Bookstores in Encarnación: stationery and copy tips

In Encarnación, the right bookshop depends on what you need: for school supplies and stationery, one near home or the school, with the list in hand; for copies and binding, one near the university; and for books, one that will order the title for you. Before going, send the list or title on WhatsApp and ask what they have and the price.

Bookshop, stationer or both

In Paraguay, "librería" covers both bookshops and stores that sell school supplies, stationery and office goods, and many also do photocopies and printing. Be clear about what you need:

• Supplies and stationery: notebooks, folders, backpacks, office material. These are the most common and found in every barrio.
• Copies, printing and binding: most in demand near the universities. Ask the price per page, whether they print in colour and how long it takes.
• Books: new releases, school textbooks and set readings. If they do not have it, ask whether they can order it and how long it takes.

Where to look in Encarnación

• Circuito Comercial: the city's shopping area moved near the San Roque González de Santa Cruz International Bridge and is known as the "Circuito Comercial" (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It is the place to compare several shops in one trip.
• Near the universities: Encarnación is described as the country's third university city, with the Universidad Nacional de Itapúa and the Itapúa campus of the Universidad Católica (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Copies and course packs are easiest to find around the faculties.
• Your barrio: for card stock or an ink cartridge at the last minute, the corner shop saves a trip downtown.

School season: when to buy supplies

In 2026, state-school classes started on Monday 23 February and end on 30 November, according to the Education Ministry calendar (Hoy⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). That makes February the busiest month in stationery shops. School supplies are also among the goods Argentine shoppers crossing from Posadas look for (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), so expect crowds and gaps in stock in season.

• Buy as soon as you get the list, ideally in early February.
• Send a photo of the list on WhatsApp and ask for a full quote; that way you compare two or three shops without visiting them.
• Ask whether the brands the school lists are required or whether equivalents are fine.
• Check everything at home before covering or labelling.

Where to buy books in Encarnación

• Special orders: for a specific title, ask the shop to order it and check the wait time and deposit.
• Libroferia Encarnación: organised every September by the Universidad Autónoma de Encarnación (UNAE) at its Campus Urbano. In 2026 it ran from 1 to 6 September with 20 exhibitors and free entry for everyone (La Nación⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠; ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It is the best chance in the year to see Paraguayan publishers and authors in one place.
• School readings: ask the school for the exact publisher and edition before buying.

Payment and receipts

Ask whether they take QR, cards or bank transfer: QR now makes up 68.1% of the electronic payments processed by Bancard, according to its report published in May 2026 (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you are coming from Posadas, ask which currency they charge in and at what rate before paying. For large orders of supplies or office material, ask for an invoice with your RUC (tax number) if you need to claim it.