Paraguay - Travel Health and Safety

Your Health Guide to Traveling in Paraguay

Paraguay is one of South America's most overlooked gems — a landlocked country of vast wetlands, subtropical forests, and a capital city, Asunción, where colonial architecture meets a genuinely warm local culture. Whether you are heading into the Chaco wilderness, exploring the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad, or settling into the rhythms of Asunción's riverside neighborhoods, Paraguay rewards curious travelers with experiences that feel refreshingly unscripted. Getting your travel health preparation right means you can focus entirely on the adventure ahead.

This guide covers everything you need to know before you go: the health risks specific to Paraguay, which vaccinations the CDC recommends, how to handle food and water safety, what illnesses travelers most commonly encounter, and what US citizens need to know about visas and passport requirements. It is all here in one place, written in plain language so you can make confident decisions.

WayPax is here to be your trusted travel health companion from the moment you start planning to the day you land back home. Read on, get informed, and travel well.

At a Glance

Category	Details
Risk Level	Medium
Region	South America — Interior (Landlocked)
Tap Water Safe	Not reliably safe outside Asunción — use bottled or purified water
Vaccines Recommended	Yes — including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever (for most areas), MMR, and routine vaccines
Visa Required for US Citizens	No — visa-free entry for tourist stays up to 90 days

Frequently Asked Questions

No FAQ questions were provided in the keyword brief for this destination. Check back as this guide is updated with traveler questions specific to Paraguay.

Get Your Personalized Travel Health Plan for Paraguay

Paraguay brings a real mix of health considerations — from yellow fever risk in areas beyond Asunción to mosquito-borne illnesses like chikungunya (a viral disease spread by mosquito bites that causes fever and joint pain) that require consistent prevention throughout your trip. Rabies exposure from dogs and wildlife is also a genuine concern, and access to post-exposure treatment can be limited outside larger cities. Your health plan should be as specific as your itinerary.

Start Your Trip Kit

Health Risks in Paraguay

Paraguay carries a medium overall health risk for travelers, with mosquito-borne diseases, animal exposure risks, and vaccine-preventable illnesses being the most important concerns to prepare for before you go.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Mosquitoes in Paraguay can transmit several illnesses, and the CDC advises all travelers to prevent mosquito bites at all times throughout the country. Chikungunya (a viral illness that causes fever, rash, and severe joint pain) is an established risk, and prior CDC-linked outbreak warnings have specifically flagged Paraguay as a source of infection in returning travelers. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk hours, and sleep in air-conditioned or screened accommodations whenever possible.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever (a serious, sometimes fatal viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes) is a notable risk in Paraguay. According to the CDC, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended for most travelers age 9 months and older visiting Paraguay. The one exception is travel limited exclusively to Asunción, where the vaccine is generally not recommended. If your trip takes you anywhere beyond the capital, vaccination is the right call.

Rabies

Rabies (a fatal viral disease transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal) is a meaningful risk in Paraguay. According to the CDC, dogs infected with rabies are commonly found throughout the country, and the virus is also present in terrestrial wildlife and bats. Critically, access to post-exposure vaccines (the treatment required after a potential exposure) may be limited outside larger suburban or urban medical facilities. Avoid contact with stray animals and bats entirely, and know in advance where the nearest adequate medical facility is located relative to your itinerary.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus (a serious respiratory illness transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or nesting materials) is a reported health risk in Paraguay, according to the WHO. Risk is highest in rural areas and when camping, hiking, or staying in rustic accommodations where rodents may be present. Avoid disturbing rodent nests or burrows, store food in sealed containers, and ventilate enclosed spaces before entering them if rodent activity is suspected.

Waterborne and Foodborne Illness

Hepatitis A (a liver infection spread through contaminated food or water) is a risk for unvaccinated travelers visiting Paraguay, according to the CDC. Contaminated water and food are the primary transmission routes. Vaccination before travel is the most effective protection, and safe food and water practices add another important layer of defense throughout your trip.

Measles

Measles (a highly contagious viral respiratory illness) is a current travel health concern globally, and the CDC has issued a Level 1 travel health notice tied to rising measles activity worldwide. The CDC advises all international travelers to be fully vaccinated with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine before departure, including an early dose for infants between 6 and 11 months old who are traveling internationally.

Recommended Vaccinations for Paraguay

Several vaccinations are recommended before traveling to Paraguay, and getting them in order well ahead of your departure date is one of the most important steps you can take for your health.

