No advisory against travel
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Updated 2026-01-21T16:11:30Z
Full advisory →Is Encarnación safe? 🇵🇾
Paraguay · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Encarnación scores 58/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Encarnación is moderately safe for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to risks common in the region. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Encarnación 🇵🇾
Paraguay · Assessed 29 July 2026
58
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~53% of countries
What drives this score
Crime55/100FairHomicide 6.8 / 100k
Sentiment57/100FairCautious
Advisories72Good
Stability62Fair
Health68Fair
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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
39 / 100 (Cautious)
39
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
75k residents
88
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Paraguay6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile specific data for Encarnación is limited, the homicide rate for Paraguay is higher than many developed nations, and the crowdsourced crime index suggests a moderate risk of street crime.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded tourist areas, markets, and public transport hubs.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
57/100
Reported feel39Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
A significant percentage of people report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark, indicating a general sense of caution among residents and visitors.
Encarnación is moderately safe for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to risks common in the region.
While official advisories suggest exercising normal precautions, the composite safety index indicates moderate safety. Travelers should be aware of higher-than-average road traffic death rates and a moderate crime index, with a significant portion of people feeling unsafe walking alone after dark. Corruption and rule of law indicators are also lower than ideal.
Recent developments
- Apr 2026A 33-year-old trans woman was beaten to death in Misiones, leading to demands for justice and for the crime not to go unpunished.— Agencia Presentes
- Aug 2025Increased border security measures were implemented for WRC Paraguay 2025, indicating potential focus on border areas.— The Asunción Times
Common scams
- Overcharging by taxi drivers, especially from the bus station or border crossings.
- Distraction theft, where an accomplice distracts you while another steals your belongings.
Full briefing
Encarnación, Paraguay, presents a mixed safety profile for travelers, leaning towards moderate caution. While official government advisories generally recommend exercising normal precautions, a deeper look at various data points reveals a need for heightened awareness. The composite safety index of 49/100, combined with a homicide rate higher than many developed countries and a crowdsourced crime index suggesting moderate risk, indicates that visitors should not be complacent. Furthermore, only 43.1% of people feel safe walking alone after dark, a statistic that underscores a prevailing sense of caution in public spaces.
The dossier highlights a recent incident in April 2026 where a violent crime against a transgender woman in Misiones (a nearby province) led to public outcry, underscoring the importance of being aware of social issues and potential vulnerabilities. While this was not directly in Encarnación, it points to broader societal concerns in the region. Additionally, increased border security measures were noted in August 2025, suggesting that areas near international crossings, which Encarnación is, may experience heightened scrutiny.
Travelers should be particularly mindful of common street crimes such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, especially in busy areas like markets and bus stations. While specific scam data for Encarnación is limited, overcharging by taxi drivers and distraction theft are risks prevalent in many South American tourist destinations. The higher-than-average road traffic death rate for Paraguay also means extra vigilance is needed when crossing streets or using local transportation.
To ensure a safe trip, it is advisable to exercise a high degree of caution, particularly after dark. Keep valuables secure and out of sight, use reputable transportation, and be aware of your surroundings. Travelers should also be prepared for potential bribery requests and understand their rights. Given the CDC's travel health notices for Dengue and Measles, maintaining good personal hygiene and consulting with a healthcare provider before travel is also recommended.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Encarnación districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Encarnación safety map.
Centro (Downtown)cautionHigher foot traffic can mean increased petty crime; be aware of surroundings, especially at night.
Costanera (Riverfront)cautionPopular area, can attract pickpockets; exercise vigilance, especially during events.
Barrio Santa MaríasaferGenerally residential and considered safe for visitors.
Barrio Santa IsabelsaferA quiet, residential area with low reported crime.
Barrio Santa CeciliasaferResidential area with a generally safe atmosphere.
Barrio Santa RitasaferConsidered a safe neighborhood for residents and visitors.
07 · After Dark
Is Encarnación safe at night?
43% of people in Paraguay say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
While specific data for Encarnación is limited, the homicide rate for Paraguay is higher than many developed nations, and the crowdsourced crime index suggests a moderate risk of street crime.
After dark, be most careful around Centro (Downtown), Costanera (Riverfront). 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 Encarnación's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight57
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight57
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight59
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight57
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight59
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight58
09 · Questions
Encarnación safety FAQ
Is Encarnación safe for tourists right now?
Encarnación is moderately safe for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to risks common in the region. While official advisories suggest exercising normal precautions, the composite safety index indicates moderate safety. Travelers should be aware of higher-than-average road traffic death rates and a moderate crime index, with a significant portion of people feeling unsafe walking alone after dark. Corruption and rule of law indicators are also lower than ideal. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Encarnación should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Encarnación?
- Overcharging by taxi drivers, especially from the bus station or border crossings.
- Distraction theft, where an accomplice distracts you while another steals your belongings.
How does Encarnación compare with other places in Paraguay?
Encarnación ranks #2 of 3 Paraguay destinations we've assessed, scoring 58/100. See the Paraguay safety overview for the full list.
How is this Encarnación 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.
More Paraguay reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Paraguay safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: encarnacion.json (CC BY 4.0).