Horacio Cambeiro · CC BY-SA 4.0Feast of Our Lady of Itacuá
The shrine on the banks of the Paraná welcomes thousands of the faithful from southern Paraguay on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
What it is
While Caacupé draws the national pilgrimage, southern Paraguay has its own gathering on December 8 at the shrine of Our Lady of Itacuá, on the outskirts of Encarnación, facing the Paraná River. The faithful from Itapúa and the surrounding area arrive on foot or with their families for Masses and processions. The rest of the year, the shrine and its surroundings make for a peaceful outing with river views.
What to see and do
- December 8 Masses and procession
- Shrine beside the Paraná River
- Pilgrims from southern Paraguay
Tips
December is very hot: bring water and a hat. Check the Mass schedule at the parish.
Dates may shift to the nearest weekend.
What to see
Encarnación · Itapúa
Encarnación
The Pearl of the South: riverfront promenade, river beaches, carnival and the perfect base for the Jesuit missions.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Costanera y playas de Encarnación (San José, Mbói Ka'ẽ y Pacu Cuá)
Miles of promenade and sandy beaches on the Paraná: this is the capital of the Paraguayan summer.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Carnaval Encarnaceno (Sambódromo de Encarnación)
Paraguay's biggest carnival: comparsas (parade troupes), feathers and drumming every Saturday in January and February.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Puente Internacional San Roque González de Santa Cruz
Two and a half kilometers of bridge, train included, to cross the Paraná to Posadas.
Festivals and events here
Encarnación Carnival
Feathers, drum troupes and dance groups in the Sambadrome: Paraguay’s “summer capital” throws the country’s biggest carnival.
CarnivalEncarnación, ItapúaFeaturedFeb→ MarNatsumatsuri, Encarnación Japanese Summer Festival
Taiko, dances and Japanese food on a summer night hosted by Encarnación’s Nikkei (Japanese-descendant) community.
Heritage communitiesEncarnación, ItapúaAugWRC Rally del Paraguay
The World Rally Championship races on the red-dirt roads of Itapúa, based in Encarnación.
SportEncarnación y Colonias Unidas, ItapúaFeatured25MarNuestra Señora de la Encarnación · Encarnación
Mass at the cathedral and a procession of the Virgin through the city center, merging with the celebrations of the city's founding.
Patron saintEncarnación, ItapúaFeaturedResearched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.