Guides · Paraguay
The stakes: Paraguay is often seen as one of South America’s safer countries, but organized crime and border tensions raise questions.
The facts: In 2025, Paraguay recorded 391 homicides, a rate of 6.1 per 100,000, down from 477 in 2024, according to InSight Crime in March 2026.
The context: While the national rate is relatively low, certain border areas and rural zones carry higher risks, and foreign ministries advise caution.
National Homicide Rates and Trends
Paraguay’s homicide count in 2025 was 391, down from 477 in 2024, according to InSight Crime on 11 March 2026.
The 2025 homicide rate was 6.1 per 100,000 people, a decrease of 18.6% from the previous year, per the same source.
In 2024, the homicide rate was 7.5 per 100,000. In 2023 it was 7.3, according to La Nación (Paraguay) on 25 March 2026.
InSight Crime noted that 2024 homicide data was not available in its 2024 round-up. Authorities published a combined murders and attempted murders figure.
Paraguay’s authorities reported a combined murder and attempted murder rate of 19.4 for 2024. This was down from 20.3 in 2023, according to a summary of InSight Crime on 13 August 2026.
For 2023, the World Bank reported a homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000. This followed 7.6 in 2022, 7.9 in 2021, and 7.3 in 2020, as cited by Latam Crime Map on 27 July 2026.
Regional Comparison
Paraguay’s homicide rate of 6.1 per 100,000 in 2025 is lower than many Latin American neighbors, according to InSight Crime.
A 2026 analysis by Expatsettle.com noted that Paraguay’s 2023 rate of 6.2 per 100,000 was comparable to Chile. It was slightly above the United States.
Paraguay ranked 75th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index in 2025, according to Why Paraguay on 5 May 2026.
The country is often described as relatively peaceful compared with Brazil and Argentina, though higher than Uruguay, per Expatsettle.com.
Border Regions: Ciudad del Este and Pedro Juan Caballero
The border region around Ciudad del Este and Pedro Juan Caballero has higher crime levels. This is due to drug trafficking, according to Spain’s foreign ministry on 7 September 2026.
France’s foreign ministry advises against travel to Pedro Juan Caballero, calling it a narcotrafficking zone, as of 30 June 2026.
Ciudad del Este is a major contraband and money-laundering hub, according to Travel Risk Atlas on 25 August 2026.
Most visitors pass through Ciudad del Este for Iguazú Falls or duty-free shopping. They do so without trouble in daylight in the commercial centre, per the same source.
Away from the commercial centre and after dark, risks include robbery, counterfeit goods, and organized crime, according to Travel Risk Atlas.
Spain’s foreign ministry provides police numbers for Ciudad del Este (061-570.751) and Pedro Juan Caballero (036-73395).
Interior and Rural Areas
France’s foreign ministry advises against travel to the area on both sides of the line separating San Pedro and Concepción. This is due to the EPP, as of 30 June 2026.
It also advises against travel to unpopulated areas of Canindeyú because of drug-trafficking violence, per the same source.
A safety guide by First Day Abroad on 6 September 2026 names Amambay, Concepción, Alto Paraná, San Pedro, Canindeyú, and Salto del Guairá. These are departments with increasing violent crime.
These areas are far from usual tourist routes, according to Paraguay Strategy on 17 October 2025.
Organised Crime and Its Reach
Organised crime in Paraguay is concentrated in narcotrafficking corridors. These mainly run from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este and the Tri-Border Area, according to First Day Abroad.
Criminal activities do not usually affect the occasional traveler, according to Spain’s foreign ministry on 7 September 2026.
Tourists have not been targets of organised-crime attacks, though bystanders can be caught up in them, per First Day Abroad.
The main organised-crime corridor runs from Pedro Juan Caballero to Ciudad del Este, as stated by the same guide.
Petty Crime and Foreigners
Petty theft, such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is the most common risk for foreigners. This is especially true in crowded markets and transport hubs, according to TravelWithHello.com on 19 March 2026.
Spain’s foreign ministry notes that border-city crime is usually not directed at casual visitors, as of 7 September 2026.
Violent crime against tourists is rare, according to multiple guides, including Expatriate Travel on 25 May 2026.
In Asunción, visitors should avoid displaying valuables and use ATMs inside banks, per Paraguay Strategy on 17 October 2025.
Government Travel Advisories
France’s foreign ministry advises against travel to specific zones: the San Pedro-Concepción boundary, Pedro Juan Caballero, and unpopulated areas of Canindeyú. This is as of 30 June 2026.
Spain’s foreign ministry highlights higher crime levels in Pedro Juan Caballero. It notes that criminal activities do not usually affect occasional travelers, as of 7 September 2026.
The U.S. Department of State classifies Paraguay as Level 1, meaning exercise normal precautions, according to Warnely.com on 5 September 2026.
The UK’s FCDO does not advise against travel to Paraguay. It singles out the eastern border with Brazil, per First Day Abroad.
Safety in Asunción and Other Cities
Asunción is not subject to a specific avoidance warning, but ordinary urban precautions are advised, according to France’s foreign ministry.
Safer neighborhoods in Asunción include Shopping del Sol, Villa Morra, and Mburucuyá, per Paraguay Strategy.
Spain’s foreign ministry lists Asunción police numbers: 021-44.13.55 and 44.86.26.
For Encarnación, the police number is 071-20.34.05, and for Puerto Falcón, 4992343 or 21.44.31, according to Spain’s foreign ministry.
