What actually happens to travelers here.
Major cities typically treat water, but rural areas and older infrastructure can be unreliable. Bottled water is a cheap insurance policy.
Verify requirements at your destination's embassy. Vaccination must be administered 10+ days before travel and is documented on a yellow International Certificate of Vaccination.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Mixed public-private. Public hospitals are under-resourced. Private clinics in Asunción offer better care.
Quality: ★★☆☆☆ Limited
Private hospitals in Asunción provide adequate care. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped. Healthcare outside the capital is very limited. For serious conditions, patients often travel to Buenos Aires.
Paraguay is not a medical tourism destination. Ciudad del Este on the Brazilian border has some lower-cost medical services.
Where to actually go.
Leading private hospital in Asunción. Modern facilities. Spanish and Guaraní spoken.
Well-regarded private hospital. Spanish-speaking.
Finding what you need.
Access: Moderate
Hours: Pharmacies open 8am-8pm in cities. Some 24/7 options in Asunción.
Prescription rules: Many medications available without prescription. Prices are very low. Quality control can be inconsistent.
Pharmacies in Asunción are reasonably stocked. Many medications available without prescription at low cost. Staff speak Spanish and sometimes Guaraní.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- antihistamines
- antacids
- anti-diarrheals
- oral rehydration salts
- insect repellent
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Necesito remedio para el dolor de cabeza
- Necesito un médico
- ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?
- Che rasỵ
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Tylenol or paracetamol generic
Tylenol is widely available; locals often ask for 'paracetamol' or 'acetaminofén'. - ibuprofen → Advil or Motrin
Advil is the dominant retail brand. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
Available OTC at most pharmacies.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter listing medications. Spanish translation helpful. Keep medications in original packaging.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: CBD · Opioids
Medical cannabis has some legal framework. Recreational use is illegal.
Carry documentation for controlled substances.
If something breaks.
Availability: Dental care available in Asunción at very low cost.
Cost range: PYG 150,000-400,000 ($20-53) for consultation; PYG 300,000-1,000,000 ($40-133) for procedures
Very affordable dental care. Quality varies.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $20-40/week
Travel insurance with medical evacuation recommended. Serious cases may require evacuation to Buenos Aires.
Filing a claim
Hospitals require upfront payment. Keep all receipts. Documentation in Spanish.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $10-30 |
| ER visit | $40-150 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $60-250 |
| Ambulance | $20-80 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: São Paulo
Secondary destination: Buenos Aires or Miami
Typical cost band: $30,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Medical evacuation insurance is essential for serious cases. São Paulo (Hospital Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês) is the leading South American medical hub. Buenos Aires and Santiago handle southern-cone cases. Actual costs depend on distance, aircraft type, and whether ICU-level care is required in transit.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever (recommended for all travelers; required if arriving from endemic area)
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Rabies (for rural travel)
- Routine vaccinations
Yellow Fever vaccination recommended for all travelers. Dengue risk exists — use insect repellent. No malaria risk.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use caution — Tap water quality varies. Safe in Asunción but use bottled water in rural areas. Bottled water widely available.
Food safety
Eat at established restaurants. Paraguayan cuisine (chipa, sopa paraguaya) is generally safe when fresh. Be cautious with street food and raw vegetables.
In crisis abroad.
English-speaking therapists: Very limited. Some in Asunción.
Mental health services are limited in Paraguay.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility is very limited. Infrastructure is challenging.
Hospital accessibility: Private hospitals have some accessibility.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Private transport recommended.
Asunción city center has uneven sidewalks. Tourist infrastructure is developing.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements.
Mask policy: No mask mandates.
Testing availability: Available at hospitals.
Dengue and heat-related illness are more relevant concerns.
Paraguay travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- US Embassy Asunción
- Paraguay Ministry of Health
- WHO