PARAGUAY · TRAVEL
Key Facts
- Power Index Paraguay ranks 10th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 36.0 points (October 2026 edition).
- What is happening US citizens need no visa for stays up to 90 days; the waiver runs until 13 August 2027.
- Why it matters Americans can travel without visa paperwork now, but the waiver expires in August 2027.
- The numbers Level 1 advisory overall, Level 2 in five departments; one US$ buys about 5,811 guaraníes.
- Who is who The US Embassy in Asunción helps citizens; the Migraciones agency runs entry; Silvio Pettirossi is the main airport.
- What to watch Paraná River floods around Ciudad del Este and the El Niño rains over the coming weeks.
- What it means for you Carry a valid passport, avoid night driving outside Asunción, buy medical insurance with evacuation cover.
US citizens can visit Paraguay without a visa for up to 90 days, and the State Department rates the country Level 1. This guide explains entry, safety, floods, money and help, as of 31 October 2026.
- Level 1: the State Department’s lowest risk rating, “exercise normal precautions”.
- Level 2: “exercise increased caution”; it applies to five departments, Paraguay’s name for states, in the north and north-east.
- Visa waiver: a law that lets Americans enter for tourism without a visa.
- Migraciones: Paraguay’s national immigration agency.
- Guaraní: Paraguay’s currency.
Americans do not need a visa to visit Paraguay for tourism for up to 90 days. Paraguay’s Foreign Ministry says the exemption, set by Law 7314/2024, stays in force until 13 August 2027.
The State Department also says private US citizens need no visa for stays up to 90 days for tourism or business. The ministry page still lists a US$160 visa on arrival for US nationals, a line it does not reconcile with the waiver.
No source read for this guide says the fee applies to tourists covered by the waiver. Confirm with a Paraguayan consulate or Migraciones before you fly.
What US Citizens Need to Enter Paraguay
Your passport must be valid on entry and have one blank page for the stamp, the State Department says. Officials may refuse entry to travellers with expired or damaged passports.
Children travelling without both legal parents may need a notarised permission letter. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is needed only from countries with yellow fever risk, which excludes the United States.
Flying out, an airport departure tax applies, and some airlines include it in the ticket. Check your booking before you pay at the airport.
Safety Levels Across the Country
The State Department rates Paraguay Level 1, exercise normal precautions, with some areas at higher crime risk. Five departments in the north and north-east are Level 2, exercise increased caution.
Those departments are Alto Paraná, Amambay, Canindeyú, Concepción and San Pedro. Criminal groups are active there, police presence is weak, and US government employees need special authorisation to travel there.
Alto Paraná holds Ciudad del Este, the usual gateway to Iguazú Falls and the Itaipú dam. Amambay holds Pedro Juan Caballero, a border city with Brazil.
An older State Department country page warns that street crime is prevalent in cities, with pickpockets and armed assaults rising. It also advises against driving at night outside Asunción, because traffic rules are often ignored and many drivers lack insurance.
Floods and the El Niño Rains
Local reports say El Niño floods have hit Ciudad del Este for about two weeks. The Pan American Health Organization, a regional UN health agency, listed more than 4,200 affected families on 22 October.
Its bulletin says the national emergency secretariat expects more damage in other parts of the country. Authorities estimate a five-metre river rise would hit about 2,000 Asunción homes, and a seven-metre rise up to 15,000.
Travellers heading to Ciudad del Este or the river towns should check local conditions before they go. The US Embassy’s home page showed no Paraguay alert on 31 October.
Money, Health and Getting Help
Paraguay’s currency is the guaraní, and one US$ buys about 5,811 guaraníes on 31 October 2026. That rate comes from open exchange-rate data, and banks and exchange houses set their own rates.
Medicare does not cover you abroad, and the State Department strongly recommends insurance that covers medical evacuation. Most providers accept only cash, and good treatment is mostly in or near major cities.
The US Embassy is at 1776 Mariscal López Avenue in Asunción, open Monday to Thursday and Friday mornings. For a US citizen emergency, call +595 21 248 3000 and press 0; the 24-hour line is +1 202 501 4444.
What It Means for You
For a short city stay, the State Department points to street crime and traffic as the main risks. It names weak policing in five departments as the reason for Level 2 there.
The Asunción city page and the October guide list neighbourhoods and events. A report on crime and safety and one on residency rules cover longer stays.
What Is Not Known
Whether Paraguay will renew the visa waiver after 13 August 2027 is not known. The Foreign Ministry page still lists a US$160 visa on arrival, and whether it is charged to waiver-eligible tourists is not confirmed.
The State Department’s country page on entry and crime dates from 2019, so details may have changed. The flood figures come from a regional bulletin that draws on media reports, not an official count.
What Comes Next
The waiver runs to 13 August 2027, so renewal matters for 2027 travel plans. El Niño rains drove the Paraná flooding, so river levels in Alto Paraná and around Asunción are the figures to watch.
More on Paraguay news, the Paraná flood and Paraguay explained. Together they cover the country for first-time visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Americans need a visa for Paraguay?
No, not for tourism stays up to 90 days, under a waiver valid until 13 August 2027. The State Department agrees, but a Foreign Ministry page still lists a US$160 visa on arrival, so confirm before you fly.
Is Paraguay safe for US tourists?
The State Department rates Paraguay Level 1, exercise normal precautions. Five departments, including Alto Paraná and Amambay, are Level 2 because of crime.
Are there floods in Paraguay now?
Yes, local reports say El Niño floods have hit Ciudad del Este and other Paraná River areas for about two weeks. More than 4,200 families were affected by 22 October.
What currency does Paraguay use?
The guaraní; one US$ buys about 5,811 on 31 October 2026. Most medical providers accept cash only, so carry some.
Sources: Paraguay Foreign Ministry, consulate visa page; US State Department travel advisory, Paraguay; US State Department country information, Paraguay; US Embassy in Asunción; Pan American Health Organization, hazard monitor 22 October 2026; Paraguay immigration agency (Migraciones); Open exchange-rate data, 31 October 2026 (all accessed 31 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief