South America·Paraguay·Updated May 3, 2026

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.

Risk Index

6.9

out of 10

Scams

14

documented

High Severity

3

21% of total

6.9

Risk Index

14

Scams

3

High Risk

Asunción has 14 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike, False Police Officer Shakedown, Express Kidnapping by Pirate Taxi.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Asunción

Asunción sits in our database with 14 documented tourist-targeted scams, 3 of which are rated high severity — meaning genuine financial loss or personal-safety risk if a traveller is caught unprepared. The defining pattern is street-level scams (4 of the 14 reports), with Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike as the most consistently documented individual scam: Around Mercado 4, Asuncion main informal market, motorbike riders operate in pairs and snatch bags, phones, and cameras from pedestrians walking on the pavement. Travellers familiar with Valparaíso or Mendoza will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in South America, though the specific local variations in Asunción are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets adjacent to Mercado 4 in central Asuncion, and along Avenida Republica Argentina approaching the market from the south; Around Plaza de los Heroes and the Palacio de Gobierno on Avenida Mariscal Lopez, and along the downtown pedestrian zone on Calle Palma near the main tourist hotels; Outside the arrivals terminal of Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi in Luque (15km from Asuncion), and late-night pickup spots around hotels on Avenida Mariscal Lopez in the Villa Morra district. A separate but related pattern is False Police Officer Shakedown: A person in plain clothes or partial uniform near the Palacio de Gobierno and the downtown pedestrian zone stops tourists claiming to investigate counterfeit guarani or drug activity, demanding wallet and passport inspection. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Carry bags on the shoulder away from the road and keep phones in a front pocket or zipped compartment. Avoid using your phone while walking along kerbside pavements near Mercado 4. If you are targeted, do not resist — the physical risk is higher than the value of most stolen items.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike

Around Mercado 4, Asuncion main informal market, motorbike riders operate in pairs and snatch bags, phones, and cameras from pedestrians walking on the pavement. The approach is from behind and the theft takes seconds, making pursuit impossible. Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets are known hotspots for this pattern.

Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets adjacent to Mercado 4 in central Asuncion, and along Avenida Republica Argentina approaching the market from the south

How to avoid: Carry bags on the shoulder away from the road and keep phones in a front pocket or zipped compartment. Avoid using your phone while walking along kerbside pavements near Mercado 4. If you are targeted, do not resist — the physical risk is higher than the value of most stolen items.

This scam type is also documented in Valparaíso and Mendoza.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Asunción.

Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike

Street Scams

Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets adjacent to Mercado 4 in central Asuncion, and along Avenida Republica Argentina approaching the market from the south

False Police Officer Shakedown

Other Scams

Around Plaza de los Heroes and the Palacio de Gobierno on Avenida Mariscal Lopez, and along the downtown pedestrian zone on Calle Palma near the main tourist hotels

Express Kidnapping by Pirate Taxi

Taxi & Transport

Outside the arrivals terminal of Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi in Luque (15km from Asuncion), and late-night pickup spots around hotels on Avenida Mariscal Lopez in the Villa Morra district

Ciudad del Este Counterfeit Electronics Return Fraud

Street Scams

Indoor market buildings along Avenida San Blas and Calle Pai Perez in Ciudad del Este, particularly in the multi-floor electronics bazaars near the main bus terminal

Airport Taxi Overcharging

Taxi & Transport

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Luque, approximately 15km northeast of central Asunción

Guaraní Currency Confusion

Money & ATM Scams

Mercado 4, downtown commercial streets along Palma and Estrella, and informal exchange booths near the bus terminal

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Asunción

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Carry bags on the shoulder away from the road and keep phones in a front pocket or zipped compartment. Avoid using your phone while walking along kerbside pavements near Mercado 4. If you are targeted, do not resist — the physical risk is higher than the value of most stolen items.
  • Real Paraguayan National Police wear full uniform and carry ID. Ask to walk together to the nearest comisaria if you are stopped. Genuine officers accept this; scammers refuse. Keep a decoy wallet with a small amount of cash separate from your main funds.
  • Book airport transfers through your hotel or a licensed radio taxi service called in advance. Avoid unmarked vehicles at the airport kerbside. Sit in the back seat, keep your phone accessible, and share your live location with someone before departure. Do not use taxis that solicit you in the arrivals hall.
  • Open and test every electronic item before leaving the shop, regardless of pressure from the seller. Check the serial number on the box matches the device. Buy from shops that provide a printed receipt and have a physical storefront rather than a temporary stall. Keep the receipt for any warranty claim.
  • 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.

FAQ

Asunción Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Asunción?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Asunción are Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike, False Police Officer Shakedown, Express Kidnapping by Pirate Taxi, with 3 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Valparaíso and Mendoza.
Are taxis safe in Asunción?
Taxis in Asunción carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. Book airport transfers through your hotel or a licensed radio taxi service called in advance. Avoid unmarked vehicles at the airport kerbside. Sit in the back seat, keep your phone accessible, and share your live location with someone before departure. Do not use taxis that solicit you in the arrivals hall. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Asunción safe at night for tourists?
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. 3 of the 14 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets adjacent to Mercado 4 in central Asuncion, and along Avenida Republica Argentina approaching the market from the south. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Asunción should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Asunción is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Avenida Pettirossi and surrounding streets adjacent to Mercado 4 in central Asuncion, and along Avenida Republica Argentina approaching the market from the south (Mercado 4 Bag Snatching on Motorbike); Around Plaza de los Heroes and the Palacio de Gobierno on Avenida Mariscal Lopez, and along the downtown pedestrian zone on Calle Palma near the main tourist hotels (False Police Officer Shakedown); Outside the arrivals terminal of Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi in Luque (15km from Asuncion), and late-night pickup spots around hotels on Avenida Mariscal Lopez in the Villa Morra district (Express Kidnapping by Pirate Taxi). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Asunción?
The best protection against scams in Asunción is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Book airport transfers through your hotel or a licensed radio taxi service called in advance. Avoid unmarked vehicles at the airport kerbside. Sit in the back seat, keep your phone accessible, and share your live location with someone before departure. Do not use taxis that solicit you in the arrivals hall. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Asunción · Paraguay · South America

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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 →