First 30 Days in Asunción
First 30 days in Asunción are critical for establishing a smooth start to expat life. From getting a SIM card and finding temporary housing to opening bank accounts and meeting the expat community—this week-by-week checklist covers everything you need.
Week 1: Emergency Setup
Priority tasks for your first week to ensure connectivity and safety.
📱 Get a Local SIM Card
Tigo (widest coverage), Claro (speed), Personal (urban). Available at airport, malls, and Villa Morra.
SIM: $0.70-$1.40 USD. Data plans: $1.30-$7 USD for starter packages.
Passport required for registration at purchase.
Avoid airport SIMs—overpriced. City shops have better deals. Consider eSIMs (Airalo, Maya) if your phone supports it.
✈️ Airport to City
Flat rate: €13 EUR (~$14 USD). Night/weekend surcharge +€4. Cash only (local currency).
Pre-booked rides (Welcome Pickups, Bolt): €29 EUR (~$30 USD). Available 24/7, good for luggage.
Budget option: €0.30 (~$0.45 USD). 50 min journey. Hours: 5:00-20:00. Slow with luggage.
Use airport ATMs to withdraw PYG for better rates before transport.
🏨 Temporary Accommodation
- → El Nómada Hostel: $12 dorm/$26 private
- → Mandioca, Mediterraneo, La Casita: $8-25/night
- → Social vibe, pool, central locations
Best areas: Villa Morra, Recoleta, Carmelitas (walkable, safe, expat-friendly).
Avoid Old City Center and Chacarita after dark.
🚨 Emergency Contacts
Week 2: Administrative Essentials
Critical bureaucratic tasks requiring documentation and patience.
🏦 Opening a Bank Account
⚠️ Requires cédula (Paraguayan ID)—cannot open with just passport
Banco Itaú, Banco Basa, Banco Familiar, Sudameris, Banco Continental
- → Passport
- → Paraguayan cédula (after residency)
- → Proof of address in Paraguay
- → Source of funds/income documentation
- → Initial deposit (varies by bank)
24-48 hours after receiving cédula
🪪 Getting the Cédula
Required for banking, contracts, phone plans, and most administrative tasks
Cédula application: Few days after residency. Total process (including residency): 2-3 months
- → Passport
- → Apostilled birth certificate
- → Criminal record certificate
- → Proof of address
- → Residency card
~$450 USD (residency) + ~$500 USD (expedited services, translations)
Departamento de Identificaciones, Campos Cervera 6162, Asunción
📊 Tax Registration (RUC)
Only if starting a business, working locally, or registering as a freelancer
Temporary residency and cédula required first
Register at local tax authority (SET) for Registro Único de Contribuyentes. Timeline: 2 business days after application.
Hire a reliable accountant to choose correct tax activity classification. Avoid unsolicited offers and bribes.
🏥 Healthcare Options
Free or minimal cost, available to all. Crowded, limited English, basic facilities.
Doctor visit: $20-50. ER: $50-100. Insurance: $50-150/month.
San Roque, Migone, Hospital Bautista, Centro Médico La Costa
AXA, Allianz, Cigna, VUMI (international or local policies)
Weeks 3-4: Integration
Building your community and settling into daily life.
☕ Best Work-Friendly Cafes
3 locations: Villa Morra, Los Laureles, Paseo la Galería. Reliable WiFi.
Top WiFi for digital work
Lots of outlets, comfortable for long stays
Café, bookstore, coworking vibe
Best neighborhoods: Villa Morra, Recoleta, Carmelitas
🤝 Expat Communities & Meetups
Weekly Thursday socials at trendy bars. Join via Meetup, Facebook, Instagram
Major expat network, regular events for newcomers
English-language groups via North American expat admins
📚 Spanish Classes
Group and private classes, all levels, flexible hours
Foreigners specialist, cultural immersion
Intensive Spanish and Guaraní, homestay options
Short-term intensive with accommodation
Cost: €325-650/week intensive. Group packages: $100-330
💳 Banking Apps & Payments
Widely accepted digital wallet. Bills, transfers, QR payments. Register with phone + cédula
Alternative digital wallets for shopping/transfers
Instant interbank transfers in most bank apps
Safety Tips & Common Mistakes
✅ Safe Neighborhoods
- → Villa Morra
- → Recoleta
- → Carmelitas
- → Las Lomas
- → Mburucuyá (families)
⚠️ Unsafe at Night
- → Old City Center
- → Chacarita
- → Border towns
- → Unknown neighborhoods
💡 Essential Safety Rules
- → Never walk alone late at night—use Bolt, Uber, or trusted taxis
- → Don't show valuables or use phones while walking
- → Use ATMs inside malls/banks, not on the street
- → Carry a copy of passport, not the original
- → Don't drink tap water—use bottled or filtered
- → Spanish is critical—few locals speak English outside business
- → Avoid unlicensed taxi offers
- → Watch for petty theft in crowds, markets, transport hubs
- → Double-check documentation for government offices
Week-by-Week Summary
| Week | Primary Goals | Costs | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SIM, transport, housing, emergency setup | SIM $1-7, taxi $14, hostel $8-25 | 1-3 days |
| 2 | Bank, cédula, taxes, healthcare | Residency fees $450-1,000+ | 2-12 weeks total |
| 3-4 | Meetups, language, safety, digital payments | Spanish class $100-330 | Ongoing |