Health and Safety
Two worrisome public-health problems have gripped Paraguay. Yellow fever, usually found only in remote, swampy regions of South America, has appeared in urban areas, including the suburbs of Asunción. The jury is still out on whether or not the disease actually is transmitted in urban locales; for now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend that all travelers over one year of age be vaccinated no matter what the destination in Paraguay.
No vaccine exists for the mosquito-borne dengue fever, also a problem here. Symptoms are characterized by muscle aches and fever, and dengue's rarer, but more virulent hemorrhagic form can be fatal. Tourists, who are more likely to stay in air-conditioned hotels with well-maintained grounds, are less at risk than the local population. Wearing long sleeves and trousers in the morning and late afternoon, and applying mosquito repellent help limit your exposure.
Although tap water is reputedly safe to drink in Asunción, most visitors stick with bottled water (agua purificada) no matter where they travel in Paraguay. Order it con gas and sin gas (with and without carbonation).
Crime is rising in Paraguay, although you probably won't see much evidence of it during your trip if you take the standard travel precautions. Paraguay's eastern tri-border region with Brazil and Argentina, including the town of Ciudad del Este, has become increasingly dangerous, with a rise in extremist-group violence. It's not a problem if you simply pass through the border at Ciudad del Este to see the world-famous Iguazú Falls, but see the falls from Brazil or Argentina instead. Don't stay in Ciudad del Este overnight.
The United States Embassy is open Monday–Thursday 1–5 and Friday 7:30–11:30. Canada maintains an honorary consulate in Asunción with hours Monday–Thursday 8–4 and Friday 8–noon. An honorary consulate also serves U.K. citizens with weekday hours 8–1 and 3–5:30.
Emergency Contacts
Canada. Prof. Ramírez 3, Asunción, Asunción. 021/227–207.
United Kingdom. Eulogio Estigarribia 4846, and Monseñor Bogarín, Asunción, Asunción. 021/663–536.
United States. Av. Mariscal López 1776, Asunción, Asunción. 021/213–715; Paraguay.usembassy.gov.
