Is Paraguay Safe for Americans? What to Know (2026)

Paraguay has a Level 1 travel advisory from the US State Department. That is the lowest risk category. “Exercise normal precautions.” The same rating as France, the UK, and Canada. Paraguay and Chile are the only countries in South America that hold a Level 1. Argentina is Level 1 as well, but every other country on the continent sits at Level 2 or higher.

Most Americans have never thought about Paraguay at all, let alone its safety. The country does not make international news. There are no cartel wars, no political instability headlines, no terrorism concerns. It is a quiet, landlocked country in the middle of South America that most of the world ignores. For expats, that is a feature, not a problem.

I have been living in and around Paraguay for over four years. The short answer is yes, Paraguay is safe. The longer answer requires some nuance about Asuncion specifically, the types of crime that do exist, and what you should actually be aware of as a foreigner.

The Numbers

Paraguay ranks as the fourth most peaceful country in South America according to the Global Peace Index 2025. The country’s score improved from 2024 to 2025, meaning the trend is going in the right direction. Violent crime rates are low compared to regional neighbors like Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and even parts of Argentina.

The homicide rate in Paraguay is roughly 7 per 100,000. For context, the US national average is about 6.4, and cities like St. Louis, Baltimore, and New Orleans are dramatically higher. Asuncion’s rate is comparable to or lower than most medium-sized American cities.

Property crime (theft, burglary) is the more relevant concern for expats, and it is concentrated in specific areas and situations. Random violent crime against foreigners is genuinely rare.

Asuncion: Neighborhood by Neighborhood

Asuncion is a city of contrasts. You can walk three blocks in the wrong direction and go from a modern commercial district with glass towers and good restaurants to a dense, lower-income area where the vibe changes completely. Knowing which neighborhoods are which matters more here than in most cities.

Villa Morra. This is where most expats live, and for good reason. It is the commercial and social center of the city. Modern apartment buildings, shopping centers (Shopping del Sol, Shopping Mariscal), restaurants, gyms, coworking spaces. The streets are well-lit and there is regular foot traffic during the day and evening. Villa Morra is as safe as any upper-middle-class neighborhood in the US. Furnished apartments here run $500 to $800 per month, which gives you context for the quality of the area.

Las Carmelitas. Adjacent to Villa Morra, this is where the nightlife concentrates. Bars, restaurants, and social life are all here. It is safe, busy at night, and walkable. The one downside is parking, which is a hassle on weekends. But for personal safety, Carmelitas is solid.

Mburucuya. A residential neighborhood popular with families, largely because the international schools (American School of Asuncion, others) are nearby. Quieter than Villa Morra, more green space, very safe. A great option if you have kids.

Las Mercedes and Manora. Up-and-coming neighborhoods with newer construction and good value. Still developing their commercial infrastructure but increasingly popular with younger professionals and expats looking for modern apartments at lower prices than Villa Morra.

Recoleta (Asuncion). Not to be confused with the Buenos Aires neighborhood of the same name. This is a nice residential area near the city center. Safe during the day, quieter at night. Good restaurants and proximity to the waterfront.

Centro (Downtown). The historic center of Asuncion. During business hours it is busy and fine. After dark, it empties out and is not a great place to be walking around. Most expats do not live downtown and there is no real reason to, since Villa Morra and surrounding areas have everything you need.

Areas to avoid. Chacarita and the Banado areas along the river are lower-income neighborhoods with higher crime rates. Zeballos Cue, an industrial area, should be avoided, particularly at night. Luque and San Lorenzo (satellite cities that border Asuncion) have pockets that are rougher, though they also have perfectly fine residential areas. The general rule is simple: stay in the neighborhoods listed above and you will be fine.

What Crime Actually Looks Like

The most common crime that affects foreigners in Paraguay is opportunistic theft. This is not violent crime. It is someone on a motorcycle grabbing your phone while you are looking at Google Maps on a street corner, or a pickpocket working a crowded bus.

Motorcycle snatching, while still very rare in Asuncion, is the thing to be aware of. Two people on a motorcycle pull up to someone walking on the sidewalk, the passenger grabs a phone or bag, and they speed off. This happens primarily in transitional areas between safe and less safe neighborhoods, and it happens most often to people who are visibly distracted or displaying expensive items.

The prevention is straightforward. Keep your phone in your pocket when walking on the street. Do not walk with your bag on the street side of the sidewalk. Be aware of motorcycles slowing down near you. If you are walking in Villa Morra or Carmelitas during normal hours, your risk is very low. If you are walking through a transitional neighborhood alone at night looking at your phone, your risk goes up.