Emergency Numbers and Practical Advice
The emergency number for the Paraguayan National Police is 911, according to Spain’s foreign ministry.
For fire and rescue, call 132, per TravelWithHello.com.
Roads, blockades, and markets are everyday hazards separate from organized crime, according to First Day Abroad.
Visitors should avoid side roads after dark in border-town outskirts, per Paraguay Strategy.
Official Sources and How to Use Them
The most current official travel advisories come from France and Spain. France’s foreign ministry updated its Paraguay page on 30 June 2026.
Spain’s foreign ministry updated its Paraguay travel recommendation on 7 September 2026.
France’s advisory warns against travel to the San Pedro–Concepción boundary area, Pedro Juan Caballero, and unpopulated zones of Canindeyú. Spain’s advisory notes higher crime in Pedro Juan Caballero but says it usually does not affect the occasional traveler.
For emergency numbers, Spain’s foreign ministry lists 911 for the National Police. It also provides local police numbers for Asunción, Ciudad del Este, Pedro Juan Caballero, Encarnación, and Puerto Falcón.
The U.S. State Department classifies Paraguay as Level 1, meaning exercise normal precautions.
This is according to a travel-risk scoring system that also assigns Paraguay an overall risk score of 42 out of 100.
The U.K. FCDO does not advise against travel to Paraguay, but singles out the eastern border with Brazil.
This is according to a Paraguay safety guide published on 6 September 2026.
What Changed in the Last 18 Months
Paraguay’s homicide count fell from 477 in 2024 to 391 in 2025, a drop of 18.6%. This is according to InSight Crime’s 2025 homicide round-up published on 11 March 2026.
The national homicide rate decreased from 7.5 per 100,000 in 2024 to 6.1 per 100,000 in 2025. This is according to La Nación (Paraguay) on 25 March 2026.
In 2024, Paraguay’s authorities published a combined murder and attempted murder rate of 19.4, down from 20.3 in 2023. This is according to a summary of InSight Crime’s 2024 round-up on 13 August 2026.
InSight Crime noted that standalone homicide data for 2024 was not available because authorities combined murders and attempted murders. This is according to the same summary.
France’s foreign ministry updated its Paraguay advisory on 30 June 2026, and Spain’s on 7 September 2026. These updates reflect the current security assessments.
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
Foreigners often assume that border cities like Ciudad del Este are uniformly dangerous. In daylight in the commercial centre, most visitors have no trouble, according to Travel Risk Atlas on 25 August 2026.
Away from the commercial centre and after dark, risks increase in Ciudad del Este. These risks include robbery, counterfeit goods, and organised crime, according to the same source.
Many visitors overlook petty theft as the most common risk. Bag-snatching and pickpocketing occur in crowded markets, bus terminals, and public transport, according to TravelWithHello.com on 19 March 2026.
Tourists sometimes display phones and valuables openly in Asunción. Guides advise avoiding this and using ATMs inside banks, according to Paraguay Strategy on 17 October 2025.
Some travelers venture into remote border departments like Amambay and Canindeyú. These areas have isolated criminal activity linked to smuggling and narcotrafficking, far from usual tourist routes, according to Paraguay Strategy on 17 October 2025.
How Paraguay Compares with Its Neighbours
Paraguay’s homicide rate of 6.1 per 100,000 in 2025 is lower than many Latin American peers. This is according to InSight Crime on 11 March 2026.
The rate is comparable to Chile and slightly above the United States’ rate. This is according to Expatsettle.com on 21 April 2026.
Paraguay’s 2023 homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is similar to or slightly above the U.S. rate.
This is according to Latam Crime Map on 27 July 2026.
Paraguay ranks 75th of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index. This is according to Why Paraguay on 5 May 2026.
In 2024, Paraguay ranked 80th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index. This is according to TravelWithHello.com on 19 March 2026.
Where Official Information Lives
The French foreign ministry publishes detailed security advice for Paraguay. Its page was updated on 30 June 2026 and shows a last update timestamp of 7 July 2026.
The Spanish foreign ministry provides travel recommendations, including police contacts. Its Paraguay page was updated on 7 September 2026.
The U.S. State Department classifies Paraguay as Level 1, meaning exercise normal precautions.
This is according to Warnely.com on 1 December 2025, updated 5 September 2026.
The U.K. FCDO does not advise against travel to Paraguay, but singles out the eastern border with Brazil.
This is according to First Day Abroad on 6 September 2026.
InSight Crime publishes annual homicide round-ups. Its 2025 round-up was published on 11 March 2026 and is the most directly relevant recent international source.
| Year | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.1 | InSight Crime, Mar 2026 |
| 2024 | 7.5 | La Nación, Mar 2026 |
| 2023 | 7.3 | La Nación, Mar 2026 |
| 2023 | 6.8 | World Bank via Latam Crime Map, Jul 2026 |
| 2022 | 7.6 | World Bank via Latam Crime Map, Jul 2026 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | World Bank via Latam Crime Map, Jul 2026 |
| 2020 | 7.3 | World Bank via Latam Crime Map, Jul 2026 |
Sources: InSight Crime, La Nación (Paraguay), Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France), Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), First Day Abroad, Travel Risk Atlas, Latam Crime Map, Expatsettle.com, Why Paraguay, TravelWithHello.com, Warnely.com, Paraguay Strategy, Expatriate Travel
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