🇵🇾 Encarnacion, Paraguay
Hostel Colonial
📍 762, General Gervasio Artigas, Encarnacion
Your stay — Hostel Colonial
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Encarnacion.
The Property — Hostel Colonial
Hostel Colonial occupies a converted early-20th-century building, its lobby lined with terracotta tiles and heavy wooden furniture. It’s a decent budget option in central Encarnación, offering private rooms and dorms with a tired but functional charm. Good for backpackers and travellers who prioritise location over luxury, or anyone wanting to be an easy walk from the riverfront, market and bus terminal.
Chronicles of Encarnacion
Encarnación was founded in 1615 by Jesuits as a mission for the Guaraní people. Its grand riverside architecture dates from the late 19th century, when German, Italian and Swiss immigrants rebuilt it after a fire. The construction of the Yacyretá dam in the 2000s permanently raised the Paraná River, forcing the relocation of a third of the city – a process that reshaped its waterfront and modern identity. Today, the city balances its colonial-era centre with a young, sprawling outskirts and a growing Carnival tourism industry.
Best Time to Visit
Full Encarnacion guide →Best months
AprilMaySeptember
Peak / festival surge
Carnival (February) is the busiest period: Encarnación hosts Paraguay’s largest carnival, attracting thousands. Hotel prices can spike 30–50% above average, and rooms book out months ahead. Other peaks are the New Year week and the July winter break (when local families travel).
Budget shoulder season
March and October are budget-friendly shoulder months. March has dry, warm days post-carnival lull; October offers spring blooms and mild heat. Both have fewer tourists and softer hotel rates.
Weather & packing
Encarnación has a humid subtropical climate with variable winter temps: you can hit 30°C one July day and 10°C the next. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and insect repellent – mosquitoes are active after rain.
Live City Briefing — Encarnacion
- The costanera (riverfront promenade) extension project continues; some sections remain fenced off, but the main strip near the casino is open for walking and cycling.
- The city government upgraded the central market’s drainage in late 2025; expect less flooding after heavy rain, though vendors may still be reorganising stalls.
- A new bus terminal hub at the edge of the old town reduces the number of coaches rattling through the centre; check with your hotel if the usual colectivo routes have changed on the day of arrival.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Colonial, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the second or third floor at the rear of the building (away from General Gervasio Artigas). These are high enough to reduce street-level noise but unlikely to have lift machinery rumble at a 3-star property without a lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any rooms facing the street on the first floor: General Gervasio Artigas is a main thoroughfare in Encarnación, so first-floor front rooms will get direct traffic noise, headlights, and pedestrian chatter.
Best views
No noteworthy view at this address: it's a commercial street in central Encarnación. A rear-facing room might overlook a courtyard or neighbouring building—nothing scenic from a 3-star city centre spot.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors at the back of the building are the quietest. The first floor is too exposed to street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is General Gervasio Artigas traffic, which can be constant during the day and pick up again late evening. Nearby bars or restaurants might add voices and music, especially on weekends. No lift means you might hear footsteps on stairs if you're in a ground-floor room.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room at the rear during booking to minimise street noise—there's no lift so you'll take stairs, but the quiet is worth it. 2. Check in early evening: the street is busier but you can gauge noise levels before committing to a room, and the front desk might let you switch if your assigned room is too loud.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostel Colonial
Free for all guests; typical download speed 8 Mbps; login via room code
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors via stairs only
No newspapers; TV lounge with cable (Spanish channels only)
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 free; late check-out (to 14:00) 50,000 PYG, subject to availability
Free at reception during operating hours (07:00–22:00); no overnight storage
Step at main entrance (approx. 15 cm); no ramp or wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow corridors
Off-street parking for 6 cars on-site, first-come-first-served, free; nearest public garage at Avenida Caballero, 15,000 PYG per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; 100,000 PYG incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Adventista (128 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (265 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia encuentro con la vida (756 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Salon del Reino de los testigos de Jehová (857 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Serpyl Color — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Jardín Japonés — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Museo Casa de la Victoria — 855 m · ~11 min walk
Plazoleta — 870 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 422 m · ~5 min walk
Farmacia Leticia — 579 m · ~7 min walk
Autoservice Cafu — 641 m · ~8 min walk
Terminal de Ómnibus de Encarnación — 470 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Paraguayan Guarani, PYG
Change money at banks or official exchange houses in Encarnación; avoid airport and tourist bureau kiosks for poor rates.
