Visiting Encarnacion from Posadas, Arg.
 

Hello...I might be going from Buenos Aires to Posadas for a short while, and I was thinking about maybe visiting the Paraguayan city of Encarnacion, just across the river. First question: Is there anything in particular that you would recommend seeing in Encarnacion? I understand that there are some Jesuit ruins nearby? Any thoughts on them?

Second question....I read in a guidebook somewhere that a great way to visit Encarnacion for a day-trip is to take one of the ferry boats which frequently cross the Parana River. However, I also read that there are pretty much no immigration officials who monitor this ferry service. Is that true?

I obviously don't want to be breaking international laws by taking a ferry and not going through immigration. In your opinion, is this something that I will need to worry about? Or is the likelihood of problems relatively low? What's the format for using this ferry service?

Thanks so much for any tips or suggestions.

First concern: What nationality are you? U.S. and Canadian citizens require a visa to enter Paraguay. The cost is $65. That's a lot if you're just doing a day trip. I wouldn't say the ferries are unmonitored. Immigration officials do patrol the area, and if one asks you, you can't just whip out your passport and have it be all okay. They'll expect you to have obtained a visa in advance.

Encarnacion is your typical border city, a little on the sleazy side with not much of interest. If that's all you plan to see, it's not worth it to make the crossing, even leaving aside the matter of the visa. If you are going to enter Paraguay via Encarncaion, do make the effort to visit the Jesuit ruins. They are accessible and well worth seeing, but again, I think the visa cost is a lot for just a day trip.

Let me add this: Encarnacion is a big shopping destination for people who live across the border in that region of Argentina. Goods have always been cheaper in Paraguay than in Argentina. But if you're from North America, you aren't going to find any bargains that you can't find back home. Plus, there are a lot of knock-offs like "Rolec" watches for sale. :)

I should also add this (It was late last night when I wrote my first reply): Paraguay is taking border security a lot more seriously these days after having been fingered in the past as a haven for terrorist groups. The chances of being able to sneak in are much slimmer these days. Why avoid immigration anyway?

Hey Jeff....thanks very much for the fast response and informative information!

You're very welcome. I'm not trying to discourage you from going to Paraguay. I do like the place in an offbeat kind of way. I just think the visa cost makes it an awfully expensive day trip.

can someone tell me where you can obtain a visa for paraguay. how long it will take.thanks

The contact information for the embassy in Washington is at:

www.embaparusa.gov.py

and for the embassy in Ottawa at:

www.embassyofparaguay.ca

You can see the requirements and download the visa application form from both sites. It says issuing the visa takes five business days upon receipt of the application.