Is Paraguay safe? Yes — and steadily safer.

By the numbers

The numbers, with sources.

• 75/163 Global Peace Index world rank (improved from 2024)
• 4th Safest country in South America (after Argentina, Uruguay, Chile)
• 6.1 Homicides per 100k in 2025 (down from 7.5)
• Tier 1 US State Department travel advisory — lowest level

vs the region

Paraguay against neighbors and reference points.

ACLED ranks Paraguay 113th of 244 territories — 'low/inactive' conflict level. Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador all sit in the global top 10 for risk. Paraguay's homicide rate is now near US-level.

What you'll actually encounter

What you'll actually run into.

• 01

  Motochorros

  Two-person motorcycle thefts: the rear passenger snatches phones, bags, or jewelry from pedestrians. Single most common urban threat. Don't use phones while walking on busy streets.

• 02

  Pickpocketing

  Markets, bus stops, tourist areas. Especially in Ciudad del Este and downtown Asunción. Front pockets only, watch crowds.

• 03

  Burglary

  Numbeo rates concern as 'moderate' (54/100). Risk drops sharply in gated complexes, with alarms, or with a dog.

• 04

  Petty corruption

  Mostly traffic-stop bribes. Use Bolt or MUV taxi apps after dark to avoid disputes.

• 05

  Drug trafficking

  Paraguay is a marijuana producer and cocaine corridor. Violence is real but stays inside the trafficking networks; the foreign-resident victim count is in the single digits per year. Border departments (Amambay, Canindeyú, Alto Paraná) are higher risk.

City-by-city

Where to live, ranked by safety.

Asunción safe neighborhoods: Villa Morra, Carmelitas, Recoleta, Las Mercedes, Manorá. Avoid: Centro at night, Bañado Sur/Norte, Chacarita, Zeballos Cué. Avoid Pedro Juan Caballero and Salto del Guairá entirely (border drug-corridor cities).

Practical rules

Five habits that handle 90% of the risk.

• Don't use a phone while walking on busy streets. Keep it in a zipped pocket.
• Use Bolt or MUV — never unmarked taxis, especially after dark.
• Live in a gated complex with an alarm. Many expats also keep a dog.
• Don't resist a robbery. Both the US State Department and Belgian MFA agree: hand it over.
• Avoid border zones for residence (Amambay, Canindeyú, Alto Paraná outside Encarnación).

Numbers to save

Emergency contacts.

• Police (emergency) 911
• Ambulance (SEME) 141
• Fire 131 / 132
• Tourist Police (021) 441-934
• US Embassy Asunción (021) 213-715