r/Expats_In_Paraguay

I am considering settling in Asuncion, Paraguay soon. The problem is that I have a severe phobia of insects. Given Paraguay's hot and humid climate, I anticipate a huge population of bugs. I'm aware that it's impossible to completely avoid mosquitoes, whether indoors or outdoors. My real fear is encountering far more repulsive pests like cockroaches while relaxing in my apartment. Simply put, I absolutely cannot share a space with a cockroach, even more so if it's in my own home. I am willing to call pest control once a month if necessary.

I realize this might come off as dramatic to some, but it's an issue that significantly affects my quality of life. Since Paraguay has some solid perks, I plan on settling there anyway as long as the problem isn't a full-blown disaster. Before doing so, I just want to know in advance what is preventable and how far I need to lower my expectations for the rest.

As a starting point, I will be renting a newly built apartment on a high floor. If anyone here is currently living in a newly built apartment complex in Asuncion, I would deeply appreciate hearing about your real-life experiences with indoor bugs. Is it a manageable situation? And of course, regardless of your building type, any insights or experiences regarding the matter would be hugely helpful and much appreciated.

I'm currently looking for a 1-year lease for a 1-bedroom apartment in Asuncion. It seems like $6-700 USD is enough for a decent place in a decent location, but I've mainly been browsing InfoCasas. Are there any other websites you would recommend checking out?

Regarding documentation, will I have any issues signing a lease using my passport as my sole form of ID while waiting for my temporary residency and cedula to be processed? I'm also wondering if a local guarantor would be strictly required.

Lastly, I'd really appreciate any heads-up on particular things to watch out for from the signing of the contract throughout the lease period. Any insights or personal experiences would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone! I’m Colombian and I’ve been seriously considering moving my tax residency to Paraguay.

I’m from Bogotá, and one of the first things that struck me about Asunción is how green it is. I’ve seen a lot of posts saying the city isn’t actually as green as people claim and that other parts of Paraguay are much greener, but honestly, coming from Bogotá (and even compared to Medellín), Asunción feels incredibly lush and beautiful to me.

You also hear a lot about how warm Paraguayans are, but I genuinely think words don’t fully capture it until you experience it yourself. People here are unbelievably kind and welcoming. I’d honestly say they’re some of the nicest people I’ve met anywhere in the world.

The food is amazing too and honestly, I enjoy it even more than Colombian food. And while I don’t think any city in the world is ever 100% safe, there really is a noticeable sense of security in neighborhoods like Manorá, Villa Morra, Las Lomas, etc. It’s something I personally never felt in supposedly similar upscale areas like Chicó or Zona T back in Bogotá.

That said, there’s one thing that has really surprised me: the smell of burning garbage some nights in Asunción. It’s not constant or every day, but it happens often enough to notice. What surprises me even more is how normalized it seems to be. I barely find anyone talking about it online, whether locals or expats. Nobody really seems to complain about it.

I understand that waste collection is a major issue and probably not an easy one to solve. But honestly, it takes away from an otherwise beautiful place and a genuinely pleasant quality of life. It feels sad to see something like that in such a green and charming city.

What confuses me the most is the silence around it because it’s not just about the smell, it’s also about public health. And yes, I already know some Paraguay critics will jump in saying the country has bigger issues with healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But as someone coming from abroad and not being used to this kind of pollution, I genuinely wonder: why does nobody talk about it? Am I the only one noticing it, or do people here just see it as normal?