Encarnación, Paraguay · Kurt’s first two weeks · Filmed in 2026
Groceries, a riverfront apartment and a Sunday that went off plan.
Encarnación was where I started filming this chapter of the journey. Across two episodes, I settled into an apartment, explored the Paraná riverfront, tried a local grill and discovered why my Sunday shopping plan needed changing.
Watch my first week in Encarnación ↗26:03 · English · Everyday experiences from a specific stay
What this visit helps you judge
How daily errands, accommodation, the riverfront and eating out felt on the ground. These films do not establish a current monthly living budget, reliable internet speeds or whether residency is right for you.
Choose a useful scene →Getting a feel for life beside the Paraná
I arrived from Posadas, Argentina, and began the first episode around the central Plaza de Armas. My next stops were ordinary ones: La Familia Supermercados for water and yerba, then the bus terminal to look into the next destination. I was still deciding between Asunción and Ciudad del Este.
If Asunción is your next stop, our Costanera boat-trip story shows a different way to experience Paraguay’s capital.
That is the useful part of this first week: seeing the small decisions behind a longer stay. At the terminal, I asked about services rather than assuming every bus would be direct or equally comfortable. The filmed conversation is a trip snapshot; confirm schedules and fares with the operator for your own date.
The apartment looked across to Argentina
The apartment tour shows my office setup, the kitchen and a view across the river toward Posadas. It also shows an inconvenience the view does not reveal: floor tiles were lifting, and I had contacted the owner. A photogenic view does not tell you everything about how an apartment works.
For a similar stay, I would check the workspace, kitchen, condition of the apartment and the routes to errands before judging it on the balcony alone. The tour gives you things to look for, not a recommendation of a currently available listing.
A river beach and an outdoor grill
Later, I walked by the river beach, with the bridge and Posadas visible across the water. The evening took me to La Hora del Asado, where reading the Spanish menu and talking through the food became part of the visit. Those everyday exchanges are the point of the episode, more than a list of attractions to tick off.
The Sunday shopping plan that did not work
In week two, I headed toward the commercial area near the Argentina bridge, hoping an early Sunday would avoid the crowd. At about 9:15am, many shops were shut. Later conversations made it clear that my timing was not good for the particular shopping I wanted to do.
But “everything is closed on Sundays” would be too broad a conclusion. La Placita still had food stalls and vendors operating when I reached it. The quieter market made filming easier, and lunch turned the day around. After eating, I stopped to listen to a street musician.
The practical lesson is to check the specific shop and day if an errand matters. Do not assume that retail shopping, lunch stalls and the riverfront all follow the same schedule. I would plan essential shopping for a confirmed opening time and leave more room for wandering on Sunday.
Watch week two: streets, market and music ↗33:37 · English · A different day in the same city
Go straight to the part you’re researching
WEEK 1 · 10:00
The apartment tour
The workspace, kitchen and river view, alongside the practical imperfections.
See the apartment ↗WEEK 1 · 15:16
Beside the river
The beach walk and view toward Posadas during my stay.
Join the riverfront walk ↗WEEK 2 · 22:45
La Placita on Sunday
The market after the quiet shopping streets, followed by lunch and the musician.
Walk into the market ↗For eating out, the local grill starts at 19:30 in week one ↗.
Find the riverfront and market
Encarnación, across from Posadas
The municipality places Playa San José on Avenida Costanera República del Paraguay. Its riverfront guide is useful for orientation and facilities; check current conditions locally before swimming.
La Placita is the municipal market shown in week two. The official shopping guide identifies it and links to its location.
These are orientation links, not a fixed walking route through every neighborhood seen in the films. Use current local advice and your own circumstances when choosing how to get around.
What I can honestly say about staying here
Was Encarnación cheaper than Argentina?
That was my impression during this stay, and I say so on camera. I did not record a comparable, itemized monthly budget across both places. The exchange rate mentioned in the episode is historical, so it should not be used for today’s budget.
Would it work for remote work?
The apartment tour shows my work setup, but these episodes do not include a measured internet-speed test or evidence of connection reliability over time. If you need dependable calls, ask the accommodation for recent measurements and a backup option before booking.
Does this cover residency or every attraction?
No. This is a companion to two filmed weeks. For the broader journey, explore our Paraguay stories. These experiences are a starting point for your own research, not a residency assessment.
Watch next · The journey continues
From Paraguay toward the falls
After Encarnación, the filmed journey reaches Ciudad del Este and the Friendship Bridge into Brazil. An issue with my earlier Paraguay entry record comes up there—a useful reminder to verify your own immigration formalities when you arrive.
Watch the crossing into Brazil ↗16:38 · English · Use the Iguazú route companion for the two bridge names and current official planning links.
Based on Kurt’s first- and second-week Encarnación episodes and full source captions. Reviewed 5 September 2026. Named places, impressions and apartment details refer to the filmed stay; operational information can change.