You can drive to Paraguay from each of the 3 South American countries with which it shares a common land border. There are numerous border crossings between Paraguay and neighbouring Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. It’s also possible to drive to Paraguay from the United States as part of a larger Pan-American road trip. There’s a degree of difficulty in crossing between Panama and Colombia as part of the road trip from North America to South America. However outside of the challenges of crossing the Darian Gap, the network of roads that form the Pan-American Highway make this a long but achievable road trip. Over the course of this guide we’ll take a closer look at how to drive to Paraguay, the different border crossing and some of the practicalities involved.
Where is Paraguay Located?
Paraguay is located in the centre of South America. It is a landlocked country and is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay’s capital and largest city is Asunción, which is situated along the eastern bank of the Paraguay River.
How to get to Paraguay
As a landlocked nation, Paraguay needs to have good road connections with it’s neighbours. For visitors this means you’ll benefit from a good selection of relatively efficient border crossings between Paraguay and the surrounding countries. However travel by land isn’t the only way to get there and there’s a decent number of flights into the capital, Asuncion from other South American destinations.
Paraguay by Road
Paraguay’s border crossings are located all around the perimeter of the country. The map below shows the location of each of these crossings.
Argentina
You’ll find numerous border crossings between Paraguay and Argentina, stretching from the far west of the border to the far east close to Iguazu Falls. Much of the western border area is heavily forested and impassable, so most travellers tend to use one of the crossings close to Asuncion. Below, you’ll find the main border crossings connecting Paraguay and Argentina:
Ciudad del Este – Foz do Iguaçu: Situated in the tri-border area where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay converge, this crossing is among the most frequented. It operates around the clock, 24 hours a day.
Clorinda – Puerto Falcón: Located in the northern part of Argentina and the south-eastern part of Paraguay, this crossing is accessible from 7 am to 10 pm.
Encarnación – Posadas: Positioned in the southern region of Paraguay and the north-eastern part of Argentina, this crossing operates from 7 am to 10 pm.
Pozo Hondo: Found in the far western region of Paraguay and the north-western part of Argentina, this is an extremely remote crossing. Access to this area is challenging due to the questionable quality of the roads in the area and their propensity to flood during the wet season.
Bolivia
There are few border crossings between Paraguay and Bolivia, however obtaining up to date travel information can prove to be a daunting task. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with local residents for the most recent updates. One border post that is definitely operational and caters to both domestic and international traffic is:
- Mayor Infante Rivarola – Puerto Sucre: Situated in a remote area, this crossing connects western Paraguay to the southern regions of Bolivia.
There are other additional border crossings further north along the western boundary, such as Villazon, and along Paraguay’s northern border. However, as of the time of writing, we were unable to verify the operational status of these borders.
Brazil
Paraguay shares an extensive border with Brazil, and there are several border crossings between the two countries. Some of the major border crossings include:
Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) – Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil): This is one of the busiest and most well-known border crossings. It connects Ciudad del Este in Paraguay with Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. The crossing is over the Friendship Bridge, known locally as Ponte da Amizade. It’s often used by tourists visiting the famous Iguazu Falls.
Salto del Guairá (Paraguay) – Guaíra (Brazil): Located in the northern part of Paraguay, this crossing connects Salto del Guairá in Paraguay to Guaíra in Brazil.
Ponte da Integração (Integration Bridge): This new bridge connects Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil with Presidente Franco in Paraguay, providing an alternative to the Friendship Bridge.
- Bela Vista – In the north of Paraguay the city of Bela Vista straddles the border. There’s a border crossing here into southwest Brazil.
Paraguay by River
Despite much of Paraguay’s borders being demarcated by various different rivers, there’s very little options for boat travel to or from the country. Most of the aforementioned rivers have extensive bridges, which act as a far more efficient and convenient border. That being said, there is one ferry option between Puerto Iguazú in Argentina and Presidente Franco in Paraguay. It’s a short but convenient trip as it alleviates some of the complexities of travelling through the tri-border area.
Paraguay by Air
Travelling to Paraguay by air is a more challenging prospect than air travel to other countries in the region. The country is served by two major international airports in the form of Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) in Asuncion and Guarani International Airport (AGT) in Ciudad del Este. However these two airports only have a small roster of airlines that service them with limited destinations.
