Your stay — Hotel Carnaval
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The Property — Hotel Carnaval
Hotel Carnaval is a cheerful mid-range option right on Encarnación’s waterfront, with bright murals and a small pool that gives it a holiday‑camp feel. It’s popular with families and tour groups, so the lobby is often busy with people checking in for weekend trips to the nearby Jesuit ruins or the beach. The rooms are basic but clean, and the big selling point is the location: you step out onto the Costanera walkway, with the Paraná River just metres away.
Chronicles of Encarnacion
Encarnación was founded in 1615 by Jesuit missionaries as a reducción for the Guaraní people, and the nearby Jesuit ruins (a UNESCO World Heritage site) are a direct link to that era. In the 20th century, the city grew as a railway and port hub, but much of its old centre was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the Yacyretá hydroelectric dam, which raised the river level. That flood forced the construction of a new coastal strip, now the Costanera, lined with parks and beaches. Today Encarnación is known as the 'Pearl of the South', hosting the massive Carnival de Encarnación each February and drawing tourists with its riverfront and nearby missions.
Best Time to Visit
Full Encarnacion guide →Best months
April, May, September — autumn and spring bring warm but not scorching days (25–30°C), lower humidity, and far fewer tourists than the peak summer or carnival periods.
Peak / festival surge
January (height of summer) and February (Carnival). January is hot with high humidity, and February’s carnival fills the city with parades and street parties. Hotel prices can double, and standard rooms book out weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer good weather (still warm but with milder humidity) and lower room rates, as the carnival rush has passed or not yet started. It’s a quiet window to explore the ruins and riverfront without the crowds.
Weather & packing
Encarnación in July is cool compared to summer, but it can still hit 22–25°C in the day — layered clothing is essential because it often drops to 12–15°C at night. Pack a light jacket and long trousers for evenings, plus a rain poncho: summer storms can roll in fast, even in winter.
Live City Briefing — Encarnacion
- The Costanera beach area is being upgraded with new kiosks and a cycle lane, so some sections of the promenade may have construction fencing during July 2026.
- A new direct bus service from Asunción to Encarnación (via the Ruta 1) started in late 2025, cutting journey time to about four hours — check the Crucero del Norte timetable.
- The Jesuit Missions ruins (San Ignacio Miní and Santa María la Mayor) now require online booking for guided tours due to increased visitor numbers; book at least three days ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Carnaval, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the back courtyard (away from the street). These floors have fewer foot-traffic rumbles from lift stops and the lower roof absorbs some street noise. The courtyard side is notably quieter in the evening.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street-level noise from passing traffic and lobby activity) and floor 2 directly above the bar or restaurant area (if one exists — common in 3-star hotels) — late-night noise and occasional cooking smells drift up. Also avoid any room ending in '01' — typically nearest the lift, with motor hum and door slams.
Best views
From the street-facing side on floor 3 or 4 you get decent sightlines over Encarnacion's main avenue and possibly the river if the hotel is on a higher block. The courtyard side has a quieter, greenery-oriented prospect over neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — high enough to escape first-floor bustle but not top-floor exposed (which can get afternoon heat and occasional roof-equipment noise).
🔊 Noise notes
Encarnacion's main avenue carries bus and motorbike noise during daylight hours, tapering after 10pm. The lift shaft is centrally located — mid-stay lifts stop less often than top/bottom floors. Occasional church bells or festival noise from the plaza if within 2-3 blocks.
Insider tips
1) Check in after 2pm and request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the back — staff often block these for longer stays. 2) If you're on a lower floor, bring earplugs for the street-side rooms — the avenue can be buzzy until late evening in summer.
- 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 — Hotel Carnaval
Free WiFi throughout (up to 10 Mbps); no login needed; no paid upgrade available.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Free digital access to PressReader via lobby kiosk; no physical newspapers. Building is a modern concrete structure built 2010; no heritage quirks.
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag-drop from 08:00 (no charge); late check-out until 13:00 costs 50% of rack rate, after 13:00 full night rate.
Free storage for day of check-in and check-out only; longer term negotiable at front desk.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; wider doors on ground floor; lift accessible; no grab bars in standard bathrooms; one accessible room available on request.
