Is Paraguay expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Paraguay is one of the cheapest countries in South America, noticeably cheaper than neighbouring Argentina in most periods, Brazil or Uruguay. A budget traveller can manage on about ₲330,000 (roughly €40) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about ₲770,000 and comfort about ₲1,650,000. Food, buses and sights are very cheap; drivers and tours are the main extra cost.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₲150,000 | ₲350,000 | ₲700,000 |
| Food & drink | ₲100,000 | ₲200,000 | ₲400,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₲30,000 | ₲100,000 | ₲250,000 |
| Local transport | ₲50,000 | ₲120,000 | ₲300,000 |
| Per person, per day | ₲330,000 | ₲770,000 | ₲1,650,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Paraguay day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Chipa (cheese bread) from a street seller | a few thousand guaraníes |
| Bolt or Uber ride in Asunción | ₲15,000-40,000 |
| Taxi from Silvio Pettirossi Airport to the centre | roughly ₲100,000-150,000 |
| Bus Asunción to Encarnación (5-6 hours) | roughly ₲100,000-150,000 |
| Jesuit missions combined ticket | roughly ₲25,000-50,000 |
| Panteón de los Héroes and Casa de la Independencia | free |
| Driver for the Circuito de Oro | roughly ₲500,000-800,000 per car |
| Car hire per day | about ₲250,000-400,000 |
| Mid-range double in Villa Morra | ₲450,000-750,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest item, though still cheap: hostels and simple hotels cost ₲200,000-350,000 for a double, and comfortable hotels in Asunción's Villa Morra area ₲450,000-750,000. Getting around is the second cost: long-distance buses are cheap but slow, so many visitors pay for a driver or hire car for the Circuito de Oro and the Jesuit missions. Food and most sights cost very little.
When it is cheaper
Prices change little through the year. Hotels in Encarnación and San Bernardino rise during carnival (January-February) and the summer holidays, and Caacupé fills around the pilgrimage of 8 December.
How to spend less
- Eat the lunch menu (menú del día) and street snacks like chipa and empanadas.
- Visit the free sights in Asunción: the Panteón, Casa de la Independencia and the Costanera.
- Use Bolt or Uber in Asunción instead of street taxis.
- Join a group tour of the Circuito de Oro rather than hiring a private driver.
- Book a 'cama' seat on long buses for comfort at a small extra cost.
- Visit the Jesuit missions on the combined ticket, valid for several sites.
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Common questions
Is Paraguay expensive?
No, it is one of the cheapest countries in South America: about ₲330,000 (roughly €40) a day on a budget.
How much does a taxi from Asunción airport cost?
Roughly ₲100,000-150,000 to the centre, about 30 minutes.
How much is the bus from Asunción to Encarnación?
Roughly ₲100,000-150,000 for a 5-6 hour journey.