Paraguay

Recommended Vaccinations For Paraguay

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in parts of Paraguay. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, and for travellers having transited for more than 24 hours in these countries. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older. The vaccination is generally not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to the city of Asunción.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Paraguay

There are no recommendations for Paraguay at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Paraguay

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Paraguay.

Dengue Fever

There is a risk of dengue fever year round in Paraguay.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Paraguay.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Paraguay, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in parts of Paraguay. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, and for travellers having transited for more than 24 hours in these countries. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older. The vaccination is generally not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to the city of Asunción.

Chagas Disease

The risk to travellers of acquiring Chagas disease is extremely low. However, if staying in poor-quality housing, especially in rural areas, there is a higher risk since the insect that transmits this disease can reside in walls and ceilings.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Paraguay

Personal Safety

Paraguay presents a contradictory security picture. The homicide rate sits at 6.2 per 100,000, one of the lowest in Latin America. Yet the country ranks as the fourth largest hotspot for organized crime globally, with widespread corruption hindering enforcement. Most crime affecting travelers is opportunistic rather than targeted. Petty theft and pickpocketing are common in crowded areas like markets and bus terminals, particularly in Asuncion and Ciudad del Este. Thieves on motorcycles sometimes snatch items from pedestrians or use weapons to threaten victims. Criminals have been observed following and robbing people after they withdraw money from ATMs. Violent crime is increasing in Paraguay, including armed assault, carjacking, and kidnapping. If confronted during a robbery, you should not resist, as attackers may be armed and occasionally violent. The small guerrilla group Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP) operates in northern areas of San Pedro and Concepcion departments, kidnapping people for ransom. While tourists are not typically targeted, this group attacks ranches, police, and military with explosives and firearms. Drink spiking can occur anywhere. Scams are medium-risk and usually low-tech but irritating. Overcharging by taxi drivers, fake tour guides, and counterfeit money are frequent complaints. Border towns like Ciudad del Este see bait-and-switch electronics deals. Trust your instincts and always agree on prices upfront. Avoid handing over your passport unless absolutely necessary. About 80% of Paraguayans worry about becoming victims of violent crime, yet only 25% report that they or their families were actually victimized in the past year. This gap suggests a perception problem rather than extreme danger, though vigilance remains essential.

Extreme Violence

Paraguay does not suffer high homicide rates compared to regional neighbors, but extreme violence does exist in specific contexts. The country is a major transit route for cocaine from Bolivia and Peru heading to Brazil and Argentina. Paraguay also leads South America in illegal cannabis production. This drug trade, controlled by local elites with state actor support and involving foreign criminal groups like Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), fuels violence. Drug-related violence has led to an increase in organized crime homicides. The northeastern border region with Brazil, from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este, serves as a hub for drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and violent crime. Ciudad del Este was declared in a state of emergency in 2024 due to unsustainable levels of robbery. Pedro Juan Caballero is notorious for drug trafficking and gang violence, with multiple shootings in recent years. The departments of Amambay, Alto Parana, Canindeyú, Concepcion, and San Pedro have elevated crime due to organized crime and limited police presence. The EPP guerrilla group operates in the north, targeting police, military, and large landowners. Their attacks can be violent, using explosives and firearms, and they have kidnapped several high-profile individuals for ransom, most recently in 2022. Prison violence has reached unprecedented levels as the PCC and local gang Clan Rotela battle for control of crack trafficking. In June 2019, 13 prisoners were killed in two days at San Pedro prison. Contract killings are most frequent in Amambay department, where criminal groups fight for territorial control. However, these incidents of extreme violence typically do not target tourists or business travelers. Foreigners are rarely involved unless they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Political Unrest

Protests are common in Paraguay but sometimes face repression. Demonstrations throughout 2023 and 2024 involved campesino organizations demanding land reform, university students protesting education funding changes, and indigenous communities opposing government policies. Protests usually occur in downtown Asuncion near government offices and can lead to roadblocks and severe traffic congestion. In September 2025, a citizens’ group known as Generacion Z Paraguay staged protests against corruption and a proposed constitutional reform. Authorities confirmed at least 31 arrests and numerous injuries during clashes. Video footage showed the National Police, including cavalry and specialized motorcycle units, aggressively pursuing and detaining civilians, even those on sidewalks. One woman suffered a broken leg after a police motorcycle crashed into protesters. The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies condemned the police repression, comparing tactics to the darkest period of the Stroessner dictatorship. In April 2024, students occupied the National University of Asuncion for nearly three weeks, suspending classes and controlling campus access to protest changes to scholarship program funding. Earlier unrest included the violent 2021 protests over the government’s COVID-19 response, which left hundreds injured after police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons. The 2017 crisis saw protesters set fire to the Congress building over a constitutional amendment for presidential re-election, resulting in one death. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent quickly. Authorities sometimes use excessive force to disperse crowds. If you encounter protests, leave the area immediately. Road blockades can disrupt transportation networks for extended periods. Indigenous communities have also staged roadblocks, successfully forcing government negotiations. The political environment remains tense, with widespread public frustration over corruption, impunity, and the influence of organized crime in state structures.

Areas To Avoid

Several regions in Paraguay require heightened caution or should be avoided entirely. Pedro Juan Caballero, on the Brazil border, is the most dangerous location. It serves as a major hub for drug trafficking and gang violence, with numerous shootings in recent years. There is nothing of tourist interest there, and you should avoid it at all costs. The broader northeastern border area with Brazil, from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este, sees heavy drug and arms smuggling activity. The departments requiring extra caution are Amambay, Alto Parana, Canindeyú, Concepcion, and San Pedro. Criminal groups are active in these areas, police presence is weak, and even government employees require special authorization to travel there. The Tri-Border Area where Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina meet has been flagged for organized crime, drug trafficking, and loosely monitored activity by non-state actors. The exception is the crossing between Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) and Foz do Iguazu (Brazil), which is safe and used by many tourists visiting Iguazu Falls. The northern parts of San Pedro and southern Concepcion departments are where the EPP guerrilla group operates, targeting police, military, and ranchers. In Asuncion, several neighborhoods have elevated crime rates. Chacarita is considered one of the most dangerous slums in the capital. Other areas to avoid include parts of Luque, San Lorenzo, and Banado Sur. These neighborhoods experience higher rates of poverty and associated crime. Stay away from isolated or poorly lit areas at night, even in downtown sections of major cities. The city of Concepcion, located on the Paraguay River, attracts criminals involved in the drug trade heading to Pedro Juan Caballero and requires very careful navigation. Rural border areas away from official crossings should be approached with caution due to smuggling activities. The safer areas for visitors include Encarnacion, parts of central Asuncion (especially Villa Morra), and the resort town of San Bernardino.