Paraguay offers a cheaper cost of living than Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The detailed rent costs, utilities, food, nightlife, transportation, and medical services are here.

Key points to mention:

  • Cost of rent
  • Utility costs
  • Cost of food
  • Cost of transport
  • Cost Nightlife
  • Medical Service costs

Cost of rent:

In Paraguay, the rent cost varies due to its location; if it is near the centre of Asunción or Fernando La Mora, then the price of a one-bedroom apartment is between 120 and 500 USD, or in Paraguayan currency, it is 1 million to 4 million Paraguayan Guaranies, depending on whether the apartment is fully furnished or empty.

Outer cities like Ñemby or Capiata have cheaper apartments (empty or half furnished), 2-3 bedroom apartments or houses are around 200 to 400 USD or 2-3 million Paraguayan Guaranies.

Utility costs in Paraguay:

Apartment utility costs vary depending on the contract written by the owner. For example, in most apartments, when rented, there is no water bill or trash transportation bill.

  • If there is a water bill the cost is usually around 5-10 USD.
  • The average cost of electric bills depends on the area and the time of the year. For example, the average electricity bill in Asuncion for 2-3 people during winter is USD 13-15 monthly. If you live in a city outside the centre, the price will vary, but it will be cheaper, around 6-10 USD monthly. But an important thing one must not forget is that during summer time in Paraguay (November to March), the electricity bill cost gets very high, 3 to 4 times the regular price, due to the unbearable summer heat. It means that the electric bill during the summer can cost up to 40 to 60+ USD, depending on where you live.
  • The Wi-Fi with 300 MBS plus the mobile data plan of 30GB combined usually costs 35 USD.
  • There are no gas utilities since apartments don’t have in-built gas systems, but if you are looking to buy a gas cylinder of 10Kg, it usually costs around 13 USD.

Cost of transport in Paraguay:

In Paraguay, there are five types of transportation that people use.

  • Local buses (have multiple stops in a variety of cities)
  • Bolt and Uber
  • Taxis
  • Country buses (go around the country with few stops in between cities)

Local bus:

Fares tend to cost between 0.29 and 0.45 cents (USD) or, in local currency, 2300 to 3600 Paraguayn Guaranies.

An essential thing to keep in mind is all of the newer buses, with only a few exceptions, require you to have a bus card to pay for the ride.

Older buses that tend to go only to specific cities or cities require you to pay with cash 2300 to 2600 Paraguayan Guaranies (0.29-0.45 cents in USD).

There are two types of bus cards, Jaha and MÀS. They belong to different bus lines, and their respective apps show the bus lines.

To buy the bus card, you have to go and buy it at gas stations, biggies, supermarkets (at the register) or local street vendors who also

that may or may not have.

Once you have the bus card, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • First, the balance on the bus card can go negative so you can owe one bus ride but not more.
  • The money isn’t directly charged when you recharge your bus card balance from 0 or negative Paraguayan Guaranies. It will stay there but inactive until you use the card to pay for a bus ticket, which, in this case, has to be a bus line linked to the bus card or a bus with a card reader from the card company.

Bolt and Uber in Paraguay:

In Paraguay, the Bolt app is the most used app for calling for a drive because it is cheap and accessible.

  • The prices vary depending on the time and place, but if you plan on going a distance of 1 hour, the charge may vary from 6 to 10 USD, which is 50,000 to 80,000 Paraguayan Guaranies.
  • A 5-minute short trip can cost 1.23-2 USD, which is 9,300 to 16,000 Paraguayan Guaranies (minimum charge is 9,300 Paraguayan Guaranies).

However, nobody tells you that the Bolt drivers usually come in different cars from the one shown in the app, and more often than not, the driver who is coming to pick you up is a different person from the one who owns the account.

That happens because people rent or lend their accounts.

Also, Bolt drivers do not like it when you pay for the ride by card instead of cash.

Also, sometimes, when they see that you paid by card, they speed off without picking you up and giving you a ride to get the money.

On the other hand, Uber is less used, has fewer drivers, and has longer waiting times, but it is much safer and more reliable.

Taxis in Paraguay:

There are many taxis in Paraguay. They use old cars, and the drivers tend to overcharge you. Minimum fares, even for short distances, can be 2 to 3 times higher than taking a Bolt or Uber ride, so paying for a Bolt or Uber ride is more convenient. However, the upside of taking taxis is that they know the way around the city better. In the countryside, the taxi costs may be expensive!

Country buses:

The country buses around Paraguay are accessible through their website, Plataforma 10, or at bus terminals, where you can book a ticket. Usually, for city distances of 500km, they charge around 11 to 17 USD, which is around 88,000 to 150,000 Paraguayan Guaranies.

Cost of food in Paraguay:

The cost of food in Paraguay is lower than in first-world countries.

Buying basic groceries for one person in Paraguay costs around 50 to 100 USD or 400,000 to 800,000 Paraguayan Guaranies a month.

However, the price may vary depending on the person’s diet.

If you plan on eating at local fast food vendors, it is very cheap. A typical meal can be 2 to 3 USD or 15,000 to 24,000 Paraguayan Guaranies.

But if you plan on eating at high-end restaurants, the food prices for a typical lunch without drinks are 7 to 12 USD or 60,000 to 90,000 Paraguayan Guaranies.

Cost of Nightlife in Paraguay:

Paraguay is famous for its nightlife, especially for its music and vibe; young adults tend to go to bars on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Most of the bars they attend are in the capital in Asuncion, and the entrance fees for expensive bars tend to be around 8 to 12 USD or 60,000 to 100,000 Paraguayan Guaranies.

The cheap ones are free, 4 to 7 USD or 30,000 to 50,000 Paraguayan Guaranies per person.

The price of the drinks depends on the bar, but if you go to any bar with 12 to 15 USD or 100,000 to 140,000 Paraguayan Guaranies, then it will be more than enough to have a good time.

Also, Paraguayans are into buying drinks together, so splitting will make it even cheaper.

Medical Service costs in Paraguay:

There are two types of healthcare options: public and private.

  • Public healthcare is free, although you must remember that if you plan on surgery or any serious medical procedure, the doctors or staff may require you to buy the equipment necessary for the procedure, and the waiting times for those procedures to begin can take 2-3 months.
  • Private healthcare in Paraguay is abundant and affordable. Consultations may cost 6 to 12 USD (50,000 to 100,000 Paraguayan Guaranies), depending on the private consultary and the medical area consulted.

Our experts are waiting for you to share all the details so we can support your settlement in Paraguay. Contact us for more information!

Bibliography:

Rome2Rio: discover how to get anywhere

Pasajes en Bus | Comprá Online con Cuotas sin Interés

Cost of Living

Copyright Ferenc Károly Zakonyi  Asuncion – tucanoprod.com