A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
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Call 441-111.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Paraguay due to the high level of crime. Always pay close attention to your personal 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. Incidents include armed assault, car theft and kidnapping. Tourist areas, such as San Pedro and Concepción, are also affected.
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.
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 Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EEP), 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.
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 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
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 recommends that you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.
More information:
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 Asunción, but is limited in 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 give 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 exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can’t help you.
You need a visa to enter Paraguay.
At Asunción International Airport, you can pay cash for a 90-day visa valid for multiple entries.
At other ports of entry, you'll need to have a visa before you arrive. Whether you arrive by air, land or sea.
Get your passport stamped by immigration when entering Paraguay by land. If you don't, you'll 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.
A child aged under 18 who travels alone or with only 1 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:
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:
If you're travelling to or from Paraguay through the US, you must meet US entry or transit requirements.
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:
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 almost 2 times 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.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
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 provides limited consular services and can't issue passports.
The office is open part-time. You need to make an appointment.
Australian Consulate, Asunción
Prócer Arguello 208 e/Mariscal
López y Boggiani
1209 Asunción, Paraguay
Phone: (+59 521) 608 740
Fax: (+59 521) 608 740
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: argentina.embassy.gov.au (Spanish)
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.