Paraguay isn’t a major tourist destination (yet) and the country’s tourism infrastructure remains undeveloped. In the capital city Asunción you’ll be able to pay by credit card in many international hotels, large shopping malls and supermarkets. But outside of the capital you’ll find that international card payments aren’t widely accepted in Paraguay.

Where card payments are accepted, they are with swipe-and-sign terminals. Before heading off to Paraguay make sure your card supports swipe-and-sign payments, in addition to chip-and-pin payments. Not enabling swipe-and-sign payments on your card will mean that your payments will be declined. Make sure to carry your ID with you so you can identify you when making a swipe-and-sign payment.

If you are going to pay by card in Paraguay: Be aware of bank card fees and currency conversion fees for card payments in Paraguay. Your bank’s PYG to GBP exchange rate may be quite bad. This is how banks make money.

Before using your bank card for payments in Latin America it’s certainly a good idea to contact your bank. This will avoid your card becoming blocked due to international transactions that your bank may find suspicious.

We suggest that you take a good amount of Paraguayan Guaranies in cash with you on your trip to Paraguay. ATM’s are available in all urban centres but they will charge a fee, and the currency conversion rate will not be very good.

Many vendors in Paraguay don’t have a payment terminal that accepts international cards and will only accept cash payments.

The overall cost of living in Paraguay is very cheap: 52% lower than the cost of living in the UK.

For a coffee in a local cafe you will be paying around 10,000 PYG. For a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant expect the bill to be around 85,000 PYG per person.

As a tourist in Paraguay you are expected to tip when eating or drinking out, or when taking a taxi. You should round up the price to the next 2000 or 5000 Guaranies bill or add an extra 10% to the bill.