Hair salons and barbershops in Pedro Juan Caballero: how to choose

To pick a hair salon or barbershop in Pedro Juan Caballero, decide on the service first (a quick cut, colour, straightening or nails), find two or three places near where you are staying, and message them to confirm the slot, the price and how you can pay. This is a dry-border city next to Ponta Porã in Brazil, and prices can be quoted in more than one currency, so settle all of that in writing before you go.

How do you find a salon near you?

• Search "peluquería" (salon) or "barbería" (barbershop) in your phone's map app and switch on the Open now filter. Look at recent photos of their work and reviews from the last few months, not just the star rating.
• Check which side of the border the place is on. The city is separated from Ponta Porã by Avenida Internacional Doctor Francia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠, so a "nearby" result can be in Brazil, with different prices and currency.
• If you are staying outside the centre, ask whether anyone does home visits: some independent hairdressers and barbers post their availability on social media.

Barbershop or salon: what to ask each

Barbershop: cuts, fades, beard trims. These are short services and many barbers take walk-ins. Ask whether they work by appointment and when they get busy.

Beauty salon: colour, highlights, straightening, treatments, manicures. These take hours. Ask in advance:

• how long your service takes;
• whether the price is fixed or depends on hair length;
• whether they want a deposit and what happens if you cancel.

Bring a reference photo. It avoids misunderstandings, especially when the stylist speaks Portuguese and you speak Spanish or English, which is common on this border.

What products go on your hair?

In Paraguay, cosmetics and personal-care products are regulated by DINAVISA, the health products authority, which requires a sanitary registration or notification before they are sold (Ferrere⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). In the first half of 2026, DINAVISA issued 9 health alerts about products with quality problems, counterfeits or no registration (DINAVISA report⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

Before dye or straightening, ask to see the product box and brand. If you have allergies or a sensitive scalp, ask for a patch test first.

Guaraníes, reais or QR: how payment works

Both guaraníes and Brazilian reais circulate in Pedro Juan Caballero, and some businesses also take US dollars and Pix: an electronics chain announced exactly that when it opened in the city (InfoNegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Do not assume a small salon does the same:

• ask which currency the price is in and what exchange rate they use if you pay in another;
• if you want to pay by QR, check first: according to card processor Bancard, 7 in 10 electronic payments in Paraguay are now made by QR (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), but not every salon has it;
• carry some cash in case the connection fails.

When should you book?

• Saturdays and the day before a public holiday are usually the busiest days. For colour or straightening, book a weekday morning slot.
• For weddings, parties or graduations, message one or two weeks ahead and ask for a trial.
• The city's climate is humid, with frequent fog at night (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you are getting a blow-dry or an updo for an event, ask what they use to make it hold in humidity.

Before you sit in the chair

1. Confirm the service, final price and time by message.
2. Save the exact location.
3. Show your reference photo and say what you do not want (for example, no length off).
4. Check the result with a mirror behind you before you pay.