Paraguay
How to get to Paraguay requires understanding one key fact upfront: there are no nonstop flights from North America to Asunción (ASU). Every route involves at least one connection — but the connection options are solid, and for non-revs with Star Alliance or Oneworld access in particular, Paraguay is well within reach. Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción is served by Copa Airlines (PTY), Avianca (BOG), LATAM (LIM, SCL, GRU), Air Europa (MAD), and Aerolíneas Argentinas (Buenos Aires) — all offering viable connector paths. Copa’s Panama City hub is the most reliable single-stop routing for most North American travelers. A secondary gateway also exists: Guaraní International Airport (AGT) near Ciudad del Este, on the border with Brazil’s Foz do Iguaçu — useful for travelers combining Paraguay with the Iguazú Falls. US citizens enter visa-free for 90 days. The currency is the Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG) — don’t let the large denominations confuse you; 1 USD trades for roughly 7,600 PYG. Paraguay is bilingual in Spanish and Guaraní, the indigenous language that remains in everyday use across the country.
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Tourism Board
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Why Go
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Airlines Serving Asunción
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How to Get to Paraguay From North America
No airline currently operates nonstops between North American cities and Asunción (ASU). Every routing requires at least one connection. The good news: multiple alliance carriers serve ASU through solid South American hubs, and Copa’s Panama City (PTY) connection in particular means most US cities are just two flights from Paraguay.
Copa Airlines (CM) — Panama City — the most reliable single-stop routing from North America. Copa serves dozens of US cities and connects to ASU with good frequency. PTY is Copa’s hub of the Americas and one of the most important non-rev connector airports for all of South America. Book your US city → PTY segment on any Star Alliance carrier, then continue on Copa to ASU.
Avianca (AV) — Bogotá — a strong backup when PTY loads are difficult. Avianca operates daily between BOG and ASU. Position to Bogotá on United, Avianca, or any Star Alliance carrier from your home airport, then continue south.
LATAM (LA) — Lima, Peru — LATAM’s main hub and the primary Oneworld path into Paraguay. Lima has strong US connections on American Airlines and LATAM, and LATAM operates ASU daily from LIM.
LATAM (LA) — São Paulo–Guarulhos — useful if you’re already routing through Brazil or can position on LATAM from the US East Coast. LATAM serves ASU from GRU.
LATAM (LA) — Santiago, Chile — useful for west coast US travelers who can connect through Santiago on American or LATAM.
Air Europa (UX) — Madrid — the only direct European service into Asunción. For SkyTeam employees who can position to Madrid on Delta or Air France, Air Europa offers a single-stop route. Unusual but legitimate — and loads on the MAD–ASU segment are often more manageable than peak South American hub connections.
Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) — Buenos Aires — position to Buenos Aires on Aerolineas (Aeroparque/AEP) via any SkyTeam carrier with Buenos Aires service, then continue on Aerolineas to ASU. EZE (Ezeiza International) is the international airport; AEP (Aeroparque) is the regional airport closer to downtown — note both are used in routing.
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Paraguay’s Airports
| City | Airport | Code | Notes |
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| Asunción | Silvio Pettirossi International | ASU | Main gateway, all international service. ~10km from downtown. |
| Ciudad del Este | Guaraní International Airport | AGT | Secondary gateway near Iguazú Falls & Itaipú Dam. Served by Paranair from ASU. Ideal for travelers combining Paraguay with Iguazú. |
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Getting Around Paraguay
Asunción has ride-hailing apps — InDriver is dominant, Uber also operates. Taxis are readily available. The city is sprawling; most points of interest are spread across different neighborhoods connected by main avenues.
Asunción to Ciudad del Este — approximately 330km (205 miles) east along Ruta 2, the country’s main highway. Long-distance buses (Flecha Bus, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) cover the route in 4–5 hours and are comfortable and affordable. Paranair also offers domestic flights between ASU and AGT. The highway passes through the Cordillera region and several colonial towns worth a stop.
Asunción to Encarnación (Jesuit missions) — approximately 370km south via Ruta 1. Long-distance bus service available; the journey takes about 5 hours. Encarnación itself is a pleasant riverside city on the Argentine border.
The Chaco — accessible by long-haul bus (Nasa-Golondrina and others) to Filadelfia and beyond. Roads are paved to Filadelfia but become dirt tracks in the deeper Chaco. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for independent exploration beyond the main Ruta Trans-Chaco.
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Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Paraguay?
No. US citizens enter Paraguay visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Canadian and most EU citizens are also admitted visa-free. A valid passport is required. Always verify current entry requirements at iatatravelcentre.com before travel.
What is the Paraguayan Guaraní?
The Guaraní (PYG) is Paraguay’s currency. 1 USD trades for approximately 7,600 PYG — the large numbers can feel disorienting at first, but prices are genuinely low by South American standards. USD cash is widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and duty-free shops in Ciudad del Este. ATMs dispense Guaraníes widely in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.
Is Copa via PTY reliable for non-revs going to Paraguay?
Copa’s Panama City (PTY) hub is one of the best connector airports in South America for standby travel. The ASU route is served daily, and PTY itself has strong non-rev access for Star Alliance employees. Monitor loads a few days out — if PTY–ASU looks heavy, the BOG–ASU routing on Avianca is a solid same-alliance backup. Both are single-stop Star Alliance options from virtually any US hub.
What language is spoken in Paraguay?
Paraguay is unique in South America — both Spanish and Guaraní are official languages, and most Paraguayans speak both. Guaraní is not just a ceremonial language; it’s in everyday use, particularly outside Asunción. You’ll hear it in markets, on the radio, and between locals. Spanish is sufficient for all traveler interactions, and English is understood in hotels and tourist-facing businesses.
Tourism source: SENATUR Paraguay (senatur.gov.py). Heritage citations: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Entry requirements: IATA Travel Centre (iatatravelcentre.com). Route data compiled from airline and airport schedules.