In Asunción’s bustling streets, where vendors greet strangers with genuine warmth and taxi drivers offer impromptu city tours, Paraguay’s recognition as one of Lonely Planet‘s best destinations to visit in 2025 raises an intriguing question: what makes this South American nation’s hospitality so distinctively welcoming? The Asunción Times finds out.
Following Paraguay’s inclusion in the prestigious travel guide’s annual list, praised for its Paraguay hospitality, this recognition reflects something far more profound than tourist-friendly policies. The landlocked nation has repeatedly topped Gallup’s Positive Experience Index, with surveys across 145 countries revealing that Paraguayans consistently rank amongst the world’s highest in daily positive emotions.
A nation that leads in positivity
Latin Americans “laugh, smile and experience enjoyment like no one else in the world”, according to Gallup’s Global Emotions Report, with Paraguay regularly leading these rankings. The positive experience index measures key dimensions such as feeling well-rested, being treated with respect throughout the day, and experiencing genuine enjoyment during daily activities.
What sets Paraguay apart is not merely statistical performance, but the lived reality behind these numbers. In Asunción’s markets, strangers regularly offer directions without being asked. Business meetings often begin with extended conversations about family and health. This cultural phenomenon extends to rural communities, where Paraguay hospitality traditions remain deeply embedded in daily life.
Beyond tourism rankings
Lonely Planet describes Paraguay as having “a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere” in “the heart of South America”, noting that this destination “is full of life of all kinds”. The country’s appeal lies in authentic cultural exchanges that visitors rarely encounter elsewhere in the region.
Tourism officials have long recognised Paraguay hospitality as a national asset. The combination of natural attractions and genuine warmth from locals has contributed to growing tourism numbers, with visitors frequently citing unexpected kindness as their most memorable experience.
The cultural foundations of Paraguay hospitality
Paraguay’s hospitality culture stems from unique historical factors. Unlike neighbouring countries shaped primarily by Spanish colonisation, Paraguay developed a distinctive mestizo identity blending indigenous Guaraní traditions with European influences. The Guaraní concept of reciprocity and community support remains central to modern social interaction and is fundamental to understanding Paraguay hospitality.
This cultural foundation manifests in everyday encounters. Foreign residents consistently report being welcomed into social circles with unusual ease, experiencing assistance that goes far beyond formal courtesy. In business contexts, personal relationships often precede professional dealings, reflecting a society where human connections take precedence over transactional interactions.
Voices from visitors
Foreign residents reveal the depth of Paraguayan hospitality through lived experiences that transcend typical tourist encounters.
Mike, a Russian expatriate, recalls when his girlfriend fell critically ill with dengue fever. “We did not speak Spanish and did not know how to call a doctor,” he explains. “I asked a neighbour who spoke little English for help, and they took us to the hospital in their car, talked to the doctor, and paid the bill. I will always remember it as one of the kindest things someone ever did for me.” This experience exemplifies Paraguay hospitality at its most genuine.
Hope from the Philippines experienced similar generosity in Ciudad del Este. Dehydrated and unable to buy water due to card payment issues, she stopped at a local bakery. “When I said I did not have cash, a complete stranger named Belen said “te invito, lleva nomás” (I will treat you, take it). It was just water, but she saved me from dehydration.”
Felipe, a Swiss researcher, found extraordinary support for his academic surveys. “Many Paraguayans shared my request in WhatsApp groups, from brewery owners to farmers,” he explains. “A veterinarian even changed his travel plans to help me distribute surveys, and a friend stored my furniture for seven months completely free.”
These accounts, echoed by dozens of foreign residents, illustrate how Paraguay hospitality operates as a cultural reflex rather than calculated courtesy.
An authentic alternative in modern tourism
For visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences, Paraguay offers what is increasingly rare in global tourism: genuine human connection unmediated by commercial interests. In a world where overtourism has transformed many destinations into scripted experiences, Paraguay hospitality remains refreshingly authentic and unscripted.
As international recognition grows, Paraguay’s challenge will be maintaining this genuine hospitality whilst accommodating increased visitor numbers. For now, the nation’s smile remains as genuine as ever, with Paraguay hospitality rooted in cultural values that make statistics come alive through daily human kindness.
