Essentials
- City
- San Bernardino, Cordillera Department, Paraguay
- Population
- Approx. 26,000 (increases significantly during summer months)
- Internet Speed
- 40–100 Mbps via Tigo or Personal fiber optics in the town center
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7,350 PYG (Paraguayan Guaraní); large bills can be hard to change
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 20L bidones for 15,000 PYG
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / Type L (triple round pins common)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Personal; 50,000 PYG ($7) for 10GB for 30 days
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Continental or Itaú; most nomads use Revolut or Wise at ATMs
- Accommodation
- Vacation villas and boutique guesthouses starting at 4,000,000 PYG/month
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in supermarkets and hotels; cash needed for small shops/markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com are active; check 'Alquileres Sanber' on Facebook
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal Sanber (approx. 150,000 PYG per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Casco Histórico (Lakefront area near Hotel del Lago)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Urbanización El Cortijo (Quieter, modern infrastructure)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- La Casita Coworking (Colón & 14 de Mayo) - Day pass approx. 80,000 PYG
- Best Cafe for Work
- La Herencia (Av. Luis F. Vaché); great Wi-Fi and air conditioning
- Networking Events
- Business mixers at Bv. de la Plaza during high season (January/February)
- Social Events for Expats
- Expat meetups at El Germano (traditional German deli/bar)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (more popular and cheaper than Uber in Paraguay)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicicletas Sanber (Av. Gral. Morinigo) - 50,000 PYG per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Rotonda (Lakeside beach on Ypacaraí Lake)
- Top Regional Airline
- Paranair (flying from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, 45 mins away)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM Airlines or Copa Airlines via Asunción
- Highway Access
- Route PY02 (Asunción-Ciudad del Este highway access via Ypacaraí)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- San Bernardino Bus Terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus)
- Public Transport Passes
- Jaha or Más card (required for buses to Asunción, 3,600 PYG per ride)
- Regional Travel
- Direct buses to Asunción (Terminal de Ómnibus) every 30-60 mins
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro de Salud de San Bernardino (Public); Sanatorio Británico (Private in nearby Itauguá)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sadhana Yoga Studio (seasonal classes near the Lakefront)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Altos Gym Sanber (200,000 PYG monthly membership)
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería La Burbuja (Av. Vaché); 25,000 PYG per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (wide coverage in the town center)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chipa Barrero (bought fresh from street vendors)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pink Cow (Vegan options and healthy bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Doña Ángela (Famous for artisanal ice cream)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado S6 (Superseis) San Bernardino
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Monchis (Food) and Hendu.com (General goods)
- Grocery Delivery
- Tupi or Superseis online app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida Luis F. Vaché (The 'Summer Strip')
- Local Brewery
- Sacramento Brewing Co. (Summer pop-up taproom)
- Wine Bars
- In Vino Veritas (Boutique selections in high season)
- Street Food Stalls
- Paseo del Lago food stalls (Asadito and Lomito)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Leonardo’s Pizza (Authentic Italian style)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hotel del Lago (Historic hotel where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry stayed)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Casa de la Cultura (Local history and art exhibitions)
- Historical Sites
- The German Colonization Memorial (The town was a German colony)
- Religious Sites
- Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
- Annual Events
- Summer Season (Verano Sanber) - January is peak party month
- Cultural Districts
- Casco Histórico (Old Town)
- Theater Venues
- Anfiteatro José Asunción Flores (Open-air concert venue)
- Local Markets
- Feria de Artesanos (Saturdays at the Plaza Bernardino Caballero)
- Music Scene
- Live Polka and Guarania sessions at local 'Parrilladas'
- Street Art
- Murales de Sanber (vibrant murals near the lake stairs)
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops for Sopa Paraguaya at community centers
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte Fabrica (Seasonal pop-ups)
- Historic Buildings
- Villa Mon Repos (Former summer presidential residence)
- Local Heritage
- German-Paraguayan fusion heritage (Bread and Charcuterie influence)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cerro San Bernardino (Hiking for lake views)
- National Parks Nearby
- Ypacaraí National Park (Protects the wetlands)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Bicentenario Waterfront Boardwalk (Costanera)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de la Virgencita (Panoramic view of the lake)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wetlands on the south side of Ypacaraí Lake
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Club de Campo Residencial (Designated BBQ area)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- AEX Paraguay or DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Sanber (Calle Colón)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Náutico San Bernardino (Members and guests)
- Language Classes
- Instituto de Idiomas (Private tutors for Spanish/Guaraní)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Small, quiet space)
- Community Centers
- Club Unión (Social and sports club)
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Sanber (Basic gaming/internet cafe)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Slots del Sol (Small gaming hall in the center)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $56,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $51,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 10% (IRE - Impuesto a la Renta Empresarial)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8% for residents, 15% for non-residents (IDU)
- Tax System
- Territorial (Foreign sourced income is generally not taxed if structured correctly)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% (IRP - Personal Income Tax)
- VAT
- 10% (Standard), 5% (Reduced for certain goods)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Very low, approx. 1% of the fiscal valuation (Immobiliario)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2-3% in legal and notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% tax on foreign income for residents under the territorial system