How much spending money do I need for Paraguay?

Claire Millard
Şeyma Mektepli
Last updated
6 November 2024

If you have a trip to Paraguay coming up - as a tourist, to visit friends and family, for work or for any other reason - it’s important to know how much spending money is needed based on your plans. This guide looks at the prices in Paraguay for tourists, including some budgeting tips and ideas, for luxury and budget travel alike.

How Much Money Should You Take to Paraguay?

So - your question might well be: how much do I need in PYG (Paraguayan Guarani) for a week in Paraguay?

We'll break down how much money you should take to Paraguay by different spending types later - but first, an overview. Here are some handy estimates to give you a flavour, looking at the costs of accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, so you can start to budget, and decide how much money to bring to Paraguay, based on your spending for a day or for a week.

Travel StyleAverage Daily costOne Week cost
Budget (Cheap)RM193
PYG 334,658
RM1,350
PYG 2,342,608
Mid-rangeRM336
PYG 583,706
RM2,355
PYG 4,085,944
High-end (Luxury)RM592
PYG 1,027,323
RM4,144
PYG 7,191,261

How Much Cash Should You Take to Paraguay?

Let's kick off with some key points when it comes to deciding how much cash to take to Paraguay.

Cash is still commonly used in Paraguay, but many larger stores, restaurants and hotels - especially in tourist areas - are able to accept card payments. It’s worth taking both cards and cash with you when you head off to Paraguay. You’ll be able to use your card whenever it’s accepted, and also to make ATM withdrawals to get cash when you need it.

Carrying lots of cash at any one time can be a security risk and make you a target for thieves, so making smaller ATM withdrawals as and when you need to is a smart plan. Bear in mind that some ATMs may charge extra fees for foreign cards - and your own card issuer might have fees including foreign transaction fees and out of network ATM costs.

Using an international travel debit card from a provider like Wise can make overseas spending cheaper, whether you tap and pay in a store, or get cash from the ATM.

Wise travel card

Order a Wise travel card to buy, hold and exchange 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in Paraguay - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.

Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.

Read a full Wise review here

Learn more about the Wise card

Is Paraguay Expensive to Visit (in 2024)?

Ultimately, the cost of visiting Paraguay varies depending on your plans, and how you like to enjoy yourself when you're abroad.

Overall, Paraguay is rated as a "very expensive" place to visit by BudgetYourTrip. Accommodation, food, and activities are all available to suit any budget - but you'll need to plan your time to make sure you're making the most of both your time and your money while you're away.

What Currency should I take to Paraguay?

The official local currency used in Paraguay is the Paraguayan Guarani-PYG. If you plan to take cash with you to spend while you're away, you'll need Paraguayan Guaraníes.

The currency symbol is Gs, which is what you'll see in stores and on restaurant menus.

Paraguayan Guarani
Currency nameParaguayan Guarani
Currency symbolGs
Currency codePYG
Exchange rate today1 MYR = 1,735.28 PYG
1 PYG = 0.000576274 MYR
Learn more about currency in Paraguay.

How to Save Money in Paraguay - Traveller tips

No matter what you're planning on doing during your trip to Paraguay, you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible.

Here are some top tips to save money in Paraguay:

  • Book your hotels or accommodation in advance to secure the best available deals
  • Use public transport where possible, or approved taxi and ride hailing operators
  • Use Google maps and reviews to find good restaurants. You'll often find better food and more reasonable prices away from the most touristy areas of town
  • Look online for recommendations of free or low-cost attractions and activities in Paraguay - blogs and travel magazines are a great place to start
  • Use travel cards that offer fair exchange rates with transparent fees such as Wise, to keep down the costs of currency conversion and ATM use while you're away

Get a free multi-currency account and card to buy, hold, convert and send over 40 currencies. Fast, secure, easy and cheap transfers at the commercial exchange rate.

Costs and Prices in Paraguay for Tourists

Let's move on to the typical prices in Paraguay for tourists. Below we've got a handy overview of prices for accommodation, food and services for tourists in Paraguay. Use this along with your own research to figure out the likely costs and prices you'll come across during your visit.

Accommodation Costs in Paraguay

Accommodation is usually one of the biggest costs on any trip abroad - but what you pay in the end will depend a lot on the accommodation type you pick. Below is an example of accommodation costs in Paraguay based on two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room.

