Encarnación: Beach, Paraná Riverfront and City History

Playa San José, riverside roads along the Río Paraná, green paths and places steeped in history each shape Encarnación in different ways. You can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on the beach and events, an active day by the river, or discovering historic sites.

Beach, Riverside Roads and Events

Avenida Costanera Padre Bolik was the first section of riverfront road to open in Encarnación, in 2010. It is just under a kilometer long and combines walking paths, a road for vehicle traffic and a bike path with benches offering views. There are also spaces for craft markets and events, as well as an expanding green area. The second section, Avenida Costanera República del Paraguay, opened in 2011.

Avenida Costanera República del Paraguay and Playa San José together provide a venue for major cultural events. These include Carnival, markets, exhibitions and music shows featuring national and international artists. Beach facilities include restrooms, ATMs, tourist information points, a permanent cleaning service, soccer and beach volleyball courts, numerous food kiosks and lifeguards. Buoys mark the areas designated for swimmers and watercraft. Facilities can change, so check the information again before your beach visit.

Parque Quiteria is also frequently used for cultural, artistic and festive events. These include the department’s annual Industry, Commerce and Services Exhibition and the Rally Trans Itapúa. If you want to combine different interests on your trip, there are various ways to experience the city without making the beach your sole focus.

Green Paths and Views of the Paraná

At Santuario Itacua, dense woodland, numerous paths and views of the Río Paraná come together in a three-hectare area in Punta Itacuá, southeast of the historic center. The woodland provides shade and fresh air throughout the year. The Camino del Peregrino also passes through the sanctuary’s trees and leads to a grotto. About 17,000 people walk it each year; this is an approximate figure. A visit can therefore combine nature with a place of religious significance.

For a different view of the river, visit Parque de la Ciudad. Costanera San Pedro runs alongside Arroyo Mbói Ka’e in the neighborhood of the same name. These offer different points of reference for comparing the city’s landscapes: views of the Río Paraná here, and a riverside road along a stream in the San Pedro neighborhood there.

A cycling loop follows more than 27 kilometers of riverside road along the Río Paraná and passes beaches, the Monument Yo Amo Encarnación, the Sambódromo, Chimenea Ex Fabril and a replica of the railway station with its railway museum. Cyclists can take a break and enjoy food and drink at Playa San José. Given its length, the loop deserves a place of its own in your day’s itinerary; its named stops bring together the riverfront, city history and a beach visit in a single outing.

Squares, Markets and Railway History

Plaza de Armas de Encarnación was officially inaugurated on March 25, 1975. It is also home to an old Curupay tree, about 220 years old, which has been declared a natural monument of the city. A completely redesigned area of the square reflects Japanese influences. Its features include waterfalls, a walkway, “puertos,” a tea house and dense tree cover.

The San José grain mill and the silo of the same name date back to 1940. For much of the 20th century, they were important centers for grain production, processing and export, and played a significant role in both the local and national economy. The old railway station offers another historical perspective: built in the early 20th century, it was the terminus of the railway line from Asunción through several towns in the country’s interior and an important connection to Argentina.

The reconstructed railway station is a different site. It is managed by the Encarnación municipal government, forms part of the city’s tourist route and houses the Museo Memoria Ferroviario Municipal. The historic connection to Argentina and the present-day museum are therefore two distinct aspects of railway history.

For a glimpse of everyday city life, visit La Placita. This municipal market hosts regular product markets, offering everyday goods, crafts and agricultural products such as pork and domestic chickens. Individual vendors and products may vary.

Choosing the Right Vacation Rental in Encarnación

These places offer different points of reference when choosing a vacation rental: first consider whether beaches and riverside activities, green paths, events or historic sites will shape your trip. Then compare the location of a specific property with the places you plan to visit.

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Return to the main travel overview: Itapúa.