South America > 🇵🇾 Paraguay
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Paraguay can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Paraguay; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Paraguay?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Paraguay?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Paraguay
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Asunción | ASU | |
| Ciudad del Este | AGT |
🚗 Renting a Car in Paraguay — Freedom Comes with a Few Challenges
Renting a car in Paraguay can give you total freedom to explore beyond Asunción and the main highways. International companies such as Hertz, Europcar, and Localiza operate from Asunción’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) and in the capital itself. Driving conditions around Asunción are manageable, and once you get used to local habits, main roads like Ruta 2 (to Ciudad del Este) and Ruta 7 (to the east) are smooth and straightforward.
However, rural roads can be rough, and in the Chaco region — the vast, semi-arid plain covering western Paraguay — they often turn to gravel or dirt. During the rainy season, flooding can make parts of the Chaco impassable without a 4×4.
🚌 Public Transport — Cheap but Basic
Paraguay’s bus network connects most towns, but services are slow and infrequent. Intercity coaches between Asunción, Encarnación, and Ciudad del Este are reliable, though they can take much longer than driving. Rural routes often use old minibuses with flexible timetables, meaning delays are common.
Within cities, urban buses are extremely cheap but basic and can be confusing for new visitors. If you’re only visiting major towns, this system might be enough — but if you want to explore national parks or Jesuit mission sites, a car is far more convenient.
🏜️ The Chaco and the Countryside
For adventurous travellers, the Paraguayan Chaco is one of South America’s great road-trip frontiers. It’s remote, dry, and sparsely populated — stretching west to the Bolivian border. The main route, Ruta Transchaco (Route 9), is paved for much of the way but has long, isolated stretches without services. Fuel up often and carry supplies.
Elsewhere, the southern region near Encarnación offers beautiful countryside dotted with UNESCO-listed Jesuit ruins — all easily explored by car.
✈️ Flights and Cross-Border Travel
Domestic flights are rare, as Paraguay is compact enough to travel overland. However, its cross-border connections make it easy to combine with neighbouring countries:
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To Argentina, cross the bridge at Encarnación–Posadas or Asunción–Clorinda.
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To Brazil, the Friendship Bridge at Ciudad del Este links directly to Foz do Iguaçu.
Be aware that rental cars are not always allowed to cross borders, so check in advance if you plan a multi-country trip.
🚘 Driving Practicalities
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Fuel is inexpensive, and traffic is lighter than in most South American capitals.
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Signage can be inconsistent, especially in rural areas — GPS or offline maps are essential.
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Police checkpoints are frequent; keep your documents and licence handy.
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Night driving outside towns is best avoided due to livestock and unlit roads.
🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Paraguay?
Why you should:
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Excellent flexibility to explore rural regions, Jesuit missions, and the Chaco.
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Reasonable rental prices and light traffic outside Asunción.
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Limited rail and air alternatives.
Why you might not:
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Long distances and rough roads can be tiring.
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Public transport covers the main cities cheaply.
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Border crossings may complicate rentals.
✅ Conclusion:
You should rent a car in Paraguay if you want to see more than just Asunción and Ciudad del Este. The freedom to explore red-dirt backroads and national parks is well worth it. But if you’re mainly visiting major cities or travelling on a tight budget, buses remain a decent, if slow, alternative. In Paraguay, a car turns a quiet country into an open adventure 🚙
