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Is Paraguay Safe to Visit in 2026?

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of official government travel advisories for Paraguay from multiple trusted international sources including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Spain, Ireland, and Japan. Each government assesses travel risks independently based on their own intelligence, diplomatic relationships, and risk assessment criteria. By comparing these different perspectives, travelers can make more informed decisions about their safety and security when visiting Paraguay.

The information below is aggregated from official government sources and analyzed to provide you with a unified view of the current travel situation. Last updated: 2026-11-05 — curated and reviewed by the AdvisoryAtlas editorial team.

AdvisoryAtlas.com Risk Level

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution

AdvisoryAtlas.com Safety Index

58
Safety Index Score

Risk Level Evolution

The aggregated advisory level for Paraguay has remained stable at Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution since tracking began in January 2026.

Overview

Paraguay offers a culturally rich experience for adventurous travelers, though visitors must exercise caution due to rising petty and violent crime rates in specific regions. Essential travel preparations include securing proper yellow fever documentation and remaining vigilant against scams and inadequate infrastructure.

Risk Level Summary by Government Source

Source Risk Level Updated Official Link
Global Affairs Canada
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-11-05 View Source →
U.S. Department of State
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-09-16 View Source →
Ministère des Affaires Étrangères
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel 2026-10-22 View Source →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-11-03 View Source →
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-10-20 View Source →
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel 2026-08-02 View Source →
Department of Foreign Affairs
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-02-24 View Source →
Ministry of Foreign Affair / 外務省
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel 2026-10-07 View Source →
Auswärtiges Amt
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-09 View Source →
Ministry of Foreign Affairs / SafeTravel
Unknown 2026-10-29 View Source →
Département fédéral des affaires étrangères
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel 2026-08-10 View Source →
Utenriksdepartementet / Regjeringen
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-06-01 View Source →
Nederland Wereldwijd
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-11-05 View Source →
Viaggiare Sicuri
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-03-03 View Source →
BMEIA
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-10-20 View Source →
Ministry of Foreign Affairs / 0404
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel 2026-08-04 View Source →
Ministry for Foreign Affairs / Ulkoministeriö
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-20 View Source →

Safety and Security Analysis

Civil Security & Crime

Risk: Petty theft and armed muggings by motorcyclists pose daily risks in major urban areas.

Recommended precaution: Avoid walking alone after dark and keep valuables hidden at all times.

Risk: Transnational criminal cartels operate heavily along the eastern border with Brazil.

Recommended precaution: Refrain from traveling to high-risk departments like Amambay and Canindeyú.

Nature & Environment

Risk: Severe seasonal flooding and heavy rains can make rural and Chaco roads completely impassable.

Recommended precaution: Monitor local weather forecasts closely and avoid crossing flooded road sections.

Risk: Bush and forest fires are common during dry periods, causing dangerous air quality drops.

Recommended precaution: Stay away from active fire zones and follow local emergency evacuation instructions.

Health & Hygiene

Risk: Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and zika present widespread year-round risks.

Recommended precaution: Apply approved insect repellent consistently and use netting in accommodations.

Risk: Tap water is generally unsafe to drink, leading to high rates of travelers' diarrhea.

Recommended precaution: Consume exclusively bottled or boiled water and avoid ice cubes in drinks.

Transport & Mobility

Risk: Road conditions are poor with large potholes, missing signage, and stray animals at night.

Recommended precaution: Avoid all nighttime intercity driving and inspect rental vehicles thoroughly.

Risk: Public buses often lack safety maintenance and traverse high-crime neighborhoods.

Recommended precaution: Use registered taxi companies or reputable ride-sharing apps instead of public transit.

Digital & Cyber

Risk: Criminal organizations utilize information from social media to execute virtual kidnapping scams.

Recommended precaution: Never share personal wealth details or travel itineraries on public platforms.

Risk: Skimming devices on street-side ATMs compromise foreign credit and debit cards.

Recommended precaution: Only withdraw cash from ATMs located inside secure banks or shopping centers.

Economic & Operational

Risk: Medical providers and private clinics expect immediate cash payment before rendering treatment.

Recommended precaution: Ensure your health policy includes direct billing or carry sufficient emergency funds.

Risk: Counterfeit bank notes are prevalent, especially when exchanging money through unauthorized vendors.

Recommended precaution: Examine physical currency carefully and only use registered banks or bureaus.

