Real loses 4.7% in Paraguay: what it means for border shoppers

Between 10/02/2026 and 11/02/2026 the real depreciated 4.7% against the guarani (R$ 1 = 1,073 guaranis), while in Argentina the drop was 3.6% (R$ 1 = 283 pesos). This variation occurs during a period when the dollar is at R$ 5.44, one of the highest values in our 169-day series, indicating weakness of the real.

For those who cross the border to shop, the depreciation means each real buys fewer guaranis. For example, before the drop, R$ 100 exchanged for about 107,300 guaranis; after the drop, the same R$ 100 yields roughly 102,600 guaranis, a loss of almost 4.7% in purchasing power.

In addition to the depreciation, the high dollar raises the cost of imported products sold in dollars or pesos, which are converted to real at the time of purchase. Thus, items such as electronics or clothing can become more expensive for those paying in real.

What this means for you: if you plan to shop in Ciudad del Este, adjust your budget by about 5% less than planned, or bring more guaranis to offset the loss of value. Check the exchange rate on the day before crossing and consider paying in guaranis or using a card in the local currency to avoid unfavorable conversion.

Source: Guia 3 – Exchange rate and real purchasing power data at the border (2026).

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