Asuncion City Guide
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Paraguay

Asuncion City Guide

Capital District

Asunción is Paraguay's capital, sitting on the Paraguay River's eastern bank. The city mixes old colonial buildings with newer developments. It feels laid-back with a warm climate and friendly people. It's a good base to explore Paraguay's culture and nature away from typical tourist spots.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Try local dishes like Sopa Paraguaya, Chipa, and asado. International options include Italian and Asian cuisines mainly in upscale areas. Vegetarian and vegan food is growing but still limited. Some street food and restaurants serve late at night, especially weekends.

Local Dishes:
Sopa Paraguaya, Chipa, Mandioca, Asado
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Other
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife centers in Villa Morra and Carmelitas with pubs and clubs ranging from casual to energetic dance venues.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Developing specialty coffee scene with third-wave cafes and local roasters. Not large but improving.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Restaurants may include a 10% service charge; if not, a 5-10% tip is common.

Top Attractions
Palacio de López
Historical
Presidential Palace with historic architecture.
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Historical
National mausoleum honoring Paraguayan heroes.
Metropolitan Cathedral
Religious
Main Catholic cathedral in the city center.
Manzana de la Rivera
Cultural
Cultural center with museums and galleries.
Costanera de Asunción
Nature
Riverfront promenade popular for walks and sports.
Museo del Barro
Museum
Museum featuring indigenous art and ceramics.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at the airport and official mobile stores. Main providers are Tigo, Personal, and Claro. Registration needs a passport. eSIMs are rare.

Available at:
Tigo
Personal
Claro
Recommended Apps
MUV(Transportation)
Bolt(Transportation)
PedidosYa(Food Delivery)
Rappi(Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Tigo Money / Personal Pay(Finance)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Main tourist spots and avenues are fairly clean, but some outer areas are less so. Waste pickup is regular and recycling is developing.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Few places operate 24/7. Some pharmacies and minimarts have late hours. Night clinics are rare. Late-night food options exist mostly on weekends.

Groceries
Superseis
Stock
Salemma

International products available in large supermarkets like Superseis, Stock, and Salemma. Mercado 4 offers fresh local produce and meat with common bargaining. Supermarkets open from early morning to late evening; smaller shops may close for siesta.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Card use is growing in big stores and restaurants. Cash is still common and preferred for markets and transport.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find in banks, shopping malls, and gas stations. Common banks include Banco Familiar, Banco Continental, and BBVA. Fees for international cards range from $3 to $5 USD per withdrawal.

Schools
International

International schools like American School of Asunción and Pan American International School teach in English. Local schools use Spanish and Guarani. School year runs February to December; spots in international schools may fill quickly.

Available Schools:
American School of Asunción (ASA)
Pan American International School (PAIS)

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
6
Available Spaces:
916 Oficinas Compartidas
Flexible plans, meeting rooms, professional vibe.
Bauwork Coworking
Offers private offices and coworking desks.
Cinelandia
Varied workspace options for remote workers.
La Cofi Coworking
Collaborative and quiet spaces for work.
Loffice Bulnes
Modern coworking with amenities.
Regus
International brand with private and shared spaces.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
El Café de Acá
Good Wi-Fi and relaxed atmosphere.
Juan Valdez Café
Multiple locations with reliable Wi-Fi.
Mokka Café
Cozy spot popular with locals and nomads.
Karu
Quiet environment and quality coffee.
La Herencia
Spacious café with Wi-Fi.
Mary's Coffee House
Nice place for working and meeting people.
Alternatives:
National Library of Paraguay
Quiet but limited Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Often have free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.
Community centers
Some offer Wi-Fi and quiet spaces.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

A small but growing digital nomad community. Meetups are occasional and networking is informal. Co-living spaces exist but are limited.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Good green spaces include Parque Ñu Guasu, Parque de la Salud, and Costanera. Parks are suitable for outdoor activities and running.

Running
Good
7

Popular running spots include Costanera de Asunción and Parque Ñu Guasu with good safety during daytime.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gyms operate across the city, offering modern facilities and classes.

Available Gyms:
Smart Fit
UFit
Fitland
Bodytech
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts are common at private clubs, with coaching and some equipment rental.

Padel
Limited
5

Padel courts are available, mostly at sports clubs with booking required.

Yoga
Good
6

Several yoga studios offer various styles. Drop-in classes are common, some with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

You can find Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Taekwondo, and Karate gyms. English-speaking instructors sometimes available.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing due to warm climate and lack of mountains.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Kayaking and paddleboarding are possible on the Paraguay River, mainly along the Costanera. Sailing and windsurfing are rare but available through private clubs.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing in Asunción; it is an inland city.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving spots; the city is inland on a river.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Private hospitals like Hospital La Costa and Sanatorio Migone have some English-speaking staff. Public healthcare varies. Pharmacies are common and may open late or 24/7.

Hospitals:
Hospital La Costa
Sanatorio Migone
Pharmacies:
Farmacia La Costa
Farmacia San Roque
San Pablo Pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is treated and mostly safe in city center, but many prefer bottled water.

Common Scams
Taxi scams with overcharging or long routes; use ride apps or agree price first., Pickpocketing in busy areas like Mercado 4 and on public transport; keep valuables secure., 'Friendly' bar friends leading to overpriced bars; be cautious of unsolicited invites., Fake store scams by guides showing fake shops; buy from reputed stores only., ATM scams with card skimming or PIN theft; use bank ATMs inside buildings., Picture scam where a local hands you a camera then demands payment; politely refuse to take photos.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Parks like Parque Ñu Guasu and Botanical Garden offer playgrounds and outdoor spaces. Kid-friendly cafés appear in malls. Baby supplies are widely available.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

More accepting than rural areas, with some safe spaces and annual pride events. Legal protections are limited.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Becoming more pet-friendly with vet clinics, pet supply stores, and some pet-friendly cafes and accommodations.

Communities
Expats in Paraguay (Expat)
Asunción English Speakers (Language)
What's On Asunción (Events)

Quick Facts

Population
462,241
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is generally reliable but outages happen, especially in storms or hot summer days.

Mountains
Available

Hills and small mountain ranges are within an hour's drive, such as Cerro Ñemby and Cerro Lambaré. Mostly short hikes or scenic walks accessible by car.

Languages
Spanish(90%)
Guarani(90%)
English(15%)
Emergency
911
Police/General Emergency
132
Fire Department
141
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
2

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
December, January, February, March
Summer months can exceed 35°C with high humidity.
Heavy rainfall/flooding
December, January, February, March
Localized flooding can happen in low-lying areas during heavy rains.
Smoke/haze
June, July, August
Dry season brings agricultural burning causing haze and poorer air quality.

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