
Paraguay is a great destination, but navigating the local currency can be a challenge for travelers. The official currency of Paraguay is the Guarani (PYG).
You can exchange your money for Guarani at a bank or currency exchange office, or use an ATM to withdraw cash. Be aware that some businesses may not accept credit cards, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
The Guarani is divided into 100 centimos, but you're unlikely to encounter centimos in everyday transactions.
Currency Denominations
In Paraguay, the currency denominations have undergone significant changes over the years. The first guaraní notes were introduced in 1943, with denominations of 50¢, ₲1, ₲5, and ₲10 being overstamped on US dollar notes.
The first coins were introduced in 1944, featuring aluminum-bronze coins in denominations of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢. These coins were round in shape and featured a flower on the obverse.
Paraguay's currency has also seen the introduction of new denominations, including ₲50,000, ₲100,000, and ₲1,000. The ₲50,000 note was first introduced in 1990, while the ₲100,000 note was introduced in 1998.
Here's a list of the most recent Paraguayan currency denominations:
Coins
Coins have been a part of Paraguay's currency system since the introduction of aluminum-bronze coins in 1944.
The first issue of coins featured denominations of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢, all with unique obverse designs that reflected the country's natural beauty. The 1¢ coin, for example, featured the flower of the common guava, Psidium guajava.
The 5¢ coin, on the other hand, showed the flower of Passiflora edullis. These coins were all round in shape and had the denomination and wreath on the reverse side.
In 1953, a new issue of coins was introduced, consisting of 10¢, 15¢, 25¢, and 50¢ coins. All of these coins were minted in aluminum-bronze and featured the lion and Liberty cap on the obverse.
Here is a list of the first issue of coins:
In 1975, a new series of coins was introduced, featuring denominations of ₲1, ₲5, ₲10, and ₲50. These coins were made of stainless steel and had a unique scallop shape.
The ₲50 coin, for example, featured Marshal José Félix Estigarribia on the obverse and the Acaray Dam on the reverse.
Banknotes

Banknotes have a rich history in Paraguay, with the first guaraní notes being introduced in 1943. They were initially printed on existing US dollar notes and featured denominations of 50¢, ₲1, ₲5, and ₲10.
The 1963 series marked a significant redesign, with the addition of new denominations and a more modern design. This series included notes for ₲5,000 and ₲10,000.
A major change occurred in 2004, when the Central Bank launched new notes with enhanced security features, including a more sophisticated underprint and improved security features. Giesecke & Devrient printed the new ₲20,000 note, while De La Rue printed the rest.
The ₲50,000 note has had its fair share of issues, with a 2005 series being declared void and worthless due to being circulated unofficially before its official release. In 2012, notes of ₲1,000 and series A and B of ₲50,000 were also demonetized.
Here's a list of some of the highest denomination banknotes in circulation:
In recent years, the Central Bank has taken steps to improve the security of Paraguayan banknotes, including the introduction of new features such as see-through windows and watermarks.
Exchange and Conversion
The guarani is the official currency of Paraguay, introduced in 1944 as a replacement for the Paraguayan peso due to inflation. It's represented by the symbol ₲.
The guarani trades against all other official currencies worldwide, giving us exchange rates. These rates can fluctuate over time due to various economic, political, and market factors.
A higher exchange rate means the value of one currency has increased compared to another, while a lower exchange rate means the opposite. Exchange rates are essential when traveling to, buying goods and services from, or sending money to Paraguay.
You can check the current exchange rate of the guarani against major currencies like the US dollar, Canadian dollar, euro, or British pound on websites like Remitly. They also offer a conversion chart for various countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Brazil, and many others.
To convert US dollars to Paraguayan guaranis, you can use a currency converter tool that shows the current USD to PYG rate and how it's changed over the past day, week, or month. Simply type in the amount you want to convert, select USD in the first dropdown, and PYG in the second dropdown.
Here are some key stats about the USD to PYG exchange rate:
These stats show the fluctuation of the USD to PYG exchange rate over the past 30 and 90 days.
Guarani Facts
The Paraguayan Guarani is the official currency of Paraguay, and it's used by the native Guaraní people as well as immigrants of European descent. The Guarani is a unique and interesting currency to learn about.
The Paraguayan Guarani has an ISO code of PYG, which is used for international transactions. This code helps to identify the currency and ensures that transactions are processed correctly.
The Guarani is represented by the symbol ₲, which is a distinctive and recognizable symbol. You'll see this symbol used on banknotes, receipts, and other financial documents.
The Guarani is divided into 100 centimos, which is the minor unit of the currency. This is useful to know if you're dealing with smaller transactions or calculations.
Here's a list of the current banknote denominations in circulation:
The Central Bank of Paraguay, or BCP, is responsible for managing the Guarani and ensuring its stability. The Guarani has been the official currency of Paraguay since 1942.
Sources
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