Paraguay Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Paraguay — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Paraguay has a developing healthcare system. Public hospitals are underfunded and overcrowded. Private clinics in Asunción are decent and affordable. Outside the capital, healthcare is very basic. Guaraní is spoken as much as Spanish — language barriers are significant. For serious conditions, evacuation to Buenos Aires or São Paulo.
System type: Mixed public-private. Tourists rely on private clinics in Asunción.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 911
Typical response time: 15-30 min in Asunción. Rural areas: 45+ min or unavailable.
Costs: Public ER: free but long waits. Private ER: $50-300.
Call 911. Hospital de Clínicas (public) or Sanatorio Migone/Santa Clara (private) in Asunción.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private clinics. Public system requires registration.
Typical wait: Private: same-day. Public: hours to days.
Typical cost: $20-60 private GP visit.
Good in Asunción. Very limited in rural areas and the Chaco.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus booster, Rabies (if visiting rural areas)
Dengue present — use mosquito repellent. Chagas disease risk in rural areas.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: limited
Most nationalities get 90-day visa on arrival. US citizens need visa in advance.
Documents to prepare:
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- Prescriptions in Spanish
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: $20-60
Emergency care without insurance: $50-500. Evacuation to Buenos Aires: $5,000-15,000.
Medication: Medications very affordable. Pharmacies sell many drugs without prescription. Quality varies — buy from established chains.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Some 24hr pharmacies in Asunción.
Over the counter: Wide range available without prescription.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions for controlled medications.
Things that catch visitors out in Paraguay
- Guaraní is spoken as much as Spanish — even doctors may default to Guaraní
- Private healthcare in Asunción is very affordable by international standards
- The Chaco region has almost no healthcare — carry a full medical kit
- Many medications available without prescription at very low cost
- Public hospitals are free but extremely overcrowded
Practical tips for travellers
- Sanatorio Migone (Asunción) — best private hospital, some English-speaking staff
- Santa Clara Hospital (Asunción) — modern private facility
- Hospital de Clínicas — main public teaching hospital
- Carry a Spanish phrasebook or translation app — English is rare even in hospitals
- The Chaco: no reliable healthcare. Carry a satellite phone and full first-aid kit.
- Tap water is generally safe in Asunción but not in rural areas
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