Paraguay Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Paraguay uses the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG, symbol ₲), and travellers should carry cash even though Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Asunción’s malls, supermarkets, hotels, and chain restaurants. A practical 2026 budget is about US$25–40 per day for budget travel or US$45–70 for a comfortable mid-range trip, excluding international flights. The Paraguay exchange rate changes daily, so check the live rate before converting SGD and compare the final amount after fees.

For the best value, exchange clean US-dollar notes at established exchange houses in central Asunción or Ciudad del Este rather than at the airport. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently from bank ATMs, keep small guaraní notes for buses, taxis, markets, and cafés, and treat tipping as optional rather than compulsory. Hello’s app can track expenses in PYG and SGD, automatically convert currencies, scan receipts, split bills with friends, and categorise spending while you travel.

The Paraguayan guaraní is Paraguay’s official currency, and prices are normally displayed in PYG rather than US dollars; exchange rates quoted against SGD can move throughout the day, so use a live conversion immediately before paying or withdrawing. The guaraní is divided into 100 céntimos, although coins are less useful in everyday travel than notes.

A 2026 reference rate published from Central Bank of Paraguay data put US$1 at approximately ₲5,873. Because SGD moves against the US dollar and guaraní, there is no single fixed Paraguay exchange rate from Singapore dollars. As a planning method, convert SGD to USD first, then USD to PYG, while allowing for card-network spreads, ATM fees, and exchange-house margins.

Currency item	Practical traveller guidance
Local currency	Paraguayan guaraní, PYG or ₲
Common cash use	Buses, taxis, markets, small cafés, rural stops
Useful cash reserve	Around ₲100,000–₲300,000 for a day of small purchases
Typical city bus	About ₲2,300–₲3,400 in Greater Asunción in 2026
Short ride-hailing trip	Roughly ₲15,000–₲40,000 in Asunción

When budgeting from Singapore, avoid mentally treating every large number as expensive: ₲50,000 is only a modest everyday purchase. Hello’s automatic multi-currency conversion can show the PYG total alongside your SGD budget, making large guaraní amounts easier to interpret.

The best place to exchange money in Paraguay is usually an established exchange house in central Asunción or a reputable business district, while airports, hotel desks, and informal street exchangers commonly offer less competitive rates. Compare the displayed buying rate, selling rate, commission, and final guaraní amount before handing over cash.

US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange, particularly in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. Bring newer, clean, undamaged notes because heavily marked or torn bills may be rejected or receive a worse rate. Count the guaraní carefully at the counter, request a receipt, and avoid flashing a large roll of cash after leaving.

Practical exchange habits include:

• Exchange a small amount on arrival for transport and food, then compare rates downtown.
• Use official exchange offices, banks, or established shops rather than unsolicited street offers.
• Keep some emergency USD separately from your daily wallet.
• Do not exchange all your cash at once if your itinerary includes rural areas where access to formal services is limited.
• Check whether an exchange house uses a different rate for larger transactions.

In Ciudad del Este, compare several licensed exchange businesses and be especially cautious around busy border and shopping areas. Never accept a confusing “special rate” that is not written clearly. A card with no foreign-transaction fee can sometimes beat cash exchange, but only when the merchant offers a fair rate and does not add a surcharge.

Cards work best in urban Paraguay, but cash remains essential for taxis, markets, buses, small restaurants, and rural travel. Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted in Asunción’s shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, and chain restaurants, while contactless payment is increasingly available at modern terminals but should not be assumed everywhere.

Major shopping centres such as Shopping del Sol and Paseo La Galería, along with larger businesses in Villa Morra, are among the easiest places to pay by card. In Ciudad del Este, larger electronics retailers may accept cards but can add a 3–5% surcharge, so ask for the final price in guaraní before confirming. Smaller merchants may accept only cash or local QR systems.

ATMs are concentrated in bank branches, shopping centres, airports, and central commercial districts. Foreign-card withdrawals may attract a local operator fee of roughly ₲10,000–₲50,000 per transaction, in addition to your own bank’s fee and exchange-rate margin. To reduce costs:

• Withdraw from a bank ATM during opening hours when possible.
• Make fewer, larger withdrawals rather than several small ones.
• Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in PYG.
• Check the fee screen before confirming.
• Keep a backup card stored separately from your main wallet.

Before departure, tell your bank about the trip and verify international ATM and contactless limits.

Tipping in Paraguay is appreciated but generally less rigid than in North America: round up small bills, leave around 5–10% for good restaurant service when a service charge is absent, and tip guides or drivers according to the quality and length of service. Always check the bill first because some restaurants include a service charge.

At a casual café or food stall, rounding up to the next convenient amount is usually enough. For a full-service dinner, leaving ₲10,000–₲30,000 per person can be a reasonable gesture depending on the bill and experience. Hotel porters, private drivers, and local guides can receive a modest tip in guaraní, while taxi drivers do not generally expect a fixed percentage.

Local banks and merchants are expanding QR and mobile payments, but international apps such as WeChat Pay and PayPay are not mainstream payment methods for ordinary visitors. Do not rely on them for transport, restaurants, or markets. International cards and cash are more dependable, while local QR wallets may require a Paraguayan bank account or phone number.

The main money scams involve confusing exchange calculations, counterfeit notes, card surcharges that were not disclosed, and unofficial exchangers promising unusually high rates. Count change, confirm prices before buying, keep your wallet out of sight in crowded areas, and photograph receipts for larger purchases. Hello can scan receipts in different currencies and automatically categorise them, making it easier to spot unexplained charges.

Paraguay is relatively affordable for many travellers, with a 2026 backpacker budget of about US$25–40 per day and a comfortable mid-range budget of roughly US$45–70, depending on accommodation, transport, and shopping. Asunción is generally easy to budget when you combine inexpensive local food with occasional card payments and controlled ATM withdrawals.

Typical reference prices include a city bus at about ₲2,300–₲3,400, a short Asunción ride-hailing journey at roughly ₲15,000–₲40,000, a set lunch at around ₲30,000–₲60,000, and a mid-range restaurant dinner at approximately ₲90,000–₲150,000 per person. A mid-range double room may cost about ₲300,000–₲600,000 per night. Prices vary by season, neighbourhood, and exchange rate.

Save money by:

• Eating a menú del día at lunchtime instead of dining out for every evening meal.
• Using city buses for routine journeys and ride-hailing when safety, heat, or distance makes it worthwhile.
• Comparing intercity bus operators before buying at the terminal.
• Shopping in local markets for snacks, fruit, and drinks rather than convenience stores.
• Paying in PYG and checking whether a merchant has added a card surcharge.
• Splitting accommodation, taxis, and shared meals with companions.

Hello supports multi-currency expense splitting, so friends can record shared costs in PYG while seeing each person’s balance in SGD or another home currency.

Travellers usually need both a card and Paraguayan cash: cards are convenient in major cities, but guaraní is still the reliable option for everyday purchases and transport. The following answers cover the most common Paraguay currency questions.

Should I bring Singapore dollars to Paraguay? Singapore dollars are less convenient to exchange than US dollars. Carry a card for larger payments and obtain guaraní from a reputable exchange house or ATM; if bringing foreign cash, clean US-dollar notes are generally more practical.

Can I use US dollars in Paraguay? Some hotels, tour operators, and businesses in tourist or border areas may quote prices in US dollars, but everyday purchases are normally settled in guaraní. Ask for the exact PYG price and check the change carefully.

How much cash should I carry? For a city day, ₲100,000–₲300,000 can cover small purchases, local transport, and a simple meal, but keep only what you need accessible. Carry a backup card and emergency cash separately.

Is tipping mandatory in Paraguay? No. A 5–10% tip at a full-service restaurant is appropriate when service is good and no service charge appears; rounding up is enough for many casual services.

Does Paraguay accept contactless cards? Contactless payment is available at some modern terminals, especially in shopping centres and chain businesses, but it is not universal. Keep a physical card and cash backup.

For destination planning, see Paraguay. To arrive connected for maps, banking alerts, and ride-hailing, consider Hello eSIM for Paraguay; Hello plans can be bought and activated before departure, with current plan prices shown live.