Travel to and from Paraguay at regional level is possible, if a little costly. However longer haul travel to Europe or North America will normally necessitate a stop over in Argentina or Brazil, which are better served by global airlines. While there are some notable exceptions to this such as the Iberia direct flight to Madrid, assume you won’t be able to fly direct.
Can you Drive to Paraguay from the U.S?
It’s possible to embark on an extensive road journey from the United States to Paraguay by following the extensive network of roads known as the Pan-American Highway. This highway has its origins in Prudhoe Bay, situated in far northern Alaska and proceeds in a southward direction through Canada, the United States, Mexico and the countries of Central America. However, there is an interruption in the highway’s continuity between Panama and Colombia, which adds a layer of challenge and expense to this segment of the journey.
This disruption is due to the imposing and impenetrable obstacle known as the Darién Gap. This area is covered in dense jungle that necessitates the shipping of your vehicle from Panama to Colombia before you can resume your overland voyage. You can find more detailed instructions regarding this process and comprehensive guidance for traveling to South America in our blog post.
Upon your arrival in South America, the route extends further to the south, taking you through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and into Bolivia. From Bolivia you can then cross into Paraguay at the Mayor Infante Rivarola crossing or at Villazon. This road trip is truly of epic proportions, covering substantial distances. The table below shows just how far you have to travel to reach Paraguay from various different cities in the U.S.
Starting Point | Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
New York | Asuncion | 8,993 miles | 190 hours |
Chicago | Asuncion | 8,450 miles | 182 hours |
Los Angeles | Asuncion | 8,628 miles | 184 hours |
Houston | Asuncion | 7,367 miles | 166 hours |
Seattle | Asuncion | 9,419 miles | 196 hours |
Can you Drive in Paraguay?
If you’re not a citizen of Paraguay and you’re visiting the country as a tourist, you’ll need to satisfy a couple of criteria to be able to drive there. The first criteria is you must be 18 years of age or older. In addition to this you also need to hold a valid visa and a driver’s license from your home country.
It gets more complicated if you plan to bring your own vehicle into Paraguay. In addition to the requirements above, you must also possess the following documentation:
- Proof of valid insurance coverage.
- The vehicle’s registration documents.
For both over-landers and visitors hiring a car locally in Paraguay, it’s recommended you obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Although it’s not a strict requirement, it can be advantageous as it simplifies interactions with local authorities in case of an encounter. Alternatively, consider having a translated version of your native driver’s license. This can be beneficial, especially if it is not in Spanish or English.
Is it Safe to Drive in Paraguay?
Paraguay distinguishes itself as one of the safer countries for driving in South America. Incidents of violent crime are notably lower in comparison to other nations in the region. Paraguay also has more amenable geography with fewer mountain or high altitude passes.
Nevertheless, while Paraguay may offer a safer driving experience compared to some of its South American counterparts, you should still exercise vigilance. When driving in Paraguay, the following are likely to be your biggest challenges:
Road Conditions: While the major highways are in good condition, many rural areas suffer from indifferent roads. Potholes, loose gravel and uneven tracks are just some of the challenges you could face if you venture off the beaten path.
Aggressive Driving: Navigating Paraguay’s roads, as well as those throughout South America in general, presents quite a challenge. It’s a notably different experience when compared to driving in the United States, Australia or Europe. Drivers often exhibit heightened aggression and frequently disregard traffic regulations at intersections and traffic lights. Therefore, it is essential to practice defensive driving at all times and to be on alert.
Carjacking and theft: The levels of vehicle and violent crime in Paraguay are considerably lower than in Brazil and other nearby countries. However it’s important to remain vigilante and always take any necessary precautions. In urban areas it’s always recommended that you lock your doors at all time. When you’re out of the vehicle, it’s essential you hide any valuables and park in a busy, well lit area where possible.
Best Time to Visit Paraguay
The best time to visit Paraguay is typically during the dry season of May through September. This period falls across the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months, but temperatures remain warm and comfortable at this time of year. Visiting during this season removes the risk of sudden downpours as well as the risk of flooding and impassable roads. The other benefit of visiting at this time is that the weather is considerably cooler and less humid than during the hotter, wet season. During the wet season, conditions can get very uncomfortable.
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