From the red clay of the banks of the Paraguay River to the cool, shaded alleys of Asunción’s markets, Paraguay smells of toasted yerba, fresh leather, and sweet, oven-warm chipa.

Sunlight slides across painted pottery in Areguá and through the intricate webs of ñandutí lace in Itauguá, and the low hum of tereré sessions punctuates afternoons like a local chorus.

Walk through Mercado 4 and you’ll hear vendors calling over piles of dried herbs, hand-embroidered ao po’i shirts, and stacks of artisanal cheeses from Mennonite colonies; head to the lakeside town of Areguá for clay workshops or to Yataity to see weavers at their looms.

Whether it’s cotton, lapacho wood, or the bright fibers of indigenous baskets, the materials tell stories of river, chaco and estancia life, here’s what to buy in Paraguay to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Ñandutí Lace

Why pick this up:
Ñandutí is Paraguay’s signature lace, a sunburst of threads that feels like capturing the pattern of a local sky. It makes a delicate heirloom—doilies, table runners, or framed medallions are especially atmospheric reminders of Itauguá’s craft lineage.

What to look for:
Seek tight, even stitching and a radially symmetrical pattern; genuine pieces often show tiny knots where the artisan finished each motif. Larger panels with natural cotton threads and slight irregularities indicate handwork rather than machine-made lace.

Price bracket (2025):
₲60.000–₲350.000

Where to find it:
Itauguá artisan shops, Asunción’s Mercado 4 stalls, and weekend craft fairs in Areguá and Loma San Jerónimo.

2. Ao Po’i Textiles

Why pick this up:
Ao po’i is the soft, embroidered cotton of Paraguayan summer clothing—light, breathable, and elegant with delicate whitework or tiny colored stitches. A shirt, dress, or embroidered napkin brings home an everyday craft that locals wear and prize.

What to look for:
Look for fine, lightweight cotton with hand-embroidered motifs along collars or hems; authentic pieces use subtle, traditional patterns rather than loud machine prints. Quality seams and natural dye tones signal local ateliers rather than mass production.

Price bracket (2025):
₲120.000–₲450.000

Where to find it:
Workshops in Yataity and Areguá, boutique stalls in Asunción, and artisan fairs during national holidays.

3. Mini Paraguayan Harp or Harp Music

Why pick this up:
The arpa paraguaya is the soul of Paraguayan music; a small decorative harp or a CD/USB of harp recordings captures the country’s soundscape for your living room. Harp tunes are both celebratory and nostalgic—perfect as a cultural keepsake.

What to look for:
For instruments, check the quality of wood, strings and tuning pegs; for recordings, seek local artists or live recordings from festivals to ensure authenticity. Miniature harps are decorative, while full instruments should be bought from reputable luthiers.

Price bracket (2025):
₲400.000–₲1.200.000 (miniature to small playable instruments), ₲20.000–₲80.000 (music)

Where to find it:
Luthiers in Asunción, artisan markets in Encarnación, and museum shops that stock recorded music.

4. Tereré Set (Yerba + Guampa + Bombilla)

Why pick this up:
Tereré is Paraguay’s cold herbal mate—bringing home a set means bringing home a ritual of shared glasses, ice, and citrusy yerba. It’s a practical, social souvenir that introduces visitors to Paraguayan conviviality.

What to look for:
Buy fresh-packaged yerba mate from local brands and choose a guampa (gourd) made of horn or wood with a polished bombilla (metal straw). Check seals on yerba and seek stainless or alpaca silver bombillas for durability.

Price bracket (2025):
₲35.000–₲250.000 (yerba), ₲60.000–₲350.000 (guampa + bombilla)

Where to find it:
Markets like Mercado 4, supermarket yerba aisles, and artisan stalls in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.

5. Chipa & Mbejú (Packaged Paraguayan Snacks)

Why pick this up:
Chipa (cheese bread) and mbejú (cassava pancake) are emblematic Paraguayan comfort foods whose flavors linger long after you’ve left. Sealed and vacuum-packed versions make thoughtful edible souvenirs for friends back home.

What to look for:
Choose well-sealed packages from reputable producers; check ingredient lists for freshness and refrigeration requirements. Look for artisanal varieties with regional cheese or manioc flour for an authentic taste.

Price bracket (2025):
₲10.000–₲60.000

Where to find it:
Bakery stalls at Mercado 4, artisan food markets in Asunción, and specialty food shops in Encarnación and Ciudad del Este.

6. Areguá Pottery

Why pick this up:
Areguá’s ceramics are rustic, hand-painted, and rooted in local clays—each piece carries the town’s strawberry-scented breezes and lake views. Small bowls, mugs, and decorative tiles make functional art souvenirs.

What to look for:
Inspect for hand-tooling marks, uneven glazing that indicates hand application, and stamps or signatures from local ceramists. Choose thicker-walled pieces for durability during travel.

Price bracket (2025):
₲50.000–₲300.000

Where to find it:
Areguá workshops and weekend craft markets, Asunción artisan stalls, and tourist markets near the lake.

