economia ·
Paying with reais, Pix or card in Paraguay: what works
The real is accepted in nearly all of Ciudad del Este's shops — and Pix is gaining ground
In Ciudad del Este, the Brazilian real is accepted in nearly all border shops, often at a favorable rate for cash payments. Pix is increasingly accepted in stores — the customer pays in reais and the shopkeeper receives guaraníes. International cards also work, but with IOF.
Cash reais: accepted in nearly 100% of Ciudad del Este's border shops. Some stores give a better rate to those paying in cash reais — for many purchases, it's the cheapest option. (In Asunción and inland, the real loses ground — there the currency is the guaraní.)
Pix: expanding rapidly in Ciudad del Este. The system works through currency operators (eFX): you pay a QR code in reais and the shopkeeper receives guaraníes. Look for the "we accept Pix" notice — it's already common in the big stores.
International credit/debit card: widely accepted in established stores; IOF and the operator's exchange rate apply. Global account cards (like Wise/Nomad) tend to have a better rate.
Guaraní: useful for small purchases, food and taxis. There are exchange houses on both sides of the bridge — check the day's rate beforehand (Marco Três publishes the updated guaraní–real rate in the green strip at the top).
Watch out: always check which currency the price was quoted in; for electronics, the tag is usually in dollars.
Source: Dicas Foz · verified Jun/2026
Frequently asked questions
- Can I pay with reais in Ciudad del Este?
- Yes — the real is accepted in nearly all border shops, sometimes at a better rate for cash payments.
- Does Pix work in Paraguay?
- Yes, more and more Ciudad del Este stores accept Pix: you pay in reais and the shopkeeper receives guaraníes, through currency operators.
- Does a Brazilian card work in Paraguay?
- International cards work in established stores, but they pay IOF and the operator's exchange rate. Global accounts tend to have a better rate.
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Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Dicas Foz do Iguaçu / verificação local. Last checked: 6/14/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.