Is Paraguay safe? Paraguay can be a rewarding destination for tourists, digital nomads, expats and people considering relocation, but visitors should take normal precautions and understand that safety varies by location.
Paraguay does not have the same security situation everywhere. Petty theft, pickpocketing, bag-snatching and robbery can occur, particularly in busy urban areas and on public transportation. More serious criminal activity is also a concern in some border regions.
Current U.S. travel guidance places Paraguay at Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions, while advising increased caution in several departments because of crime. The identified higher-risk departments include Alto Paraná, Amambay, Canindeyú, Concepción and San Pedro.
Paraguay can be visited safely when sensible precautions are followed. The main everyday risks for visitors are theft, pickpocketing and robbery. Avoid displaying expensive belongings, be particularly careful after dark, and research the specific area you plan to visit.
Safety in Paraguay depends heavily on the city, neighborhood, time of day and activity. The experience of a visitor staying in a residential area of Asunción can be very different from travelling through a border region or walking alone at night in an unfamiliar area.
The UK government's current travel advice warns about bag-snatching and pickpocketing on public transport and advises visitors to keep belongings within sight. It also warns that some muggings can involve weapons.
Asunción is the capital and largest urban center of Paraguay and is where many foreign visitors, professionals and expats spend most of their time.
As in many large cities, safety differs considerably between neighborhoods. Busy commercial and tourist areas can experience theft and robbery, while isolated streets can present greater risks, particularly at night.
Ciudad del Este is one of Paraguay's most important commercial cities and is located close to the Brazilian border. It attracts tourists and shoppers but requires additional awareness because of the security situation associated with the wider border region.
The U.S. travel guidance specifically identifies Alto Paraná, the department where Ciudad del Este is located, among areas where travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime.
Encarnación is a popular Paraguayan city known for its riverfront, tourism, beaches and proximity to Argentina.
Tourists should still use normal urban safety precautions. Petty theft and robbery can occur, and visitors should avoid assuming that a tourist area is completely risk-free.
Not every part of Paraguay has the same security profile. Current U.S. travel guidance identifies several departments where travelers should exercise increased caution because of crime.
| Area | Safety Consideration |
|---|---|
| Alto Paraná | Exercise increased caution because of crime. |
| Amambay | Exercise increased caution because of crime and border-region risks. |
| Canindeyú | Exercise increased caution because of crime. |
| Concepción | Exercise increased caution because of crime. |
| San Pedro | Exercise increased caution because of crime. |
Conditions can change, so travelers should check current government travel advice before visiting specific regions.
Pickpocketing can occur in crowded public places and on public transportation. Keep bags closed, keep valuables secure and avoid placing phones or wallets in easily accessible pockets.
Robbery can occur in urban areas and may sometimes involve weapons. If confronted by a robber, personal safety should take priority over protecting money or possessions.
Current U.S. travel information warns that robbers may use motorcycles to approach victims and steal wallets, phones or other valuables.
Avoid isolated and poorly lit streets at night, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area. The UK government's travel advice specifically recommends avoiding isolated or poorly lit areas after dark.
Transportation is an important part of staying safe in Paraguay. Visitors should use established transportation options and take additional precautions when travelling at night.
People moving to Paraguay for work, retirement, business or remote work should take a broader approach to security than tourists.
Women travelling or living in Paraguay should use the same general precautions recommended for other visitors, with additional awareness when travelling alone.
Paraguay can be suitable for families, but parents should evaluate the specific city and neighborhood rather than treating the entire country as having one uniform level of safety.
Families should pay particular attention to housing security, transportation, schools, healthcare access and the distance to emergency services.
Foreigners can live and travel in Paraguay, but being a foreigner does not eliminate normal security risks. In some situations, visible signs of wealth may make a person more attractive to thieves or robbers.
The best approach is to behave as a security-conscious local resident would: avoid displaying valuables, understand your neighborhood, use sensible transportation and stay informed about local conditions.
Paraguay's official government portal lists the following emergency numbers: Police 911, Volunteer Firefighters 132, and SEME emergency medical service 141.
| Emergency Service | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Police | 911 |
| Fire Department | 132 |
| Medical Emergency / SEME | 141 |
| SOS Mujer | 137 |
| Fono Ayuda – Children | 147 |
These numbers are published through the official Paraguayan government portal.
The UK government's current Paraguay travel guidance lists tourist-police contact numbers for several major destinations, including Asunción, Ciudad del Este, Encarnación and Salto del Guairá.
| Location | Tourist Police |
|---|---|
| Asunción | (595 21) 446 608 / (595 21) 449 020 |
| Ciudad del Este | (595 61) 502 715 |
| Encarnación | (595 71) 204 102 |
| Salto del Guairá | (595 46) 243 575 |
Some parts of Paraguay, particularly certain border areas, face organized-crime activity involving drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Current UK guidance notes that isolated violent attacks have occurred in Asunción and elsewhere, while U.S. guidance identifies several departments with increased crime risks.
This does not mean that tourists are routinely targeted by organized criminal groups. However, it is an important reason to research destinations and avoid unnecessary travel through higher-risk areas without appropriate local knowledge.
| Safety Issue | General Guidance |
|---|---|
| Petty theft | Take precautions in crowded areas |
| Pickpocketing | Keep valuables secure |
| Street robbery | Use caution, especially at night |
| Public transport | Keep bags within sight |
| ATMs | Prefer secure indoor locations |
| Border regions | Research current security conditions |
| Night travel | Avoid isolated and poorly lit areas |
| Emergency response | Police 911 / Fire 132 / Ambulance 141 |
Paraguay can be visited safely when travelers follow sensible precautions. However, visitors should be aware of theft, robbery and regional differences in security.
Asunción can be visited by tourists, but normal big-city precautions are important. Avoid displaying valuables, be cautious on public transportation and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Ciudad del Este is a major commercial and tourist destination, but it is in Alto Paraná, a department that current U.S. travel guidance identifies as having increased crime risk. Visitors should take additional precautions and stay informed about local conditions.
Many foreigners live in Paraguay, but expats should research their specific neighborhood and establish sensible home, transportation and personal-security routines.
There is no single reliable ranking that determines whether one entire country is safer than another. Safety varies by city, neighborhood and type of crime. Current official travel advice should be checked before travelling.
The Police National emergency number is 911. Firefighters can be reached at 132, and the SEME medical emergency service at 141.
Extra caution is recommended at night. Avoid isolated or poorly lit streets, keep valuables concealed and use reputable transportation when travelling after dark.
Safety conditions can change. This page provides general information and is not a guarantee of safety. Before travelling or relocating, check the latest official travel advisories and local information for the specific Paraguayan city or department you plan to visit. In an emergency, contact the appropriate Paraguayan emergency service.