Casco Histórico (Historic Downtown)

Casco Histórico has historic sites worth seeing, but serious safety issues especially after dark. Only visit during the day (10am-4pm) with valuables hidden. Leave before sunset.

The historic downtown has colonial architecture and cultural sites worth seeing during the day. The area around the main plaza, government buildings, and museums stays somewhat busy during business hours with locals and a few tourists. But after dark, everyone leaves and the area empties out completely. A favela sits in the middle of downtown next to the historic sites, and it's easy to wander into unsafe areas without realizing it. The neighborhood is quieter and emptier than most capital city centers, which is actually a bad thing - in South American cities, you never want to be the only person on the street. Go during the middle of the day (10am-4pm) to see the sites and take photos, then get out before sunset. Even locals from other parts of Asunción don't walk around here at night. The Mercado 4 area nearby is known for pickpockets even during the day.