In this guide
In your first week in Asunción, sort out three things before you start exploring neighbourhoods: a local SIM, how you will pay (QR, bank transfer or cash) and what time of day to get around. Heat and traffic matter more than distance here, so do errands in the morning and save walks for late afternoon.
Getting from the airport to where you're staying
- Taxi: from Silvio Pettirossi airport, taxis charge a fixed fare of about USD 25 and the ride takes 30 to 45 minutes (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- Bus: city bus 30-A stops about 200 metres outside the terminal. It takes around an hour and does not run between 23:00 and 5:00 (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
If you land at night or with heavy bags, a taxi or ride-hailing car saves you the walk and the wait.
SIM and data: your first errand
Go to an official store of a mobile operator (Tigo, Personal or Claro) with the ID you entered the country with (passport, or a Mercosur national ID) and ask them to activate the SIM before you leave the counter. Keep your home number active until the local line works: your bank will still send codes there.
Money: QR, transfers and cash
- QR: in April 2026, 68.1% of electronic payments in Paraguay were made by QR code (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Supermarkets, pharmacies and bars use it constantly.
- Bank transfers: the Central Bank's SPI instant-payment system runs 24 hours a day, every day including holidays, for amounts up to ₲10,000,000 (BCP (opens in a new tab)). The cap rose from 5 to 10 million in March 2026, so ask your bank if its app still shows the old limit (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Larger amounts, or transfers in foreign currency, are processed Monday to Friday 8:00–17:30, except holidays (BCP (opens in a new tab)).
- Cash: keep some guaraníes for small stalls, and never change money with street vendors (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
When is it too hot to be outside?
November to February is the hottest stretch of the year (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). For outdoor activity in summer, the Health Ministry advises going before 10:00 or after 17:00, drinking water even if you are not thirsty and wearing light, pale clothing (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). In practice: errands first thing, something indoors at midday, back outside once the sun drops.
Buses, night buses and roadworks
- Fares: Gs. 3,400 on air-conditioned buses and Gs. 2,300 without air conditioning (2026). You pay with a JAHA or Más card, sold at supermarkets, kiosks and pharmacies (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Buy one on day one.
- Búho night buses: the night service runs 22:00–3:30 on four lines: B1 (downtown–San Lorenzo via Fernando de la Mora), B2 (Asunción–Limpio), B3 (Colón–Ñemby) and B4 (Asunción–Luque) (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Roadworks: in September 2026 the city's Plan ASU 400 had 138 blocks under works, including fronts on Mariscal López, España, San Martín and De la Victoria (Municipalidad de Asunción (opens in a new tab)). Allow extra time on those avenues at rush hour.
- Long-distance buses: the bus terminal is about 5 km southeast of downtown (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
Where to do your first shopping
- Mercado 4: the city's big popular market, in the Pettirossi neighbourhood (Rodríguez de Francia and Perú), selling fruit, vegetables, groceries and clothes (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go in the morning, carry little cash and keep your phone out of sight.
- Paseo La Galería supermarket: on Avda. Santa Teresa between Aviadores del Chaco and Herminio Maldonado, open Monday to Saturday 7:00–21:30 (Paseo La Galería (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2016 (opens in a new tab)). Handy if you are staying around Villa Morra or Las Lomas.
FAQ
What do I need to buy a SIM card in Asunción?
Bring the ID you entered the country with (passport or Mercosur national ID) to an official Tigo, Personal or Claro store and ask them to activate the line on the spot.
Can I make a bank transfer on a Sunday in Paraguay?
Yes, through the SPI, which runs 24 hours a day every day for amounts up to ₲10,000,000. Larger or foreign-currency transfers are processed Monday to Friday 8:00–17:30.
How much is the bus in Asunción?
In 2026, Gs. 3,400 with air conditioning and Gs. 2,300 without, paid with a JAHA or Más card. At night, Búho buses run 22:00–3:30.
What time should I run errands in summer?
Before 10:00. The Health Ministry advises avoiding outdoor activity between 10:00 and 17:00 in summer and drinking water even when you are not thirsty.
