4 Unexpected Tips for Life in Paraguay

Don't Flush Toilet Paper

Many expats don't know that in most of South America, absolutely nothing that isn't #1 or #2 should be flushed down the toilet. The plumbing system is not built for toilet paper, tampons, wet wipes, or anything else. Most bathrooms have trash cans where toilet paper can be disposed-of. Fortunately, bidets are common in Paraguay, so the trash cans won't fill up too quickly.

Don't say "Pasta"

In Paraguay, the word for pasta is "fideo". Specific shapes of pasta, like spaghetti, are sometimes called by their name. For example, "espagueti".

Carry an Umbrella

The weather in Paraguay changes unpredictably. If there are any clouds in the sky, one should bring an umbrella so that they don't suddenly get soaked.

Tipping at Restaurants 

Tipping in Paraguay isn't always expected, like in the United States. However restaurants with good service may expect a tip, and may even ask for one. A 10% tip is considered appropriate. That being said, guests often need to be more assertive at restaurants, when it comes to flagging their servers down to order.