Encarnación.
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Overview

Encarnación is the most southern city of Paraguay and often called The pearl of the South. The Rio Paraná separates it and the Argentine town of Posadas.

Understand

Encarnación is a short jaunt on a local bus across the river from Posadas, Argentina. A shopping destination for many Argentines availing themselves of the lower taxes and prices, Encarnación is a pleasant, modern and relaxed city. The nearby Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue near Encarnación are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Get in

Asuncion take about 7 hr. Posadas in Argentina Local buses labelled "Internacional", white in colour, depart from several stops in Posadas' centre, all along Calle Entre Rios. They leave regularly, about two per hour. The bus will drop you off at the Argentinian passport office, and wait for you to re-board. It will cross the bridge, then leave you at the Paraguayan passport office. Unless you are quick, the bus will move on without you, but you can wait and catch the next one (keep your ticket stub!) instead of paying the exorbitant taxi fees. Bus will drop you at the terminal in Encarnación.

Get around

Encarnación is fairly compact, in as much as there isn't a lot to see outside the easily walkable centre. Buses connect different parts of the city, including Capitán Miranda and the Hospital General del Sur with the city centre — the final stop of most of those coming from Ruta 1 or Barrio San Pedro is the Circuito Comercial, although there are some that connect San Juan del Paraná with the city's southern neighbourhoods (Etapas de San Isidro). There are no bus passes whatsoever.

The buses coming from San Juan del Paraná travel on Ruta 1, pass the Universidad Nacional de Itapúa, then the Super 6 Costanera, turn onto Avenida Bernardino Caballero, afterwards onto Carlos Antonio López, pass the Plaza de Armas, then, depending on the bus line, turn onto Gral. Cabañas or Sgto. Revechón, then onto Avenida Caballero, then turn onto Cristo Rey, pass the Feria Municipal, then onto Av. 6, and, finally, turn into the Circuito Comercial.

It is recommended to verify the bus's route with the driver before riding. There are several taxi stands near the plaza and the bus station, should you wish to go further afield.

See

Plaza de Armas. Greenspace with a Japanese garden (of sorts) and stele and presentation of flags.

Orthodox Church. Notable for its Cyrillic inscriptions.

Do

San Jose Beach. The small, artificial beach in Encarnación is surprisingly pleasant. You can stretch out in the sun and soak up the rays, imagining you are at the coast; there is a slight breeze, and the river is wide. You can even go for a dip - apparently it is quite clean and safe. OK for the kids too, as it is not very deep. Yellow buoys separate bathers from jet-skis and boats. Also has a corniche called the Costanera De Encarnación that extends to the north and south ends of the city. If you get hungry, the Hiroshima Grill restaurant has a small outlet on the beach selling snacks and sushi.

Mboi Kae Beach. Another beach along the Parana River.

Mini Zoo del Juan XXIII. A small zoo. Sadly, the animals like the leopard are in pretty small cages.

Casino Carnaval. A Paraguayan casino, with a restaurant and hotel.

Buy

Unless you're going to Ciudad del Este, the cheapest place to buy just about anything, Encarnación would be a good spot to pick up consumer goods, especially electronics. Lower taxes and consequently lower prices than Argentina.

Eat

Hiroshima Grill. Great Japanese food. Good value set meals. Sushi is quite cheap. Looks a little spartan, but the food and service are good.

Las Papas Belgas. Authentic Belgian burgers and fries. Excellent service, friendly, English and French-speaking staff and a beer garden.

Habib’s. A mix of Lebanese and Paraguayan, they cook chicken or beef on a shwarma and wrap it in flatbread. Seating outside and also offer curbside service. Quick and tasty.

Drink

Cold beers available pretty much anywhere.

Sleep

La Casa de Pedro Hostal. Friendly owners can help you find your way around town and know the area well. Front door may not always be attended so you may have to call number above.

Hostel Colonial. Also offers camping opportunities. However, the staff is not very helpful and can be a little cold, watching their smartphone all the day.

Hotel Parana. A really good option, steps away from the plaza. Supermarket just down the street, ice cream shop across the road, Karumbé restaurant 20 seconds walk, ATMs around the corner. Nice bread, jam and fresh coffee and fruit juice for breakfast - served by a man in a tux! Hotel is clean and in good condition; some rooms could do with painting, but they are by no means dirty. Staff are helpful, and rather sweet - one was amazed to have foreign guests that spoke some Spanish. Rooms have Wi-Fi (router upstairs, cleverly) and TV.

Hotel Cristal. It's a hotel that has seen its best days, but it's still not bad. A little overpriced for the quality perhaps, but the lady working there is really lovely.

De la Costa Hotel. Very expensive for Paraguay, but also a very, very up-market hotel. Air-con, WiFi, television, fridge. Nice building, and close to the "beach". Friendly, English speaking staff.