We flew into Paraguay via Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción with our dog Ibo. It’s a relatively small, easy-to-navigate airport where you can get through arrival formalities fairly quickly. Passport control took the most time—though if you have a residency card (Cédula), you can save a lot of time.
Passport Control and Baggage Claim
Right after passport control, you reach the baggage carousels. Ibo’s crate was already waiting for us there, set on the floor alongside other animal crates from the same flight. Everything is clustered in one area, which makes the process straightforward.
Veterinary Check and Language Barrier
Next came a veterinary inspection by an airport staff member. She spoke only Spanish, which can be a hurdle if you don’t speak it.
A small issue arose when she tried to take Ibo’s veterinary paperwork—not just the certified translation, but the original documents as well. We refused outright. It took plenty of gestures and patience to make it clear we wouldn’t hand over either the originals or the translations.
Thankfully, Iva had been prudent and made copies of everything before we flew—a tip we recommend to anyone traveling with a dog. In the end, the agent accepted the copies and we were cleared to enter Asunción.
Airport Facilities
The airport covers the basics—restaurants, small shops, car rental counters, and currency exchange. Wi‑Fi is available, with several open networks depending on which part of the terminal you’re in.
A nice bonus: there are grassy patches right outside the terminal where you can give your dog a quick break. They’re not officially designated for this, but they did the job without any issues.
Getting into the City
For the ride into central Asunción, we recommend using Uber. If you opt for regular taxis, keep two things in mind.
First, the airport Wi‑Fi often doesn’t reach the parking area where taxis wait, so without mobile data you may struggle to order a ride.
Second, most taxis are small. With two months’ worth of luggage and Ibo’s crate, a single taxi couldn’t fit it all. The driver called a colleague, and we ended up going into town in two cars.
Cash and Currency
As always, carry some local currency—the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG). There’s a currency exchange at the airport. If all else fails, have some small-denomination US dollars, which are generally accepted.
Overall Impression
We’d call Asunción’s airport average, functional, and free of unnecessary hassle. It covers the essentials, and arriving with a dog is manageable as long as your paperwork is in order—ideally with copies on hand.
Before you fly, check the current weather—it can shape your first impression and even your transfer from the airport. Overall, it’s a place where arriving with a dog can be done calmly and without major stress.
Interested in this destination? Would you like to visit it with your dog? Check the entry requirements directly in BorderCooler®.