Encarnación

Encarnación is the most southern city of Paraguay and often called The pearl of the South. The Rio Paraná separates it and the Argentine town of Posadas.

Understand
Encarnación is a short jaunt on a local bus across the river from Posadas, Argentina. A shopping destination for many Argentines availing themselves of the lower taxes and prices, Encarnación is a pleasant, modern and relaxed city. The nearby Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue near Encarnación are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

By bus

 * Ciudad del Este stopping at all towns including Trinidad for the Jesuit Mission take about 6 hr and costs GS.60,000.
 * Asuncion take about 7 hr. Tickets cost GS.70,000 - 120,00 (May 2023) and the buses pass by San Ignacio Guazú (3 hr).
 * Posadas in Argentina Local buses labelled "Internacional", white in colour, depart from several stops in Posadas' centre, all along Calle Entre Rios. They leave regularly, about two per hour. Tickets are AR$6. The bus will drop you off at the Argentinian passport office, and wait for you to re-board. It will cross the bridge, then leave you at the Paraguayan passport office. Unless you are quick, the bus will move on without you, but you can wait and catch the next one (keep your ticket stub!) instead of paying the exorbitant taxi fees. Bus will drop you at the terminal in Encarnación.

Get around
Encarnación is fairly compact, in as much as there isn't a lot to see outside the easily walkable centre. Buses are infrequent, each ride costs around GS.2,500. There are several taxi stands near the plaza and the bus station, should you wish to go further afield.

Buy
Unless you're going to Ciudad del Este, the cheapest place to buy just about anything, Encarnación would be a good spot to pick up consumer goods, especially electronics. Lower taxes and consequently lower prices than Argentina.

Drink
Cold beers available pretty much anywhere.

Paraguay

 * See the Jesuit Missions

Beyond
Always buy your ticket in the offices, not from the guys outside. Some of them are genuine, but others will overcharge or sell tickets for non-existent buses.
 * Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Brazil – International buses serve these destinations.
 * Posadas, Argentina – The local bus costs GS.9,000 (as of May 2018), takes an hour and bus driver will drop you at the passport control from both Paraguayan and Argentine sides. If you are too slow just keep the bus ticket and take the next one.