Paraguay tours & holidays

Paraguay experiences two distinct seasons, hot and cool. Humid and rainy days are distributed fairly evenly between the two seasons, although as a general rule, the east of the country gets substantial rainfall throughout the year while the semi-arid far west receives hardly any at all.

The hot season (October to April) sees average daily highs of around 35°C (95°F) and typically muggy, cloudy weather. Northwestern Paraguay has a tropical climate with wetter, hotter summers than the rest of the country. January is usually the hottest month of the year.

The winter season (May to September) brings cooler, changeable weather. Cold polar air blows in from Antarctica and lowers the air temperature to averages of between 6°C and 21°C (42-71°F). July is the coldest month of the year. 

Since the heat in summer can be intense, the best time to visit is between May and September when the weather is more temperate and pleasant. Partygoers should also look at visiting in February when the country erupts into Carnival.

Citizens from most countries in the EU, Central America and South America do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days with a valid passport. 

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States can apply for a 90-day visa on arrival at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport. If arriving at a different airport, you may need to arrange a visa in advance. A reciprocity fee applies and varies according to nationality. 

Visitors from other countries must obtain a visa prior to travel. 

Contact your nearest embassy or consulate of Paraguay to determine if you are eligible for a visa and for up-to-date visa information. To learn more about visas, visit the official website of the Paraguayan government.

While tipping isn't mandatory in Paraguay, generosity is always appreciated so feel free to add spare change or round up your restaurant bill. Although some restaurants and bars may already include a 10% service charge within the bill, you could add more if the service is particularly good. Taxi drivers generally don't expect tips.

Wi-fi can be found in cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels in large cities and towns frequented by tourists. Internet availability is less widespread in rural and remote areas, so be prepared to disconnect for a while when travelling out of the city.

You should be able to use your mobile phone in Paraguay's cities, but prepare for less coverage in remote or mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming enabled before leaving your home country.

Public toilets aren’t always readily available in Paraguay and, when they are, you'll often be required to pay a fee to use them. Most bus terminals will charge around USD 0.25 for access and a small supply of paper. It’s advisable that you use the toilets in restaurants and hotels when you can.

Paraguay's plumbing systems are still rather antiquated, so it’s important to remember not to flush toilet paper and dispose of paper in the bin provided instead. Most buses will have an on-board toilet, but budget services (or services in remote areas) may not. It's a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, as these aren't always provided.

Drinking tap water in Paraguay isn't recommended. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water – ask your leader where this can be found. In rural areas where it’s not possible to buy bottled water, it's recommended that water be treated before drinking. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Paraguay’s large cities and towns, especially VISA and Mastercard, and can be used at most top-end hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist establishments. Keep in mind that credit cards may not be accepted so readily in small towns and rural areas, so always have alternative payment methods available.

ATMs can be found in most of Paraguay's major cities and tourist areas. ATMs are far less common in rural areas and small villages so ensure you have enough cash to cover purchases when travelling away from the larger cities.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

It's generally advised that LGBTQIA+ travellers should exercise caution while travelling in Paraguay. While homosexuality is legal and LGBTQIA+ recognition is growing, the country remains conservative and homosexuality isn't yet widely accepted and the Paraguayan government has no plans to recognise same-sex marriage in the near future.

There is a small gay bar scene in the capital city of Asuncion. 

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or Smartraveller before you travel.