Asuncion, Paraguay Report of what it's like to live there - 06/28/25
Personal Experiences from Asuncion, Paraguay
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I've had several overseas assignments that include Mexico, Mali, and Cameroon.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
No direct flight to U.S., so not easy to get back if your destination is not a direct destination from Sao Paulo or Panama City. It takes a day and a half to get to Seattle, for example. But you can get to/from Washington in one (long) day.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic posting
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is diverse: there are large apartments, and small to large houses. Most houses have pools and back patio areas for grilling. Even apartments have grills, which is a cultural must. Embassy housing locations range from fewer than 5 minutes to over 40 minutes from the Embassy. Don't trust Google maps estimates for time; it is typically longer during commuting hours.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Amazing grocery stores and variety of products. Tons of imported products from Europe, Brazil, the U.S., lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beef is amazing. Lots of gluten free and other specialty diet options, although eating out is hard to avoid dairy. It's all very affordable. Obviously if you prefer a certain brand of toiletries, bring it with you as you may not find it here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
The cleaning products, including laundry detergent, all have excessive scent added to them (and dish soap is basically colored water). If you want scent-free products or dish soap that works, bring it with you in your household goods. I also really like Costco brand almond butter, so I'd have brought more of that if I could.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tons of good (and a few great) restaurants that all offer delivery via PedidosYa and other apps. Food tends to be very similar. Lots of Italian, Paraguayan (beef and starch with dairy), and a little sushi (Brazilian style), Peruvian fusion, and things like burgers.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Some people occasionally complain about ants, and there is a month or so each year where people will spot scorpions around. The embassy sprays at residences for mosquitoes to lower risks of dengue but depending on where you are spending time outside, you want to use repellent.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
I'm told you can easily send packages to the U.S. via Paraguayan mail and that people order locally on Amazon and get things delivered in a week or two to local Amazon pick up sites. The pouch and DPO are what Embassy people use.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Lots of workers available for whatever you want: nannies, housekeepers, drivers, gardeners. I pay about $100 per week for full time housekeeper and that is above minimum wage. People working in these fields tend not to have been educated with great critical thinking or pattern identification skills, and people tend to want a lot of positive reinforcement regardless of their performance.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Yes, other than certain areas, it is very safe here to walk on the street. Sidewalks are not well maintained but they exist, and there are trees and greenery everywhere. There are a few areas with good bike paths, and a few people even commute by bike to work (which is a high risk choice but apparently works out for them). There are a couple really nice parks with jogging paths.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of gyms and sports lessons available for very affordable prices. People do golf, tennis, tae kwon do. There is a pilates studio on every block. Yoga not so much, though, and it tends to be more meditative than athletic. But everything closes down on weekends. You might find a place that has classes Saturday morning, but don't count on it. And Sunday? Forget about it.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, cards are accepted everywhere and safe to use. ATMs are also generally fine, although some of the banks are pretty shady (money laundering, etc) so just on principal I avoid those.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There is a English-language Anglican service. Very small. Other than that, probably none. English is pretty limited here, and Paraguay is very proud of being a Christian country.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I have Spanish so am not sure how it would be for someone who didn't really speak Spanish. You can probably get buy if you learn a few key things for interacting in commercial settings.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Many places are not accessible for people with disabilities, or at least it would be hard. Sidewalks are broken/uneven, not all places have elevators/ramps, etc.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is very cheap and ubiquitous. Taxis are allowed. Buses not allowed (and are reportedly awful), and there is no other option.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
The roads are AWFUL in Asuncion. Just beyond description. Your suspension/shocks will get destroyed. Something made for off-roading would be ideal, or just get a junker and expect it to get destroyed.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
My job provides my home internet so I don't know the cost. It's very reliable and most people get it set up within a few days of arriving.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
People do both. It's probably cheaper to have a local provider, but at the present AT&T provides coverage in most of Latin America at no extra charge to one of its plan types, so I have that.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Very good vet care and it is super affordable! Pets (at least dogs) tend to have more issues here, so it is good that it is so affordable. Costs tend to be about one-tenth of U.S. prices for pretty top quality care.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Prior to hiring freeze there had been a number of EFM jobs at post (including EPAP) at post. Others telework. I don't think anyone works locally. Local salaries are probably one-third what they would be in the U.S.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of opportunities. The Community Liaison Office (CLO) helps organize things.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
In elite circles, people can be really fancy. Embassy attire is probably a little less formal than Washington. Part of the year it's really hot so people are less likely to be in suits then.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not really.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Paraguayans complain about the quality of medical care, but if you can afford private providers you can get a lot of treatment here. It is easy to get appointments and affordable for a decent to good quality.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Great air quality except for rare occasion when there are forest fires (seasonally).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Paraguayans love dairy and put it in a lot of foods. Other than that, nothing is coming to mind.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
No trends that I am aware of.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Mild winters (but still days that feel like winter) and very hot summers.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are several schools people use. The American School of Asuncion is the main one, but from what I hear it sounds like not a great environment for high schoolers. The students are very clique-y and there is a notable amount of bullying. A lot of the Paraguayan students come from the country's most elite and well-connected families, and the general practices of corruption and impunity mean children are sometimes not held accountable for bad conduct.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
I think they are able to do individualized plans but I know some people have struggled to get what they believe is appropriate accommodation.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, lots of options and a few that Embassy people tend to use and seem happy with. I don't have children to know cost or have personal experience, but nothing here is that expensive so I'm sure it is affordable (especially compared to DC).
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, TONS of kids activities. Everyone's life revolves around kids activities.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not a huge expat community but I think they tend to be pretty happy with life here. It is an easy place to live.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Paraguayans tend to already have their friend groups established and it can be very hard to break into them. But through things like kids activities, people seem to be able to make connections. There are social clubs some people join but mostly because it is a way to access certain kids activities. There are some expat groups but not the same sense of community as in, say, a West African post.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
If you are really young it would be good for single people. Once you get a little older, though, life revolves entirely around family. It is extremely out of place to be in your 30s or 40s and single/childless. It seems like an ideal post for families, although some people with toddlers complain about lack of activities for that age. My impression is that locals that can afford it just have a nanny full time for their toddlers so they don't need specific activities for them on the weekends.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
As mentioned earlier, unless you have children to be the center around which you do activities with others, yes, it is hard to make local friends. But I am not aware of much prejudice/racism. There is not much racial (or other) diversity here, so I'm not sure how most people would react to it.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Paraguay's government is very vocal in condemning LGBT as a "foreign ideology," but on a day to day basis people are very friendly if you don't force them to acknowledge that you have that identity. People are pretty conflict averse and don't like raising uncomfortable topics, so if you don't raise it, they won't either.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
As noted just above, there is little diversity here so it is hard to say. Political narratives are very pro-Christian, anti-LGBT, and strong on traditional gender roles. Paraguayan women face a lot of gender-based violence and violence in the home is apparently pretty normalized. There are not overt, structural obstacles to gender equality that I'm aware of, though.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
It's very green and there are trees everywhere. Iguazu Falls in Brazil/Argentina is the main attraction. There are other things to see but people tend to return from such places with a "meh, it was alright" kind of reaction. Pretty easy to get to great destinations in Brazil and Argentina, though.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
I don't find the handicrafts all that interesting, other than the nanduti lace.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It's affordable, people are generally friendly, you can find things you want to buy as well as most experiences you want to do (even if the quality is middling).
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Nothing is open on Sundays so have a plan.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
