During our stays in Paraguay, we shopped for groceries in several cities as well as in the countryside. It was consistently a pleasant experience that surprised us in many ways—especially the availability of fresh produce, the level of service, and the overall comfort of shopping.
Supermarket Superseis
Alongside small local stores, Superseis quickly became our daily anchor every time we were in Paraguay. It opens as early as 7 am, so grabbing fresh breakfast was never an issue. You’ll find it in every larger city—we personally shopped at branches in Asunción, Villarrica, Encarnación, and Ciudad del Este.
Every morning you’ll find fresh bread straight from the oven and fresh orange juice you can squeeze yourself at a dedicated press in the produce section, plus various fruit-and-veg juice blends. Staff prepare these in advance and keep them chilled on ice.
Like a hotel buffet—only in a supermarket
The hot food counters were a lovely surprise—a generous selection of breakfast and lunch dishes with a hotel-buffet feel. Everything looks fresh and inviting. The staff are exceptionally helpful—they’ll weigh your meal, pack it up, and offer advice if you’re unsure what to pick.
Shopping for your four-legged buddy 🐾
If you usually buy kibble and canned food in supermarkets, you won’t be disappointed—there’s plenty to choose from. But if you cook for your dog, the easy access to quality ingredients is a real bonus. Ours has skin issues (regularly on Cytopoint) and needs a special diet. In Paraguay we could cook fresh, homemade meals—beef steaks paired with cassava, sweet potatoes, carrots, or rice.
It worked out far cheaper than hypoallergenic kibble and canned food imported from Europe—and more importantly, our dog was content, healthy, and clearly happy. We’re pretty sure he loved the Paraguayan fare and still remembers it fondly to this day 😄.
Dog ‘parking’ right inside the store
One thing that completely won us over: right inside the supermarket, in front of the checkouts, there are designated spots for dogs. You can safely ‘park’ your pet there, keep them in view the whole time, and there are water bowls and leashes to secure them.
In a country where summer temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C, this setup is priceless. You don’t have to worry about someone taking your dog from outside or risk their health in a scorching-hot car.
Toiletries and basic first-aid
Another practical perk at Superseis is the solid selection of toiletries. Beyond standard hygiene products, we always found sunscreen, insect repellent, baby care essentials, feminine hygiene products, and basic first-aid items such as adhesive bandages. That means you don’t need to hunt down a separate drugstore or pharmacy—especially handy on shorter stays or when traveling with kids.
Availability of alcohol and cigarettes
A pleasant bonus is the alcohol selection—you don’t need a specialty store as in some other countries. Superseis sells alcohol from local producers as well as well-known international brands. We took a liking to the Argentine lager Patagonia, and the range of wines and prosecco could easily hold its own against dedicated wine shops. Cigarettes are also available; they’re not on open shelves but kept at the checkouts—just ask the staff. We can’t comment on the selection, as we don’t smoke.
Sunday shopping in Villarrica: when the meat moves outside
We had an interesting experience at the Superseis in Villarrica on a Sunday. We wanted to buy packaged meat, but the in-store shelves were almost empty. At first we thought we’d come too late or it was a one-off, but we soon learned the reality was simpler—and typically Paraguayan.
Outside the supermarket stood a stall with a big grill that, at first glance, looked like a random street vendor. In fact, it was a Superseis employee grilling meat on the spot and selling it freshly cooked to customers. The smell drew in not only shoppers but also local stray dogs, who gathered calmly around the grill and completed the authentic atmosphere of Sunday shopping in Paraguay.
Summary
Grocery shopping in Paraguay is straightforward, comfortable, affordable, and surprisingly enjoyable—even for travelers with kids or a dog. The language barrier isn’t much of a problem either—you’ll get by with a phone translator or simply with gestures 😄.
Interested in this destination? Would you like to visit it with your dog? Check the entry requirements directly in BorderCooler®.