This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Encarnación.
Situated on the bank of the Parana River, on the border with Argentina, Encarnación, Paraguay, is a popular destination for Paraguayans and Argentinians as a weekend retreat. This is a great place to beat the heat and cool off with a swim at the beach before retiring to a comfortable hostel in Encarnación, Paraguay. Accommodation wise, be aware that prices in Encarnación are a little higher than other places in the country.
Visitors to the area can enjoy long walks along the malecon, wrapped along the coast, and where views of the Argentinian city of Posadas are most prominent. Outdoor concerts and festivals are frequent (especially during the month-long celebration of Carnival in February, when booking an Encarnación, Paraguay hostel in advance is highly recommended) but, if nothing else, it’s a great place to relax with a throng of bars and restaurants to choose from located along the beachfront. Join a game of beach volleyball or just sit and people-watch as you wait for the sun to set.
Encarnación is also an excellent place for shopping, with a large market close to the train station that services passengers traveling between Paraguay and Argentina. Clothes and electronic stalls dominate here, however it’s possible to find most everyday items here also. Like any other marketplace, take precaution with your belongings if visiting.
After shopping, visit the UNESCO Heritage-listed Jesuit ruins in nearby Trinidad. Built in the seventeenth century, these ruins are all that remain of the missions that once facilitated the integration of the native Guarani people with the Spanish. There are three locations included in one ticket, but the easiest to visit include La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, just thirty minutes by bus away. Hostel-style accommodation is available close by these locations, but the towns are very small and don't offer much else in terms of tourism.
Back in Encarnación, relax in the shade in the Plaza del Armas, another spot offering regular free entertainment and the opportunity to try terere or mate, the national drink. Expect hot days, humid nights, and a strong Argentinian presence during your visit to the city, which is better enjoyed with an ice cold beer on the beach.
Written by local enthusiast for Encarnación hostels
Global Runaways
