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Voykit pocket guide · Paraguay
Pilar
Spend a half‑day in Pilar to see the museum and church, then head back; one full day is enough for a relaxed visit.
Pilar is a small, safe city on the Paraguay River with a colonial museum, a historic church and river views. It is reachable by daily bus from Asunción and offers a few modest hotels. One day covers the main sights; a half‑day works if you are on a tight schedule.
- Country
- Paraguay
- Best months
- Apr–May, Aug–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cooler, occasional rain)
- Stay
- 0.5–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PYG
- Money
- Currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG, ₲). About ₲7,000–8,000 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cash dominates outside hotels, malls and larger restaurants in Asunción.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₲50,000–70,000 excl. bed · Mid ₲80,000–110,000 excl. bed · High ₲120,000–150,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo, Personal and Claro; prepaid SIMs with a passport at shops and malls, or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Ambulance 141
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin plugs fit most sockets.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% if not included.; Taxi / app: Round up.; Guide: US$5–10 a day.
- Water
- Tap water is treated in Asunción but many drink bottled; bottled outside the city.
- Toilets
- Use malls, restaurants and bus terminals; carry tissues.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ₲2,000–3,500 |
| Local dish (e.g., sopa paraguaya) | ₲5,000–8,000 |
| Bus ticket Asunción → Pilar | ₲30,000–35,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ASU · Silvio Pettirossi International Airport
- Main airport for Asunción, about 4 h bus to Pilar
Typical fares
- Asunción → Pilar bus
- about ₲30,000, 4 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Daily intercity buses from Asunción; local transport is walking or informal minibus from the bus stop to town centre.
See and do
Known for
- Town Council Museum (Museo el Cabildo)
- Iglesia Virgen del Pilar
- Mirador del Soldado Desconocido
- River fishing and boating
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Asunción | Bus from Pilar to Asunción, about 4 h | ≈4 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Las Garzas
- Basic rooms, breakfast included, no pool.
- Hotel Las Hortensias
- Higher‑end, pool, gym, air‑conditioning; price around US$99 per night.
- Hotel Malian
- Value option with on‑site restaurant and breakfast.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis-kuˈlpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among women and friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días'
- Tereré circle: Say thank you when you want to stop; avoid: Wiping the straw
- Language: Try a Guaraní word (aguyje = thanks); avoid: Calling Guaraní a dialect
- Time: Expect relaxed punctuality (hora paraguaya); avoid: Getting visibly impatient
Scams and watch-outs
- Pilar is reported as one of the safest and cleanest Paraguayan cities, but check opening hours of the museum as it is infrequently open.
- Bus shelters may be minimal; confirm the correct stop with locals.
Pilar is consistently described as safe for tourists; standard precautions apply.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Pilar yet. Suggested stay: 0.5–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Town Council Museum (Museo el Cabildo)
- Iglesia Virgen del Pilar
- Mirador del Soldado Desconocido
- River fishing and boating
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Pilar official website: pilar.gov.py/
- Wikivoyage: Pilar, revision 5039442 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5039442
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/pilar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.