7. Leather Goods from the Chaco and Estancias

Why pick this up:
Paraguayan leatherwork reflects gaucho culture—durable boots, belts, and wallets dyed in rich tones and often hand-tooled with local motifs. These items are practical, age well, and tell stories of ranch life.

What to look for:
Check stitching, hide thickness, and fixed hardware; genuine cowhide or bovine leather with hand-tooled patterns is a hallmark. Beware overly glossy, uniformly perfect pieces which may indicate bonded leather.

Price bracket (2025):
₲300.000–₲1.200.000

Where to find it:
Leather artisans in Asunción, markets in Filadelfia and Mennonite colony shops, and regional craft fairs.

8. Lapacho Wood Carvings and Handcrafted Furniture Accents

Why pick this up:
Lapacho and other native woods yield richly grained carvings—small sculptures, bowls, or kitchen utensils that warm a shelf with Chaco colors. Woodwork balances rustic charm with refined technique.

What to look for:
Solid wood pieces with visible grain and minimal varnish show authenticity; smell the wood (a warm, slightly sweet scent) and look for a maker’s mark. Avoid resin-coated or laminated knockoffs that hide the grain.

Price bracket (2025):
₲80.000–₲400.000

Where to find it:
Woodworkers’ stalls in Mercado 4, craft plazas in Encarnación, and artisan workshops around Asunción.

9. Mennonite Cheeses, Butters & Cured Meats

Why pick this up:
Mennonite colonies in the Paraguayan interior produce dense cheeses, cultured butters, and smoked meats with European techniques adapted to local pasture. These gastronomic goods are a savory snapshot of Paraguay’s diverse cultural makeup.

What to look for:
Buy vacuum-sealed or refrigerated packs with clear origin labeling and best-before dates; the firmer, aged cheeses travel better. Check customs rules for your home country before packing perishable items.

Price bracket (2025):
₲100.000–₲450.000

Where to find it:
Specialty food counters in Asunción, farmer markets, and Mennonite colony outlets (often available at regional markets).

10. Filigree Silver Jewelry and Decorative Metalwork

Why pick this up:
Delicate silver filigree—earrings, pendants, and brooches—reflect technical skill and make elegant, wearable souvenirs. The airy, lace-like metalwork echoes patterns found in Paraguayan textiles and lace.

What to look for:
Seek hallmarks for silver purity (plata) and tight, intricate wirework with clean joins; ask about the artisan or town of origin for provenance. Avoid pieces that feel overly light or have loose wires, which can indicate poor construction.

Price bracket (2025):
₲120.000–₲800.000

Where to find it:
Jewelry stalls at Mercado 4, artisan boutiques in Itauguá and Asunción, and museum shops.

Tip: Bring a lightweight foldable tote and small padding for fragile finds to make market shopping smoother 🧺

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Markets and plazas are the heartbeat of Paraguayan shopping. In Asunción, Mercado 4 buzzes with everyday commerce – spices, textiles, and electronics, while weekend artisan fairs in Loma San Jerónimo and the lakeside stalls of Areguá spotlight ceramics and regional foods.

Itauguá’s festivals celebrate ñandutí, and small towns like Yataity and Areguá host artisan clusters where families pass techniques down through generations.

Bargaining happens, but it’s typically gentle and situational – expect to negotiate at open-air stalls for non-marked goods, while fixed-price boutiques and museum shops are firm.

Many artisans work from home studios or cooperative workshops, so visiting those villages offers both better prices and the chance to watch techniques firsthand.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for material honesty: natural cotton, visible threadwork in ñandutí and ao po’i, the grain of lapacho wood, and hand-tooling marks on pottery.

Ask sellers for an artisan’s name or village, genuine pieces often have a maker’s stamp or a short provenance story.

For textiles and lace, consistent but not perfect stitching signals handwork; for food items, prefer sealed packaging with producer information and avoid unlabelled tins or jars.

Beware of mass-produced “ethnic” imitations – if something looks excessively uniform, plastic-like, or is priced suspiciously low, it’s likely imported.

Where to Shop in Paraguay

• Mercado 4, Asunción (open-air market for textiles, foods, and crafts)
• Itauguá (ñandutí lace workshops and shops)
• Areguá (pottery route and weekend artisan fair)
• Loma San Jerónimo artisan fairs and cultural plaza, Asunción
• Encarnación and regional craft markets along the Paraná River
• Ciudad del Este (larger shopping hub, electronics and regional goods)
• Museum shops (Casa de la Independencia, Museo del Barro) and airport gift shops

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Paraguay expensive?
A: Prices range widely—local markets offer affordable finds, while handcrafted textiles, silver filigree, and instruments can be pricier; expect better value outside tourist-only shops.

Q: Is bargaining common in Paraguay?
A: Mild bargaining is common at open-air stalls and for unpriced items; be polite, start lower, and accept if the seller won’t budge.

Q: How do I know if food items can travel home?
A: Buy sealed, labeled packages and check your country’s customs rules for dairy and meat; vacuum-sealed Mennonite cheeses and packaged yerba mate are usually safer to transport.

Explore Paraguay’s markets, workshops, and lakeside artisan towns to uncover treasures that carry stories from riverbank to estancia—discover what to buy in Paraguay and bring a piece of its culture home.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!