Common Tourist Scams in Asunción (and How to Avoid Them)
Scams + the cross-border smuggling reputation
Paraguay's reputation for contraband and counterfeiting (especially across the Brazilian and Argentine borders at Ciudad del Este) shapes some of what visitors should watch for. Asunción itself is calmer, but the patterns extend in.
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport (ASU) taxi quotes: arrivals drivers quote $30-50 USD for a ride that's $10-15 metered/Uber. Take the official airport-taxi voucher counter inside the terminal or Bolt.
- Counterfeit goods: Asunción's Mercado 4 (the city's largest market) has stalls selling counterfeit electronics, watches, and clothing — most of it brought in from Ciudad del Este. Some products work; some don't; warranties don't exist. If you're buying for use, buy in Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo.
- USD-vs-PYG math: Paraguayan guaraní (PYG) is one of South America's lowest-denomination currencies — a hotel night costs hundreds of thousands. Some tourist-strip restaurants quote in USD with worse-than-market PYG rate. Pay in PYG at the proper rate (bank ATM or Western Union).
- "Plainclothes police" stops: rare but documented in Asunción. Real Policía Nacional always wear uniform. Decline anyone in plainclothes asking for ID or wallet inspection; drive/walk to the nearest hotel or police station.
- Counterfeit PYG: the 100,000 guaraní note is the most-faked. Banks and supermarkets (Stock, Real, Casa Rica) give clean change.
- "Help with luggage" at the bus terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus): unofficial porters demand $5-10 for moving your bag 20 metres. Walk past; use the platform's own trolleys or your own wheels.
- Express kidnapping: rare but documented. Use only Bolt/Uber after dark; don't accept rides from anyone approaching you.
Scams + common hassles
- Phone-snatching at lights: same Brazilian/Argentine pattern. Don't use phone visibly in stopped traffic.
- "Helpful local who pickpockets": standard.
- Counterfeit currency: rare in tourist places; check change.
- ATM skimming: use bank-branch interior ATMs.
FAQ
- What scams should I watch for in Asunción?
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport (ASU) arrivals taxi quotes are the headline — drivers quote $30-50 USD for what's a $10-15 Uber or PYG 100,000-200,000 metered run. Use the official airport-taxi voucher counter inside the terminal or Bolt. Counterfeit goods at Mercado 4 (mostly brought across from Ciudad del Este — electronics, watches, clothing) are functionally a lottery; warranties don't exist. Some tourist-strip restaurants quote in USD with worse-than-market PYG conversion — pay in guaraní at bank-ATM rate. The 100,000 PYG note is the most-faked; get clean change from supermarkets (Stock, Real, Casa Rica). 'Plainclothes police' stops asking for ID or wallet inspection are scams — real Policía Nacional always wear uniform; decline and drive to the nearest hotel.
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