People Of Asunción #20, David Rojas: “My Favourite Place? The Gas Stations”

People from every corner of the globe are drawn to Asunción, where Paraguay’s laid-back capital has quietly become a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and ambition. Each Tuesday evening from 18:00 to 21:00, digital nomads, expats, and friendly locals come together at the ever-popular English networking event organised by The Asunción Times. Held in a different charming bar or restaurant across the city each week, these gatherings offer the perfect blend of Paraguayan warmth and international energy. In this “People of Asunción” series, we introduce the inspiring people who make this scene so uniquely alive. In #20: David Rojas from the United States.

Meet David

David Rojas is a 38-year-old American who works remotely and is also a DJ in his free time. He is currently exploring South America, using Asunción as his headquarters.

Where are you from and how long have you been in Paraguay?

“I am from Houston, Texas, born and raised. In total, I have been in Paraguay over eight months. I arrived in January 2025, and been coming and going since.”

Why Paraguay?

“Mainly because of residency. It is easy to obtain residency here. From there, it is a Spanish-speaking country with a lower cost of living. Being able to have access to better services was also part of what made me choose Paraguay.”

What are you doing in Paraguay?

“I am working remotely online and also working as a DJ. I have my own setup; I am a vinyl DJ. With friends, we have been recording audio and video, doing DJ sets. I do that to meet more people and play around town. I have been working on getting gigs and becoming more involved in the scene.”

What is your favourite place in Asunción and why?

“It depends. Clubs that play house or techno really do it for me. When it comes to food, there are so many good places that you cannot choose just one. I also really like grocery stores here. But I think my favourite places are gas stations. In Houston, you cannot drink there. Here, you can. In my first week, I met two guys and we went out. We closed the place we were at and then we walked to a gas station. I thought we were just going there to buy more drinks, but we actually stayed and drank there.”

What is your favourite place outside Asunción and why?

“I loved Ayolas. That was honestly one of my top places. Ayolas is fantastic: the beach and the food. I also really liked Fram, which was my first time in Itapúa. In Fram, I went to a monastery and there was a party there.

I really liked Carmen del Paraná as well. Coronel Bogado, with their chipa, was great. I also went to Trinidad, Jesús, and San Cosme y Damián, and it was amazing. But I think Ayolas is my favourite place.”

What do you love most about Paraguay?

“For me, I am able to bring my money here and work better. The presentation of food and drinks is great. But probably the barbeque here, the asado, is amazing.

I really like that people come here to settle down. They want to build something here. Paraguayans, even if they do not speak English, are always open. And those who do speak English always integrate you into their groups and friendships.”

If you moved away tomorrow, what would you absolutely take with you from Paraguay?

“If I could get it fresh and take it back with me, it would be some chipa.”

Why should people come to The Asunción Times networking events?

“You come here and start talking. You tell your story and you gain a knowledge base that you can build from. Maybe you need something as an outsider, and people here can offer solutions, like a place to live, for example. That actually happened to me at one of the networking events.”

Meet David

You can find David Rojas on Instagram or, even better, bump into him in person at one of The Asunción Times English networking events, every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00, popping up in a different lively bar or restaurant across Asunción. Check the What’s On Guide to discover exactly where the next one is taking place.