In this guide
Asunción's bookstores cluster in two areas: downtown on Calle 25 de Mayo by Plaza Uruguaya, home to the most traditional shops for Paraguayan books and school supplies, and the shopping malls, which stay open into the evening and on Sundays. If you want a specific title, send the name or ISBN on WhatsApp first and ask whether that branch has it today, because stock varies between branches of the same chain.
Where are the bookstores in Asunción?
Downtown, around Plaza Uruguaya. The square is in Barrio Catedral, at 25 de Mayo and Estrella (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). On the same street you will find Servilibro, at the corner of México (Servilibro (opens in a new tab)), and the main store of Librería Maita at 25 de Mayo 502 near México (Maita (opens in a new tab)). This is the area to browse on foot and compare in a single morning.
Villa Morra. Maita has another branch at Hassler 5452 near República Argentina (Maita (opens in a new tab)), handy if you live off Mariscal López and would rather not go downtown.
Shopping malls. For after-work or Sunday shopping, mall branches are the answer. Maita has stores in Shopping Mariscal (Quesada between Charles de Gaulle and Teniente Zotti) and Shopping del Sol (Aviadores del Chaco, level 2) (Maita (opens in a new tab)).
What are the opening hours?
Downtown stores keep business hours and close early on Saturday; the malls open until 21:00 and on Sundays too. These are the hours Maita publishes for its stores:
Branch · Mon to Fri · Saturday · Sunday
Main store (25 de Mayo 502) · 8:00 to 18:30 · 8:00 to 12:30 · Closed
Hassler (Villa Morra) · 8:00 to 18:30 · 8:00 to 12:30 · Closed
Shopping Mariscal · 9:00 to 21:00 · 9:00 to 21:00 · 11:00 to 21:00
Shopping del Sol · 9:00 to 21:00 · 9:00 to 21:00 · 11:00 to 21:00
Source: Maita (opens in a new tab). Servilibro does not publish hours on its website, so call or message before you go. On public holidays, always check.
Looking for Paraguayan books, Guaraní titles or a novel?
For Paraguayan authors, Servilibro stocks Paraguayan history, short stories, novels and poetry, literature in Guaraní, law books, dictionaries and children's books (Servilibro (opens in a new tab)). It is a good stop for a gift by a local writer or for a history or law reading list.
For new releases and bestsellers, mall branches are usually more convenient because of their hours. Either way:
- Bring the exact title, author, publisher and, if you have it, the ISBN.
- Ask whether the book is at that branch or must come from another, and how long that takes.
- For school books, send a photo of the school list to avoid edition mix-ups.
When and how should you buy school supplies?
In 2026 schools opened on February 10 and classes started on February 23 (Hoy (opens in a new tab)). The weeks before are the busiest downtown, so January and early February are the best time for the full list. Maita, for example, lets you order the school supply list on its website (Maita (opens in a new tab)), which saves a day in line.
The consumer protection office (SEDECO) recommends, according to ABC Color (opens in a new tab):
- Check what is left at home from last year first.
- Buy early and gradually, not everything in the last week.
- Compare prices in at least three stores.
- Buy from formal businesses and ask for an invoice so you can claim if something is faulty.
- If you buy on credit, ask for the cash price, the installments and the total.
If your children attend a public school, wait for the Ministry of Education kit before buying: the ministry asked teachers and principals not to require extra supplies, and asked private and subsidized schools to give families time (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
How do you get downtown?
Electric bus lines E1, E2 and E3 leave from the Port of Asunción, downtown, and run along the Eusebio Ayala, Mariscal López and Silvio Pettirossi corridors towards San Lorenzo and Luque, departing every 30 minutes (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). With a short list, that is an alternative to hunting for parking downtown.
For a big supply run or a box of books, a car or delivery makes more sense. Ask whether the store delivers and what it costs.
What to ask, and how to pay
- Copies and printing: not every bookstore does them. Ask about file format (PDF is safest), double-sided or color, and turnaround time.
- Special orders: if the book is not in stock, how long it takes and whether a deposit is needed.
- Returns: keep the receipt and do not cover the book until you are sure it is the right edition.
- Payment: 7 in 10 electronic payments in Paraguay are made by QR, according to Bancard data reported by ABC Color (opens in a new tab). For a large list paid by card, ask about installments.
FAQ
Where can I buy books in Asunción?
Downtown on 25 de Mayo by Plaza Uruguaya (Servilibro and Maita's main store), in Villa Morra, and in malls such as Shopping Mariscal and Shopping del Sol.
Which bookstores open on Sunday in Asunción?
Mall branches. Maita, for example, opens Sundays 11:00 to 21:00 at Shopping Mariscal and Shopping del Sol; downtown stores are closed on Sunday.
Where can I find Paraguayan or Guaraní books?
Servilibro, at 25 de Mayo and México, stocks Paraguayan history and literature, Guaraní titles, law books and dictionaries. Message them about the title before you go.
Do bookstores in Asunción also sell school supplies?
Yes, most do, and some take the full school list online. Buy in January or early February to avoid the lines before classes start.
