Best places to rent apartments in Asunción, Paraguay
Most of the architecture in Asunción’s city centre dates back to the middle of the 19th century, when Paraguay’s then-president sought to modernize the country and its capital. It was during this time that Paraguay received some of the first steam trains in the Americas, and inaugurated the first iron foundry in South America.
Away from the historic centre, Asunción spreads out in every direction, dividing into several districts or barrios, and swallowing up country towns into what is now known as Greater Asunción. This area is home to half of Paraguay’s population, and is home to some of the most upmarket districts in the country, making it an ideal place to stay and rent.
In this article we’ll look at the best places to look for apartments for rent in Asunción, Paraguay, as well as the relative cost of living and other important factors – to help you find the ideal spot to settle down in this fantastic city with minimal hassle.
Top 5 neighborhoods for renting in Asunción
Without further ado, here are the 5 best neighborhoods to rent an apartment in Asunción:
1/ Villa Morra
If you’re new to the city, you won’t find a better place to enjoy all that Asuncion has to offer than Villa Morra, considered by many to be the best neighborhood in town. This area is home to the best bar and nightlife district in all of Paraguay, a lively spot known as Paseo Carmelitas. You’ll also find dozens of excellent restaurants, shopping malls and some beautiful parks within walking distance, which is not always the case in Asunción. In addition, several expat groups meet up from time to time either in one of the bars in Villa Morra or in the city center. These generally informal affairs are open to all comers and are a great way for foreigners to get to know the local culture.
2/ San Blas / Recoleta
Bordering Villa Morra, the San Blas and Recoleta neighborhoods are home to one of the best restaurant districts in the country, and host several shopping malls, bars, cafes, and more. The area is small but walkability is excellent, with access to some great dining options and the Carmelitas nightlife. This is a very central area in Asunción, so getting anywhere else in the city is as easy as hailing a rideshare car or hopping on a bus.
3/ Centro
The “Centro” of Paraguay’s capital city is a unique and charming neighborhood, with many distinctive historical landmarks and interesting views. It is relatively safe to walk around in too, especially compared to downtown areas in other South American metropolises, and has a more dynamic nightlife than most other parts of town, which tend to wind down during week days. The Centro is extremely pleasant to walk around during the day, and is home to all sorts of facilities, from gyms to cafés and bars. It might be a good plan to take up temporary residence in the Centro while looking for more long-term accommodation elsewhere – or maybe you’ll decide to stay put for the remainder of your stay!
4/ Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a largely residential, upper-class neighborhood, with only a handful of restaurants, cafés and other amenities within a ten-minute radius on foot. This makes it a peaceful and relaxing – albeit rather remote – part of town in which to rent an apartment.
5/ Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is a small neighborhood best known for its proximity to one of the best parks in the city – Parque de la Salud. Conveniently located between the Villa Morra area and the centro of Asunción, you’re never too far from the nightlife and amenities of both areas when staying in Santo Domingo, which is also slightly cheaper than some of the options listed above.
Cost of renting in Asunción
Short-term rental is relatively affordable in Asunción, especially compared to neighboring countries. The city has a wide range of hostels, bed and breakfasts from 8 USD/night, as well as Airbnb and Booking options with a short term waiting period while you look for the right long term rental.
Renting a flat in the centre of town costs approximately 1.5 – 3 million guaranís (210 – 420 USD) per month. Renting an apartment in the residential neighbourhoods of Barrio Recoleta, Barrio León Condou, Barrio San Vicente, Barrio Herrera or Barrio Jara will cost between 3 to 5 million guaranís (420 – 700 USD). Houses are also available in these neighbourhoods for a similar monthly rental cost, often with a big garden and multiple bedrooms.
The cost of items such as apartment rent and utilities in Paraguay is average compared to the rest of the South American region, but can be very appealing to outsiders who are earning US dollars or other foreign currencies.
Asunción is one of the most charming places in Latin America, and is comparatively unexplored and overlooked by outsiders. The lack of tourists only makes the city more appealing and culturally unique. And the low rental prices and wide range of options only makes this off-the-beaten-path option more appealing to expats, digital nomads and adventurers of all kinds.
The best piece of advice we can give is to take your time. The housing market in Asunción is such that you can afford to stay in comfortable short-term accommodation until you find the right neighborhood and long term rental for you. The process of finding an affordable, safe and comfortable apartment in Paraguay is straightforward, but can still be a challenge for newcomers who don’t know the city well. So take your time, get to know the locals and ask them for advice – chances are they will be able to give you better rental options than online platforms.
We hope this article has been useful for anyone considering moving to Asunción and renting an apartment in one of its many appealing districts. Get in touch with our team today for more information!