Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, lies on the left bank of the Paraguay River, facing the Chaco. What are the best things to do in Asunción? Explore the historic center around the López Palace, walk along the Costanera at sunset, visit the Museo del Barro, then head out to Lake Ypacaraí. This guide covers the sights, the safety advice published by the UK and US governments, month-by-month climate based on official normals and practical tips.
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⚠️ Safety in Asunción: what the UK and US governments say
Asunción is not in the areas of the north and east where extra care is advised. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) asks travelers to take particular care in the departments bordering Brazil (Amambay, Concepción, Alto Paraná, San Pedro, Canindeyú), and the U.S. Department of State rates Paraguay Level 1, « Exercise Normal Precautions », while advising increased caution in Alto Paraná, Amambay, Canindeyú, Concepción and San Pedro (advisory updated August 18, 2026).
In the city itself, street crime is the main issue. The State Department says street crime is prevalent in the cities and that robbers increasingly approach victims on motorcycles; the FCDO says bag-snatching and pickpocketing are a problem on public transport, that muggers are occasionally violent and can be armed, and advises keeping away from isolated or poorly lit areas, including in downtown areas of major cities, at night (GOV.UK, updated 3 November 2026). If you are robbed, hand over your belongings: do not resist.
This guide proposes no visit at night in the center. Read the FCDO safety page and see our Paraguay guide.
Asunción at a glance
- Country Paraguay; Asunción is the capital
- Languages Spanish and Guaraní, the official languages of Paraguay (1992 Constitution, article 140)
- Currency Paraguayan guaraní (PYG) · currency converter
- Time zone UTC−3 all year: London is 3 hours ahead in winter and 4 in summer, New York is 2 hours behind in winter and 1 in summer · time difference
- Airport Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, in the municipality of Luque, northeast of the city
- Entry no visa for stays of up to 90 days for US and UK citizens, passport valid for the whole stay (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK)
- Best time to go May to September, based on the official normals (details below)
- Suggested stay two days for the city, one more for Areguá and Lake Ypacaraí
Things to do in Asunción: the highlights
The López Palace and the Costanera
The López Palace, built in the 19th century facing Asunción Bay, is the seat of the presidency. Its white façade is photographed from the esplanade, and it is lit up in the evening. Just behind it begins the Costanera, a landscaped promenade along the river, very busy in the late afternoon when the heat eases. Avoid lingering there alone at nightfall.
The historic center: Pantheon, cathedral, Cabildo
The National Pantheon of the Heroes, inspired by Les Invalides, holds the remains of figures from Paraguayan history; a guard stands at the entrance. The metropolitan cathedral overlooks Independence Square, with the former Cabildo, now a cultural center, and the modern Congress. The Manzana de la Rivera, a group of restored old houses facing the López Palace, houses a municipal cultural center. Everything can be explored on foot, by day, in half a day.
The House of Independence
This colonial house from the late 18th century is where the key figures of the 1811 independence movement met. It has become a small history museum, with period furniture and documents. It is a good introduction to the country’s history before heading to the Jesuit missions.
The Museo del Barro
The Museo del Barro, in a residential area east of the center, brings together Paraguayan folk art, ceramics, indigenous art and contemporary art. It is one of the most recommended museums in the city for understanding Guaraní culture and the peoples of the Chaco. Check opening days on site or through its official channels before going.
Loma San Jerónimo
This small hilltop district, one of the oldest in the city, is known for its stairways and brightly painted houses. It offers pretty views over the bay. Visit by day, ideally with a local guide, as it is next to less safe areas.
Villa Morra and the newer districts
East of the center, Villa Morra, Carmelitas and the neighboring avenues concentrate shopping centers, restaurants and newer hotels. Many travelers stay and go out in the evening here, getting around by taxi or ride-hailing app.
Excursions around Asunción
- Areguá: a town known for its ceramics and pottery workshops, old houses and views over Lake Ypacaraí. The FCDO advises checking the latest official advice before swimming in the lake.
- San Bernardino: across the lake, the summer resort of Asunción families, founded by German settlers in the 19th century.
