Major city · Paraguay
Concepción
Give Concepción one full day and one night: river port, three small museums and the riverside walk, then move on by bus or boat.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PYG
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (check; cooler and drier months)
- avoid Dec–Feb (hot and humid; highs around 33–34 °C)avoid Dec–Feb (hot and humid; highs around 91–93 °F)
- Airport
- CIO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
- Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
- Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
Concepción is a river port 460 km north of Asunción, known as La Perla del Norte for its early-20th-century mansions and public buildings. It is a transport hub for the northern river communities and the departure point for the weekly Aquidabán cargo ferry. The centre is a compact, walkable grid; most travellers use it as a one-night stop between Asunción, Pedro Juan Caballero and the Chaco.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Concepción, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG, ₲).Paraguay-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo, Personal and Claro; prepaid SIMs with a passport at shops and malls, or an eSIM before you fly.Paraguay-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in Asunción but many drink bottled; bottled outside the city.Paraguay-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% if not included.Paraguay-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Paraguay-wide
- SafetyConcepción is a small city and most visits pass without incident; the real risks are summer heat…
- RestroomsUse malls, restaurants and bus terminals; carry tissues.Paraguay-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 141 ambulance (asunción) · 132 fire
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta about 12:00–15:00 in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Siesta about 12:00 PM–3:00 PM in towns; Mennonite colonies close on Sundays.Paraguay-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCIO Mariscal Francisco Solano López Airport (South of town on the road to the Nanawa bridge…
- Getting aroundThe centre is a compact grid and walking is the default.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tereré in the centre₲5,000–15,000
- Beerbottle in a bar / can at a shop₲15,000–25,000₲8,000–12,000
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within the centreAgree the fare first.₲15,000–25,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₲50,000–100,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry₲10,000–30,000 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personPYG 60,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomPYG 280,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomPYG 550,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PYG 150,000 · Mid PYG 300,000 · High PYG 550,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CIO Mariscal Francisco Solano López Airport (South of town on the road to the Nanawa bridge; once-a-week Setam flight to Asunción with stops at Vallemí, Fuerte Olimpo and Bahía Negra.)
Weather and climate
Concepción: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
34°C93°F
23°C73°F
9 rd
Feb
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
8 rd
Mar
32°C90°F
21°C70°F
8 rd
Apr
29°C84°F
18°C64°F
7 rd
May
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
7 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
13°C55°F
6 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
5 rd
Aug
27°C81°F
14°C57°F
5 rd
Sep
29°C84°F
16°C61°F
6 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
19°C66°F
8 rd
Nov
32°C90°F
21°C70°F
8 rd
Dec
34°C93°F
22°C72°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is a compact grid and walking is the default. Avenida Agustín Fernando de Pinedo runs north–south; Presidente Franco runs east–west to the port. Bicycle rental for trips out to Belén and the surrounding area: check locally. Taxis cover the terminal, port and airport; agree the fare before you get in.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Belén
goDoor to door: Check locally
Bus or rented bicycle west of the centre (check locally)
Small riverside town; the historic core of Concepción was founded close to it in 1773.
Cerro Corá National Park
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h
Bus toward Pedro Juan Caballero, about 2–3 h
Site of the last battle of the Triple Alliance War; buses run 06:00–16:00, GS.30,000.Site of the last battle of the Triple Alliance War; buses run 6:00 AM–4:00 PM, GS.30,000.
Vallemí
overnightDoor to door: 2–4 h
Bus, 2–4 h depending on season and stops
Cement town and river stop; buses at 08:00 and 13:00, GS.50,000.Cement town and river stop; buses at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, GS.50,000.
Pedro Juan Caballero
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Bus, 4–5 h, GS.60,000
Border town on Route 5; buses 06:00–16:00 every 1.5–2 h.Border town on Route 5; buses 6:00 AM–4:00 PM every 1.5–2 h.
Yby Yaú
skipDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus on Route 5 toward Pedro Juan Caballero
Road junction with little for a visitor; useful only as a transfer point.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (around Plaza Libertad)
Walkable to the cathedral, museums, Municipalidad and Presidente Franco shops; best for one night without a car. Rates: check.
Port area (west end of Presidente Franco)
Closest to the old port and the Aquidabán departure point; quieter at night. Rates: check.
Bus terminal area (Avenida Pinedo, north)
Convenient for early departures; about 8 blocks north of Presidente Franco, a 15–20 min walk to the centre. Rates: check.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₲150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₲250,000–450,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₲450,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × PYG 280,000 | PYG 280,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PYG 300,000 | PYG 600,000 |
| Bus Asunción → Concepción, one way2 × PYG 120,000 | PYG 240,000 |
| Bus Concepción → Pedro Juan Caballero, one way2 × PYG 60,000 | PYG 120,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PYG 80,000 · check | PYG 160,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PYG 140,000 |
| Trip total≈ PYG 770,000 per person per day, bed included | PYG 1,540,000 |
2026 estimate in guaraníes; long-distance buses and the Aquidabán ferry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tereré in the centre | ₲5,000–15,000 |
| Simple lunch (milanesa, empanada, chipa) | ₲20,000–45,000 |
| Beer: bottle in a bar / can at a shop | ₲15,000–25,000 / ₲8,000–12,000 |
| Taxi within the centreAgree the fare first. | ₲15,000–25,000 |
| Bus terminal → centre taxiWidely considered high for the distance; walking is an option. | ₲20,000–30,000 |
| Museum entry | ₲10,000–30,000 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₲50,000–100,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity Dec–Feb: plan museum and indoor stops for midday.
- Cash is king outside Asunción; carry guaraníes for buses, taxis and small museums.
- Taxis from the bus terminal to the centre are quoted at GS.20,000–30,000, high for the distance — you can walk or get off at Avenida Pinedo instead.
- The Aquidabán ferry runs about once a week and fills up: confirm the day and buy ahead at the port.
- Little English is spoken; a few Spanish phrases go a long way.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance (Asunción)
- 141
- Fire
- 132
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ConcepciónConcepción
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Ambulance (Asunción)141
- Fire132
Embassy
No embassies in Concepción; most countries have embassies in Asunción.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Asunción → Concepción: GS.120,000, about 6 h via the Transchaco
- Bus Concepción → Pedro Juan Caballero: GS.60,000, 4–5 h
- Taxi terminal → centre: GS.20,000–30,000
- Aquidabán ferry to Bahía Negra: about once a week; confirm day and fare at the port
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el puerto? — Where is the port? (DON-deh es-TAH el PWER-toh)
- Un boleto, por favor — One ticket, please (oon boh-LEH-toh por fah-VOR)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
Tourist enquiries: Secretaría de Turismo, Calle Brasil and General José Eduvigis Díaz, two blocks north of Plaza Libertad.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Concepción. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep (check; cooler and drier months) · avoid Dec–Feb (hot and humid; highs around 33–34 °C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CIO: Setam weekly flight field-checked, bus and taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza Libertad and cathedral, Presidente Franco and the port, Avenida Pinedo museums.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Museo Villa Real, Museo Cívico, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo Diocesano) and eat pages with last orders.
- Aquidabán ferry fixture: sailing day, boarding point and ticket window checked before gates go green.