playa Rotonda (Lakeside beaches on Lake Ypacaraí)
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Paraguay (flying from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, 45 mins away)
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines, Air Europa (connecting to Madrid and Panama City)
- Highway Access
- Route PY02 connecting Asunción to Ciudad del Este
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Asunción Bus Terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción) for long distances
- Public Transport Passes
- Jaha or Mas cards for Asunción buses; local 'interno' buses in San Ber accept cash
- Regional Travel
- Local buses (Empresa Villa Hayes) to Asunción for approx. $2 USD
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro de Salud de San Bernardino (Basic); Sanatorio Británico (Asunción) for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ayurveda Paraguay (Located briefly outside the city center)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio San Ber (Next to the municipal market) - approx. $25 USD/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Bubbles (Av. Luis F. Vaché)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (The primary app used in the region)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chipa (specifically from Chipa Kandoré) and Sopa Paraguaya
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Be Okay (Healthy bowls and plant-based dishes nearby)
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Alemana (Famous for its German-style cakes and 'bollos')
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado Real or Biggie Express (24/7 convenience store)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tienda Naranja or Mercado Libre Paraguay
- Grocery Delivery
- Tupi or Supermercado Stock online delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Casco Histórico area during 'Verano' (January-February)
- Local Brewery
- Sacramento Brewing Co. (Summer pop-up taproom)
- Wine Bars
- Negroni San Bernardino (Lakeside views/cocktails)
- Street Food Stalls
- The central Plaza General Bernardino Caballero vendors (Asadito and Empanadas)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Paella at Restaurante del Lago
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- La Casa de la Cultura and the Lake Ypacaraí sunset
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Bernardino Caballero
- Historical Sites
- The old German colonial houses (Colonos Alemanes history)
- Religious Sites
- Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)
- Annual Events
- Festival de la Chipa and summer concerts at the Anfiteatro José Asunción Flores
- Cultural Districts
- The Downtown/Colonial core
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de Verano (Outdoor amphitheater)
- Local Markets
- San Bernardino Municipal Market (Fresh fruit and local crafts)
- Music Scene
- Velvet or Coyote (Summer nightclubs/discos)
- Street Art
- Murals along the Ciclovía (bike path)
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at local community centers for Chipa making
- Art Galleries
- Small exhibitions at Hotel del Lago
- Historic Buildings
- Hotel del Lago (Built in 1888)
- Local Heritage
- German-Paraguayan fusion culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cerro Kavajú (Hiking paths 15 minutes away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Ypacaraí National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Ciclovía San Bernardino (Lakefront path)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de la Virgen de Fátima (Panoramic lake view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wetlands around the Salado River
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private Quintas near the Pirayu area
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- AEX Paraguay or DHL (via Asunción)
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Central (San Bernardino center)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Náutico San Bernardino (Members and guests only)
- Language Classes
- Private Spanish/Guaraní tutors via the House of Culture
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de San Bernardino
- Community Centers
- Club Alemán (German Club)
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly available in Asunción (Cyber Cafes)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino San Bernardino
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $34,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $48,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $60,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 10% (IRE - Impuesto a la Renta Empresarial)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8% for residents, 15% for non-residents (IDU)
- Tax System
- Territorial (Only income earned in Paraguay is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% (IRP - Impuesto a la Renta Personal)
- VAT
- 10% (Standard), 5% (Basic goods)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, Impuesto Inmobiliario (very low, usually ~1% of fiscal value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2% for notary and transfer fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income if structured correctly under territorial system