Paraguay receives over $600 million USD in remittances annually, primarily from the United States, Spain, and Argentina. If you need to send money to family or friends in Paraguay, this guide covers the best options available in 2026, including fees, exchange rates, and how your recipient can collect.
Top Services for Sending Money to Paraguay
Remitly
One of the most competitive options for US-to-Paraguay transfers.
- Fees: $0–$3.99 USD for bank deposits (often waived on first transfer)
- Exchange rate: 1–2% margin over mid-market rate
- Delivery options: bank deposit (Banco Continental, Banco Atlas, Bancop), cash pickup at Cambios Chaco and pharmacy networks
- Transfer time: minutes to 1 business day
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Best for exchange rate transparency.
- Fees: 0.4–1.2% of transfer amount
- Exchange rate: mid-market rate (essentially no markup)
- Delivery: bank transfer only (no cash pickup)
- Transfer time: 1–2 business days
- Best for: larger amounts where rate savings outweigh the slight fee
Western Union
The largest cash pickup network in Paraguay.
- Fees: $5–$15 USD depending on amount and payment method
- Cash pickup locations: Banco Familiar, Cambios Chaco, authorized agents in Asunción and interior cities
- Bank deposit: also available
- Transfer time: minutes for cash pickup
MoneyGram
- Fees: $4–$12 USD
- Cash pickup: available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and MoneyGram agents across Paraguay
- Transfer time: minutes for cash
WorldRemit
- Fees: $3–$5 USD for most amounts
- Delivery: bank deposit and cash pickup
- Exchange rate: competitive, slightly below Wise
Fee and Rate Comparison (Sending $500 USD to Paraguay, June 2026)
| Service | Fee | Rate margin | Amount received (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~$3.50 | 0% | Gs. 3,867,000 |
| Remitly (promo) | $0 | 1.5% | Gs. 3,809,000 |
| WorldRemit | $4.00 | 1.8% | Gs. 3,782,000 |
| Western Union | $8.00 | 2.0% | Gs. 3,758,000 |
| MoneyGram | $7.00 | 2.5% | Gs. 3,740,000 |
Exchange rate: approx. Gs. 7,800/USD. Rates fluctuate — always check at transfer time.
Cash Pickup in Paraguay
For recipients without bank accounts, cash pickup is the standard option.
Major cash pickup networks in Paraguay:
- Cambios Chaco: largest exchange house network, ~200 locations nationwide
- Banco Familiar: branches in Asunción and major cities
- Farmacity / Farmacenter: pharmacy-based pickup in urban areas
- Western Union agents: independently operated in cities and towns
What the recipient needs:
- Valid ID (Cédula de identidad paraguaya)
- Reference/confirmation number from the sender
- The sender’s full name
Bank Deposit Options in Paraguay
Main banks accepting international transfers:
- Banco Continental: largest private bank, widely used
- Banco Atlas: good for smaller cities
- Bancop: cooperative-based, competitive
- BBVA Paraguay
- Itaú Paraguay
SWIFT transfers from US banks can take 2–5 business days and include correspondent bank fees ($15–$40 extra). Use specialized remittance services instead.
Transfer Limits and Compliance
No US regulatory limit on sending money abroad, but:
- Transfers over $10,000 USD trigger reporting requirements (BSA/FinCEN)
- Remittance services may require identity verification for amounts above $3,000
- Paraguay has no tax on incoming remittances for personal use
Tips for the Best Rate
- Compare at time of transfer: rates change daily
- Use promotional offers: Remitly and WorldRemit regularly offer fee-free first transfers
- Send larger amounts less frequently: fixed fees hurt small transfers
- Bank deposit beats cash pickup on rate: cash has slightly higher markup
Related: How to send money to Bolivia from the US, Best apps to send money to Latin America and Send money to Uruguay 2026.
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