- Caacupé: the basilica of the Virgin of Caacupé is the country’s great pilgrimage site.
- The Jesuit missions: Trinidad and Jesús, listed by UNESCO, are much farther south, near Encarnación: allow several days. See our Paraguay guide.
- Iguaçu: the falls are reached via Ciudad del Este, then the Brazilian or Argentine border; see our guide to the Iguazú Falls.
The FCDO notes that driving on country roads at night can be particularly dangerous: plan these excursions so you are back before dark.
Plan your visit: Asunción in two days
- Day 1, morning: López Palace, Manzana de la Rivera, National Pantheon of the Heroes, cathedral and Cabildo.
- Day 1, afternoon: House of Independence, then the Costanera at the end of the day.
- Day 2, morning: Museo del Barro.
- Day 2, afternoon: Loma San Jerónimo with a guide, or relax in Villa Morra.
- Day 3 (optional): Areguá, Lake Ypacaraí and San Bernardino, back before nightfall.
Climate in Asunción: when to go
Asunción has a humid subtropical climate. The southern summer, from December to February, is long and very hot, with frequent thunderstorms; winter, from June to August, is mild and noticeably drier. The best time to visit Asunción is from May to September. The FCDO notes that heavy rainfall and flooding can affect some areas of Asunción and that even major paved roads in the city can flood during heavy rain.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34.0 °C (93 °F) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 132.6 mm (5.2 in) | ⚠️ Very hot, thunderstorms |
| February | 33.0 °C (91 °F) | 22.5 °C (72 °F) | 146.4 mm (5.8 in) | ⚠️ Very hot, thunderstorms |
| March | 31.9 °C (89 °F) | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 131.3 mm (5.2 in) | ⚠️ Hot and humid |
| April | 29.2 °C (85 °F) | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 151.7 mm (6.0 in) | ⚠️ Milder, still rainy |
| May | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | 15.5 °C (60 °F) | 134.1 mm (5.3 in) | ✅ Mild |
| June | 23.5 °C (74 °F) | 14.2 °C (58 °F) | 70.7 mm (2.8 in) | ✅ Mild, cool nights |
| July | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 12.9 °C (55 °F) | 48.2 mm (1.9 in) | ✅ Driest, cool nights |
| August | 26.2 °C (79 °F) | 14.6 °C (58 °F) | 38.7 mm (1.5 in) | ✅ Very dry, mild |
| September | 27.9 °C (82 °F) | 16.5 °C (62 °F) | 79.2 mm (3.1 in) | ✅ Mild, warming up |
| October | 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 19.5 °C (67 °F) | 157.9 mm (6.2 in) | ⚠️ Hot, thunderstorms |
| November | 31.2 °C (88 °F) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 195.0 mm (7.7 in) | ⚠️ Hot, wettest month |
| December | 32.8 °C (91 °F) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 176.5 mm (6.9 in) | ⚠️ Very hot, thunderstorms |
Our calculation (from these normals): the months combining an average high below 30 °C (86 °F) and less than 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain are June, July, August and September. By contrast, December and January combine more than 32 °C (90 °F) in the afternoon and more than 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain. In July the average low drops to 12.9 °C (55 °F): a jacket is useful in the evening. Sunrise and sunset times are on our page on the time difference in Paraguay.
Getting to Asunción and getting around
- From the airport: Silvio Pettirossi airport is in the municipality of Luque. To reach the city, prefer an official airport taxi or a ride-hailing app rather than walking or taking a night bus; the FCDO says many foreigners choose taxis rather than buses because of bag-snatching on public transport, and advises calling a licensed taxi from a landline or a hotel rather than hailing one in the street.
- From Argentina or Brazil: international buses arrive at Asunción’s bus terminal. At land borders, have your passport stamped on entry: the FCDO warns that long-distance bus drivers sometimes claim you can complete immigration formalities in Asunción, which is not true, and that you will be fined on departure without an entry stamp.
- In the city: the center is visited on foot by day. For Villa Morra, the Museo del Barro and in the evening, use a taxi or ride-hailing app.
