City in Itapúa, Paraguay
Encarnación
Quiet Paraguayan river city with a long summer beach on the Paraná, a lively Carnival and access to UNESCO Jesuit ruins at Trinidad and Jesús. Cheap and easy, but small and sleepy outside the season.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,200–1,880Comfortable, one person · ₲7M–11MDetails
- Value for money63/100Better value than 62% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–MarWarmest: Jan, 32°CDetails
- Internet155 MbpsFixed broadband, Paraguay medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water is treated, but many locals use filters or bottles; prefer bottled in hostels and for ice at street stalls.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–60Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCity busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, supermarkets and many restaurants; buses, markets and small shops are cash.Details
Where to stay in Encarnación
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Costanera and Playa San José | Beach, riverside walks, restaurants and summer events |
| Centro (around Plaza Artigas) | Shops, banks and cheaper stays; busy by day |
| Zona Alta | Quieter upper town with older houses and cafés |
Apps that work in Encarnación
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PedidosYa | Some coverage in the center and Costanera |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: Ride apps are uncertain here. Use local taxis, agree prices first, or ask your hotel to call a trusted driver.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Paraguay.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and many restaurants; buses, markets and small shops are cash. Carry guaraníes; Argentine pesos and dollars are also taken near the bridge.
- Currency: Guarani (PYG). US$1 ≈ ₲5,838.23 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many ATMs accept foreign cards and some dispense US dollars; expect a per-withdrawal fee. Use ATMs inside buildings.
- Tipping: About 10% in sit-down restaurants if service isn't included; round up for taxis and delivery riders.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in chains; local wallets such as Tigo Money need Paraguayan ID.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get the passport stamped at land borders, especially Ciudad del Este–Foz do Iguaçu; missing entry stamps mean fines.
- Bus drivers sometimes say immigration can be done in Asunción; it can't.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a risk country.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 141 · Fire 132
Plugs
Type C · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops in malls sell cheap prepaid SIMs with passport registration; data comes in daily, weekly or monthly packs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Paraguay
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.