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

Paraguay uses the Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG), cash is king outside major cities, and the best exchange rates come from licensed casas de cambio rather than airports or hotels. Credit cards work well in Asunción malls and larger restaurants, but you’ll want guaraní for taxis, markets, and rural areas.

As of early 2026, typical Paraguay exchange rates sit around 7,000–7,400 PYG per US dollar and roughly 1 SGD ≈ 5,800–6,000 PYG, though you should always check live rates before you travel according to currency platforms like XE and Wise. That means 100,000 PYG is roughly 14–17 USD depending on the day.

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but 5–10% is appreciated in mid-range restaurants, and rounding up taxi fares is common. ATMs are widespread in cities, fees vary by bank, and digital wallets are emerging but far from universal compared with places like Japan. To keep it simple, most travellers rely on a mix of cash and cards.

If you’re tracking a multi-currency budget or splitting expenses with friends, the Hello app is handy because it automatically converts guaraní to your home currency and logs spending by category. Combine that with a Hello eSIM for Paraguay, and you can check live exchange rates and pay-aware while staying connected on the move.

Paraguay’s official currency is the Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG), and travellers should expect large numbers on price tags—divide by about 7,000 to get a rough value in US dollars. The guaraní is overseen by the Central Bank of Paraguay and is relatively stable by regional standards, according to Exiap and local finance guides.

Recent data from currency converters such as XE and Wise shows the USD–PYG rate commonly moving between roughly 6,000 and 7,400 PYG per USD from 2024–2026, while several travel money sites simplify this to “about 7,300 PYG = 1 USD” for quick head math. That means a 50,000 PYG lunch is about 7–8 USD, and a 150,000 PYG mid-range dinner lands in the 20–22 USD range in 2026.

For travellers from Singapore, travelwithhello.com’s Paraguay guide notes a recent rate of about 1 SGD ≈ 5,850 PYG in early 2026, which translates into 100,000 PYG ≈ 17 SGD. Because inflation and currency moves can shift these numbers, you should always check a live converter or your banking app before making big purchases.

If you’re using the Hello app, you don’t need to do much math at all: multi-currency tracking automatically converts your guaraní expenses into SGD, USD, or your home currency using live rates, whether you’re scanning a receipt in Spanish or entering costs by voice.

For the best Paraguay exchange rates, change money at licensed casas de cambio (exchange houses) in Asunción or Ciudad del Este, not at the airport or hotel front desks. Local guides and currency sites consistently note that city-center cambios offer more competitive spreads than airport kiosks.

In Asunción, you’ll find well-known names like Maxicambios, Cambios Chaco, and Mundial Cambios clustered around central avenues and shopping centers; Wise’s Asunción guide lists multiple branches at Multiplaza, Mariscal López Avenue, and downtown Palma Street. Banks can also exchange foreign currency—usually USD and sometimes EUR—but may require ID and paperwork, while hotels and some supermarkets offer convenience at slightly poorer rates.

US Dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency; many shops, especially those selling imported goods, list prices in USD and expect clean, undamaged notes. Travelwithhello.com and expat resources warn that torn or marked bills can be rejected or receive lower rates, so bring crisp notes if you plan to exchange cash.

If you’re crossing from Brazil or Argentina near Ciudad del Este, you’ll see informal street changers, but most money guides strongly recommend sticking to official casas de cambio for safety and transparency. A quick check of live rates on your phone—made easier if you’re connected with a Hello eSIM for Paraguay—helps you spot whether a posted rate is fair before handing over cash.

Credit cards are widely accepted in urban Paraguay—especially Visa and Mastercard in Asunción’s malls, supermarkets, and chain restaurants—yet cash remains essential for taxis, markets, and rural areas. Think “card-friendly city, cash-first countryside” as your practical rule of thumb.

Local currency guides describe Paraguay as a cash-heavy society once you leave the capital, with smaller towns, street food vendors, and local buses typically operating on guaraní only. In mid-range restaurants in Asunción or Encarnación, card acceptance is the norm, but in simple family-run eateries you’ll still be asked to pay in cash. Contactless payments (tap-to-pay) are available in some modern supermarkets and shopping centers but are not as ubiquitous as in destinations like Japan or Thailand.

ATMs are plentiful in Asunción, Ciudad del Este, and other regional hubs, attached to major banks and inside malls. They dispense guaraní and usually charge a local withdrawal fee in the 10,000–25,000 PYG range (roughly 1.5–3.5 USD in 2026), plus any fee from your home bank. It’s best to withdraw larger amounts less often to dilute these charges.