Social & Cultural

Risk: Same-sex sexual activity is legal, but homosexuality lacks broad social acceptance and public affection can trigger hostility.

Recommended precaution: Exercise discretion regarding sexual orientation to minimize risks of social discrimination.

Risk: Protests and political demonstrations occur frequently in Asunción, occasionally turning violent with roadblocks.

Recommended precaution: Maintain a wide distance from all large gatherings and monitor local media.

Detailed Advisory Summary

Paraguay is a landlocked nation of vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes, ranging from the humid eastern forests to the rugged expanse of the Chaco. While visitors are rarely the primary targets of major transnational cartel violence or insurgent activities concentrated near the Brazilian border, everyday security requires constant vigilance. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching is common, particularly in crowded urban areas like Asunción and Ciudad del Este, where thieves on motorcycles operate opportunistically. Travelers must exercise extreme care when handling cash, using ATMs, and navigating poorly lit streets after dark.

Infrastructure outside the major urban centers can be challenging, characterized by unpaved roads, frequent lack of street signage, and severe weather risks including heavy seasonal flooding and prolonged droughts. Medical facilities of international standards are mostly limited to the capital, making comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage non-negotiable. Furthermore, road safety is a significant concern due to erratic driving habits, livestock wandering onto highways, and a strict zero-tolerance blood alcohol policy enforced by regular police checkpoints.

Navigating local laws requires respect for strict anti-drug legislation, customs regulations, and unique exit requirements for minors traveling with only one parent. Visitors should also adhere closely to entry stamping protocols at land borders to avoid heavy fines upon departure. By maintaining situational awareness, respecting cultural norms regarding public displays of affection, and avoiding sensitive border regions, travelers can safely explore the unique heritage, colonial missions, and natural wonders of this heartland of South America.

Vaccination Information

Required Vaccines

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from designated risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, or Venezuela.

Recommended for Most Travelers

  • Routine vaccines including MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and varicella
  • Hepatitis A
  • Influenza

Recommended for Some Travelers

  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies
  • Chikungunya and Dengue vaccines based on individual itineraries
Ensure all standard routine vaccinations are fully up to date. Medical care outside Asunción is limited, so consulting a travel health clinic six weeks prior to departure is strongly advised.

Visa & Entry Requirements

Visa Types

Type Requirement Stay Limit Cost Conditions Details
Tourist Exempt 90 days Free Extendable once via immigration authorities before expiration.
  • Passport Validity: Must remain valid throughout the entire intended stay.
  • Onward Travel: Return or onward ticket may be requested by customs.
Business Exempt / Required for long stay 90 days Check Embassy Proof of financial solvency required for short business visits.
  • Long-term Investment: Requires formal registration through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
  • Residency: Permanent residency pathways available for qualified foreign investors.
Work Permit Required Variable Check Embassy Must be processed prior to employment commencement.
  • Documentation: Requires certified contracts and apostilled personal records.
  • Local Registration: Mandatory integration with national migration services post-arrival.
Student Required Academic term Check Embassy enrollment in a recognized educational institution.
  • Verification: Must present proof of financial support and institutional acceptance.
  • Compliance: Regular status updates required with local immigration authorities.

Entry & Legal Compliance

  • Passport Validity Needed: Must be valid for the duration of stay (some airlines recommend 6 months)
  • Blank Pages Required: 1
  • Dual Citizenship Policy: Not Recognized
  • Proof Of Onward Travel: Frequently requested by carriers and customs officials
  • Currency Limit Declaration: Mandatory declaration for amounts exceeding US $10,000
  • Drone Usage Law: Subject to local aviation and security authorization rules

Emergency Contacts

  • Police: 911 (General emergency response line)
  • Ambulance: 141 (Medical emergency services)
  • Fire Department: 132 (Fire and rescue services)
  • Tourist Police Asunción: +595 21 446 608 (Specialized tourist assistance)

Common Scams & Tourist Traps

  • Criminals operating near ATMs observe, follow, and rob victims immediately after cash withdrawals.
  • Fake service personnel wearing official-looking uniforms attempt to gain entry into private residences.
  • Virtual kidnapping phone scams demand immediate ransom payments for fictitious family emergencies.

