In this guide
In Encarnación, don't miss the Costanera riverfront with San José Beach, the riverside food strip, and, if you are there in January or February, a Carnival night at the Sambódromo. With one more day, head to the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesús, about 30 km away. Below: what to do by area, when to go and how to get around.
What to do on the Costanera and the beaches
The Costanera wraps around almost the whole city along the Paraná River and is the heart of local life (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- San José Beach (Playa San José): the most visited of the three municipal beaches, with several restaurants beside it (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is a small, free artificial beach at the end of Calle Curupayty; Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab) describes swimming there as safe for children. Arrive early in summer to get shade.
- Mbói Ka'e and Pacu Cuá beaches: the other two municipal beaches, quieter than San José.
- San José Mill and Silo: built in 1940 and protected as heritage, on the Costanera near the beach. A good photo stop.
- Railway Station replica: near San José Beach, with the "Memoria Viva" museum about the railway that reached the city in 1913.
- Rowing and walks: rowing is practised on the Costanera waters; on foot or by bike, the best time is late afternoon when the sun drops.
Where to eat and go out at night
- Paseo Gastronómico: the strip facing San José Beach with views over the Paraná, with pizza, pasta, buffets, bars and international chains (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). This is where people gather at night, especially in summer.
- Casino Carnaval: on Avenida Irrazábal, with a restaurant and hotel (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- Yerba mate cooking: local chefs promoted yerba mate dishes through the "Ruta de la Yerba Mate"; ask for them at restaurants.
If you want to dance, the city has nightclubs and bars as well as casinos. Check social media for what is open that night before you head out.
What to see in the centre
- Plaza de Armas: the main square, on the site of the old mission, with monuments to the German, Italian, Japanese and Ukrainian communities and a curupay tree about 220 years old, protected as a natural monument (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- The Cathedral and the St Nicholas Orthodox Church, with Cyrillic inscriptions from the Ukrainian immigration (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- San Pedro Staircase (Escalinata de San Pedro): in the San Pedro neighbourhood, a mosaic stairway with about 7,000 hanging pieces and painted fish. Go in daylight.
- La Placita (Municipal Market): produce, crafts and clothes, popular for low prices.
When is the Encarnación Carnival?
It is the biggest carnival in Paraguay. It runs on Saturdays in January and February (five nights in 2026, from 17 January to 14 February, per Última Hora (opens in a new tab)), at the Centro Cívico Municipal (Sambódromo), between Avenida Costanera and Avenida Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia on Calle General Aquino, with room for about 12,000 people (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Five comparsas and two neighbourhood floats parade and compete for prizes. Tickets and each year's dates are published on carnavalencarnaceno.com.py; hotels fill up on those nights, so book early.
Day trips: Jesuit ruins, Itacuá and Carmen del Paraná
- Trinidad ruins: the Santísima Trinidad del Paraná mission, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 30 km northwest on Route PY06 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Take any northbound bus (toward Ciudad del Este), ask to get off at Trinidad and walk about 500 m; the ride takes about 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab). One ticket covers the nearby missions for several days. Allow one to two hours.
- Jesús de Tavarangüé ruins: 12 km from Trinidad. Without a car, take a moto-taxi or the local bus from the service station on the highway.
- Itacuá Sanctuary: on Punta Itacuá, with a boat-shaped church and a lookout about 20 m high. Its feast day is 8 December, when thousands walk the "Camino del Peregrino".
- Carmen del Paraná: about 30 km away on Route PY01, with its own beaches and riverfront, for a river day outside the city.
How to get there and get around
- From Asunción: about 370 km on Route PY01. By bus, Wikivoyage estimates around 7 hours to the terminal; there are also daily flights to Teniente Amín Ayub airport, about 12 km from the centre.
- From Posadas (Argentina): the international train crosses the San Roque González bridge with frequent daytime departures and takes just over 10 minutes. "Internacional" buses also run.
- In town: there are city buses and taxi ranks near the plaza and the terminal. For the Costanera, walking or cycling is easiest.
FAQ
What can you do in Encarnación in one day?
Walk the Costanera, swim at San José Beach, stop at Plaza de Armas and finish with dinner on the Paseo Gastronómico facing the river.
Are the Jesuit ruins in Encarnación?
No. Trinidad is about 30 km away on Route PY06 and Jesús de Tavarangüé 12 km beyond it. You can go by bus and return the same day.
When is the Encarnación Carnival?
On Saturdays in January and February, four nights in total, at the Sambódromo in the Centro Cívico Municipal. Exact dates are published each year on the official site.
Where do people go out at night in Encarnación?
The Paseo Gastronómico facing San José Beach has most bars and restaurants. The city also has nightclubs and casinos.
