Paraguay operates on Paraguay Time, UTC-4 year-round with no daylight saving adjustment. The country eliminated seasonal clock changes in 2012. Electrical current runs at 220 volts, 50 hertz, using Type C rounded two-pin plugs identical to those in Argentina and most of continental Europe. North American devices require both voltage converters and plug adapters. Wall outlets accept the same Europlug standard found across South America's southern cone.
The Guaraní is Paraguay's currency, abbreviated PYG and symbolized with ₲. Bills circulate in denominations from 2,000 to 100,000 guaraníes. Exchange rates typically range from 7,000 to 7,500 guaraníes per US dollar as of recent years. ATMs dispense local currency in major cities including Asunción, Ciudad del Este, and Encarnación. Cash remains dominant for daily transactions outside urban centers. US dollars find acceptance at border commerce zones and larger hotels. Credit cards function in shopping centers and established restaurants but penetration remains lower than neighboring Argentina or Brazil.
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque serves as Paraguay's primary gateway, located 16 kilometers northeast of Asunción. The facility processes international flights from Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Santiago, Lima, Panama City, Miami, and Madrid. No direct flights connect Paraguay to North America beyond seasonal Miami service. Ciudad del Este's Guaraní International Airport handles regional connections primarily to São Paulo. The Asunción terminal opened its current passenger building in 2014. Ground transport from Pettirossi to central Asunción requires 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic patterns.
Bus networks connect all departmental capitals and major population centers through private operators. Companies including Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, NASA, and La Encarnacena run daily services between Asunción and cities like Encarnación, Ciudad del Este, and Pedro Juan Caballero. The Asunción terminal occupies several blocks near the bay downtown. Journey time from Asunción to Encarnación spans approximately 6 hours covering 370 kilometers. The same route to Ciudad del Este requires 5 to 6 hours for the 330-kilometer distance. Buses range from basic seats to semi-cama and cama ejecutiva configurations with reclining positions. No passenger rail service currently operates in Paraguay. The national railway suspended operations in 1999.
Taxis in Asunción operate without meters. Passengers negotiate fares before departure or drivers apply standard zone rates. Ride-hailing applications including Uber and local service MUV function in the capital and major cities. Urban buses in Asunción charge flat fares regardless of distance traveled. The city maintains no metro or light rail system. Car rental agencies operate at Pettirossi Airport and downtown locations. Paraguay recognizes international driving permits alongside valid foreign licenses for stays under 90 days. Road conditions vary significantly between paved highways in Región Oriental and unpaved routes throughout the Chaco. Route 1 connects Asunción south to Encarnación as a primary paved corridor. Route 7 runs east to Ciudad del Este with full paving completed in segments.
Most visitors from Western nations including the United States, Canada, European Union members, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand enter Paraguay without advance visas for tourism stays up to 90 days. This policy applies to passport holders from approximately 80 countries. Citizens requiring visas include those from China, India, and several African and Middle Eastern nations. The Dirección General de Migraciones maintains the official list at migraciones.gov.py. Entry stamps grant 90 days automatically at land borders and airport immigration. Extensions require application at migration offices before the initial period expires. Travelers entering from neighboring countries at road crossings must ensure both exit and entry stamps are properly recorded. The Triple Frontera crossing between Ciudad del Este, Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil sees heavy daily traffic.
Border crossings operate between Paraguay and all three neighbors. The Friendship Bridge connects Ciudad del Este with Foz do Iguaçu across the Paraná River, open 24 hours daily. The San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge links Encarnación and Posadas in Argentina, also maintaining round-the-clock operation. Crossing from Asunción to Clorinda in Argentina uses the Puente Remanso across the Paraguay River. Northern routes connect Pedro Juan Caballero with Ponta Porã in Brazil as a continuous urban area split by national boundaries. The Chaco region provides crossings into Bolivia and Argentina with significantly less infrastructure. Immigration formalities require stopping at offices on both sides of each border.