Cultural Etiquette in Paraguay

Do

  • Greet acquaintances with a polite handshake and maintain respectful eye contact.
  • Check that your passport receives an official physical stamp upon entering via land borders.
  • Carry physical or digital identification documents at all times for random police checks.

Don't

  • Do not display expensive jewelry, watches, or large amounts of cash in public.
  • Do not consume tap water or accept open beverages from unfamiliar acquaintances.
  • Do not photograph military or police installations without explicit prior permission.

Advice by Traveler Profile

Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate a more favorable assessment. Read the advice for context.

Solo Traveler — 55/100

Solo travelers must remain highly alert to petty theft and mugings, particularly in urban centers and bus terminals. Avoid walking alone at night and use trusted transit apps.

Female Traveler — 58/100

Female travelers may experience verbal street harassment. Standard precautions against isolated walking after dark and accepting drinks from strangers are essential.

Family Traveler — 65/100

Families will find friendly locals, but must plan carefully around limited pediatric medical infrastructure outside major cities and strict minor exit documentation rules.

Accessibility — 35/100

Infrastructure for travelers with disabilities is severely limited. Pavements are often damaged, and mandated accessibility laws are rarely enforced in buildings.

LGBTQ+ Traveler — 50/100

While same-sex acts are legal, public displays of affection are culturally discouraged, and systemic societal discrimination remains a challenge outside progressive circles.

Business Traveler — 70/100

Business travelers should utilize reputable corporate hotels, arrange private secure transport, and verify all investment legalities thoroughly through certified local counsel.

Digital Nomad — 62/100

Internet connectivity is reliable in Asunción, but rural connectivity drops significantly. Co-working spaces are growing, though power outages can occasionally disrupt work.

Senior Traveler — 60/100

Seniors should prioritize private healthcare coverage, be mindful of uneven cobblestone pavements, and avoid extreme summer heat waves between November and March.

Budget Traveler — 52/100

Budget travelers can enjoy affordable food and lodging, but should completely avoid cheap public buses and unverified hostels located in high-risk peripheral neighborhoods.

Adventure Traveler — 48/100

Adventure seekers exploring the Chaco or remote rivers must hire experienced guides, carry satellite communication gear, and secure comprehensive evacuation insurance.

Luxury Traveler — 80/100

Luxury travelers enjoy high-end boutique hotels and private transfer services in Asunción, offering a secure and comfortable environment insulated from common street risks.

Advisory Comparison by Government Source

Global Affairs Canada

Updated: 2026-11-05
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution due to increasing crime, ongoing demonstrations, and heightened security risks along the eastern border. The advisory highlights specific urban neighborhoods with high crime rates, risks of virtual kidnappings, spiked drinks, and severe road safety challenges in the Chaco region.

U.S. Department of State

Updated: 2026-09-16
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The United States advises normal precautions overall while recommending increased caution in departments along the Brazilian border due to transnational criminal activity. U.S. personnel face specific travel authorizations and prohibitions on public bus usage. Comprehensive details cover medical preparedness, crime reporting, and aviation safety.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
France places the country under reinforced vigilance, explicitly advising against travel to specific departments due to EPP terrorist activity and narcotics trafficking. The guidance outlines strict local emergency contacts, regional consular jurisdictions handled via Buenos Aires, and essential health precautions against mosquito-borne pathogens.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The UK Foreign Office provides detailed guidance on regional risks, land border entry stamping requirements to avoid departure fines, and strict minor exit authorizations. It emphasizes safety precautions regarding bag-snatching, driving standards, wildfire risks, and necessary yellow fever vaccination documentation.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Australia advises exercising a high degree of caution due to violent crime threats, armed assaults, and kidnappings. The advice covers specific regional hotspots, drink spiking risks, strict drug penalties, dual nationality limitations, and practical recommendations for navigating public transport and remote wilderness hiking.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
Spain reports an acceptable general level of security while highlighting rising common criminality and motorcycle snatch-and-grab tactics in Asunción. It details specific high-risk neighborhoods to avoid, mandatory border entry stamping rules, and comprehensive lists of major public and private hospitals.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Ireland advises exercising a high degree of caution, outlining entry requirements, passport validity rules, and regional smuggling risks in north-eastern provinces. The summary details healthcare availability, specific malaria risk departments, and emergency contact numbers managed via the Irish Embassy in Argentina.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
Japan maintains tiered travel hazard levels, warning against non-essential travel to specific northern departments influenced by armed anti-government groups. The safety data details high local crime statistics, strict narcotics laws carrying severe prison sentences, and mandatory vehicle safety regulations.

