Nestled amid the bustle of South America, Asunción often surprises visitors with its relatively tranquil atmosphere. Paraguay’s capital offers a mix of historical charm and modern development, but not all neighbourhoods offer the same level of safety. While the city is relatively calm compared to other South American capitals, certain barrios (neighbourhoods) stand out for their strong security, clean infrastructure, and high quality of life, where in others safety conditions remain inconsistent.
The Asunción Times analysed the data to provide a detailed, data-driven assessment of safety across Asunción’s neighbourhoods.
Safety in Asunción: a regional perspective
While some Latin American capitals report increased rates of violent crime, Asunción frequently ranks among the safer ones, especially in global analyses that place Paraguay’s capital behind Buenos Aires and Santiago in terms of security. Paraguay reports a homicide rate of approximately 7.1 per 100,000 residents, which is considerably lower than in countries like Peru or Colombia.
Paraguay now ranks as the fourth most peaceful country in South America, according to the Global Peace Index 2025, trailing only Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. The country’s GPI score improved from 2.044 in 2024 to 1.981 in 2025; an indicator of falling violence levels, greater safety in public life, and strengthening trust in law enforcement.
This upward peace trend reflects a fairly low rate of intentional homicides. In contrast, capitals such as Bogotá or Caracas report significantly higher violence, and recent GPI findings identify Colombia and Venezuela as among the region’s least peaceful nations.
Asunción’s urban crime
That said, Asunción still sees urban crime, such as petty theft, bag‑snatching, and opportunistic theft in crowded markets, or on public transit. Safety varies considerably by neighbourhood: affluent and well-lit districts tend to remain secure even at night, whereas older or less-policed zones may feel less predictable. Overall, Asunción benefits from the absence of widespread gang warfare or political unrest, which distinguishes its environment from more troubled major cities across the region.
Political stability, and its role in public safety
Paraguay’s political environment remains comparatively stable, a factor that supports public safety across the country. The Global Peace Index 2025 shows Paraguay ranking 75th globally, outperforming much of the continent in areas such as political violence, internal conflict, and social unrest. This puts Paraguay ahead of countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, which are often affected by volatile protest cycles or institutional turbulence.
Paraguay’s improved score of 1.981 in the latest GPI reflects not just a reduction in violent crime, but also greater political predictability. These conditions foster a social climate where tensions rarely escalate into widespread disruption. By contrast, countries like Venezuela and Bolivia remain among the lowest-ranked due to frequent confrontations between civilians and authorities.
Complementing these findings, the World Bank’s political stability indicator places Paraguay in positive territory, with a 2023 score of 0.08. While not as high as Uruguay (0.96) or Chile (0.14), Paraguay still sits well above the regional average of negative figures, marking it as one of the more secure political environments in Latin America.
Reduced risk of unpredictable violence
This level of institutional consistency translates to fewer disruptions in daily life. Demonstrations in Asunción, when they do occur, tend to be issue-focused and largely contained. Public confidence in government may not be without criticism, but it rarely fuels unrest on the scale seen in neighbouring countries. This stability strengthens public service delivery, supports consistent policing, and helps reduce the risk of unpredictable violence in urban settings.
Safety in Asunción by day, and by night
Asunción by day is generally safe, especially in barrios such as Villa Morra, Recoleta, Las Lomas, and Mburucuyá, where one finds embassies, shopping centres, and well-patrolled residential streets. These areas benefit from both private security and a moderately visible police presence. Tourists and residents alike walk freely during daylight hours with minimal concern. These areas are great for families, professionals, and students alike, offering peace of mind without sacrificing urban convenience.
Night, however, paints a different picture. In Asunción’s historic downtown and riverside neighbourhoods such as San Jerónimo and Chacarita, safety declines after dark. Poor lighting, minimal policing, and reports of muggings make these zones riskier. Locals often advise using ride-hailing apps like Uber instead of walking at night.
Neighbourhoods with heavy nightlife, like Carmelitas, remain safe in large part due to their well-lit streets, surveillance systems, and regular police rounds. However, solo travellers, particularly women, are still advised to exercise caution, and avoid poorly lit areas when alone.
Trends, and the road ahead
In recent years, Asunción has seen a slight uptick in reported thefts and cybercrime, reflecting global trends. However, overall crime rates remain steady. Efforts to expand video surveillance and community policing in wealthier districts have helped contain more serious crimes.
Meanwhile, a renewed focus on urban development, such as revitalising the downtown and modernising public transport, may eventually narrow the safety gap between districts. However, these improvements are still uneven and slow to reach more underprivileged areas.
While Asunción is not without its challenges, it offers a safer, and more stable environment than many of its regional counterparts. The city’s low violent crime rate, improving peace metrics, and steady political climate create a capital that feels manageable and welcoming for residents, and cautious travellers. As the city continues to invest in infrastructure and urban safety, its trajectory points towards greater security for all who navigate its streets.
