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Asunción Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Paraguay)
Asunción is Paraguay's capital and South America's least-visited capital city, a compact riverside city with colonial architecture and a growing tourism scene. The city serves as a transit point for travelers crossing between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. Currency confusion (Paraguayan guaraní is one of the lowest-value currencies in the world), taxi overcharging, and informal market theft are the primary documented concerns for visitors.
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Last updated: April 4, 2026
Airport Taxi Overcharging
Unlicensed taxi drivers at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport aggressively approach arriving passengers and charge inflated flat rates, often three to five times the legitimate fare into central Asunción. Drivers may claim meters are broken or that official taxis are unavailable. Some will quote a price in USD to obscure the real value.
📍Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Luque, approximately 15km northeast of central Asunción
How to avoid: Use only the official taxi counter inside the arrivals terminal with a printed receipt. Agree on the fare before entering any vehicle. Rideshare apps such as inDriver operate in Asunción and offer a safer alternative.
This scam type is also documented in Buenos Aires and Lima.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Asunción · Paraguay · South America
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Asunción
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Airport Taxi Overcharging
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Luque, approximately 15km northeast of central Asunción
Guaraní Currency Confusion
Mercado 4, downtown commercial streets along Palma and Estrella, and informal exchange booths near the bus terminal
Mercado 4 Pickpocketing
Mercado 4, between Pettirossi Avenue and Dr Francia Street, central Asunción
Unofficial City Tour Overcharging
Plaza de los Héroes, Calle Palma pedestrian street, and outside the Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Tourist Restaurant Overcharging
Restaurants along Calle Palma, around Plaza Uruguaya, and near the Manzana de la Rivera cultural centre
ATM Skimming in Commercial Areas
Standalone ATMs along Avenida Mariscal López, Calle Palma commercial strip, and around the Shopping del Sol area
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
✅Quick Safety Tips for Asunción
Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.
- ✓Use only the official taxi counter inside the arrivals terminal with a printed receipt. Agree on the fare before entering any vehicle. Rideshare apps such as inDriver operate in Asunción and offer a safer alternative.
- ✓Familiarise yourself with the current exchange rate before arrival and download a currency converter app. Count change carefully before leaving any counter. Use ATMs at banks rather than informal exchange booths, and inspect large-denomination notes for security features.
- ✓Carry only essential cash in a front pocket or money belt. Keep phones out of sight and bags zipped and held in front of the body. Avoid displaying expensive cameras or electronics. Visit during daylight hours and leave before dusk.
- ✓Book tours only through hotels or licensed agencies. Agree on the total price in writing before departing. Do not pay the full amount in advance to someone approached on the street.
- ✓Review the menu carefully for any cover charge or service fee notes before ordering. Check the bill against your order before paying and query any items you did not order or agree to. Ask for an itemised receipt.
How it works
Unlicensed taxi drivers at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport aggressively approach arriving passengers and charge inflated flat rates, often three to five times the legitimate fare into central Asunción. Drivers may claim meters are broken or that official taxis are unavailable. Some will quote a price in USD to obscure the real value.
How it works
The Paraguayan guaraní trades at approximately 7,000 to 1 USD, making simple transactions confusing for new arrivals. Street vendors, informal traders, and some restaurants exploit this by short-changing tourists who cannot quickly calculate correct amounts. Counterfeit 50,000 and 100,000 guaraní notes have also been documented in circulation.
How it works
Mercado 4 is Asunción's largest informal market and one of South America's biggest street markets, drawing large crowds daily. Pickpockets and distraction thieves operate in the densely packed aisles, often working in pairs — one engages the target while the other lifts wallets, phones, or bag contents. Bag slashing has been reported on the outer perimeter of the market.
How it works
Street touts near the Plaza de los Héroes and the Palacio de los López approach tourists offering city tours, often representing themselves as licensed guides. Prices quoted upfront are doubled or tripled at the end of the tour, and touts may claim the original price was per hour rather than per tour. Some collect a fee and disappear before the tour begins.
How it works
Restaurants in the historic centre targeting tourists add inflated charges to bills, including service charges not shown on the menu and cover charges for bread or condiments brought to the table without being ordered. Some establishments present an inflated bill knowing that tourists are unlikely to challenge it.
How it works
Skimming devices have been reported on ATMs in downtown Asunción's commercial district, particularly on standalone machines not attached to bank branches. Card data and PIN captures are used to clone cards and make fraudulent withdrawals. Tampered keypads and false card readers are the most common methods used.
How it works
Unofficial third-party websites list Asunción hotels and guesthouses with photos and reviews but collect payment without a legitimate booking being made. Travelers arrive to find no reservation exists or the property does not match the listing. This is particularly common for budget accommodation around the bus terminal area.
How it works
Street sellers near tourist sites sell old or novelty guaraní coins as rare collectibles or genuine historical currency, often claiming significant monetary or collector value. The coins are typically worthless novelty items or common low-denomination pieces with no collector market. Some sellers use fake certificates of authenticity.
Asunción Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Asunción?
Are taxis safe in Asunción?
Is Asunción safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Asunción should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Asunción?
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Filter scams in Asunción by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the South America region. Before visiting Cusco, Bogotá, and Medellín, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Asunción are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →