Asunción, Paraguay: travel guide
Capital and largest city of Paraguay, on the east bank of the Paraguay River — one of South America's oldest cities ("Mother of Cities"), with a compact colonial historic centre, neoclassical government palaces and a riverfront promenade.
- Country
- Paraguay
- Currency
- PYG
- Time zone
- America/Asuncion
- Nearest airport
- ASU
Top places to visit in Asunción
Palacio de los López
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Neoclassical 19th-century presidential palace on the riverfront, floodlit at night — the symbolic heart of Paraguayan government.
Casa de la Independencia
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Restored 1772 colonial house where Paraguay's 1811 independence was plotted; now a history museum.
Manzana de la Rivera
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Cluster of restored colonial houses opposite the Palacio de los López, now a cultural centre with exhibitions and a viewpoint.
Mercado 4
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1 h
Sprawling, chaotic central market — the place for street food, herbs, tereré supplies and everyday Paraguay.
Costanera de Asunción
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
Riverfront promenade along the Paraguay River, popular for walks, sunsets and the Bay beach area.
Jardín Botánico y Zoológico
Nature · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · entry PYG 10,000
Large riverside botanical garden and zoo, a green escape with historic mansions on the grounds.
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
National pantheon and mausoleum modelled on Les Invalides, holding the remains of Paraguay's national heroes.
Loma San Jerónimo
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
Colourful hillside neighbourhood reborn as a tourist barrio with painted houses, food stalls and river views.
Museo del Barro
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry PYG 50,000
Renowned museum of Paraguayan popular, indigenous and contemporary art (Centro de Artes Visuales).
El Cabildo (Centro Cultural de la República)
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
Former parliament building turned cultural centre and museum on Plaza de la Independencia.
Plaza de los Héroes
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h
Central downtown square framed by the Panteón Nacional, with craft vendors and shade.
Estación Central del Ferrocarril
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · entry PYG 15,000
One of South America's oldest railway stations (1861), now a railway museum with a historic locomotive.
Things to do
- Asunción Historic Centre Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from PYG 120,000 per person
- Paraguay River Wildlife Boat Tour Nature · 3 h · from PYG 200,000 per person
- Mercado 4 Food Tour Food · 3 h · from PYG 150,000 per person
- Loma San Jerónimo Neighbourhood Tour Cultural · 2 h · from PYG 90,000 per person
- Areguá & Lake Ypacaraí Day Trip Sightseeing · 8 h · from PYG 350,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Asunción City Highlights Tour 4 h · from PYG 150,000
Where to stay in Asunción
- Villa Morra about PYG 600,000 per night
Modern, upscale and safe district with malls, restaurants and nightlife — the most popular base for visitors.
- Centro Histórico about PYG 350,000 per night
Walkable historic core close to the main landmarks; lively by day, quieter at night.
- Recoleta / Carmelitas about PYG 650,000 per night
Leafy, residential upscale area with boutique hotels and cafés.
Hotels
- Sheraton Asunción Hotel 5-star · PYG 700,000 to PYG 1,400,000 per night
- Esplendor by Wyndham Asunción 5-star · PYG 550,000 to PYG 1,100,000 per night
- Crowne Plaza Asunción 4-star · PYG 500,000 to PYG 900,000 per night
- Resort Yacht y Golf Club Paraguayo 5-star · PYG 650,000 to PYG 1,300,000 per night
- Dazzler by Wyndham Asunción 4-star · PYG 450,000 to PYG 850,000 per night
- La Misión Hotel Boutique 4-star · PYG 500,000 to PYG 950,000 per night
Where to eat
- Paulista Grill Brazilian, Steakhouse · about PYG 120,000 per person
- Bolsi Paraguayan, International · about PYG 110,000 per person
- Lido Bar Paraguayan · about PYG 60,000 per person
- Talleyrand French, International · about PYG 220,000 per person
- Tierra Colorada Gastró Paraguayan, Contemporary · about PYG 250,000 per person
- Carlitos Paraguayan, International · about PYG 90,000 per person
- La Cabrera Asunción Argentine, Steakhouse · about PYG 230,000 per person
- Bar San Roque Paraguayan · about PYG 95,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car With Driver main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Counterfeit & short-change street money exchange
Downtown Asunción, near markets and bus terminal
Informal "cambistas" offer attractive rates then hand over counterfeit guaraní notes or short-change you in the shuffle.
How to avoid it: Change money only at banks or authorised casas de cambio, and count every note before walking away.
Pickpocketing and distraction theft
Mercado 4, bus terminal and crowded streets
A bump or staged distraction lets an accomplice lift your phone or wallet from a pocket or open bag.
How to avoid it: Carry minimal valuables, wear your bag across the front, and stay alert in crowds.
Corrupt traffic-police "coima"
Roads around Asunción and Ciudad del Este, targeting rental cars
An officer invents a traffic violation and demands immediate cash to let you go.
How to avoid it: Stay calm, ask for an official ticket and the officer's details, and decline to pay roadside cash.