Overland Paraguay Travel
Pan American Highway > Paraguay
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Paraguay
- 2 Entering Paraguay with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Paraguay
- 4 Gas price in Paraguay and Diesel price in Paraguay
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Paraguay
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Paraguay
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Paraguay
South America's least visited country Spanish speaking country is in itself a reason to go. The people are always delighted to see tourists because they are such a rarity, we've not met more hospitable folk. Huge diversity of ethnic backgrounds and fascinating history. First country in South America to build railways (with British engineers). Great Spanish speaking route from Brazil's Pantanal to Brazil's Iguazu Falls for those who find Portuguese confusing. Worlds 2nd largest dam, anyone? Ok, I'm out
Entering Paraguay with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (November 2015)
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Paraguay, application instructions and fees see: Paraguay Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
EU nationals do not need a visa. US and various others do. Visa in advance only. In Bolivia, Paraguayan Embassy in La Paz and Consulate in Santa Cruz both said visas officially take 3 days but they could usually get them processed the following day.
Process at border
Ponta Pora, Brazil to Juan Pedro Caballero, Paraguay. These are basically two towns that act as one and the border runs straight through the middle. You need to find all the offices and they are spread out. Brazil side, get your exit stamp from the immigration office in the Aeroporto Internacional de Ponta Pora from the immigration window on the left end near departures. You don't require vehicle paperwork for Brazil so no need to visit customs. Paraguay side, Migración is in a large Y shaped building (as seen on Google Maps satellite image) west, south-west from where Campeones del 65 (Route 5) meets Avenue International. They weren't busy and it didn't take long. Aduana is 1km further west on the corner of Jose Gaspar R De Francia and R Juan E Oleary. Unlike Migración, there is a big sign on the building. First floor office, again, not much going on. Very polite and interested in our journey. Both buildings are facing Brazil directly.
There is no immigration office in Bella Vista, so you'll need to go to Juan Pedro Caballero for paperwork anyway if you cross there.
Cost of entry
No charge for vehicle entry and you get the same amount of time as your entry stamp
Permitted length of stay
As long as your immigration stamp. Max 90 days
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
(June 2019) I've left my car with a friend in Asuncion for 7 weeks and left the country. I am back in Paraguay now, I will update this when I leave to note if everything went well / any problems.
Entering Paraguay from Bolivia (Villamontes) was my easiest crossing. They did not even step out of the office to look at the car; got asked "que color es?" They give you a 3 month TIP which can be extended for another 3 months, I have also not done this yet (overstay results in a fine not confiscation like other countries). I asked the aduanero if I can leave the country without the car and he said the TIP is independent from the personal entry. Very very open country, little bureaucracy.
It is also possible to enter Ciudad de Oeste from Brazil, i.e. the city itself without getting a Paraguayan TIP, so you can store the car there for as long as you like!
Exiting with a vehicle
We crossed on the ferry from the 'tres fronteras' point across the Rio Paraná just south of Ciudad de Este. Price was Gs25,000.00 PYG for the car and Gs5,000.00 PYG per person. Can also pay in Argentinian Pesos (at the official conversion rate). Small immigration office for stamps and the ticket office (didn't seem like Aduana) seemed happy after looking at our temporary importation form without actually writing anything on the 'salida' section. Tranquil way to get to Puerto Iguazu without crossing through Foz de Iguazu, Brazil. Unfortunately, on the Argentinian side, Aduana didn't have the facilities to process our car paperwork and sent us off to the Tancredo Neves Bridge (with a little signed note explaining our predicament) to see their Aduana office to complete the paperwork (5 minute drive). Other option in the main bridge from Ciudad de Este into Foz de Iguazu. It's a big porous bridge where the majority of MERCOSUR users do not need immigration, so can't help with its location.
Driving in Paraguay
Recommended books for Overlanding in Paraguay
Travel insurance for Paraguay
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Paraguay has an obligatory SOAT insurance system much like elsewhere in South America. As a foreigner, if you have a MERCOSUR insurance policy covering Paraguay then you are exempt from the SOAT.
Cost of vehicle insurance
MERCOSUR Policy, $16.00 USD a month, bought in La Paz, Bolivia through Seguros Illimani. See Bolivia page.
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Bold text==Driving license== We've used UK and US driving licenses only
Driving side of road
Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Paraguay.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Main routes are generally In good condition for Latin American standards. Once off the main routes things can get tricky as most are unpaved, especially access roads to properties. Lots of mud when it rains. Roads between Ponta Pora & Concepción, Concepción & Ciudad de Este, Ciudad de Este & Encarnación fully paved. Between Santa Rosa de Aquaray and Laguna Blanca, it's 30km of unpaved sandy roads. We got through in a Toyota Corolla, but if it rains it gets nasty. A new road is being built but it's been several years in the making and is clearly several years from completion. Route 8 is unpaved south of Caazapa, so not possible for access to Encarnación. Nov 2015
Road signs
If you've come from Bolivia you'll be delighted, if you've been in Brazil... Bad times
Toll roads
Most Peajes we've seen have been in construction. From Ponta Pora to Encarnación we've paid 3 times, Gs10,000.00 PYG - Gs11,000.00 PYG. Most charge in one direction only
Bribery in Paraguay
We have found the Police to be interested and very helpful. We've not experienced bribery here
Checkpoints
High frequency of Police checkpoints across the country. They have little interest in stopping tourists, police cars can be seen at either side of most towns. We were only stopped once near the border at Pedro Juan Cabellero and they only asked to see passports, no car documents. Very polite and tranquillo
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Paraguay and Diesel price in Paraguay
Last updated: November 2015
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded | €0.86 EUR per Liter[1] |
| Diesel | €0.75 EUR per Liter[1] |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Lots and lots. Price is not state controlled. Might be a problem in the Chaco, but we didn't go, so we don't know
Gas and Diesel Quality
Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
link title==Vehicle parking== Traffic isn't an issue that we've experienced and we always leave the car parked in the street. No charges or problems finding space
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Paraguay - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Paraguay
Cerro Cora National Park, camping is free. Minimal facilities. Many hostels and other places offer camping too.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Paraguay
GPS Maps of Paraguay
- Proyecto Mapear has great coverage and version 10.0 also includes Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Bolivia [2]
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Paraguay
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Paraguay
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
(August 2019) I am preparing to sell my Mexican plated car here. Speaking to others it seems quite easy to do (the friendliest people). Easiest way is in Ciudad del Oeste where you can enter without getting a Paraguayan TIP, you can find a dealer who will buy at a steep discount and do the import process for you. With a bit of work you can do it yourself and save a 1000-2000 USD. I will do this next year and update with my experience.
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Paraguay: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Paraguay - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Paraguay travel guides at wikivoyage
- Paraguay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
