Tipping in Paraguay: The Complete Guide
Quick Answer
Tip around 10% at Paraguayan restaurants. Service charges are rarely included; cash in guaraní is preferred.
Paraguay has a relaxed tipping culture compared to its neighbors. A 10% tip is appreciated but not strictly mandatory at restaurants. In Asunción, tourist restaurants have slightly higher expectations than local parrillas (grills) and chipa stands.
The Paraguayan guaraní (PYG) has very large nominal values — a meal might cost 80,000–150,000 PYG. Keep this in mind when calculating tips; 10,000–15,000 PYG per person is often appropriate.
Restaurants: 10%
Leave 10% at sit-down restaurants. Upscale restaurants in Asunción may have 10% service charges already on the bill — check first.
At traditional chipería stalls and market food, no formal tip is expected, but leaving a small amount (PYG 2,000–5,000) is a kind gesture.
Hotels
Tip hotel porters PYG 10,000–20,000 per bag. Leave PYG 10,000–15,000 per night for housekeeping.
Business hotels in Asunción follow similar norms to regional South American cities.
Taxis & Ride-Share
Taxis in Asunción should use meters (taxímetro). Round up the fare by PYG 5,000–10,000.
Uber operates in Asunción. In-app tips are accepted.
2026 World Cup Tips
Paraguay's passionate football culture means dedicated fans will travel far for the 2026 World Cup in North America. In the US and Canada, tipping 18–20% at restaurants is the norm.
USD is sometimes accepted in Asunción tourist spots, but tipping in guaraní is always best for local workers.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Always carry PYG cash for tips
- Check your bill for included service charges
- Tip taxi drivers by rounding up the meter
Don't
- Don't be confused by large guaraní numbers — PYG 10,000 is about $1.30 USD
- Don't tip with USD unless the venue specifically caters to international visitors
- Don't skip tips at hotels — staff wages are low
Practical Tips
- PYG 10,000 ≈ $1.30 USD. Always use local currency for tips.
- Asunción has limited ATMs accepting foreign cards — withdraw sufficient cash on arrival.
- Paraguay is one of South America's most affordable destinations.
Need to Leave a Cashless Tip?
No cash on hand? LeaveTip lets you send a digital tip to hotel staff, valets, and other service workers — no app download needed for the recipient.
Try LeaveTipRelated Country Guides
Calculate Your Tip Instantly
Snap a photo of your receipt and let Gratiq's AI figure out the rest. No math, no guessing.