Paraguay : Safety by CityAsunción is the capital and economic center of Paraguay.
The city of Asuncion has a population of about 500,000 people.
It is a young city: 65% of its residents are under the age of 30.
On weekends most businesses are closed, and the city center can appear fairly deserted.
Asunción does not have many well-known tourist attractions, but travelers can find what to do here.
Every July, there is a trade fair with exhibition booths, food, music, and liquor.
This is an excellent way to learn about what goes on in the country; the exhibitors range from agricultural suppliers to liquor manufacturers.
The city has many historical buildings, museums, and natural gardens with unique flora and fauna.
Warnings & Dangers in Asuncion
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Asuncion is one of the safest cities in this region. The greatest danger can bring petty fraud and bribery of government officials. Try not to walk in the remote and poor areas of the city and do not linger on the streets late at night. It is also worth worrying about vaccination against certain diseases before you travel here.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Public transport is considered quite reliable. But it may not always go on schedule. At night it is better not to ride it and ever watch your wallet and bag in public transport. Taxis are an excellent way to get around the city. But be sure to specify the price of the trip before you get into your car and use only licensed taxi services.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpockets are prevalent in Asuncion, and you can become a pickpocket victim even at a crossroads. Often scammers ride motorbikes and grab handbags and personal items directly from people's hands. Beware of this maneuver and do not carry more than the amount of money.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Asuncion is prone to a variety of natural hazards, particularly seasonal floods and droughts. Outbreaks of various diseases also occur in this city. Explore the surroundings before your trip here.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Muggings and robberies also take place in Asuncion. Keep valuables, spare cash, and spare credit cards in a safe place. Avoid carrying large amounts of money or wearing expensive jewelry. Consider carrying cash and bank cards in separate pockets and only take with you the money you need at the time.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Terrorist attacks in Asuncion can’t be ruled out. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. Explore the political environment before your trip to the capital of Paraguay.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Scammers can hunt for your bank cards, so you need to be especially careful when withdrawing money from ATM. Take care when withdrawing money from ATMs and where possible use machines that are not on the street.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Women travelers should be aware that they will receive a lot of unwanted attention from Paraguayan males -this is mostly intended as an innocent banter in the form of shouts or wolf whistles etc, but can sometimes be accompanied by touching, especially in clubs. This sort of attention is best just ignored. Try not to walk around Asuncion late at night and wear modest clothes.
So... How Safe Is Asuncion Really?
The city is considered one of the safest in the region.
The crime rate is average.
Most crimes involve petty theft, car theft, drug dealing, and bribery.
Prostitution is an issue and obvious after dark on the main avenues downtown.
Due to the low numbers of tourists in Paraguay in general, visitors are not likely to be specifically targeted by criminals.
Another danger is thieves on motorbikes who pluck bags from passers-by at intersections.
Be careful and keep backpacks and bags with you.
Do not carry a lot of cash and jewelry.
Pickpocketing is said to be prevalent in crowded downtown streets near expensive hotels.
Be especially careful when crossing the streets in Asuncion.
Most drivers do not respond to traffic signals and do not use the turn signals of their vehicles.
The United States CDC recommends that all visitors to Asunción receive a Typhoid vaccination prior to travel.
Dengue fever is frequently a risk one takes when traveling to Asunción; unfortunately, no vaccine for this currently exists.
To avoid insect-spread diseases, ensure that you use bug spray at all times of the day, without exception. The mosquitoes are relentless.
Sometimes you can come across police fraud when they ask for your passport to verify their identity.
And then they extort money for his return. Just carry a copy of your passport in this case and do not give your original document.
How Does Asuncion Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Asuncion | 69 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
A foreign national wishing to enter Paraguay must obtain a visa unless they are citizens of one of the eligible visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are granted a visa on arrival. A valid passport is a must.
Currency
The Paraguayan guaraní is the national currency unit of Paraguay. It has a sign: ₲; and code: PYG. The guaraní subdivided into 100 céntimos but, because of inflation, céntimos are no longer in use.
Weather
The best times to visit Asuncion for ideal weather are May to October. The average temperatures in Asuncion vary somewhat and the weather feels hot for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year.
Airports
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is Paraguay's main national and international gateway, located at Luque, serving the capital city, Asunción. It's located just 10 km from the city center. This airport is the busiest airport in the country.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.
Asuncion Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 34 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 |
| Low °C | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
| High °F | 93 | 91 | 90 | 86 | 77 | 75 | 75 | 79 | 82 | 86 | 90 | 91 |
| Low °F | 73 | 72 | 70 | 66 | 59 | 57 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 66 | 68 | 72 |
Paraguay - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Asuncion | 69 |
The city itself is gorgeous but the people and the high risks of crime really make the experiences of going here drop down a lot for me. I wouldn’t recommend going here after my experiences, especially not if you are a woman or traveling alone. You will not feel comfortable as an outsider in this city.
Is not the safest at all! Just don’t go…
Asuncion is not worth it!
I am a woman travelling alone. I have been to a few dodgy places around the world and this one is not the dodgiest. However, since Paraguay has very few tourists, obviously every dog tries to rip you off. their currency is just a bit difficult to grasp in the beginning. Also, seriously, I have never been in a place where there are no places to eat. You can find yourself in Asuncion, walk down the central street and there are no people, no restaurants open, no shops where you can find al least a bite of something. I found some restaurant, that did not have wi-fi, no printed menu and suggested to scan the code to get the menu. I cannot do it unless I have wi-fi. No other options. I take a public bus you need a card with the money loaded on it. There are no places to buy that card. It gets very annoying. Taxi drivers are the most devious race on earth, but in Asuncion they are the worst. Never give change, ask for more money at the end of the end of the journey. Horrible experience in general. And quite honestly, Asuncion does not have a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. It is very average, not clean and unwelcoming place!