- Driving: UK drivers can use a UK photocard licence and need their passport showing the entry stamp in the car; the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00% and driving standards are poor (FCDO).
- Thunderstorms: do not travel during heavy rain, on foot or by car.
Where to stay in Asunción
There are two main options: the historic center, convenient for sightseeing on foot by day but quieter and less safe in the evening, and the Villa Morra and Carmelitas districts, livelier at night and with more restaurants, a few minutes’ taxi ride from the center. Follow the FCDO’s advice: keep valuables and your passport in a safe place, and carry a copy or printout of the photo page of your passport and of your entry stamp.
Guaraní in Asunción: a few pointers
Paraguay is one of the few countries in the Americas where an indigenous language, Guaraní, is an official language on an equal footing with Spanish. In Asunción you will often hear a mix of the two, colloquially called jopara. A few useful words: mba’éichapa (hello, how are you?), aguyje (thank you), jajotopata (see you soon). Many place names come from Guaraní: Ypacaraí, Areguá, Caacupé.
Entry requirements, health and practical tips
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, Paraguay page last updated September 17, 2026), you need a valid passport; private U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Expired or damaged passports may mean you are refused entry. An airport departure tax must be paid when leaving by air; some airlines include it in the ticket.
- UK citizens: according to the FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 3 November 2026), you do not need a visa and will normally get permission to stay for 90 days on arrival. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay; make sure an official stamps, dates and signs it. You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. Declare cash or traveler’s checks worth 10,000 US dollars or more.
- Health: the FCDO lists dengue, chikungunya and poor air quality among the health risks and says good private medical facilities exist only in the major cities; hospitals expect immediate payment, so travel insurance is essential. Use insect repellent, especially in the hot, humid season. Emergency numbers: ambulance 141, fire 132, police 911 (FCDO).
- Money: use ATMs inside buildings rather than on the street; exchange money at registered banks or bureaux de change, as the FCDO warns that false banknotes are common when changing money on the street or on arrival at the airport.
- Internet: roaming is not free of charge outside your home plan’s zone: a local SIM card or an eSIM, see our eSIM guide.
- Tereré: the iced yerba mate infusion is shared everywhere, among family and colleagues alike.
- See our guide to entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Asunción in one day?
The López Palace, the National Pantheon of the Heroes, the cathedral and the Cabildo in the morning, the House of Independence in the afternoon and the Costanera at the end of the day.
Is Asunción a dangerous city?
Street crime is the main concern: the U.S. Department of State says it is prevalent in the cities, and the UK FCDO advises keeping away from isolated or poorly lit areas, including downtown, at night. By day the center can be visited on foot with the usual precautions.
What is the best time to visit Asunción?
May to September: average highs stay between 23.5 and 27.9 °C (74 and 82 °F) and July–August are the driest months, according to the WMO 1991–2020 normals.
How do you get from the airport to central Asunción?
By official airport taxi or ride-hailing app, especially in the evening; the airport is in Luque, northeast of the city.
What language is spoken in Asunción?
Spanish and Guaraní, the two official languages of Paraguay; you often hear a mix of the two.
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for Paraguay?
No visa for stays of up to 90 days, according to the U.S. Department of State (updated September 17, 2026) and the UK FCDO (updated 3 November 2026). Have your passport stamped on entry.
Our sources
- Entry, health and safety information: U.S. Department of State, Paraguay country information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026) and travel advisory (updated August 18, 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Paraguay (GOV.UK, updated 3 November 2026), both read on 12 November 2026
- 1991–2020 normals for the Asunción-Silvio Pettirossi airport station (WMO 86218), Dirección de Meteorología e Hidrología of Paraguay, published by the World Meteorological Organization (NOAA NCEI archive), file read on 11 November 2026
- Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay (1992), article 140, text published by Constitute Project
- Destination de Voyage calculation: months combining an average high below 30 °C and rain below 100 mm, based on the normals above
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
See also our complete Paraguay guide and our other destinations in Latin America.