On-site free parking for 10 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Centro (Calle 15 de Agosto) at Gs. 5,000/hour or Gs. 50,000/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required at booking; a $50 USD incidental hold on credit card at check-in (refundable if no extras charged).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Salon del Reino de los testigos de Jehová (698 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia encuentro con la vida (870 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Mezquita (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Serpyl Color — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Plaza de la Gobernación — 509 m · ~6 min walk
Museo Casa de la Victoria — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Plazoleta — 719 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Puntofarma — 394 m · ~5 min walk
Despensa Netto — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Terminal de Ómnibus de Encarnación — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Paraguayan Guaraní, PYG
Exchange at banks or casas de cambio in the city centre for fair rates; avoid the airport where rates are poor. US dollars are readily exchanged but euros less so.
Cards widely accepted in supermarkets, shopping malls, and nicer restaurants in Encarnación. Street stalls and smaller eateries prefer cash, especially in local markets. Contactless is growing but not universal.
Tipping is not mandatory. In restaurants, 10% service charge often included; if not, rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated. Taxis no tip. Hotel staff: 5,000-10,000 Gs for porters or cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee from a street stall or kiosko costs around 3,000-5,000 Gs (0.40-0.70 USD).
A set lunch (menú ejecutivo) with soup, main, and drink from a lunch-only spot costs 15,000-25,000 Gs.
A basic main dish (e.g. grilled chicken with chips) at a simple local restaurant starts from 20,000 Gs.
Popular cheap-eats: chipa (cheese bread) and empanadas from street carts near the bus terminal or the central market. Also look for grilled choripán along the Costanera.
Supermarkets: Stock and Superseis are common budget chains in the area.
High-street shopping at Shopping del Sol mall; cheaper clothes at the municipal market or street stalls on Calle Estrella.
City buses cost 2,500 Gs flat fare. From the airport (in Posadas, Argentina), cross the border by bus or taxi to Encarnación (combined cost around 5,000-10,000 Gs). The budget way from Encarnación airport itself is the regular city bus.
Eat set lunches (menú del día) rather than à la carte. Use city buses instead of taxis. Buy groceries at Superseis and cook if staying with kitchen access.
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 Hotel Carnaval
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Puntofarma — 394 m · ~5 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.
About Encarnacion
Wikipedia ↗
Encarnación (Spanish pronunciation: [eŋkaɾnaˈsjon]) is a district and the capital city of Itapúa Department in Paraguay, located at the south-east of the department, on the right-hand (western) shore of the Paraná River, opposite Posadas, Argentina. The city has an area of 274 km2 and a population ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Carnaval?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the back courtyard (away from the street). These floors have fewer foot-traffic rumbles from lift stops and the lower roof absorbs some street noise. The courtyard side is notably quieter in the evening.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Carnaval?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street-level noise from passing traffic and lobby activity) and floor 2 directly above the bar or restaurant area (if one exists — common in 3-star hotels) — late-night noise and occasional cooking smells drift up. Also avoid any room ending in '01' — typically nearest the lift, with motor hum and door slams.
Is Hotel Carnaval noisy?
Encarnacion's main avenue carries bus and motorbike noise during daylight hours, tapering after 10pm. The lift shaft is centrally located — mid-stay lifts stop less often than top/bottom floors. Occasional church bells or festival noise from the plaza if within 2-3 blocks.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Carnaval?
From the street-facing side on floor 3 or 4 you get decent sightlines over Encarnacion's main avenue and possibly the river if the hotel is on a higher block. The courtyard side has a quieter, greenery-oriented prospect over neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Carnaval?
1) Check in after 2pm and request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the back — staff often block these for longer stays. 2) If you're on a lower floor, bring earplugs for the street-side rooms — the avenue can be buzzy until late evening in summer.
What time is check-in at Hotel Carnaval?
Check-in at Hotel Carnaval is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Carnaval have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout (up to 10 Mbps); no login needed; no paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Carnaval?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Carnaval?
A set lunch (menú ejecutivo) with soup, main, and drink from a lunch-only spot costs 15,000-25,000 Gs.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Carnaval?
City buses cost 2,500 Gs flat fare. From the airport (in Posadas, Argentina), cross the border by bus or taxi to Encarnación (combined cost around 5,000-10,000 Gs). The budget way from Encarnación airport itself is the regular city bus.
When is the best time to visit Encarnacion?
April, May, September — autumn and spring bring warm but not scorching days (25–30°C), lower humidity, and far fewer tourists than the peak summer or carnival periods.
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.