We’re not shy about sharing all the things that make life in Paraguay great.
But nowhere is perfect!
Today we’re going to look at some of the negative things you’ll encounter living in our favorite South American country.
Let’s get started.
Power Outages
If you plan to live in Paraguay, you’ll have to get used to power outages, particularly during the summer months. Whenever there is heavy wind or heavy rain, at least some neighborhoods will lose power. Of course, the frequency of power outages will differ depending on where you live (in rural areas, they tend to be more common than, say, an affluent neighborhood of Asuncion).
Suppose you rely on the internet for work. In that case, we suggest investing in a generator or renting in an apartment building that has one.
The Heat
From about November to March, Paraguay gets extremely hot! We’re talking 40°C (104°F) and above. Most places have air conditioning, but it can be oppressive when you have to step outside.
If you’re someone who struggles with hot temperatures, Paraguay may not be the best option. Unfortunately, the entire country gets hot during the summer, so there’s no escape!
Trash and Littering
Unfortunately, littering is all too common across Paraguay. In Asuncion, this is an issue — you’ll invariably see garbage while walking in the streets or notice people throwing trash out of their car windows, etc.
There are a few exceptions to this. For example, the river city of Encarnacion is pleasantly clean, and the city of Atyrá is considered the cleanest city in Paraguay. However, generally speaking, you’ll see a lot of trash on the streets in Paraguay.
Poor Public Transportation
There isn’t a single Paraguayan city that has what could be considered good public transportation. As a newcomer, bus routes are famously hard to figure out. Most buses are old, far from fuel-efficient, and often in rough condition both mechanically and aesthetically.
On the plus side, you can usually get to where you need to go on a bus in the larger cities. The tricky part is figuring out which buses will get you there!
Dengue
During the summer months in Paraguay, dengue is a problem. Dengue spreads from mosquitos to people, and symptoms include fever, aches and pains, rash, and nausea. It usually lasts for 2-7 days and can be fatal in older people.
If you’re in Paraguay during the summer, you must arm yourself with bug spray and do whatever you can to prevent yourself from being bitten.
The Mail Service
The public mail service in Paraguay is unreliable. If you order a package from abroad, it may not arrive. And if it does, you can expect it to take months. If you order something from within Paraguay, it will probably arrive, but it may take a while as well!
If you intend to receive mail from abroad, we recommend using a freight forwarding service like Paraguay Box or Netbox. These companies will supply you with a mailbox in Miami. Then, they will receive packages for you at their offices in Asuncion.
Lack of Opportunities
As a developing country with a small population, Paraguay does not offer many opportunities for work, business, or investment as other Latin American countries.
If you plan to live here, we suggest having income or savings from abroad rather than looking for a well-paying job here, as there aren’t many.
Traffic
In Paraguay’s larger cities, traffic can be hectic. During rush hour, it takes a while to get anywhere. Perhaps worse than rush hour, though, are the general driving habits. Traffic rules and pedestrian crossings are not respected, and drivers tend to be quite aggressive.
Although traffic is less in smaller cities, the drivers are still aggressive. Therefore, you must be careful crossing the street as a pedestrian, and if you intend to drive here, it may be stressful.
Road Conditions
The roads all across Paraguay are in bad condition. There are many potholes and cobblestone streets that are tough on cars. So, in addition to crazy drivers, this will be another thing you’ll need to look out for when driving!
These problems also apply to sidewalks. So be sure to keep an eye on where you’re going, or you could end up with a rolled ankle or worse!
Corruption
Finally, another unfortunate thing about living in Paraguay is the widespread corruption. The wealth gap here is immense, and it’s hardly a secret that there is corruption within the Paraguayan government. Not nearly enough funds go toward helping the poor or rebuilding crumbling infrastructure.o
Corruption spreads across all institutions. For instance, if you’re driving in Paraguay and get pulled over, there’s a good chance you’ll need to offer a bribe.
10 Bad Things About Living in Paraguay: Final Thoughts
We love this country.
But, we’d be remiss not to mention some of the downsides of living here.
The good news is that, as Paraguay’s economy continues to grow, you can expect many of these problems to improve.
That’s it, folks!
Tell us what you think in the comments below!