Encarnación

A border city on the Paraná River known for its riverside beaches and carnival, close to the World Heritage Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Tavarangue.

Encarnación is the capital of Paraguay's Itapúa Department, on the west bank of the Paraná River, facing Posadas, capital of Argentina's Misiones Province, across the water. It's known as the 'Pearl of Paraguay'. After the Yacyretá Dam raised the river level, the city built a long riverside promenade (Costanera) and artificial beaches, turning it into the country's most popular summer resort. The climate is humid subtropical: December to February is hot (often above 35°C) and is beach and carnival season; March–May and September–November are mild and ideal for visiting the ruins; June–August can bring occasional cold snaps. The area divides into three parts: in the city, the Costanera, San José Beach and the carnival avenue (Sambódromo); 30–40 km to the northeast, the World Heritage Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús de Tavarangue, plus towns settled by German immigrants; and to the west, the San Cosme y Damián mission, its astronomy centre and the dune island. With a passport, you can also cross the bridge to Posadas and continue to the San Ignacio Miní ruins in Argentina. Getting there: about 5–6 hours by long-distance bus from Asunción, or cross the border from Posadas in Argentina; taxis around town are cheap. Allow 2–3 days; bring your documents for cross-border trips, and expect long queues at border control during holidays.

Top sights

• Jesuit Mission of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná – A World Heritage Site and the best-preserved of the 18th-century Guaraní Jesuit missions, with finely carved red sandstone cathedral ruins.
• Jesuit Mission of Jesús de Tavarangue – A World Heritage Site with an unfinished, grand cathedral featuring Moorish-style trilobed arches, standing on open hills in a peaceful, un…
• Playa San José – An artificial river beach on the Paraná, with fine white sand, river views and the skyline of Posadas across the water. It is Paraguay’s mo…
• Costanera de Encarnación – A riverside promenade along the Paraná with walking and cycling paths, lookouts, and the city lights of Argentina's Posadas across the wate…
• Sambódromo of Encarnación – The main venue of Paraguay's largest carnival, the Encarnación Carnival, with floats and samba troupe parades on weekend nights in January…
• San Cosme y Damián Jesuit Mission – A Jesuit mission church still in use, with an astronomy centre named after a Jesuit astronomer, where you can stargaze at night.
• Dunes of San Cosme y Damián – Sand dune islands in the Paraná River. After a boat ride you can climb the dunes, go sand sliding and watch the sunset, earning it the nick…
• San Ignacio Miní – The best-known Jesuit mission ruins on the Argentine side, a World Heritage Site with richly carved red sandstone church façade.
• Costanera of Posadas – The riverside promenade in Posadas, Argentina, across from Encarnación, with a statue of the Guaraní hero Andresito and river views. A good…
• Encarnación Cathedral – A modern cathedral in the city centre with a tall bell tower and stained glass, next to the main city square.
• Parque Manantial – A forest spring park near the German immigrant town of Hohenau, with swimming pools, camping and forest trails. It is a weekend getaway for…
• Santa Ana Jesuit Mission Ruins – A World Heritage Jesuit mission in Argentina's Misiones Province, with stone church walls and graveyard ruins in the forest. It is quiet an…

Where to eat

• Novo Rodeio Rey do Lazo – TripAdvisor's top-ranked Brazilian-style steakhouse in Encarnación, where waiters bring skewers around the table and th…
• Hiroshima Restaurante – A long-established Japanese restaurant downtown that has consistently ranked among Encarnación's top-rated restaurants…
• Milord Restaurant – A restaurant run by a French owner inside a boutique hotel, with poolside dining, known for steaks, Italian-style risot…

Itineraries

• Asunción, Jesuit Missions & Iguazu Falls Tour – Traverse southern and eastern Paraguay to see World Heritage ruins, then head to the spectacular Iguazu Falls.
• Gran Chaco, Jesuit Missions & Iguazu Falls Tour – From the Mennonite settlements of the Chaco to the southern Jesuit missions, then north through Argentina to Iguazu Fal…
• Iguazú Falls and Jesuit Missions – Puerto Iguazú for the falls on both sides, then south along Route 12 to the Jesuit ruins of Argentina and Paraguay