Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 911. Hospital de Clínicas (public) or Sanatorio Migone/Santa Clara (private) in Asunción.
Response time: 15-30 min in Asunción. Rural areas: 45+ min or unavailable.
Cost: Public ER: free but long waits. Private ER: $50-300.
Healthcare System
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.
Designed for: Residents (IPS social security system). Tourists use private sector.
GP Access & Costs
Walk-in at private clinics. Public system requires registration.
Typical wait: Private: same-day. Public: hours to days.
Availability: Good in Asunción. Very limited in rural areas and the Chaco.
GP Visit
$20-60 private GP visit
Private GP
$20-60
ER 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.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Some 24hr pharmacies in Asunción.
OTC: Wide range available without prescription.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions for controlled medications.
Practical Tips
- 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
Who can get care in Paraguay?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Paraguay treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private clinics. Public system requires registration. Typical cost: $20-60 private GP visit. Typical wait: Private: same-day. Public: hours to days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: $50-500. Evacuation to Buenos Aires: $5,000-15,000..
Documents worth having ready
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- Prescriptions in Spanish
Local contacts in Paraguay
Emergency services
911
Call 911. Hospital de Clínicas (public) or Sanatorio Migone/Santa Clara (private) in Asunción.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Some 24hr pharmacies in Asunción.
Wide range available without prescription.
What is the emergency number in Paraguay?
911 in Paraguay. Call 911. Hospital de Clínicas (public) or Sanatorio Migone/Santa Clara (private) in Asunción.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Paraguay?
$20-60 private GP visit. Private consultations: $20-60.
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Sources: Paraguay Ministry of Health, WHO Paraguay, CDC Travelers' Health 2024
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare