Asunción in 3 Days — 3-Day Guide

Asunción in 3 days: the capital that asks nothing of you and rewards slowness — colonial palaces, the cheapest authentic meal on the continent, and a national drink you share from a single cup with strangers.

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📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Day 1 — Historic Centre & Riverfront

Day 2 — Museums & Barrio San Jerónimo

Day 3 — Lake Ypacaraí & Areguá Village

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

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Language	Spanish and Guaraní (co-official languages — Guaraní is the language of daily life in most of Paraguay, spoken at home by 90% of Paraguayans; in Asunción, Spanish dominates in commerce but Guaraní words are woven into everyday speech). Very little English spoken outside upscale hotels.
Currency	Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG). Current rate: approximately PYG 7,500 = €1. Everything is extremely cheap: a full lunch is PYG 15,000–25,000 (€2–3.50). Cash is dominant; many small businesses don't accept cards. ATMs on Calle Palma and at major shopping centres.
Transport	Asunción has informal bus routes (PYG 2,000/ride, routes visible from the painted destinations on the windshields) and taxis (metered, $3–8 for cross-city trips). Uber operates in Asunción. The historic centre is walkable in 2 hours. Taxis from Manzana de la Rivera to Museo del Barro: $5.
Best time	April–September (cooler and drier; temperatures 15–25°C in winter months July–August). October–March: very hot (35–40°C) and humid, with occasional heavy rain. Paraguay's winter is mild by European standards — a light jacket for evenings is sufficient.
Getting in	Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU): 15km from city centre, $15–20 taxi. Direct flights from São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Panama City. No direct European connections. From Buenos Aires: 4 hr flight or 16 hr bus across Argentina (dramatic but cheap at $40).
Tipping	10% at restaurants (not always expected, always appreciated). Street food vendors: no tip. Taxis: round up to nearest PYG 1,000. Hotel staff: PYG 10,000–20,000/night ($1.50–3). Paraguay has a gentler tipping culture than Argentina.
Safety	Asunción is safer than most South American capitals. The historic centre and tourist areas are safe in daylight; after dark, stay in Villa Morra, Barrio Jara or near your hotel. Do not walk alone at night in the area behind Mercado 4. Petty theft is the main risk.
Budget tips	Asunción is one of South America's cheapest capitals. Everything: Lido Bar lunch $3. Bus to Areguá $0.30. Tereré set $3. Museum: free. Casa de la Independencia: free. Night beer: $2. Budget $25–40/day total is comfortable including meals, transport and activities.