No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-01-21T16:11:30Z
Full advisory →Is Asunción safe? 🇵🇾
Paraguay · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Asunción scores 64/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Asunción is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Asunción 🇵🇾
Paraguay · Assessed 28 July 2026
64
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~63% of countries
What drives this score
Crime52/100CautionCrime index 54.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment71/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability62Fair
Health96Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Paraguay: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-17T10:29:59.3204626-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Paraguay6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robbery is uncommon but can occur in isolated downtown areas after dark; stay in well‑lit, busy districts.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag‑snatching are most frequent on public transport and in busy markets such as Mercado 4.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
71/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports and expat forums indicate visitors generally feel comfortable during daylight, though many note heightened vigilance after sunset.
Yes — Asunción is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution.
Composite safety data place Asunción at a moderate 62/100 index, with low violent crime but elevated petty theft and corruption risks; recent news shows no major incidents targeting tourists, and official advisories urge a high degree of caution.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026InSight Crime reported a surge in Rotela Clan drug‑related activity near the industrial belt, but no tourist‑targeted violence was recorded.— InSight Crime
- Jun 2026UNODC and SENAD announced a joint operation disrupting synthetic‑drug trafficking routes that pass through Asunción, with arrests but no collateral street crime spikes.— UNODC
Common scams
- rigged or unmetered taxis overcharging tourists
- motochorros (motorcycle‑based bag snatchers) in crowded areas
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Asunción is currently rated moderately safe for travelers. The composite safety index of 62 / 100 reflects low rates of homicide and violent crime, but a higher risk of petty theft and opportunistic scams. Official Canadian and UK advisories both urge “exercise a high degree of caution,” a warning that aligns with the city’s moderate robbery and pickpocket levels.
Recent news from July 2026 shows no incidents that directly harmed visitors; instead, headlines highlight routine law‑enforcement actions against drug trafficking and occasional protests over corruption. These events are largely confined to the industrial outskirts and do not spill over into tourist‑heavy zones such as Villa Morra or the riverfront promenade. The only notable alerts are a green‑level flood warning in neighboring Argentina, which does not affect the city’s immediate safety.
The most common threats to visitors are rigged or unmetered taxis that overcharge, and motochorros who target open bags on crowded buses and markets. Pickpocketing is especially prevalent around Mercado 4 and on public‑transport hubs during peak hours. Travelers who use licensed rideshare apps or pre‑booked hotel cars report far fewer issues.
To stay safe, keep valuables out of sight, zip bags across your body, and avoid walking alone after dark in neighborhoods outside the main expat and tourist corridors. Stick to well‑lit, busy areas such as Villa Morra, the central business district, and the historic centre during daylight. Arrange transportation in advance, and remain aware of your surroundings — common‑sense vigilance is the best protection in Asunción.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Asunción districts for visitors: 1 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Asunción safety map.
Cerro LambaréavoidPeripheral industrial‑residential zone with higher rates of petty and opportunistic crime; avoid walking alone at night.
San LorenzoavoidSuburban district south of the city known for elevated theft and drug‑related activity; best to stay clear, especially after dark.
Parque CentenariocautionCentral, leafy area with museums and parks; generally safe in daylight but isolated spots can see occasional pickpocketing after sunset.
La MercedcautionBusy market and commercial zone; high foot traffic makes it prone to bag‑snatching and tourist scams, especially in crowded stalls.
CostaneracautionRiverfront promenade is scenic and safe during daytime events; nighttime can attract isolated incidents of street robbery, so keep valuables hidden.
Villa MorrasaferHigh‑end residential and commercial district, strong police presence, popular with expats and tourists; petty crime low but stay alert after dark.
07 · After Dark
Is Asunción safe at night?
43% of people in Paraguay say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Armed robbery is uncommon but can occur in isolated downtown areas after dark; stay in well‑lit, busy districts.
After dark, be most careful around Cerro Lambaré, San Lorenzo, Parque Centenario, La Merced. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Asunción's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight60
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight61
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight66
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight61
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight67
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight62
09 · Questions
Asunción safety FAQ
Is Asunción safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Asunción is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution. Composite safety data place Asunción at a moderate 62/100 index, with low violent crime but elevated petty theft and corruption risks; recent news shows no major incidents targeting tourists, and official advisories urge a high degree of caution. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Asunción should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Cerro Lambaré, San Lorenzo as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Asunción?
- rigged or unmetered taxis overcharging tourists
- motochorros (motorcycle‑based bag snatchers) in crowded areas
How does Asunción compare with other places in Paraguay?
Asunción scores 64/100 — see the Paraguay safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Asunción safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Paraguay safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: asuncion.json (CC BY 4.0).