If you’ve always wanted to make it to South America, a major new gateway has just opened up: Filipinos can soon travel to Paraguay visa-free.
On May 11, 2026, the Philippines and Paraguay signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement for tourists from both countries.
It's a massive win for Philippine passport holders looking to explore beyond our neighborhood without the hassle (and expense) of tedious embassy appointments.
TLDR: It just means an exciting new destination to add to our growing to-visit list.
Here’s everything we know so far about the new visa-free privileges between Paraguay and the Philippines.
Read: Tips: How to maximize your aircon and save on electric bill
Visa-Free Travel Between the Philippines and Paraguay
First things first: who gets to enjoy the visa-free privileges?
The newly signed visa waiver agreement applies specifically to holders of ordinary passports.
This means regular tourists and leisure travelers can soon bypass embassy appointments entirely to travel to Paraguay.
The signing took place at Malacañang Palace during the official visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios.
It’s a milestone for both nations, marking the first time a Paraguayan head of state has ever visited the Philippines since diplomatic ties were established on December 12, 1962.
The visa-free travel deal was one of two major agreements witnessed by President Peña and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their bilateral meeting.
The two countries also inked a Memorandum of Understanding focused on mutual cooperation in diplomatic training between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While the paperwork is officially in, the exact details have yet to be released. These include the effective date, duration of stay, and exemptions.
So, don’t book those long-haul flights just yet?
Though for now, you can start mapping out your itinerary and clearing your calendar for the near future.
What to do in Paraguay?
Paraguay is a highly underrated destination, but that’s about to change.
Tucked between Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia, this landlocked country is home to centuries-old heritage sites, wild nature spots, and authentic cuisine that may be more familiar than you expected.
The first stop for most travelers is the capital city of Asunción, a colorful hub teeming with colonial landmarks and bold street art.
It also boasts a surprising culinary scene: Thanks to waves of Asian immigration in the 20th century, the city is packed with Korean, Chinese, and Japanese food spots.
Outside the capital, history buffs can explore the Jesuit ruins of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue.
Together, these two stunning missionary archaeological sites form the country's collective UNESCO World Heritage listing.
If nature is more your style, you can trek through the untamed wilderness of the vast Gran Chaco region.
Alternatively, head east to visit Monday Falls, a powerful cascade that’s just a short drive away from the famous Iguazú border.
Sounds tempting?
There are no direct flights from Manila to Paraguay (yet); instead, most routes include at least two stops to get to Asunción.
Travel time typically extends 30 to 40-plus hours, so make sure you’ve got your VLs all saved up.
It’s not a quick journey, but this just might be South America’s best-kept secret—and now, it’s officially open to Filipino travelers eager to venture off the beaten path.
Read: Tips: How to train your dog, according to a film dog trainer
This article was originally published on Spot.ph