• Hepatitis A vaccine: Protects against hepatitis A (a liver infection spread through contaminated food or water). According to the CDC, this vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated travelers age 1 and older going to Paraguay, and infants 6 to 11 months should also receive a travel dose. Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure for best protection.
• Hepatitis B vaccine: Protects against hepatitis B (a liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, or contaminated medical equipment). According to the CDC, this vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated travelers under age 60 and may also be considered for unvaccinated travelers age 60 and older. A full series takes several weeks, so plan ahead.
• Yellow fever vaccine: Protects against yellow fever (a potentially fatal mosquito-borne viral disease). According to the CDC, this vaccine is recommended for travelers age 9 months and older visiting areas of Paraguay beyond Asunción. It is generally not recommended if your travel is limited exclusively to Asunción. This vaccine requires a single dose and is valid for life.
• MMR vaccine: Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. According to the CDC, all international travelers should be fully vaccinated before departure, including an early dose for infants 6 to 11 months. Confirm your MMR status before booking travel.
• Routine vaccines: According to the CDC, your routine vaccinations should be up to date before any international travel. These include varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (Tdap), influenza, polio, and shingles, as appropriate for your age and health history.
• COVID-19 vaccine: According to the CDC, all eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines before international travel.
• Rabies pre-exposure vaccine: Protects against rabies (a fatal viral disease from animal bites or scratches). According to the CDC, this vaccine is recommended for selected travelers — particularly those with a higher likelihood of animal contact or those traveling to areas with limited access to post-exposure treatment. If your itinerary includes rural areas, outdoor activities, or work with animals, discuss this vaccine with your travel health provider.
• Chikungunya vaccine: According to the CDC, chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended for travelers to Paraguay. Consistent mosquito-bite prevention is the primary protective strategy for all travelers.

Your specific vaccine needs depend on your age, health history, and exact itinerary. Consult a travel health provider or clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure to make sure your plan is tailored to you.

Tap Water and Food Safety in Paraguay

Tap water in Paraguay is not reliably safe to drink outside of Asunción, and even within the capital, caution is warranted when infrastructure issues arise.

Water Safety

In Asunción, tap water is generally considered potable under normal conditions. However, the WHO notes that power outages, water shortages, and infrastructure problems can compromise water quality even in urban areas. Outside major cities, water quality becomes significantly less predictable. The safest approach throughout your trip is to drink bottled water from sealed containers, use water that has been boiled and cooled, or use a properly certified water filter or purification tablets. Apply the same caution to ice — if you are unsure of the water source, skip the ice in your drinks.

Food Safety

Stick to food that is freshly cooked and served hot. Street food can be a wonderful part of experiencing Paraguayan culture, and choosing vendors with high turnover and visible cooking activity reduces your risk significantly. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, shellfish, and unpasteurized dairy products. Peel fresh fruit yourself rather than eating pre-cut fruit from unknown sources. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating, and carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for moments when soap and water are not available. These habits go a long way toward keeping you healthy throughout your trip.

Common Traveler Illnesses in Paraguay

The illnesses that travelers most commonly encounter in Paraguay tend to involve mosquito bites, animal contact, and exposure to contaminated environments — all of which are manageable with the right preparation and awareness.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral illness caused by a mosquito bite, and it is a documented travel-related illness risk in Paraguay according to the CDC. Key symptoms include sudden high fever, severe joint pain (which can last weeks to months), muscle pain, headache, and rash. There is no specific antiviral treatment — care focuses on rest, fluids, and managing pain with appropriate medications. If you develop a sudden fever and joint pain during or after your trip, see a doctor promptly and mention your travel history.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection transmitted through food or water contaminated with fecal matter. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), and dark urine. If you are vaccinated before travel, your risk drops dramatically. If you develop symptoms consistent with hepatitis A during or after your trip, seek medical evaluation — most people recover fully, but the illness can be severe in older adults or those with underlying liver conditions.

Rabies Exposure

A bite, scratch, or even a lick from an infected animal on broken skin can transmit rabies, which is fatal without prompt treatment. If you are bitten or scratched by any animal in Paraguay — including a dog, bat, or wild animal — wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical care as quickly as possible. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Post-exposure treatment is effective when started promptly, but access to the required vaccines may be limited in rural areas, so knowing the location of the nearest well-equipped medical facility before you travel is essential.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a serious respiratory illness that travelers can acquire through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or nesting materials. Early symptoms resemble flu — fatigue, fever, and muscle aches — and can progress rapidly to severe breathing difficulty. There is no specific treatment, making prevention the only reliable strategy. If you develop flu-like symptoms after any potential rodent exposure during your trip, seek emergency medical care immediately and inform the treating physician of your travel history and potential exposure.

Visa Requirements for US Citizens Visiting Paraguay

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Paraguay for tourist travel. Entry is granted on arrival, and tourist stays of up to 90 days are generally permitted without any advance visa application.

You will need a valid US passport to enter the country. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry — expired or damaged passports may result in denied entry at the border or airport. It is good practice to carry a passport with at least six months of remaining validity beyond your travel dates, as some immigration officers and airlines apply this standard even when it is not formally required. Have at least one blank page available in your passport for the entry stamp.

Paraguay is a landlocked country, and if you are entering by land through Brazil, Argentina, or Bolivia, the same entry rules apply, but border crossing logistics can add complexity to your journey. Always verify current entry requirements with the official Paraguayan government or the US Embassy in Asunción before you travel, as policies can change without notice.

Quick Answers

No AI Search Prompts were provided in the keyword brief for this destination. This section will be populated with targeted quick-answer content as keyword data becomes available for Paraguay.

Plan Your Safe Trip to Paraguay Today

Beyond the vaccine checklist, Paraguay asks you to think carefully about water safety outside major cities, consistent mosquito-bite prevention across all regions, and the practical reality that medical resources — including post-exposure rabies treatment — can be harder to access in rural and remote areas. Knowing your risks in advance means you can prepare for them, not just react to them. Your Trip Kit gives you a personalized health plan built around your specific destination, dates, and itinerary.

Start Your Trip Kit