Asunción CityParaguay travel guide

Where to stay

Where to stay

Where you sleep in Paraguay can be as varied as the country itself, but this directory lists only public or non-profit lodging: campgrounds in national parks run by MADES and accommodation in nature reserves managed by conservation NGOs, checked against official sources and the organizations’ own websites. For hotels, guesthouses and other lodging in the town you are visiting, check SENATUR’s official register (Registur). Prices are only a rough guide (1 budget, 2 mid-range, 3 upscale), so always check before you go.

Cordillera 1

Camping · Ybycuí

Camping del Parque Nacional Ybycuí

The campground of Ybycuí National Park (run by MADES): waterfalls, streams and the ruins of the La Rosada ironworks.

₲₲₲✓

Misiones 1

Cabins · Reserva San Rafael

Hospedaje de Pro Cosara (Reserva San Rafael)

A pine cabin with five rooms plus a camping area at Pro Cosara's field base, next to the San Rafael Reserve, one of the largest remnants of Atlantic Forest in the country.

₲₲₲✓

Este 1

Eco-lodge · Villa Ygatimí

Mbaracayú Lodge

Cabins and camping inside the Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve, run by the Moisés Bertoni Foundation: Atlantic Forest at its purest.

₲₲₲✓

Norte 1

Chaco 1

Eco-lodge · Bahía Negra

Estación Los Tres Gigantes (Guyra Paraguay)

Guyra Paraguay's biological station in the heart of the Pantanal, reachable only by boat from Bahía Negra; giant otters, caimans and hundreds of bird species.

₲₲₲✓
Which type of stay should I choose?

Hotel

A property with a front desk, private rooms and daily service. In Paraguay almost all of them include breakfast and air conditioning, which is essential in summer. They range from classic downtown hotels to international chains in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.

Boutique

A small hotel with just a few rooms and a personality all its own: restored mansions, historic town centers or designer interiors. Expect personal service and mid-range to high prices.

Guesthouse

A family home licensed by SENATUR, Paraguay's national tourism office, under its Posadas Turísticas program, or a small family-run guesthouse. You sleep in the house itself or in adjoining rooms, and share the table and daily routines with your hosts. Affordable and wonderfully authentic, especially in small country towns.

Ranch stay

A working cattle ranch or farm that takes in guests: home-cooked meals, horseback riding, milking, farm chores and plenty of nature. Most require advance booking and work on a full-board basis.

Hostel

Budget accommodation with shared dorms or simple private rooms, a communal kitchen and a sociable vibe. Ideal for backpackers and solo travelers.

Cabins

Self-contained units, usually with a kitchen or barbecue grill, near lakes, rivers or hills. Handy for families and groups traveling by car.

Resort

A complex with pools, grounds, a restaurant and on-site activities, designed for staying several days without leaving. High price range.

Camping

A camping area with basic facilities (restrooms, water, sometimes electricity). In national parks they are run by MADES, the environment ministry, and tend to be very cheap; you'll need to bring all your own gear.

Glamping

Camping with comforts: domes, furnished tents or converted barrels with a real bed, sometimes a private bathroom and breakfast. Nature without giving up your creature comforts.

Eco-lodge

Rustic lodging inside or next to nature reserves, often run by conservation NGOs. Few beds, tricky access and mandatory advance booking; the reward is wildlife and forest in their purest state.

Tips
  • Before booking, look the property up on Registur (registur.gov.py): it shows whether it is licensed by SENATUR and until when.
  • In summer (December to March) air conditioning is no luxury: make sure your room has it, especially in the Chaco and the north.
  • Holy Week, December 8 in Caacupé, long weekends and the summer season in San Bernardino and Encarnación all book up fast: reserve weeks ahead.
  • Tourist guesthouses (posadas) and estancias in the countryside usually arrange things over WhatsApp; ask for written confirmation of the price, which meals are included and how to get there.
  • Outside the big cities you'll often pay in cash and in guaraníes (₲); carry enough cash, as ATMs can be scarce beyond the towns.
  • For biological stations and reserves (Mbaracayú, Tres Gigantes, San Rafael) advance booking is mandatory and access depends on the weather: ask about road and river conditions.
  • If you're heading to the Chaco, combine Filadelfia, Loma Plata and Neuland: they are less than an hour apart and have the best choice of hotels in the region.
  • Ask for an official tax invoice (factura legal) if you need one; published prices may change from year to year.