Types of accommodationPrices per night
BudgetRM42
PYG 72,924
Mid-RangeRM99
PYG 171,221
LuxuryRM202
PYG 350,224

Daily Food Costs in Paraguay

Food is an important feature of a trip abroad for many of us - but what you spend can vary significantly depending on where you purchase your meals in Paraguay. As you might expect, buying food from local markets and stores can be one of the cheapest options, or you could choose to eat at mid-range restaurants, or sample some high-end establishments.

Here's an example of how much a meal costs in Paraguay based on different restaurant types.

Types of Meal Average Daily Cost 
BudgetRM32
PYG 55,180
Mid-RangeRM76
PYG 132,307
LuxuryRM161
PYG 280,179

Cost of Drink & Beverages

Let's move on to the cost of beer, wine, water and other beverages in Paraguay:

Drink & BeveragesPrices
Beer (bottle)RM6
PYG 10,974
Wine (bottle)RM24
PYG 41,249
Can of Coca-cola /PepsiRM4
PYG 6,615
Mineral water (1.5L bottle)RM2
PYG 3,969
Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot ChocolateRM8
PYG 14,709
Data via Numbeo, collected 1 September 2024.

Travel Costs in Paraguay

Once you've arrived in Paraguay you still need to figure out how to get around. The cost of travel can be different depending on your preferences - and how much of a hurry you're in. Using public transport is often our cheapest choice, but getting a taxi or hiring a car could be faster and more flexible, depending on your budget.

Some common ways to save money on transport in Paraguay include:

  • Where possible use airport shuttles on arrival to get to the city centre
  • Use buses, metro, trams or other public transport where you can - Google Maps can help you navigate more easily
  • Plan activities to limit the travel needed by covering the popular sites in one area before exploring the next, to avoid excess travel time

  • Use known taxi operators and approved ride-hailing companies.

Tourist Attractions Costs in Paraguay

Paraguay has many tourist attractions and beautiful places to visit.

The average daily cost for visiting attractions and entertainment in Paraguay is Gs124,524 Paraguayan Guaraníes (RM72).

Top Tourist AttractionsInformation
Itaipu DamOne of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil.
Asunción
The capital city, known for its historic architecture, vibrant culture, and the Government Palace.
Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná
Ruins of a Jesuit mission, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic significance.

Data Roaming, Internet, Local Sim Cards

Having easy access to your phone while you're away is important - not only to keep in touch with your friends and family, but also to navigate, look up good places to eat or visit, and to translate if needed. Make sure you don't get stuck without your phone - or with a big roaming bill - when you're in Paraguay with these tips:

  • Turn off your data roaming if you're concerned about running up excess fees, and only use your phone on secure wifi networks while you're away
  • Check the roaming costs with your mobile operator - you may be able to add a roaming data package to your normal plan for a fairly low price
  • Consider getting an international eSIM if your phone is compatible with eSIMs - these can be low hassle ways to keep access to your data, without needing to install a physical SIM card
  • Check the SIM card price for tourists in Paraguay, before travelling - you'll likely find people trying to sell you a local SIM in the airport when you arrive, so knowing the price you should pay can help you avoid scams

How Much Should You Tip in Paraguay?

Tipping etiquette can vary a lot between countries, and naturally depends a lot on the type of establishment you're in, or service you've received. Generally, tipping around 10-15% of the bill when you are happy with the service is in line with expectations.

Bear in mind that in some places a service fee - which is a percentage of the amount you spend - is already added to the bill, and means you don't need to add an additional tip unless you really want to. Check your bill before you pay - or just ask if the tip has already been included or not.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Take away something to remember your trip to Paraguay with - or as a gift to someone back home.

Nanduti Lace and Guarani Hammocks are the most popular souvenirs to buy from Paraguay. While you can pick up these and many other souvenirs and gifts at the airport, you'll normally save money by buying them from local shops instead.

How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Paraguayan Guaraníes

Naturally you want to get the very best MYR to PYG exchange rate. However, bear in mind that you'll also need to pick a secure and reputable provider when you exchange money. Black market money changers may look like they're offering great rates but they're not safe or reliable. Look out for the MYR - PYG exchange rate online or at the currency exchange office.

Always seek out official exchange companies that offer fair rates and transparent fees. Or, consider getting a travel money card, such as Wise, to ensure your transactions are secure and convenient. Use your Wise card to pay where card transactions are supported, or to get cash from the ATM whenever you need it during your visit to Paraguay.

The live exchange rate today is:

1 MYR = 1,735.28 PYG
1 PYG = 0.000576274 MYR

Learn more about the Wise cardSend money to Paraguay
1 MYR = 1735.28 PYG

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