In this guide
To find a good hardware store (ferretería) in Mariano Roque Alonso, first decide whether you need one on Route PY03, the old Transchaco, where the big stores are, or a neighbourhood shop for small jobs. Send your list with sizes and brands by WhatsApp before you go, ask for a written quote with delivery included and, for a building job, compare at least two.
On PY03 or in your neighbourhood?
PY03 is the city's main avenue and the strip where the large shops are (opens in a new tab). It is also the road north to San Pedro, Amambay and Cordillera, and the malls draw shoppers from Limpio, Villa Hayes, Luque, Emboscada and Asunción (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). In short: heavy traffic.
- Big orders (cement, rebar, roofing sheets, pipes): a hardware or building-supply store on the highway usually has more stock and its own truck. Ask whether they deliver to your barrio and when.
- Everyday repairs (a tap, a breaker, screws): a shop in your own barrio, such as Surubi'i, Universo, Arecayá, San Jorge or Remanso Castillo, saves you a trip onto the highway at rush hour.
- Loading your own car: between the Remanso turn-off and the Semidei tunnel, PY03 has a bus-only lane (opens in a new tab). Check where you can stop to load before you get there.
When should you shop or take delivery?
- After a storm: residents quoted by Última Hora (2024) (opens in a new tab) say PY03 floods with every heavy rain and the water hides the potholes. If your delivery is due that day, ask whether the truck will still go out or whether to reschedule.
- In July: the ARP's Expo fair is held in Mariano Roque Alonso; in 2026 it ran from 11 to 26 July (Hoy (opens in a new tab)). If your site is near the fairground or the highway, buy and receive bulk materials before or after those two weeks.
- Saturdays: weekend hours vary from store to store. If you need something on a Saturday afternoon, check the store's hours that morning.
What to send before you go
A hardware store won't always have everything. Message first and send:
- The full list with sizes: pipe diameter and type, cable gauge, rebar length, number of bags.
- Photos of the part you're replacing, with a tape measure next to it.
- The brand or grade you want, especially for paint and electrical items.
- Whether you need cutting or delivery: pipes, sheets or timber cut to size, and how far they deliver.
If you're building near the river, note that in Mariano Roque Alonso flood-prone areas generally lie below the +62 level, and the highest recorded flood reached +63.05 (opens in a new tab). Before buying fill or slab materials, ask your builder or the municipality what level to build to.
How to compare quotes
Paraguay's consumer protection law, Ley 1334 (opens in a new tab), gives you useful rules:
- Prices must include taxes and be stated precisely (art. 10).
- When they provide a service (cutting, assembly, delivery), the supplier must tell you the price, the payment method and how long the quote is valid (art. 15). Ask until what date they'll hold the price.
- Extra costs must be disclosed first (art. 16): any additional work or cost has to be communicated before it's carried out.
Compare the total: materials plus delivery and cutting. The cheapest unit price can end up dearer if delivery is charged separately.
What to check on electrical parts
Paraguay's standards institute, INTN, warned that cheap plugs and sockets made of plastic or ferrous metal heat up, melt, spark and can start fires (opens in a new tab), and recommends copper contacts. The standard it promotes is PNA IEC 60906-1, for plugs up to 16 amps and 250 volts; in 2022 it was voluntary. Ask to see the contacts and, if you're rewiring, check with your electrician which model to buy.
Paying and collecting your order
QR payment is now the norm: in April 2026 it made up 68.1% of electronic payments (opens in a new tab), according to Bancard. Still ask whether there's a card surcharge or a cash discount on large orders.
- Always ask for an invoice (factura): the consumer agency Sedeco reminds shoppers that every sale must be invoiced (opens in a new tab). You'll need it for exchanges and claims.
- Get the warranty in writing for power tools or pumps, with its length and what it covers.
- Check the order before you sign the delivery note: quantities, sizes and no damaged pieces.
FAQ
Where are the hardware stores in Mariano Roque Alonso?
The large shops line Route PY03 (the old Transchaco), and there are neighbourhood ferreterías for small purchases. For building materials, message first to confirm stock and delivery.
Do hardware stores in Mariano Roque Alonso deliver?
It depends on the store and the size of the order. Ask which barrios they reach and have the delivery cost included in the quote.
How long is a hardware-store quote valid?
If the store provides a service such as cutting or delivery, Ley 1334 requires it to tell you how long the quote is valid. Get it in writing.
Should I take deliveries during the Expo?
Not if your site is near the fairground or PY03: in 2026 the Expo ran from 11 to 26 July and traffic builds up. Schedule delivery before or after.
