| Official Name: | Republic of Paraguay |
| Official Language: | Spanish |
| Area: | 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi) |
| Population: | 7,252,672 |
| Time Zone: | UTC−4 |
| Capital City: | Asunción |
| Elevation (Asunción): | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Currency: | Guaraní (PYG) |
| Main Cities: | Asunción, Ciudad del Este, Luque |
| Main Port: | Port of Asunción |
| Required Visa for entry: | Nationals from the UK and EU countries DO NOT require visas. Nationals from Australia, Canada, the US must pay a reciprocity visa upon arrival, ranging from 135 to 160 USD. Click here for more information concerning visa requirements. |
| Required vaccination for entry: | Yellow fever (only for endemic countries. Review epidemiological alerts by clicking here) |
Main Risks:
Theft, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, rape, drug and human trafficking, fraud, vehicle assault.
Executive Summary
Paraguay features intermediate risks chiefly associated with the possibility of suffering armed and unarmed robbery at the hands of common criminals or gangs. Security risks increase if itineraries involve road travel through the countryside areas, especially along the border areas with Brazil. In case of high-profile travel, we recommend hiring secure transportation and protection services, especially if the itinerary requires travel to rural areas via land routes.
General Risk Level: MEDIUM.
Although the risk level nationwide generally stays medium, the security situation can change significantly in remote areas and impoverished neighborhoods. As a precaution, for itineraries outside Asunción, it is best to review security measures under the supervision of reputable security professionals.
Crime and Security
Similar to what transpires in other Latin American countries, low and medium-level crime represents the main threat to travelers visiting Paraguay. The risk of suffering robbery is higher in the largest urban areas, mainly in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. There is a distinct risk of suffering short-term “express” kidnapping. Whether planned or committed at random, criminals seek to force their victims to extract cash from ATMs before being released. Criminals often resort to operating either registered of fake taxis, taking advantage of their victim’s carelessness to transport them to remote areas beyond police control. Foreigners and locals alike are liable to be targeted.
Political rallies and events in Paraguay are usually peaceful. That said, as a rule of thumb, for security reasons, it is best to avoid the vicinity demonstrations.
Organized crime activity is especially higher in Ciudad del Este and the Tri-Border area between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Nonetheless, the main threat to foreigners remains a low and medium-level crime.
Bear in mind that even the safest districts in Asunción and Ciudad del Este are vulnerable to crime.
Security in Asunción
As a rule of thumb, the safest neighborhoods are located in the northern parts of the city. The areas recommended for lodging, travel, and conducting business and transactions are Jara, Las Carmelitas, Mariscal López, Trinidad, Villa Morra, and Manorá. These areas are perceivably safer than others because they are better protected by security forces and private security agents. That said, it is recommended to exercise constant vigilance. Even the most privileged sites can witness violent crimes. If possible, minimize movement throughout the city center, where criminal activity is significantly higher. The security situation is critical in peripheral neighborhoods, where non-essential travel should be avoided. It is furthermore recommended to avoid travel to the neighboring city of Lambaré without secure transportation services. The Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) is located in northern parts of Asunción, in the vicinity of relatively safe areas.
Transportation
For security reasons, we do not recommend using public transportation services in Paraguay. We advise hiring reputable private transportation services in advance. In the event of high-profile visits, it is best to procure private protection services as well.
The best option for traveling between Asunción and Ciudad del Este is to take commercial flights. Traveling by land is still feasible and routes are in overall good conditions. However, we advise against traveling through sparsely populated areas during the dark hours or under conditions of poor visibility. If travel by land takes place, do not deviate from primary thoroughfares or highways. It is best to avoid secondary routes removed from central localities and which remain in poorer circumstances.
If travel through remote or sparsely populated areas is required, make sure to plan the route in advance under the supervision of local security professionals. Educated assessments should enable the security contractor to determine the safest route and avoid unilluminated or otherwise dangerous paths.
Health and Sanitary Conditions
While no proof of vaccination is required for entry into the country, it is recommended to have the following vaccines before traveling: yellow fever, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. It is also necessary to wear protection against bugs and avoid leaving body areas uncovered to mitigate the risk of suffering insect and mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue, Chagas, and the Zika virus. These precautions must be followed while entering remote and jungle areas. The quality of tap water in Paraguay is relatively high. However, while staying in remote areas it is always best to resort to sealed bottled water.
It is not advised to travel without international health insurance covering emergency medical evacuation to the country of origin.
Take essential health precautions to mitigate the risk of contracting diseases or viruses. Carry masks in crowded places such as airports and maintain rules of social distance and avoid contact with surfaces of common use in public places. Always carry hand sanitizer.
Tactical Recommendations
Exercise vigilance and situational awareness throughout the trip to Paraguay, especially in urban areas vulnerable to low and medium-level criminal activity. Avoid travel to high and critical-risk areas, including dangerous neighborhoods in Asunción. Minimize movement through the city center and the nearby city of Lambaré.
We recommend hiring private transportation services for business and high-profile trips, especially if travel through the countryside is required.
Avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables during the trip. We advise against wearing or carrying items in public that may give the impression of economic affluence and which could attract unwanted attention from criminals.
Avoid traveling through the country in sport or luxurious cars which could attract unwanted attention from criminals and corrupt police officers.
Do not resist armed robbery attempts. We recommend to always carry a few 100,000 PYG bills or 20 USD bills for duress cases, specifically to appease criminals looking for easy money.
For security reasons avoid travel during night hours, even in Asunción.
We recommend lodging in reputable establishments and hotels with private security. In Asunción, it is best to stay in Jara, Las Carmelitas, Mariscal López, Trinidad, Villa Morra, and Manorá, where some of the main hotels are located.
If private transportation services are unavailable, resort to reputable radio taxi companies, provided they are recommended by the best hotels. Stay alert at all times while traveling by taxi to prevent the driver from taking unnecessary detours or from inflating the fare.
If travel by route through the countryside is required, avoid all detours, especially while traveling through sparsely populated rural or jungle zones. If possible, plan routes and stopovers ahead with the support of a local security contractor.
Avoid the vicinity of every kind of political demonstration or rally in urban areas. Peaceful demonstrations are liable to be infiltrated by violent elements.
Take all necessary precautions to mitigate the risk posed by insect and mosquito-borne diseases.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 912
Ambulance: 141
Fire: 132
WSO Global Command Center: +1 956 467 4858 / gcc@wso-security.com
Security advice and assistance over WhatsApp: +593 99 461 1128 / +521 81 1511 3166
