What budget to travel Paraguay? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Paraguay?

The advantage of countries with few tourists is that you don't risk ruining yourself by visiting them. In Paraguay, public museums are free. If exceptionally a right of access is required, it is often derisory (5,000 or 10,000 Gs). Even the entrance to World Heritage sites, such as the Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesús, cost only 25,000 Gs (€3.50), for three sites and three days of visits!

Many activities are possible for free or at very low prices. The most popular places to run in Asunción are the Costanera and some parks scattered around the city: Parque Carlos Antonio López, Parque Seminario, Parque de la Salud, Ñu Guasú... To ride around la Costanera, you can rent a self-service bicycle in one of the stations in the centre and in la Costanera (asuncion.gov.py/asu-bici). There are a lot of gyms, especially Crossfit, which has arrived in force in the last few years. Count around 20-30 000 Gs the day, 70-90 000 Gs the week, 170 to 200 000 Gs the month. The halls are generally open from Monday to Saturday, and also on Sundays in the shopping malls.

In the capital and the big cities, most purchases can be paid by credit card. You can also often pay in US dollars in Asunción, and sometimes in real, especially in border towns (Ciudad del Este, Pedro Juan Caballero...). In most of the shopping centers, by presenting your foreign passport, you can ask for a voucher that allows you to get a 10% discount in the shops (this 10% corresponds to the IVA).

Going out is not expensive in Paraguay, even in the capital. The prices of tickets to concerts and shows, as well as drinks in bars and clubs are very reasonable. A large bottle of national beer in a bar costs between 2 and 3 €, a little more for a draught homemade beer; a cocktail (trago) between 3 and 6 €, a little more expensive on hotel rooftops and in chic nightclubs. A cinema ticket costs between 20,000 Gs and 75,000 Gs (3/10 €) depending on the schedule and cinemas (the most expensive in 4D), often with discounts at the beginning of the week.

What budget to eat Paraguay?

Restaurants are economical in Paraguay, even in the capital. Apart from long-distance travellers, for whom a good restaurant is synonymous with luxury, the best tables in the country are very affordable for a European travel budget. For an idea, you can eat on the go, or in the popular market restaurants, for 15,000 Gs (2 €), and for less than 5 € in the cafeterias by weight (comida por kilo) or restaurants offering daily lunch menus (menú ejecutivo). Count 15 € per head for a good meal in the evening, and to really treat yourself, around 60-70 € for two, wine included, in a gastronomic restaurant.

A natural fruit juice costs within 1 €. A little more for a tea, coffee, or cappuccino, in a specialized café. Cocktails (trago) and beer, even homemade (cerveza artesanal), are very affordable in Paraguay, between 2 and 5 €, a little more in "chuchis" (chic) clubs.

What is the budget for accommodation Paraguay?

Accommodation is cheap in Paraguay, in all categories. Prices are indicated per room for hotels, and per person for dormitories in youth hostels (hostels or sometimes hostal), rooms in private homes (posadas). They usually include breakfast, and full or half board in the estancias. Credit cards are rarely accepted in non-luxury establishments, or their use is charged extra (usually 5%). Establishments called pensión, hospedaje, or residencial, are often the most economical, but also the lowest end of the range. Comfort as well as tranquility and service vary greatly, and some can be used as a transient hotel. Beware, motels in Paraguay (and in general in Latin America), do not mean roadside hotels, as we understand it in the United States, but places to spend a pleasant moment with his or her partner. Payment is made in hourly instalments. If in doubt, the "romantic" name of the establishment should tell you what it is all about!

Travel budget Paraguay and cost of living

Life in Paraguay is very affordable for the European or North American tourist. Asunción is one of the cheapest capitals in the world for expatriation and it is a very affordable destination even for budget-conscious travellers. National museums are free, public transport, hotels and restaurants are very cheap. The most important items in a travel budget are car rental (starting at around US$ 50 per day) and ecotourism excursions to remote rural areas, such as the Chaco or Pantanal. By eating local, travelling by bus, sleeping in hostels and posadas turísticas, you can travel for around 20 euros per day and per person. With a little more comfort and leisure, count between 25 and 60 €. For top-of-the-range, with accommodation in luxury hotels and estancias, car rental and excursions such as animal safaris, plan between 60 and 200 €. The euro/guarani exchange rate will cause the cost of the stay to vary significantly, as will the season (prices triple in some hotels in Encarnación during the carnival, for example). Concerning tips (propinas). In restaurants worthy of the name, it is customary to leave 10% of the cost of the meal for the service. Many museum guides are volunteers. They'll only get paid what you give them. 30,000 Gs is a reasonable tip, but you can tip more obviously, especially in a group. Bargaining is not common in Paraguay, even in the markets. On the other hand, you can negotiate a fare for a taxi ride that seems overly expensive (if there is no meter and before you make the trip).

The prices shown generally include the IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado). This value added tax is one of the lowest in Latin America (10%, or 5% on certain products in the market basket).