Home burglary is uncommon in the expat neighborhoods, especially in apartment buildings with doormen and security. Most expat housing in Asuncion has some form of security, whether it is a portero (doorman), cameras, or a gated entrance.

Violent crime against foreigners is genuinely rare. Paraguay does not have the kidnapping-for-ransom problem that some countries in the region have. Armed robbery happens but it is concentrated in areas and situations that expats in normal neighborhoods rarely encounter.

Scams. Paraguay is not a big scam country. You are not going to get hit with the kind of tourist scams that are common in Southeast Asia or parts of Europe. Taxi drivers sometimes overcharge, but Uber and Bolt are widely available in Asuncion and eliminate that problem entirely.

How It Compares to Other Countries in the Region

Paraguay is genuinely one of the safest countries in South America for expats. Here is how it stacks up.

vs. Argentina. Both are Level 1. Buenos Aires has more petty crime (pickpocketing, phone snatching) than Asuncion because it is a much larger city with more tourist traffic. The provinces are very safe. Overall, both countries are comparable in safety for expats.

vs. Brazil. Brazil is Level 2 (“Exercise increased caution”). Major cities like Sao Paulo and Rio have significantly higher violent crime rates than anything in Paraguay. The comparison is not close.

vs. Colombia. Level 2. Bogota and Medellin have improved dramatically but still have higher crime rates and more complex security situations than Asuncion.

vs. Bolivia. Level 2. Santa Cruz and Cochabamba are generally safe for expats, but infrastructure and policing are less developed than Paraguay. We wrote a full guide to moving to Bolivia that covers the safety situation there.

vs. Chile. Level 1, same as Paraguay. Santiago has had an increase in street crime in recent years. Chile and Paraguay are the two safest options in South America right now.

The Border Situation

You will hear about Pedro Juan Caballero, the border city between Paraguay and Brazil. It has a reputation for drug trafficking and higher crime, and that reputation is deserved. Pedro Juan Caballero and the broader Amambay department are not places most expats visit or need to visit. They are on the opposite side of the country from Asuncion.

Ciudad del Este, the other major border city (on the Brazilian border near Iguazu Falls), is more mixed. The commercial area is busy and hectic but not dangerous in the way Pedro Juan is. It is worth visiting for the Iguazu Falls, which are one of the most impressive natural sights in South America. Just be street-smart in the market areas.

Neither border city affects daily life in Asuncion, which is hundreds of kilometers away.

Thinking about moving to Paraguay? We help Americans get their Paraguay residency and settle into life in Asuncion. If you want to talk through what daily life actually looks like, reach out to us here.

Practical Safety Tips

These are the basics that apply to Asuncion and really any city in South America.

Keep your phone in your pocket when walking on the street. Use it when you are inside a restaurant or store, not while you are strolling down the sidewalk.

Use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing random taxis, especially at night.

Do not flash expensive jewelry or watches. Paraguay is a modest country and overt displays of wealth attract the wrong kind of attention anywhere.

Stay in the neighborhoods you know, especially at night. Asuncion is not a city where you want to wander aimlessly into unfamiliar areas after dark.

Lock your car doors. If you drive, keep windows up and doors locked in traffic, especially in the city center.

Trust your instincts. If a street feels wrong, turn around. This is generic advice but it applies everywhere.

What Daily Life Actually Feels Like

I want to be clear about something: safety in Asuncion does not feel like a daily concern. It is not a city where you walk around looking over your shoulder. You go to restaurants, you walk around Villa Morra, you take Ubers, you go to the gym, you go to the supermarket. It feels normal. It feels safe.

The safety question is something people think about before they arrive, not after. Once you are here and settled into a routine, it fades into the background. Asuncion is a calm, mid-sized city with a slow pace of life. The biggest daily challenge is the heat in summer, not crime.

Americans who have lived in any major US city will find Asuncion’s safety level completely manageable. If you can handle New York, Chicago, or Miami, Asuncion is easier.

Why People Actually Come

Nobody moves to Paraguay because of safety alone, but safety removes a barrier. The real draws are the territorial tax system (0% on foreign income), the fast and affordable residency process, and the low cost of living. Safety just means you get to enjoy all of that without worrying.

Paraguay is not exciting. It is not glamorous. It is not going to end up on any “top 10 cities for digital nomads” listicle. But it is stable, safe, affordable, and functional. For people who want a low-cost base with serious tax advantages and zero drama, that combination is hard to beat.