Moving around Asunción has become simple. After couple of years of experience I am willing to share what works and what doesn't. City offers—Uber, Bolt, local buses, and even the long-distance coaches. The old-school taxi basically no longer plays a role here. Almost everyone uses the apps now, and two names rule the streets: Uber and Bolt.
Both apps work well, but they each come with their own personality. Here’s what it feels like to use them day in and day out.
Using Uber in Asunción feels almost exactly like using it anywhere else in the world—steady, predictable.
What stands out immediately is the quality of the cars. I keep getting nice, clean vehicles, usually with drivers who have clearly been around the block and know the rules. It feels more “official”.
You pay via card in the app or cash. Both is possible. I prefer cash. Drivers prefer cash. Cash is the king, remember. But if you're just visiting it might be easier to pay with a card in the app for you.
Uber Comfort offers a reliable air-conditioning compared to other options.
Bolt, on the other hand, is the city’s bloodstream. Cars appear almost instantly, sometimes in under 30 seconds. When I am in a hurry, Bolt wins every time.
It’s also consistently cheaper. For everyday errands or short hops across the city, the savings add up quickly. If you’re budget-conscious, it’s an easy win.
That said, Bolt has a bit of Latin American vibe. Who lives in Latam know what I mean by that. The cars range from “decent little Toyota” to “this has definitely seen things.” The unpredictability does not bother me much, but if you're not familiar with Latin America, UBER might be better choice for you. You need to be aware that sometimes the car that shows up doesn’t match the one in the app. It's kind of what you have to play with. Welcome to Paraguay.
One more quirk: the price isn’t always fixed. That being said if you pay by card in the app upfront you are totally fine. Have in mind that paying cash means you need change. You won't do much with 100.000Gs bill in your pocket. Always have change. Otherwise you will be inventing how to pay for your ride and I sometimes end up paying from bank account to bank account via QR code. Not a big deal but what else you can do if you don't have change in your pocket.
Tip #2: Avoid scheduling trips during heavy downpours
Heavy rain often causes many vehicles to break down or become unusable, especially in flooded streets. Smaller models and similar compact cars aren't built to handle deep water well. Plus, rugged options like the Hilux are in short supply on Bolt. As a result, you'll either need to wait until the storm passes or brace for surge pricing that can triple your fare.
Honestly, I keep both apps open and chose depending on the situation, time, availability, price, etc...
They complement each other. Think of Uber as the steady friend and Bolt as the one who always shows up first. Generally I am using Bolt in 90% scenarios.
Inside the city, the bus system runs on two transport cards: You can grab them at supermarkets, and you’ll need one if you plan to use city buses.
The buses themselves are very local: loud, slow, and honest about their age (often times imported public transport buses from Spain). They get you where you need to go, and once you understand the routes, they are part of life in Asunción. However, if you don't know the system, it is better and easier to get a Bolt ride. Less hassle for you for $2 without knowing local specifics.
When I want to go outside Asunción, like heading toward Ciudad del Este, I have to go to the main bus terminal. There’s no way around it. Note: I prefer to take a flight ASU-CDE (most of the time affordable), but sometimes you end up with a coach.
The station is loud, busy, and full of people yelling destination names. It looks chaotic, but once you dive into it, the system actually works. If you hear someone shouting “CDE” that’s where you want to go, you literally just walk up.
Tickets are sold by different companies, such as NSA, Nuestra Señora, each running their own fleet. Don’t expect one unified system, this is Paraguay. Everyone does their own thing.
For bus tickets in Paraguay and South America, Plataforma10 is a great option, especially for routes like Asunción to Encarnación or Ciudad del Este. It’s easy to use for both domestic and international travel. For broader South American trips, check out Busbud for wide coverage.