Fire and rescue services
Call 911.
Medical emergencies
Call 911.
Police
Call 441-111.
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay due to the high level of crime.
Call 911.
Call 911.
Call 441-111.
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay due to the high level of crime.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay due to the high level of crime.
See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Violent crime is increasing in Paraguay, including in the capital, Asunción and tourist areas such as San Pedro and Concepción. Incidents include armed assault, car theft and kidnapping.
The risk of violent crime increases after dark.
Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in major cities. Take care on public transport and in major tourist areas.
Thieves on motorbikes sometimes steal from pedestrians or threaten them with weapons.
Drug trafficking is a serious issue, particularly in the region of Amambay and the city of Ciudad del Este.
Hotspots for thieves include:
To protect yourself from crime:
If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist as thieves are often armed.
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. They occur frequently, usually in downtown Asunción close to government offices.
Protests and demonstrations have led to roadblocks and road closures. This can cause severe traffic congestion.
To protect yourself during periods of civil unrest:
More information:
A small guerrilla-style group known as the Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP), or Army of the Paraguayan People, operates in:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
High-profile kidnappings have occurred in the country's interior, including areas where the EEP operates. Kidnappers have targeted wealthy locals, police and landowners.
Be alert if you travel to these areas. Kidnappers can be violent.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
The rainy season is from December to March. The rain can disrupt public transport schedules. Floods can occur.
Monitor regional weather forecasts to plan your travel.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring any medication, check if it's legal in Paraguay. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
There's a risk of yellow fever in Paraguay. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Other insect-borne disease risks include:
Many cases of insect-borne infections are reported. The worst outbreaks have occurred in Asunción, Concepción and Ciudad del Este.
Zika virus is common across Paraguay. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care recommends that you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.
HIV/AIDS is a significant risk. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Seek medical advice if you suspect poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Medical care is adequate in major cities but is limited in smaller cities and rural areas.
Hospitals often need an up-front payment or proof of medical insurance before they'll treat you, even in an emergency.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local
laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
More information:
Avoid public displays of affection.
Same-sex relationships are legal in Paraguay, but the country is conservative.
Same-sex marriages aren't recognised in Paraguay.
It's not illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
More information:
Penalties for drug offences are severe, including mandatory prison sentences and heavy fines.
In Paraguay it's illegal to:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in
Australia.
More information:
Paraguay doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can provide if you're arrested or detained.
Dual nationals must enter on a Paraguayan Passport.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Australian passport holders don't require visitor visas to enter Paraguay when they travel on a regular passport.
Get your passport stamped by immigration when entering Paraguay by land. If you don't, you'll have to pay a fine when you leave.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Paraguay for details about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements.
If you have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, you may need to show this on arrival. However, if you don't have a vaccination certificate, you'll still be allowed to enter the country. You don't need to take a COVID-19 test before arrival.
Yellow fever vaccination
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Paraguay. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Check the yellow fever entry requirements by contacting the nearest embassy or consulate of Paraguay.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Travel via the United States
If you're travelling to or from Paraguay through the US, you must meet US entry or transit requirements.
More information:
Travelling with children
A child aged under 18 who travels alone or with only one parent needs a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent or parents.
Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of Paraguay about what you need to do.
More information:
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The currency of Paraguay is the Guarani (PYG).
Use registered banks or an exchange bureau to change money. Avoid changing money with people on the streets. Counterfeit notes are common.
You may need to show ID when paying with a credit or debit card.
Traveller's cheques aren't widely accepted.
Take care if you travel to the north-eastern provinces of:
Illegal cross-border activities are common and may become violent.
If hiking in remote areas, register your details with park authorities. Research local natural hazards and conditions before you go.
If you plan to visit Iguazu Falls, read our:
We can't help you to apply for visas to visit other countries.
You're more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Paraguay than in Australia.
Driving in Paraguay can be dangerous. Hazards include:
The network of sealed roads in Paraguay is limited. Heavy rains can make some roads impassable.
If you plan to drive in Paraguay:
More information:
Most taxis are in poor condition and don't have functioning seat belts.
Some taxis may appear to be official but aren't registered. There are reports of passengers being robbed in unregistered taxis.
If you need to take a taxi:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Paraguay's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 911.
Call 911.
Call 441-111.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has a consulate in Asunción. It's headed by an Honorary Consul and provides limited consular services but can't issue passports.
The office is open part-time. You need to make an appointment.
Arguello 208 e/Mariscal
López y Boggiani
1209 Asunción, Paraguay
Phone: +595-981-419379
You can also get consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Argentina.
Villanueva 1400,
(C1426BMJ)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: +54 11 4779 3500
Fax: +54 11 4779 3581
Website: www.argentina.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay
Twitter: @EmbAustraliaBA
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.