Digital wallets and QR payments are growing, with some banks offering local apps, but international services like WeChat Pay or PayPay are not mainstream. Instead, travellers rely on a combination of chip-and-PIN cards and cash.

To keep ATM fees and card charges visible, you can log withdrawals and card payments in the Hello app, which automatically tags them, converts to your home currency, and helps you stay within your daily budget.

Tipping in Paraguay is appreciated but not strictly mandatory, and a modest 5–10% gratuity in restaurants is a good guideline when service is friendly and attentive. Many local guides describe Paraguay’s tipping culture as relaxed compared with North America, but slightly more formal than some neighboring countries.

In sit-down restaurants in Asunción or tourist towns like Encarnación, it’s common to leave a tip in cash on the table or round up the bill if paying by card. For example, on a 120,000 PYG dinner for two (about 17 USD), leaving 10,000–15,000 PYG shows appreciation without overdoing it. Some higher-end venues may include a service charge; if you see “servicio” on the bill, an extra tip is optional.

For taxis, rounding up to the nearest 5,000–10,000 PYG is normal on short rides, while for private drivers or full-day tours, 20,000–40,000 PYG (3–6 USD) is a reasonable tip depending on length and service. Hotel staff such as porters might receive 5,000–10,000 PYG per bag in city hotels.

Paraguayan guaraní is preferred for tips—even if part of your stay is billed in USD—since staff spend day-to-day in local currency. If you’re splitting tips among friends, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy: one person can tip in cash, log it once, and the app automatically divides the cost across the group using live exchange rates.

Most travellers ask the same practical questions about Paraguay currency and money: yes, you’ll need guaraní, ATMs are widely available in cities, and a 5–10% restaurant tip is enough in most situations. Here are concise answers to the most frequent queries.

Q: What currency is used in Paraguay?
A: Paraguay uses the Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG) as its official currency, overseen by the Central Bank of Paraguay. USD is often used for pricing larger or imported items, but everyday purchases—from buses to street food—are in guaraní.

Q: Can I pay with US Dollars?
A: In border areas and some shops, especially in Ciudad del Este and certain electronics or import stores, prices are often displayed in USD and payment may be accepted in dollars. However, you’ll usually receive change in PYG, and smaller businesses expect guaraní.

Q: Are ATMs easy to find, and what are the fees?
A: ATMs are common in Asunción, shopping centers, and petrol stations along major highways. Typical local fees range from about 10,000–25,000 PYG (1.5–3.5 USD) per withdrawal in 2026, plus your bank’s overseas charges.

Q: Are credit cards widely accepted?
A: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in urban areas, hotels, supermarkets, and chain restaurants, while smaller local eateries, markets, and intercity buses often operate on cash only.

Q: Do people tip in Paraguay?
A: Tipping isn’t mandatory, but 5–10% in restaurants and small amounts for taxis or hotel staff are appreciated.

Q: How can I track spending in guaraní easily?
A: The Hello app lets you scan receipts, add expenses by voice, and convert guaraní to your home currency automatically, which is especially handy when splitting costs with friends.

Paraguay is generally affordable, but travellers should watch for informal currency exchanges, overly generous “help” with ATMs, and inflated tourist prices around busy border zones. Sticking to official casas de cambio and bank ATMs will prevent most money-related problems.

In cities like Asunción and Ciudad del Este, unofficial street changers offer tempting rates; multiple Paraguay money guides warn that these deals may involve counterfeit notes or short-changing. Always count cash carefully and refuse offers to “help” you withdraw at ATMs. Keep high-denomination notes separate and avoid flashing large bundles of guaraní in crowded markets.

Daily costs are pleasantly low: travel cost sites estimate a budget traveller can get by on 160,000–220,000 PYG per day (roughly 23–32 USD in 2026) for street food, buses, and a simple guesthouse, while a mid-range traveller might spend 350,000–500,000 PYG (50–72 USD) including restaurant meals and nicer hotels.

Here are some quick money-saving tips:

Strategy	Expected Saving	How it Helps
Use casas de cambio in city centers	3–5% vs. airport rates	Better exchange spreads on large sums
Pay in guaraní instead of USD	Avoid hidden markups	Shops sometimes round USD conversions up
Withdraw larger but less often	Save 10,000–25,000 PYG per day	Fewer ATM fee hits

If you’re using a Hello eSIM, you can quickly check real-time prices and ride-hailing apps without relying on strangers for directions, and log every purchase in the Hello app so you know exactly where your guaraní is going and can adjust your daily budget on the fly.