Cards accepted in most supermarkets, hotels, and many restaurants; cash needed for street food and smaller markets.
No obligation but rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants; small change for taxis and modest tips for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a panadería or local café costs around 5,000-7,000 PYG.
A menú del día (set lunch) with soup, main, and drink runs 15,000-20,000 PYG.
A main course at a simple local eatery costs 20,000-30,000 PYG.
Look for street stalls or small food carts near the terminal or along Avenida Irrazábal; empanadas and chipa are common.
Supermercado Stock and Superseis are common budget supermarkets in Encarnación.
Head to the Mercado Municipal or street stalls around the central plaza for affordable clothing.
Local buses cost about 2,500 PYG per ride; from the airport, take a bus to the centre for 3,000-4,000 PYG.
Eat at lunch buffets for best value; use local buses over taxis; buy water in bulk from supermarkets not tourist stalls.
Emergency Contacts
EncarnacionWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Encarnacion, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel Colonial
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 422 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Leticia — 579 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Arthur Palace Hotel → Anywhere in Encarnacion (e.g., Costanera, Ruins of Jesus)
💡 Use Radio Taxi Encarnacion (call 071 20 5000) for reliable service. Agree on the fare before starting—trips within the city range from 15,000 to 30,000 PYG. Avoid unmarked taxis late at night.
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) → Arthur Palace Hotel, Encarnacion
💡 Negotiate the price at the airport taxi stand before you get in. Expect around 250,000–300,000 PYG for the 3-hour drive. Shared minibuses are cheaper but leave only when full.
Terminal de Ómnibus de Encarnacion → Arthur Palace Hotel (Av. Irrazabal)
💡 Any bus marked 'Centro' from the terminal will take you along Av. Irrazabal. Tell the driver to stop at the 'Hotel Arthur'—they know the spot. Have small change; drivers don't give change for large notes.
Terminal de Ómnibus de Asunción → Terminal de Ómnibus de Encarnacion
💡 Buy a first-class seat (cama) to the second floor for air conditioning and reclining seats—especially worth it for the 4-hour ride. From the terminal, take a short taxi ride (10,000–15,000 PYG) to the Arthur Palace Hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel Colonial?
Request rooms on the second or third floor at the rear of the building (away from General Gervasio Artigas). These are high enough to reduce street-level noise but unlikely to have lift machinery rumble at a 3-star property without a lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Colonial?
Avoid any rooms facing the street on the first floor: General Gervasio Artigas is a main thoroughfare in Encarnación, so first-floor front rooms will get direct traffic noise, headlights, and pedestrian chatter.
Is Hostel Colonial noisy?
Main noise source is General Gervasio Artigas traffic, which can be constant during the day and pick up again late evening. Nearby bars or restaurants might add voices and music, especially on weekends. No lift means you might hear footsteps on stairs if you're in a ground-floor room.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Colonial?
No noteworthy view at this address: it's a commercial street in central Encarnación. A rear-facing room might overlook a courtyard or neighbouring building—nothing scenic from a 3-star city centre spot.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Colonial?
1. Ask for a room at the rear during booking to minimise street noise—there's no lift so you'll take stairs, but the quiet is worth it. 2. Check in early evening: the street is busier but you can gauge noise levels before committing to a room, and the front desk might let you switch if your assigned room is too loud.
What time is check-in at Hostel Colonial?
Check-in at Hostel Colonial is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Colonial have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; typical download speed 8 Mbps; login via room code
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Colonial?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Colonial?
A menú del día (set lunch) with soup, main, and drink runs 15,000-20,000 PYG.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Colonial?
Local buses cost about 2,500 PYG per ride; from the airport, take a bus to the centre for 3,000-4,000 PYG.
When is the best time to visit Encarnacion?
AprilMaySeptember
Top Attractions in Encarnacion
💡 Go at sunset—the light on the river is excellent. Bring your own mate and a picnic blanket.
💡 Ask the custodian to show you the hidden courtyard—it's not always obvious from the main entrance.
💡 Combine with a walk to the nearby Mercado Municipal for lunch. Museum staff appreciate a small donation but entry is free.
💡 Check if there's a free concert or event on weekend evenings—sometimes the municipality puts on music.
💡 Walk there along the river rather than taking a taxi—it's a pleasant 20-minute stroll and you'll pass street vendors selling chipa.