Every 14 February, Valentine’s Day is no stranger in Paraguayan daily life. Like in many countries, the date dominates advertising, social media and public spaces well in advance. Valentine’s Day in Paraguay is no exception. Its presence is noticeable in streets and plazas all over the country. Also, in some grand gestures or large-scale events.
For those who are in a relationship or in love, the day may involve planning something special. Still, Valentine’s Day functions more as another opportunity to express affection. Rather than becoming an overwhelming commercial spectacle, the celebration blends into the city’s routine, adapting naturally to local customs, economic realities and social habits.
Valentine’s Day, a special occasion
In Paraguay, this day is a special ocassion for couples to express their mutual love. By gifting, going on a date or even cooking together. Elaborate dinners, luxury gifts or widespread public displays of affection exist of course.
Many couples acknowledge the day with a small gesture or a shared moment. For some couples it becomes a central event in the social calendar with big and colourful gifts. Perhaps with a large bouquet of roses with chocolates between the roses. For others, the date simply represents another excuse to spend time together. Whether through a gift, a simple gesture or no gesture at all, Valentine ´s Day is usually celebrated around Paraguay.
Some couples may travel. In 2026, this date falls on a weekend; a perfect excuse for a romatic escapade. Other couples might choose a romantic dinner, while many simply spend the day together at home. There is no fixed formula for celebrating Valentine’s Day in Paraguay. What really matters is to spend time with your special one.
Valentine’s Day in Paraguay’s streets and plazas
Public spaces are where Valentine’s Day becomes most visible. In cities such as Asunción, Encarnación or Ciudad del Este, plazas often turn into temporary marketplaces. Vendors set up small stands offering stuffed animals, balloons, mugs and handmade crafts, usually at affordable prices.
Along busy streets and near traffic lights, flower sellers appear with roses wrapped in plastic or paper. These last-minute options offer a simple but meaningful detail. Such scenes are familiar and fleeting, lasting only a day or two before disappearing entirely. These vendors may even offer special discounts; some also sell chocolates on the streets. In this day, everything is designed to show and express love; so there is no excuse for those who may forget the date.
It is also common in clubs or parties for these vendors to show up. Who knows, maybe you find your special one in a bar by gifting a simple flower. These practices reflect how Valentine’s Day is generally perceived in Paraguay: practical, accessible and sometimes improvised. Above all, they reinforce the idea that in Valentine´s Day, what matters is to express and feel love.
Shops dressed for romance
In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, commercial areas take on a more romantic tone. You can see special offers, discounts or even prizes or contests for those lovers who feel lucky. Shop windows fill with hearts, red decorations and promotional signs, while supermarkets and small stores highlight chocolates, perfumes and gift sets.
Malls and commercial streets reflect the occasion visually. Some shops and malls offer special lovers´ discount for those who want it. Cinemas also offer special 2×1 tickets. Sometimes, when it coincides with a football match, some clubs also offer 2×1 tickets for those couples who share love for the same colours.
Seasonal decorations make the day even more special, with hearts and flowers to celebrate love. Valentine’s Day is celebrated, and it merges with everyday life.
Flowers and restaurants
Florists experience increased demand around Valentine’s Day, as do restaurants. Some flower shops even run out of bouquets due to high demand. For some couples, a single rose or a small bouquet is enough. Others opt for larger arrangements, breakfast deliveries or baskets of sweets.
Most restaurants organise special Valentine’s menus with live music. So, you are eating a special dinner with your loved one, while enjoying a romantic show in the background. In some places, reservations become harder to secure, depending on what couples are looking for. Of course, if you are planning something special, you must secure your spot with weeks in advance. The places who are more romatically dressed or have the best live groups, so their places run out faster.
Dates, romantic dinners and escapades
If you have planned something special, it is best to be prepared. Perhaps your date or partner would prefer you pick them up and take them to the restaurant. They might even appreciate a small gift to start the evening. Needless to say, you should dress accordingly; if its a classy place, dress classy.
In Paraguay, there is no fixed tradition about how Valentine´s Day is celebrated, as it not a celebration typical of the country. It is a tradition brought from abroad; which gives lovers a special day just for them. This day can mean, as previously mentioned, dinner, gifts and gestures. However, it can also mean a romantic trip, so you should check, for example, the website of the National Tourism Secretariat (SENATUR), for the perfect place for a romantic escapade.
Valentine´s Day, a celebration of love
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Paraguay. Love is always in the air, but especially on this day. Valentine´s Day appears decorated shop windows, in flower sellers on the streets and in couples choosing to share a moment together. So, if you are planning a trip, a romantic dinner or just simply gifting some roses, do not forget what this day means: to feel and express pure love.
