Planning a move to South America, or just curious what month-to-month life actually costs here? Electricity, water, internet and mobile are the bills that quietly make or break a monthly budget.
Here’s an honest breakdown of real utility costs in Paraguay, including the seasonal swings and how paying works on the ground.
Electricity (ANDE)
Electricity nationwide is handled by a single national provider, ANDE. Paper bills are rarely mailed to homes anymore — residents set up an online portal (Mi ANDE) to view and print statements each month.
Peak summer, Luque / metropolitan area. December through February, air conditioning runs constantly. For a primary home with 4 AC units, a chest freezer, a large commercial beverage cooler and standard appliances, the monthly bill reaches roughly 1,122,000 PYG (~$170–190 USD). That works out to around 435 PYG per kWh — about $0.07.
Winter / off-peak, Luque. When the heat fades and space heaters replace continuous AC, bills drop significantly — to around 445,000 PYG (~$65–80 USD) per month. Year-round, electricity averages roughly 600,000–700,000 PYG monthly for a family home.
Rural rates (Atyrá / interior). Rates vary by zone, and living further from the capital lowers both fixed fees and usage rates. A secondary home with lower overall usage runs around 183,000 PYG (~$28–30 USD) during the same summer period.
Payment is electronic via local banking apps, online by phone, or in person with cash at bill-pay points like Pago Aquí or Pago Express.
Water (ESSAP and private systems)
Water infrastructure depends heavily on exactly where you live.
In greater Asunción, public water comes from ESSAP. For a standard four-person household (3 adults, 1 child), water runs approximately 78,000 PYG (~$11–12 USD) per month.
Outside the main city, homes rely on either private localized wells or community cooperatives (juntas de saneamiento).
One warning worth taking seriously: local utility providers strictly enforce cut-offs. If a bill goes unpaid for two consecutive billing cycles, a final disconnection notice (último aviso) is issued and service is cut promptly in the third month. Staying current matters.
Mobile phone
Three major providers: Tigo, Claro and Personal.
- Standard monthly plan (Tigo) — around 220,000 PYG (~$33–35 USD) for generous high-speed data and regular calling credit.
- Unlimited corporate / heavy data — a premium plan with unlimited calling and extensive mobile internet runs approximately 320,000 PYG (~$45–50 USD).
Home internet and cable
High-speed fiber here is reliable, fast and surprisingly affordable.
| Provider | Plan | Speed | Monthly (PYG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo | Internet + basic cable TV | ~300 Mbps | 320,000 |
| Claro | Internet only, no cable | ~300 Mbps | 150,000 |
If you don’t need television, the internet-only option cuts the bill by more than half for the same speed.
Summary
For a typical family in the metropolitan area, total monthly utilities average between roughly $150 USD in winter and $280 USD at peak summer. Air conditioning is the single biggest variable — the difference between a mild month and an expensive one is almost entirely how hard the AC works.
Figures reflect real bills and move with usage, zone and the guaraní-dollar rate. Treat them as a realistic range rather than a fixed quote.