Auswärtiges Amt

Updated: 2026-07-09
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Germany warns against non-essential travel to border regions with high cartel activity and notes the operational zone of the EPP. Guidance includes warnings about corrupt traffic police stops, fraudulent real estate transactions, high rates of traffic accidents, and comprehensive health requirements for tropical diseases.
Unknown
New Zealand notes that no specific travel advisory level is issued, while strongly recommending comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies that include provisions for emergency air medical evacuation, coordinated through their diplomatic mission in Buenos Aires.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
Switzerland advises against non-essential travel to Concepción and San Pedro due to guerrilla and criminal activity, and cautions against border zone transit. It warns of express kidnappings forcing victims to withdraw ATM cash, poor rural road conditions, and the critical absence of medical guarantees outside Asunción.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Norway notes that most travels proceed without issues but stresses high vulnerability to petty theft. Details strict child exit authorization rules, mandatory international driving permits, and yellow fever vaccination requirements for regional arrivals.

Nederland Wereldwijd

Updated: 2026-11-05
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Netherlands assigns a yellow security code, detailing risks associated with the EPP guerrilla movement and urban pickpocketing. It provides practical health advice regarding dengue and zika, outlines strict zero-tolerance driving laws, and notes that consular assistance must be coordinated through the Dutch embassy in Buenos Aires.

Viaggiare Sicuri

Updated: 2026-03-03
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Italy notes rising petty crime rates across the country and stresses caution in Ciudad del Este and downtown Asunción. The advisory details rigorous anti-drug enforcement, deplorable local prison conditions, seasonal chikungunya and dengue epidemics, and consular assistance procedures managed through regional honorary consulates.

BMEIA

Updated: 2026-10-20
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Austria assigns Security Level 2, highlighting high crime rates in major urban hubs and border zones. The briefing provides local emergency numbers, requirements for international driving permits, guidelines for traveling with minors, and details on local honorary consular representation in Asunción.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
South Korea emphasizes the high risk of armed street robberies, motorcycle snatchers, and localized flooding during rainy seasons. Details specific local emergency numbers, hospital contacts in Asunción, and strict yellow fever border decrees.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Finland notes improvements in Asunción's general security but urges careful planning for northern travel. The guidance outlines emergency contact numbers, underscores the hazards of unpaved road networks and loose livestock, and details consular limitations requiring coordination through regional embassies in South America.

Frequently Asked Questions about Paraguay

Is Paraguay safe to visit right now?

Based on aggregated official government advisories, Paraguay is currently rated Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution. Review the detailed per-source breakdown on this page before traveling.

What is the current travel advisory level for Paraguay?

The AdvisoryAtlas consensus for Paraguay is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution, last analyzed on 2026-11-05, aggregated from multiple official government sources.

Which governments publish travel advisories for Paraguay?

This page compares advisories issued by Global Affairs Canada, U.S. Department of State, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affair / 外務省, Auswärtiges Amt, Ministry of Foreign Affairs / SafeTravel, Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, Utenriksdepartementet / Regjeringen, Nederland Wereldwijd, Viaggiare Sicuri, BMEIA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs / 0404 and Ministry for Foreign Affairs / Ulkoministeriö.

Do I need a visa to travel to Paraguay?

Visa requirements for Paraguay depend on your nationality and travel purpose. See the Visa & Entry Requirements section on this page for entry requirements, stay limits and conditions reported by official sources.

Has the risk level for Paraguay changed recently?

No. The aggregated advisory level for Paraguay has remained stable since tracking began in January 2026.

Important: This is an aggregated summary from multiple government sources. Always consult official government travel advisory websites before making travel decisions.

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About Travel Advisories for Paraguay

This comprehensive travel advisory page for Paraguay aggregates official government warnings and recommendations from multiple official government sources. Each country's foreign affairs department maintains its own travel advisory system based on unique assessment criteria, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic considerations.

The United States Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Australia's Smartraveller, France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs each provide independent assessments of travel risks to Paraguay.

By comparing these multiple perspectives, travelers can gain a more complete understanding of the current situation in Paraguay and make better-informed decisions about their travel plans. Remember to always check the official government websites directly before finalizing any travel arrangements.

Last updated: 2026-11-05