Paraguay Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Paraguay? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Paraguay
For an introduction to shooting in Paraguay see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Paraguay Film Locations
Paraguay is a landlocked country located between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. The landscape is primarily made up of swampland, subtropical forest and savanna. Paraguay is known for its agricultural locations, national parks, waterfalls, rivers, Jesuit mission ruins, and Mennonite communities.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of soybeans, corn, wheat, sugarcane, rice, cotton, yerba mate, as well as cattle ranches. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
The Amazing Race 32 (2020), The Amazing Race 20 (2012), and The Mission (1986) filmed in Paraguay.
Film locations can be divided by the following departments:
Distrito Capital, Concepción, San Pedro, Cordillera, Guairá, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Itapúa, Misiones, Paraguarí, Alto Paraná, Central, Ñeembucú, Amambay, Canindeyú, Presidente Hayes, Alto Paraguay, and Boquerón.
Asunción is the capital and main entry point by air. Film locations of note include Palacio de López, El Cabildo (National Congress Building), Panteón del los Heroes, National Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Icono Tower, Cerro Lambaré, La Costanera riverwalk, La Chacarita neighbourhood, Calle Palma (Principal Street), Mercado Municipal 4, Estadio Defensores del Chaco football stadium, and the Botanical Garden. Museo Ferroviario is an old train station with waiting rooms, offices, platform, and an old dining car. Silvio Pettirossi International Airport has an interesting design.
Ruins of former Jesuit missions include La Santisima Trinidad de Paraná and Ruinas Jesuiticas de Jesús de Tavarangué.
Encarnación, known for its riverside beaches, is the tourist capital of Paraguay.
Castillo Carlota Palmerola, located in Areguá, is an interesting mansion available for filming.
Menno and Fernheim colonies are Mennonite communities.
Ybycuí National Park is known for its waterfalls and howler monkeys.
Cerro Cora National Park is known for its savannah and highland terrain including Muralia peak.
Monday’s Falls, Guaíra Falls, and Salto Cristal are spectacular waterfall locations.
San Bernardino is a town on Lake Ypacarai.
Italpú Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world.
Paraguay Film Location Permits
Paraguay is generally a film-friendly country. Most locations are quick, easy and innexpensive to permit. Drone filming in permitted. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Paraguay has a hot, sub-tropical climate. The east of the country is more humid and wet than the semi-arid western part. Summer (November to March) can be very hot and rainy. Winter (April to October) is mild and dry. Winter is generally the best time to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Dia de San Blas in February.
• Encarnacion hosts Paraguay’s most famous Carnaval celebrations in January and February.
• Festival of San Juan is held on June 24.
• Transchaco Rally takes place in September.
Paraguay is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Paraguay.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew, equipment and talent are best brought in from abroad. This can add considerably to the cost of shooting. Our Paraguayan fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Paraguay.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Paraguay has a small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Most standard crew is available in Paraguay. More specialised key crew may need to brought in.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Paraguay.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Spanish and Guarani are the official languages. More people speak Guarani than Spanish.
Most Paraguayans are mestizo, of mixed Spanish and Guaraní Native American descent. Paraguay also has some Mennonite communities. All other talent looks are best cast abroad.
Paraguay Film Equipment
Equipment. Paraguay has standard camera, lighting and grip equipment available locally including drones, gimbals, Alexa Mini, Red Dragon, and Zeiss lenses. Bringing in your own gear for small projects is an easy process. If you are planning to bring in larger amounts of equipment, you will need to engage a customs broker.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on Western passports can enter visa-free or obtain visas on arrival for stays of up to 90 days. There is no need for a work permit to film in Paraguay. See here for more information on visas.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are in a good condition. Rural roads are slower going, especially during the rainy season when some become impassable. Several international airlines service flights to Paraguay.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Asuncion include:
Sheraton Asuncion Hotel
Resort Yacht & Golf Club Paraguay
La Mision Hotel Boutique
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice. See here for vaccinations required for Paraguay.
Down Time. Stay on a traditional cattle ranch in the Gran Chaco region. Drink Carrulim.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Paraguay, please see below:
Hire Paraguay Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Paraguay, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Paraguay, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
