Leandro Neumann Ciuffo · CC BY 2.0Is Paraguay the cheapest country in South America?
Paraguay is one of the cheapest countries in South America, especially for food, local transport and simple lodging. A set lunch costs about USD 5-10, a short app ride a few dollars and a hostel bed USD 12-25. But not everything is cheap: flights, mid-range dinners and upscale hotels are priced closer to international levels.
We don't say it is «the cheapest» because we have no verified regional comparison; what we do have are real prices from inside the country. Use the ranges in this guide to build your budget. Reference: 1 USD is about ₲5,873 per the Central Bank (September 25, 2026).
Updated · 2026-09-29
Eating: the cheapest part of the trip
Food is where the low prices show most:
- Chipa from a street stand: ₲3,000-10,000 (USD 0.5-1.7).
- Set lunch or menu of the day: ₲30,000-60,000 (USD 5-10).
- Mid-range restaurant dinner, per person: ₲90,000-150,000 (USD 15-25).
- Coffee at a café: ₲12,000-25,000 (USD 2-4).
- Beer at a bar: ₲15,000-35,000 (USD 2.5-6).
- 500 ml mineral water: ₲4,000-8,000 (USD 0.7-1.4).
The trick: make lunch your big meal with the menu of the day and keep dinner light with chipa, empanadas or sopa paraguaya. Markets like Mercado 4 have cheap food stalls.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Mercado 4 (Mercado Municipal N.º 4)
Asunción's biggest and most chaotic market: herbs for tereré, no-frills eateries, Guaraní and haggling in every aisle.
Chipa almidón
Paraguay’s daily bread: a ring or roll of cassava starch, cheese and anise, best eaten warm.
Sopa paraguaya
The “soup” you eat with a fork: a fluffy cornbread with cheese, onion and milk. An absolute must.
Empanadas
Fried or baked empanadas filled with beef, chicken, sweet corn or ham and cheese: the city snack.
Transport: cheap in town, moderate between cities
- City bus in Greater Asunción with a card: ₲2,300-3,400 (USD 0.40-0.60).
- Short app ride within Asunción: ₲15,000-40,000 (USD 2.5-7).
- Bus Asunción-Encarnación or Ciudad del Este (5-6 hours): ₲90,000-200,000 (USD 15-34).
- 93-octane gasoline: ₲7,490 per liter (USD 1.3); diesel ₲8,785 (USD 1.5). Petropar prices as of September 24, 2026.
- Tolls Asunción to Ciudad del Este on PY02: about ₲70,000 (USD 12) one way, by car.
The pricey part is the airport transfer: ₲80,000-150,000 (USD 14-26) by app and ₲100,000-180,000 (USD 17-31) by taxi. The cheap option is the city bus (line 30 or the E3 electric bus, ₲3,400), though it needs a payment card and is awkward with luggage.
Asunción, the capital · Greater Asunción and Lake Ypacaraí · Cordillera and Paraguarí: hills, waterfalls and villages
Essential Paraguay in 3 Days
Historic center, faith, craftwork, and Lake Ypacaraí in one long weekend
Sleeping: cheap hostels, upscale hotels less so
A hostel bed costs ₲70,000-150,000 (USD 12-25) and a mid-range double room ₲300,000-600,000 (USD 50-100). Upscale hotels in Asunción are priced at international levels, but there are good mid-range options.
Sample budgets (lodging, food and coffee only, using the ranges above; add transport and admissions):
- Backpacker: hostel bed + set lunch + one coffee, USD 19-39 per day.
- Mid-range couple: double room + lunch and dinner for two, USD 90-170 per day.
Attractions and extras: nearly free
Public museums and the Itaipú panoramic visit run from free to ₲30,000 (USD 0-5). Asunción's Cabildo is free, and so is the Itaipú dam tour, with booking. The Asunción riverside promenade is open to all. A prepaid SIM with weekly data costs ₲20,000-60,000 (USD 3.5-10).
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Cabildo – Centro Cultural de la República y Palacio Legislativo
The old neoclassical town hall, now a free museum of art, music and history facing the bay.
Hernandarias · Alto Paraná
Central Hidroeléctrica Itaipú
One of the world's largest hydroelectric plants, free and guided: colossal engineering on the Paraná River.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Costanera de Asunción
Kilometers of waterfront promenade along the bay for walking, cycling and watching the sun set over the Chaco.
What isn't cheap (and money-saving tips)
- Flights: there are no direct flights from North America and the only direct one from Europe leaves from Madrid; routes change, so verify before buying.
- Upscale hotels in Asunción, at international prices.
- Electronics in Ciudad del Este: be wary of very low prices, they may be counterfeit or lack a warranty. Buy from established stores and ask for a receipt.
- Exchange: change money at formal exchange houses, not at hotels, the airport or with street changers. Carry guaraníes in small bills: in towns, markets and buses cash is king.
To save: travel April to June or August to October, eat the menu of the day and use Bolt, usually the cheapest app.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Ciudad del Este
The great shop window of the Triple Frontier: shopping, a cosmopolitan buzz and the gateway to Itaipú and the Monday Falls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paraguay cheap to travel?
Yes, it is one of the cheapest countries in the region: a set lunch costs about USD 5-10 and a 5-hour bus about USD 15-34. Upscale hotels in Asunción are priced at international levels.
What is the cheapest country in South America?
We have no verified regional comparison. We can say Paraguay is one of the most affordable, with real prices in this guide.
How much does lunch cost in Paraguay?
A set lunch or menu of the day costs ₲30,000-60,000 (USD 5-10). A mid-range dinner is ₲90,000-150,000 (USD 15-25) per person.
Can I pay by card in Paraguay?
In cities, yes: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and malls accept Visa and Mastercard. In towns, markets, city buses and taxis, cash rules.
How much money do I need per day in Paraguay?
Just a hostel bed, set lunch and a coffee is USD 19-39; a mid-range couple with room, lunch and dinner, USD 90-170. Add transport and admissions.
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